Page 28 of Bonded Ever After

Be careful. I care about you. I’ll miss you.

“Just make sure you’re on that plane in the morning,” Callum tells him. “And go home and pretend this never happened.”

They clasp hands, then step away from each other. Teth slams my door shut, and Callum steps on the gas. We go speeding down the quiet streets of Paradise Falls for the last time, not stopping until he pulls into the alley beside the science building. At the door, I say a quick prayer that the badge still works, and he swipes it.

Green. We’re in.

We’re more careful this time, aware that security and the scientists might be walking around, even this late. We take the stairs up to the second floor and head straight for the big ball of goldarium. Callum swipes the door, and it opens.

It’s encased in a crystal container, but we open it and grab the soccer ball sized piece of goldarium and force it into a crystalchest, then close it tightly. We can’t take the risk of leaving it open, because it’ll draw everyone in Paradise Falls to it. We close everything up the way we found it, and Callum carries the chest down the stairs, while I hurry along beside him.

We make it to the first floor and head down the hallway to the side door before we hear, “Freeze!”

We turn and spot Security, a man in dark clothes, reaching for the taser at his side.

“This is official Gold Keeper business,” Callum tells him. “So, stay out of our way.”

Instead of reaching for the taser that would do nothing against us, he reaches for his radio.

We bolt, exploding out the side door and climbing into the truck. I put the chest in my lap and Callum’s bag at my feet, while he steps on the gas and gets us out of there. We’re speeding through town, faster than I’ve ever driven in my life, but there’s a countdown in my mind. An awareness that if we do anything wrong right now, our lives will be forfeit.

I picture us strapped down in those cages. I picture them killing my baby and then harvesting my eggs. The thought makes me sick.These people are twisted. Wrong. Anyone who could do that to another person is a monster.

We’re bouncing along the path that leads to Neverwood and park in the parking lot. We get on our bags, then Callum takes the chest and we hurry down the path. We’re almost there when I put out a hand and stop Callum.

People are here. I can sense it.

Our eyes lock. A silent understanding moves between us. Our only way out is through that doorway, so whatever stands in our way will need to be destroyed.

He hands me the chest. I take it wordlessly. We leave the path and circle around the back, spotting the council members and Security before they see us.

There are about a dozen security officers. But instead of regular guns, they have tranquilizer guns. A cold awareness flows through me.I’d rather be shot by a bullet then one of those fucking guns.

We get to the edge of the treeline. Callum hands me the chest of goldarium and gestures for me to stay where I am. I shake my head, shocked.He can’t handle all of them alone!But he points to my stomach, and I know that he’s right. I don’t want to risk hurting the baby. Not unless they leave us with no choice.

Callum slowly moves forward until he steps out into the light.

All the tranq guns focus on him.

Councilman Vyn smiles, a deadly smile. “It seems that somehow you’ve discovered information that wasn’t meant for your ears.”

Callum’s mouth curls. “You fucking bastards. We already willingly gave up our lives to bring you goldarium, but that wasn’t enough for you. You needed more. You needed to be greedy, conniving, heartless, pieces of shit–” And his mom flinches at each word.

The councilman shakes his head. “See, you and Jaen, and her traitors, are the problem. You can’t seem to realize that our decision isn’t based on feelings, or what’s best for you. It’s based on what’s best for Paradise Falls.”

Callum’s voice is filled with venom. “Killing our baby and taking us prisoner is what’s best for Paradise Falls? Like hell!”

Vyn spreads his hands. “I’m afraid we don’t have a choice, Callum. This is the decision.”

“You always have a choice,” Callum says. “Just like we’ve had a choice every time we’ve gone into Neverwood. Just like our fathers and past generations have had a choice. And every time, they chose what was best for their people. And in thanks for all of that, you make this sickening decision?” He spits on the ground.

The councilman gives Callum a cold look. “Well, unfortunately for you, you don’t have a choice. Do you see all these tranq guns pointed at you? Just the squeeze of one trigger, and this is all over. Except, where’s Elora, Callum? I know she can’t be far from you.”

My mind starts working.I can’t let them shoot him. I can’t just stand here and do nothing.

I squeeze the handles of the chest tighter, and an idea forms in my mind. It’s not a perfect idea, but it may be the only way we’ll get out of this. Even though it’s a risk.

Taking a deep breath, I stride forward into the light.

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