without the commander knowing for sure that he existed at all. I owe him.
“I’m sorry,” he says on an exhale. “Of course you’re right. I can’t ask that of you. I’ll go alone.”
I hate the thought of what he’ll have to go through out there, by himself.
“You don’t have to be alone yet. We have to find out about your mothers.”
He brushes off a blanket that has tangled around his foot, then rises from the bed.
“You must be hungry,” he says, “and I’m sure you could use a painkiller if I can find one.” Maybe this is an act to cover up his fear, but whatever it is, he’s doing a convincing job. “Do you want to see the rest of our quarters?”
“Won’t the Protectors be monitoring it?” I ask.
“Should be fine. As long as we come and go through the inside doors, they shouldn’t detect us. The scanners are only triggered when the front door opens. This room opens directly to the inside of the quarters.” He pushes against a concealed panel at the end of his bed, and it swings open to reveal a dark room beyond. “Wait here a second.” He ducks out and returns a few moments later with what looks like an antique gas lamp. I’ve seen them before in the museum. “Can’t risk the lights in case they’re monitoring the power.”
Guiding us with the lamp, he helps me through to the outer quarters. “Welcome to my world, Meg.”
Chapter 13
The living area is large and well furnished, much like the Temples’ quarters. There’s a plush sofa with several matching arm chairs. I recognize it from the photograph of Ghent’s mothers. There are two large picture windows. Passing me the lamp, Ghent moves into the darkness with easy grace. He rustles around, opening and shutting cupboards. A few moments later he returns with a box of supplies: nutri-bars, painkillers, and bottles of water. He places it on the coffee table and examines my feet. Despite being dirty and sore, my toes are sinking luxuriously into the carpet. I feel guilty at the thought of leaving marks and can’t help remembering the mess I made of the Temples’ carpet not so long ago.
“I think my mother’s shoes might fit you,” Ghent says, rubbing his chin. He ducks out of the room. While he’s gone I lift the lamp to better illuminate my surroundings. The living area is even bigger than I thought. There’s an impressive exercise station complete with treadmill and weights that are more high tech than the gym at my school. I had assumed Ghent’s powerful build was attributable to what he is, that he has the brawn of the male of the species, but now I realize he works at it. There’s probably not much else for him to do. I had always thought of my own life as pretty sheltered, but it’s nothing compared to his. I try to hoist one of the weights but can hardly budge it. A tap against my elbow startles me. I wheel around to see his beaming face inches away.
“Try these.” He takes the lamp from me and presses a pair of sturdy ankle boots into my hands, along with a clean pair of thick wool socks. The shoes look comfortable and well made, but I’m conscious they belong to one of his mothers. I slip on the socks first, and then the boots. Taking a few experimental steps, I almost overbalance. The shoes are too wide, but I should beable to walk if I’m more careful.
“Good?” he asks.
“Yes. Thanks.”
He looks me up and down. “I should find you something else to wear.”
I blush as I scan my ratty robe.
“But we should probably take this stuff back to my room first.” He makes his way to the pile of supplies before pausing to ask, “While we’re out here, do you need to…?” He points in the direction where I assume the bathroom is. I haven’t had a chance to clean up since my shower earlier. The grime from the ducts covers my every pore and mats my hair. Clutching the lamp, I scurry in the indicated direction. Once inside the bathroom I lock the door.
Setting the lamp down, I examine the small
“I’m sorry,” he says on an exhale. “Of course you’re right. I can’t ask that of you. I’ll go alone.”
I hate the thought of what he’ll have to go through out there, by himself.
“You don’t have to be alone yet. We have to find out about your mothers.”
He brushes off a blanket that has tangled around his foot, then rises from the bed.
“You must be hungry,” he says, “and I’m sure you could use a painkiller if I can find one.” Maybe this is an act to cover up his fear, but whatever it is, he’s doing a convincing job. “Do you want to see the rest of our quarters?”
“Won’t the Protectors be monitoring it?” I ask.
“Should be fine. As long as we come and go through the inside doors, they shouldn’t detect us. The scanners are only triggered when the front door opens. This room opens directly to the inside of the quarters.” He pushes against a concealed panel at the end of his bed, and it swings open to reveal a dark room beyond. “Wait here a second.” He ducks out and returns a few moments later with what looks like an antique gas lamp. I’ve seen them before in the museum. “Can’t risk the lights in case they’re monitoring the power.”
Guiding us with the lamp, he helps me through to the outer quarters. “Welcome to my world, Meg.”
Chapter 13
The living area is large and well furnished, much like the Temples’ quarters. There’s a plush sofa with several matching arm chairs. I recognize it from the photograph of Ghent’s mothers. There are two large picture windows. Passing me the lamp, Ghent moves into the darkness with easy grace. He rustles around, opening and shutting cupboards. A few moments later he returns with a box of supplies: nutri-bars, painkillers, and bottles of water. He places it on the coffee table and examines my feet. Despite being dirty and sore, my toes are sinking luxuriously into the carpet. I feel guilty at the thought of leaving marks and can’t help remembering the mess I made of the Temples’ carpet not so long ago.
“I think my mother’s shoes might fit you,” Ghent says, rubbing his chin. He ducks out of the room. While he’s gone I lift the lamp to better illuminate my surroundings. The living area is even bigger than I thought. There’s an impressive exercise station complete with treadmill and weights that are more high tech than the gym at my school. I had assumed Ghent’s powerful build was attributable to what he is, that he has the brawn of the male of the species, but now I realize he works at it. There’s probably not much else for him to do. I had always thought of my own life as pretty sheltered, but it’s nothing compared to his. I try to hoist one of the weights but can hardly budge it. A tap against my elbow startles me. I wheel around to see his beaming face inches away.
“Try these.” He takes the lamp from me and presses a pair of sturdy ankle boots into my hands, along with a clean pair of thick wool socks. The shoes look comfortable and well made, but I’m conscious they belong to one of his mothers. I slip on the socks first, and then the boots. Taking a few experimental steps, I almost overbalance. The shoes are too wide, but I should beable to walk if I’m more careful.
“Good?” he asks.
“Yes. Thanks.”
He looks me up and down. “I should find you something else to wear.”
I blush as I scan my ratty robe.
“But we should probably take this stuff back to my room first.” He makes his way to the pile of supplies before pausing to ask, “While we’re out here, do you need to…?” He points in the direction where I assume the bathroom is. I haven’t had a chance to clean up since my shower earlier. The grime from the ducts covers my every pore and mats my hair. Clutching the lamp, I scurry in the indicated direction. Once inside the bathroom I lock the door.
Setting the lamp down, I examine the small
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