Page 18 of Flame and Fury

“And our challenge is to bring him in.” Wren whispers. “I can only imagine what the guards and the clerics would do with him.”

Our first challenge was all about shaming Leland Nemean. I don’t know what he did to piss off one of the gods or a cleric, but they wanted him publicly humiliated. Then they set us after Otis Carmine because he was disrespecting the gods, not being grateful enough for their support and disobeying the summons he was given. They made him a challenge to prove that he was their puppet, whether he wanted to be or not.

Ultimately, both of those men weren’t outright working against the gods and the clerics. The Boar has been setting up a network, something reminiscent of the Underground. He’s been stealing from the clerics and the elites and giving it back to the poor people in this area. I don’t think his punishment will be to attend a party or perform at a parade.

Wren must come to the same conclusion because her brow furrows. “We can’t take this guy in. They’ll kill him.”

I look straight into her eyes. The dynamic between us is so fucked. I’ve been a prick to her. I’ve shared her secret with my aunt. I’ve taken her control. I’ve grown up having the idea of individual success shoved down my throat. If I didn’t win a fight, didn’t do the best at lessons, or wasn’t the most accomplished champion, then I wasn’t worth a damn. When Kat first told me about the Underground it was as though the world made sense for the first time. I was twelve and angry. Although I’d already figured out how to lock down all my emotions. I didn’t get to see Kat often, but she found a way to get me a burner phone. We made plans to meet when it was safe. Which wasn’t often.

That phone was a lifeline. A connection to someone who actually cared for me. I’d begged her to let me join the Underground. I couldn’t keep living a life where I felt so helpless and stuck. She opened my eyes to the rest of the world. I learned that sometimes lives might be sacrificed, but our goal is to help as many people as possible.

Hurting Wren is the first time I’ve hesitated to put the needs of many over the needs of one.

Right now, our focus has to be on building allies for the Underground. “I don’t think we should bring the Boar in for the challenge.”

I take another drink of my beer, and wince. It’s already warm. The heat is cranked up inside the bar to combat the arctic temperatures outside. “But, I would really like to find him so we can talk.”

“Talk to him about what?” Wren crushes another peanut, making a mess with the shell.

“Kat and I have been working on making connections all throughout Zeus and Hera’s territory. There are branches of the Underground all throughout the region, but the Boar isn’t one of them. He could be a huge asset. He has a massive network in this part of the country.” I say in a hushed tone.

Wren glances around the bar to see if anyone’s listening to our conversation, but everyone left except for one guy sleeping in a booth. He’s snoring so loudly it’s almost hard to hear Wren’s quiet words.

“What makes you think the Boar is going to want to see two people associated with the games?”

“He might not want to see me, but I bet he’d see you.”

Wren snorts, dusting her hands off over her napkin of shells. “Why would he want to see me?”

Wren takes a long drink of her beer, the tip of her tongue darting out to lick a drop off her bottom lip. She really has no idea how captivating she is. “I don’t think you realize the impact you’ve already had on these games, little bird.”

Wren winces and shakes her head. She thinks I’m making fun of her.

“Because of my winning personality?”

“People have noticed the little gestures, the small things you’ve said during your interviews. They know your history, and they know where you’re from. None of that is a secret. You’re gathering quite the support outside the games.”

“Sure.” Wren nods, but it’s clear she doesn’t believe me. Just as quickly her brow furrows and worry glints in her eyes. It’s gone before I can tell her all the ways she’s becoming a symbol of rebellion for the people.

“What do we do now? You say you know about this Robin Hood guy. Where do we find him?”

“I thought that’s the reason you came here.” I haven’t called any of my connections to help me locate the Boar, but it’s possible Kat might know how to get in touch with him. I assumed Wren knew where she was going because this bar has been reported to be linked with his network, but that’s not widely known. I was surprised when Wren found her way here, although nothing with her should shock me anymore.

“I mean, I did. Sort of. I figured a place like this might have an inside scoop on the city. Or they might be able to point me in the right direction.”

I shake my head.“Those must be some incredible instincts you’ve got, little bird.”

Wren groans. She might pretend she doesn’t like my nickname for her, but her pulse leaps in her throat whenever I use the endearment.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I lean in, not because I can’t speak quietly enough, but because I want to be closer to her. I inhale the mouthwatering scent of her and feel the heat from her skin. She’s an addiction and the cure. “This place has known associations with the Boar.”

“For real?” Wren jerks her head back, glancing around the bar like the Boar is going to pop out of a closet and wave.

“I would never lie.”That’s a lie, but I’m telling the truth about this.

Wren scoffs and gulps down a huge drink. The bartender is still in the corner of the bar, messing around on her phone, her fingers flying across the screen. Her eyes lift and meet mine, narrowing before dropping back to whoever she’s messaging. I really hope she’s not sending out an SOS. I hadn’t planned on fighting today.

---