Repossession (The Keepers Trilogy) by Rachael Wade

you? It’s beneficial for everyone.”
    “No, it’s beneficial for you. You’re a liability to us. We’re already a team.”
    “But I have valuable information.… I have water and medicine. You’re really going to pass that up? When there’s nothing here for miles but Invaders and patrol brigades? You won’t make it ten minutes.”
    Jet stopped and glared at Kale. “We’ve made it more than ten hours. You have no idea what we’re capable of. We’re done here.”
    “Wait, fine.” Kale sighed. “I’ll trade for weapons. What’ve you got?” A defeated look washed over his face, his shoulders sagging a bit. My stomach twisted. I didn’t know this guy, but I knew what it was like to be desperate. And I was beginning to think he was most definitely bordering on desperate.
    “Jet, maybe we can bring him with us.”
    “Not happening.”
    The twist in my gut turned to anger. “Why, because you’re the only one who gets a say here?”
    His blue eyes flared. “Because he’ll get us killed.”
    “You don’t know that. Maybe he’s looking for something, just like you are. We’re no better than those things out there if we won’t help our fellow human beings.”
    “Are you seriously going to get all philosophical on me right now?” He stepped toward me. “This is not about helping out our race, it’s about staying alive long enough to find out how the hell to defeat those things. And to get to those camps on the coast so I can save my sister, and hopefully more children while I’m at it. That’s what I’m after, and every second I waste standing here, arguing about this, I’m wasting time I could be doing just that.”
    “You want to defeat them?” Kale interrupted, sounding astounded. Jet didn’t look at him, just held my stare. I waited, wanting the answer myself. I knew he wanted to find Hera, but this was news to me, too.
    “Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
    Kale laughed. “Well, then. I definitely suggest you rethink taking me along with you.”
    “Thanks, but if I wanted your opinion, I would’ve asked for it. My plans are none of your business. You’re not going anywhere with us. We’re either trading or we’re not. Make up your mind.”
    Okay, now I was starting to get pissed off. I understood Jet being cautious and hell-bent on finding his sister, but his temper was unnecessary. This guy Kale was being reasonable. And I had to admit, I liked the idea of having someone else with us. Having another pair of eyes could be useful.
    Safer.
    Kale’s earlier vulnerability seemed to slip away as a knowing look passed over his face, turning his shoulders into a shrug. “Fine, have it your way. But if your goal is to defeat the Invaders, I can give you access to a front-row seat.”
    Jet tensed beside me, his fists tightening. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”
    “It means I’m a rebel, and I attend local rebel meetings. I know where and when they’re held … and I know the plans they have to attack the Invaders.”
    “Is that so?”
    Kale’s expression was cocky now, his wet, wild blond hair glistening in the dusty sunlight. “That’s where I’ve been all night. Meeting with other rebels. We have a plan to take them down, and if you want in, you’re going to need the magic word.”
    Jet raised a brow. “The magic word?”
    “You don’t get into these meetings without a magic word.”
    “What makes you so sure you and your rebel friends know how to defeat them? I’ve been in service, worked right under their roof. We raided plenty of rebel meetings, and not one of them knew a damn thing about how to take the bastards down. It was a bunch of useless theories and deluded people on power trips.”
    “Sounds like you stumbled across the wrong rebels. The fact that you were an insider would only aid our efforts. You could be useful.”
    I dropped my arms to my sides. “Jet, maybe you should listen to him. How can it hurt to check it out?”
    Jet was silent for a