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Chapter 5

The first traces ofpurple dawn streaked across the dark sky as Jude rounded the corner.

Octavia had been quiet during the journey. It must be hard, leaving behind everything she knew. This was the best for her. She’d be safe with him.

His fingers clenched around the steering wheel. He had to remember that she’d been through a lot. He didn’t want to rush things. His brothers always told him he wore his heart on his sleeve and could never hide what he felt. Not this time. Octavia could take her time without feeling any pressure. She could get used to the base, and get used to how everything worked. Get used to him being in her life. Jude planned to be in it for a long time.

A big part of Jude wanted to rush her, though. Although he hadn’t seen her face clearly, what with that thick scarf wrapped around her head and jaw and her black cap pulled low, she was more beautiful than he’d imagined. Her skin was pale and her eyes large and dark blue. Wisps of her blonde hair had slid from her cap and covered one side of her face. He imagined it was silky to the touch.

He rolled his shoulders. Enough with the lusting over Octavia. She was here, sitting next to him. That was enough, for now.

“It must have been hard out there on your own.” Lincoln sat in the back of the Cobra, next to Malachi.

“It wasn’t a party,” said Octavia.

“You must have more than average skills,” said Lincoln. “Running daily broadcasts like you do and not getting caught, that takes expertise.”

She nodded. “I worked for a government agency before the State wiped them out. I know how to avoid detection.”

Jude nodded as he listened to their conversation. That made sense. Although Octavia hadn’t been explicit about her background, he knew from the way she spoke that she must have spent time in the military or special ops.

“Why do you do it?” asked Malachi softly. “Why risk your life to play music and give out information?”

Jude sat up straight in his seat, his attention only half on the road.

Octavia was silent for a few seconds. “It’s my way of helping, I suppose. Before the State arrived, I was so used to having easy access to everything. If I had a question, or needed to know something, I asked online and there was the answer. Suddenly that was gone. I felt lost and alone. I figured other people must feel the same.”

Malachi nodded. “That makes sense.”

“I doubt everyone enjoys the State lies they pump out day and night,” said Lincoln.

“That’s all the people get to listen to,” said Octavia. “Every billboard, every signal that goes out, it’s all reinforcing the belief that the State are our true leaders.”

“How come you weren’t affected?” asked Lincoln. “Why don’t their hypnotic suggestions work on you?”

Her hand went to the back of her head. “I made a rookie mistake when I first joined the agency. I got into a dangerous situation and ended up hospitalized with part of my skull caved in. I’ve got a metal plate in the back of my head. It’s the only thing I can think of that would cause their hypnotic influences to not work on me.”

Jude turned his head and stared at her. “What happened?”

“I remember little about it, fortunately,” said Octavia. “I was working undercover, trying to track down a terrorist cell. There were rumors they would hit a major city in Europe. I was working my way into the gang, using forums to get information and gain their trust. Someone blew my cover, and they found me. Everything after that’s a blank. Until the hospital. The treatment sucked. But this metal plate saved my life. It also saved me from being influenced by the State.”

Lincoln let out a low whistle. “It must have been one hell of a shock when you woke and discovered what had happened?”

Octavia nodded. “Sometimes, it still feels like I’m living in a nightmare. That morning, when I woke and the world had changed, was freaky. The monarchy was dead, the dragons gone, and everyone was walking around as if it was normal. I must have asked a hundred people on that day what was going on. Everyone looked at me as if I was the crazy one.”

Jude winced as he heard the pain in her voice. She went through that on her own while recovering from brain surgery. There must be a strong core inside her to withstand so much.

Octavia continued. “Within the first week, the broadcasts went out from Emperor Endrir, and the billboards were talking about obedience and loyalty and making sure anyone stepping out of line was reported and punished. Then the safe housing projects went up. It all happened so quickly.”

“What did you do?” asked Jude.

“I kept my mouth shut until I was strong enough. Then, I ran for it. First off, I tried some of my contacts in the agency. Those who survived were as brainwashed as everybody else. One of them even reported me. After that, I grabbed what I could and fled. I had cash and assets that I kept in a secure location. It’s wise to do that when you worked in an agency like mine—you never knew when you might be black-balled. Once your cover’s blown, they cut you off and make out like you’re dead. I used the money for as long as I could, then stole myself that van and have been living out of it ever since.”

“The bunker is a good place to be,” said Malachi. “It beats the State prison these guys found me in.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing it,” said Octavia. “It’s weird. I’ve heard so much about the place from Jude, I feel like I’ve already been there.”

“Jude talks too much,” said Lincoln.