Page 70 of A Sky of Storms
We waded through the marsh waters until Ace found a cluster of reeds for us to hide in while we waited for the sun to come up.
“Noah, I don’t think they’ll show with no one there,” Ace said quietly. “If I was them, I wouldn’t fly down if the guy I was supposed to meet wasn’t standing there waiting for me.”
“You think I should go out there?”
“Who are you meeting?” Kayden asked, but we ignored him.
“Nope,” Ace said. “I should go. You look nothing like Mark and they’ll know straight away something is up.”
“You just want intel,” I said, narrowing my gaze at Ace. “What are you playing at?”
Ace smiled darkly. “Maybe I do, but I’m your only option if you want them to land. You, on the other hand, have zero fucking chance. What’s it gonna be cupcake?”
“He’s got a point,” Kayden said, surprising both Ace and me. We both looked at him, but he only shrugged. “I’m not Twiggy’s biggest fan but I’m not an idiot either. His logic makes sense.”
I clenched my jaw, deliberating. Apart from the hair colour, Ace and Mark did have similar builds. It was a big risk, given the hooded guy had met with Mark before, albeit in a dark room. We were banking a lot on the mystery guest not recognising him—and therefore Mark—but if Ace was successful, he’d get the answers I wanted. But what if he refused to give them to me once he had them?
I contemplated using my invisibility but I was exhausted and I wasn’t sure I could hold it for very long. I’d get zero answers if I appeared out of thin air and scared whoever rocked up.
My choices were limited.
“Once whoever it is lands, you bring them to me to question,” I said finally. “If they question where Mark is, you tell them he’s dead and House Jupiter asked you to step in. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try.”
“House Jupiter?” Kayden asked.
Ace didn’t question it, nodding. “Done.”
He strode towards the centre of the low island in the marsh, and we waited for the sun to rise. It didn’t take long for the sky to begin turning orange. I stared at Ace’s back, praying that he wouldn’t screw me over. Soon the sound of helicopter blades whirling filled the air and I instinctively crouched lower. Kayden did the same at my side.
“Here we go,” he whispered as the source of the sound came into view.
I started to worry our cover would be blown as the reeds were almost flattened by the wind, but whoever was piloting the helicopter must not have noticed. Ace had to turn away and cover his eyes with an arm as it landed nearby.
When I turned back, I noticed a drake was painted on the side of the helicopter.Interesting. Is that why Ace had insisted on coming? I cursed under my breath. I knew he was out for himself. Was he going to sabotage this whole thing for me?
I waited, holding my breath with my fists clenched at my sides as the helicopter blades slowed to a stop and the door opened. A hooded figure stepped out, took five steps, then waved Ace over. Ace didn’t hesitate, walking over confidently. It all seemed to be going well until the hooded figure backed up slowly and pulled a gun on Ace.
Fuck.
Ace froze, raising his hands. Was he in danger or was this all for show? I could see his mouth moving but had no idea what was being said. I just hoped it was exactly what I’d told him to say and not him giving us up. I was tempted to run out there and get the answers for myself instead of waiting to see if Ace had betrayed us or not. I made to move, but Kayden gripped my arm.
“If you show yourself, your mystery person will shoot,” Kayden said in a low voice. “They’ll be on the helicopter in a blink and you’ll never get the answers you seek.”
“For all we know, this is all some show Ace and his Drakes planned,” I gritted out, watching my only lead helplessly.
“Maybe,” Kayden replied. “Or maybe not. Best bet is to get Ace alone either way.”
“Fuck,” I grumbled, hating that he was right.
A gunshot sounded, my heart racing as Ace fell to the ground and a flock of birds took to the skies. Kayden kept his grip firmly on my arm as the hooded figure ran back into the helicopter.
“We need to help him!” I shouted at Kayden, tearing my arm from his grip. Ace couldn’t die, not before I got answers.
He launched himself on me, pinning me beneath his weight and almost shoving my head beneath the water. I struggled against his hold, but he was stronger than me, and there was nothing I could do to get him to ease his grip. What the fuck was Kayden playing at? I’d been so delusional to think that he was on our side, and yet here he was, trying to drown me. Were they working together?
Kayden shouted at me, but the sound of the helicopter propellers lifting it into the air blocked out his words. The aircraft flew away, taking all my hope with it. Finally, his grip eased and I launched myself at him, throwing a fist at his jaw for good measure.
“I just saved your life,” he ground out, defending against my next attack. “They would have been searching for witnesses. Did you want to get shot too?”
