Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“Get in,” Lann said. “Clelia will drive back the motorbike. Joss said we have business to take care of.”
At the trailer park, they fitted the lock Lann had bought. He watched Bono with his usual quiet but observant demeanor.
When the job was done, Lann asked, “What’s up with the girl?”
“She’s mine.”
Yeah, that sounded just about right.
Lann measured Bono with his freaky yellow eyes. “You know how complicated this is, right?”
“More complicated than Joss and Clelia or Maya and Tim?”
Lann wiped his hands on a cloth. “I don’t want to meddle, but I’ve been on the watch, and all I can say is the evidence points at her working for Godfrey.”
“I didn’t say she’s not working for him.”
“So what? You’re planning on running away with her and turning a blind eye to the danger we’re in?”
“No.” He slammed the lid on the toolbox. “I’m going to handle things.”
“How?”
“The right way.”
“How?” Lann insisted.
“She’s my business, Lann. Back off.”
Lann was quiet after that, allowing him to simmer in his vengeful thoughts and overwhelming feeling of helplessness.
Slowly, as he gathered the tools, a plan finally formed in his head.
A procession carrying Medusa banners marched down the street below, shouting obscenities. Bono watched from the lounge window with the others.
“Where’s Cain?” Maya asked, drumming her nails on the windowsill. “He needs to see this.”
“Meeting with a government representative on how to handle the Medusa problem,” Joss replied.
Sara regarded the spectacle with a frown. “Have you seen the news?”
“Aye.” Sean’s expression was dark. “They’re saying we’re the bad guys.”
“They’re saying governments worldwide are trying to suppress the facts,” Sara continued, “and that Medusa is bringing truth to the people.”
Clelia placed a hand on Sara’s arm. “You don’t believe that, do you?”
Sara sighed. “I trust you, and I trust our work, but what do we really know about what’s going on behind the scenes? Have any of you ever met Cain’s sponsors or government associates?”
“Cain is a good man,” Joss said.
“The government is hiding our existence.” Sara looked down at the street. “We’ve been fighting to keep the seven arts a secret. I’m just wondering if it’s the right strategy.”
“If exposed,” Lann said, “we’ll be hunted and exterminated. You know that.”
“Sara has a point,” Sean said. “I’m tired of hiding.”
“What are you saying?” Clelia asked with a concerned expression.
“That we need to be recognized,” Sean replied. “We need laws to protect us, and for that we need transparency and government backing. What do you say, Ivan?”
“Cain is my father-in-law. I’ll always have his back just like he’s got mine. You don’t honestly think he has a hidden agenda? He loves Alice more than life itself. He’ll never do anything that could hurt her. I trust he’s doing whatever he’s doing in our best interest.”
“This is what those idiots want.” Maya waved a hand at the people below. “They want chaos. They want us to doubt.”
“It seems they’re succeeding,” Lann said quietly.
Sara straightened. “We should fight back.”
Joss gave them a brooding look. “Cain is the commander. We do as he orders.”
“I’m going to play devil’s advocate here,” Sean said, “but should we follow orders blindly?”
Joss’s silver eyes turned a shade darker. “This isn’t a democracy. I’m the team leader. You do as I say.”
“Please.” Clelia looked around the group. “We’re family. We need to stick together.”
“Agreed.” Sara turned to Joss. “I’m not talking about mutiny. I’m just saying we have a right to take our future into our own hands.”
“You have to admit,” Sean gave a wry smile, “freedom to be who we are without the fear of prosecution has a nice ring to it.”
“We’re all working toward one goal,” Joss said, “which is to wipe out Godfrey and his operation.”
“What do we really know about Godfrey’s objective?” Sara asked.
“He wants world power,” Maya replied.
“And the people Cain works for don’t?”
“What are you saying, Sara?” Joss asked.
“I want the transparency Sean talked about. I want to know exactly what I’m fighting for.”
“The only way to do that would be to infiltrate Cain’s core team, and they’re top secret.”
“Exactly,” Sara said. “We have a right to know what and who we’re giving our lives for. No more secrets.”
Lann turned to Bono. “What do you say?”
“I’m not a team member. My opinion shouldn’t count.”
“You may not be an arts practitioner, but you’re as much part of the team as anyone else in this room,” Lann said.
Bono gave his answer some thought. “In the end, there’s only right or wrong. From where I’m standing, I see only one option, and that’s doing the right thing.”
Lann’s lips twitched. “Wrong can be dressed up to look like right. That’s what propaganda and indoctrination are for.”
“Not if you follow your heart.” Bono felt this truth in his soul. “The mind can be cheated and deceived, but deep down in your gut you know what’s right.”