Across The Divide by Stacey Marie Brown Page B

level. Croygen’s visit would have to wait. The plastic rectangle pressing against my hip called to me. My goal was to find everything I could on Rapava’s plans. Knowledge was power, and I would destroy him with it. What would the higher-ups do if they knew the truth about this government faction and what it was really up to? Proof was the only way for them to believe. Whatever Rapava was doing down there had to be bad. I felt once I saw what was happening, the knowledge would only lead me deeper into Rapava’s world, and to the truth.
    I waited for Sprig to fall asleep. He would be upset, but I didn’t want him to get caught with me. Of course, I was hoping it wouldn’t get to that, but this venture was extremely risky.
    He was restless, almost like he knew I was planning something. Exhaustion and his warm body next to mine were making it hard to keep my eyes open. I felt myself drifting…
    Thunk! The sound of material hitting the tile floor sounded through the room.
    “Ahhh!” Sprig vaulted up, tripping over my arm. “The gnomes found me. Hide the cake.”
    I grabbed him, covering his mouth.
    It was pitch black, but my senses worked around the room, knocking against objects, trying to find the source of the noise.
    Feet landed on the table. Boots. A grunt.
    “Well, that was a pain in the ass.”
    Air catapulted out of my lungs. “C-Croygen?” I sputtered, letting my hand drop from Sprig, my eyes adjusting to the outline of a dark figure on the table.
    “Like there is any other.” He flicked on the tiny flashlight in his hand, pointing at his face.
    “I wish there was no other,” Sprig grumbled.
    “What the hell are you doing?” I whispered, slipping off my cot and standing up. My gaze darted for the door, ready for a stream of hunters to come barreling through and seizing Croygen. The idea of him being taken away from me, now that I felt I had a thread of hope, generated a frantic, terrified feeling like a squirrel racing around in my stomach.
    “You didn’t show up.” Croygen’s form climbed down from the table.
    “So you risked coming here? To see if I was all right?”
    “Uh. Yeah.” He sighed with exasperation. “That’s why I’m here, Zoey. You think I like being in this hole in the ground, surrounded by human test subjects and forced to wearing this crap outfit?”
    My lips bowed in a smile.
    “I mean, come on, a pirat… tradesman… has a reputation to uphold. Sexy, smoldering, dangerous. This gray scratchy fabric is chafing my crotch and downgrading my threatening demeanor. Not sexy.”
    “Awww…is the delicate wee-li’l pirate’s private parts inflamed and itchy? Might need to see someone for that. Besides your hand.” Sprig leaped onto the end of the bed frame then to the table.
    “But my hand is the only one who understands.”
    “Your hand is the only one who won’t laugh at the size,” Sprig snapped.
    “Funny, most women—”
    “All right,” I said in a hushed whisper, moving between them. Their faces became more distinct through the shadows. “Think I’ve got enough visuals to keep me in therapy for a while. You two can bicker later. I was hoping to do this without involving you guys, but you’re here and I can’t put this off.”
    “Put what off?” Croygen tilted his head with apprehension.
    “It seems we might have one person here on our side and willing to help us.” I told them about my encounter with Kate earlier in the day.
    “And you trust her?” Croygen’s voice was full of doubt. “How do you know she’s not playing you?”
    “I have to agree with the butt-bandit, Bhean . She’s one of them. She could be tricking you.”
    “Because I know,” I replied, still eyeing the door. If they were or could be watching me, someone would be here by now. “I can’t tell you how or why, but I do. I think Rapava is threatening her family. She has to do what he wants. Even coming to me today was a risk for her.”
    “It could all be a setup.” Croygen