Underground 4 by Janelle Stalder Page B

“Either they're dead...or your father is more persuasive than I gave him credit for.”
    She grunted.
    “Do you think you can handle taking a look inside again?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “There are too many,” she replied tightly.
    He nodded, not pushing her. They stopped in an alley right next to the building, surveying it.
    “There's a skylight on the roof,” Lake said, standing on Ludwig's other side.
    “Are you sure? How do you know?” he asked, looking at her.
    “My aunt's told me about it,” she answered. “She likes to look at the stars through it whenever they have their meetings there.”
    Charlotte started toward the building.
    “Where are you going, Lottey?” Ludwig whispered yelled.
    “We need to find a way up there,” she said over her shoulder. “There might be a fire escape around back.”
    “Let me go then,” Lake said, appearing beside her. She dropped her voice. “I don't think you should be exerting yourself like this. Especially considering you just threw up what you ate. Your body isn't going to handle being pushed.”
    “I'll be fine,” she insisted.
    Lake reached out to grab her arm, forcing her to stop and look at her.
    “It's not just about you, Charlotte. Plus, think of how pissed Pete would be if he knew I let you do this.”
    Charlotte knew she was right. “Fine. I'll keep watch here. Whistle if you need help though and I'll be right there.”
    Lake nodded. “I'll be back in a flash.”
    Charlotte nodded and watched her go, nerves racking her stomach. Or was she just going to be sick again? It was entirely possible.
    “Where is she going?” Ludwig asked.
    “To find the fire escape.”
    “By herself?”
    “I don't feel well,” she said.
    “Well I'm not letting her go alone. Stay hidden. We'll be back.”
    He took off after Lake, heading to the shadows at the side of the building where she'd disappeared.
     

     
    This was not how he'd imagined his night would pan out. He had left headquarters on one of the walks he'd taken to doing, planning on returning to sit by himself in his office and nurse a glass of scotch before going to bed. It was the same thing he did every night.
    The last thing he'd expected was to find the rebel who had so often occupied his thoughts with his Lottey. Just out and about in the streets. He had watched them, wondering what they were up to. Except they didn't do anything suspicious. They had just been walking and occasionally talking, until he saw Lottey stop and grip her head. He could still feel the aftershocks of fear from seeing her almost collapse.
    The same thing had happened many times when she was younger and was still learning to control her ability. When he'd brought her in front of his army for the first time, and had ordered her to inspect his men, just in case there were any traitors in the midst, she'd physically collapsed from the onslaught. He had never done that again until he was sure she could shut herself off quickly before being overwhelmed.
    Whatever she had heard from within the community building must have been bad if she’d had such a reaction. He hadn't even stopped to think before leaving the shadows where he'd hidden to go to her. It was Lottey. His Lottey. She might have left him and betrayed their friendship, but knowing he could help her was all that mattered right then.
    Since she and Roman had left, he'd realized just how much they'd brought into his life. They had been his only family. And no longer having them there made him see just how alone in this world he'd created he really was. So, yes, it was probably stupid to go to her. But just having her close, even if it was for a short while, made all those lonely nights seem to disappear. It was like having a puzzle piece missing and then finally finding it again.
    Then there was the other woman. The rebel he was currently following around the back of the building. She made his blood heat up from just looking into her chocolate eyes. That wild hair