Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1)(50)
Author: Aimee Carter

Lila had always spoken about the founding fathers of the country and wars none of us had ever heard of. She treated everyone in the audience like an equal, and that was her charm, but she had access to information that we would never have the chance to learn.

So instead I spoke about things everyone who wasn’t privileged lived with day in and day out. Hunger, discrimination, looking in the eyes of our so-called betters and knowing their lives were worth more than ours simply because of the tattoo on the back of their necks. Having to give up children they loved because they couldn’t afford the fines, and what those children went through— what I’d gone through, abandoned and growing up never knowing who I really was. I couldn’t tell them I knew firsthand what it was like, but I could paint a picture so vivid that they all understood exactly what kind of shame and worthlessness Extras experienced every single day.

I talked about change; real change, not just returning to what the United States had been like before the ranking system. Lila thought a complete overhaul of the country’s political structure would lead to utopia. I thought a world where I could walk into a market and buy an orange without risking my life would be a good start. And as I relayed the news of the attempt on Daxton’s life and how he lay in the infirmary in a coma, I dared to hope that it was time for our country to be placed in the hands of someone who valued every life, not simply the ones who could make his better. Someone like Greyson, if he wanted the job. And if he didn’t, then someone who had everyone’s best interests at heart, not just the Vs and VIs.

The platform lowered me beneath the stage amid the roaring applause, and I could barely breathe. For the first time, having Lila’s face felt right. If this was the kind of work I could do as her, then losing my identity was worth it. I was just one person, but there were thousands counting on her to spread the word—counting on me.

I’d never been needed before, not like this, and it was exhilarating.

Beneath the stage, Knox met me with a warm embrace and congratulations, and I hugged him back. “Did I do all right?” I said once we were winding through the hallways underneath the stadium. His arm was still around my shoulders, and for once I didn’t mind.

“More than all right. That was the best speech Lila has ever given.” Despite his enthusiasm, there was something behind his smile that I didn’t understand.

“What?” I said, but he shook his head.

“Later.”

My mood dampened, but I still felt like I was glowing. As we wound our way through the corridors, the crowd’s cheers didn’t fade, and I clung to them as if they were my lifeline. These were people who knew what it felt like to be considered less than someone else. They understood, and they wanted change as badly as I did.

It wasn’t until we were safely tucked back inside the limousine that Knox’s good mood seemed to deflate, and when I looked at him, he refused to meet my eye.

“What is it?” I said. “Did something happen?”

Knox grimaced. “I got a message from Somerset while you were talking. Greyson’s gone missing.”

Chapter 15

The sun hung low in the sky by the time we returned to Somerset, but within the brick walls the day showed no signs of ending. Guards f locked to me and Knox when we stepped out of the car, and we were ushered inside, where Augusta stood rigidly in the center of the sitting room. A servant was sweeping up the remnants of a shattered vase.

“Celia did this,” I said the moment we entered the room. I half expected Knox to elbow me, but he didn’t say a word in her defense.

“Yes, I realize that,” snapped Augusta, and she sat down stiffly in an armchair. Knox set his hand on my back and led me to the nearest couch. “Do tell me how you can be so certain.”

“I—” I stopped, and instead of looking at Knox and giving him away, I focused on the intricately patterned carpet. “I overheard her talking to someone about hurting him last night.”

“And you didn’t think to come to me about it?” said Augusta, her voice like venom. I winced.

“I told Greyson. He said that Celia wouldn’t hurt him or try to take him or anything crazy like that.”

“Greyson has always thought the best of his family, despite significant evidence to the contrary,” said Augusta. “The Shields are investigating, but she has already fled the city.”

“So now what?” I said. “How are we going to get him back?”

“We are not going to do a thing. I will find my grandson, and in the meantime, you will remain here in Somerset. Until Greyson is found, you are the heir apparent, and I will not have anything happening to you, as well.”

My mouth dropped open, and I turned to Knox for confirmation. His mouth was set in a frown, and he nodded.

With Daxton incapacitated, it was Greyson. After Greyson, it would have been Celia. And after Celia— Lila.

Me.

“I can’t do that,” I blurted. “I can’t—”

“You won’t,” said Augusta sharply. “Greyson will be found, and Daxton will wake up. Now, I have no more time for this. Go to your suite and stay there. There will be guards posted outside, and if you need to go somewhere, they will accompany you. You are not to go anywhere without them, do you understand?”

Her entire body trembled, as if she were moments away from exploding, and I nodded numbly. Even if I wanted to, I had no idea where Celia and Greyson could possibly be. And it would only be a matter of time before Augusta discovered I hadn’t given her speech in New York. When that happened, I needed as much goodwill as I could get.

Knox led me out of the room, and we were joined by half a dozen guards. We walked silently to my suite, and when we reached it, Knox bent down to kiss me on the cheek. As he did, he whispered, “Come see me.” Before I could ask why, he shut the door, and I was alone.

I scurried into the vent so fast that I almost beat him to his room. As soon as he sat on the couch, I dropped from the ceiling, and his eyebrows shot up.

“You weren’t kidding,” he said. “You really fit up there?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I crossed my arms. “Why did you want to see me?”

Before he answered, Benjy came out of the room adjacent, and relief washed over his face. “Oh God, you’re all right. I heard about Greyson.” He pulled me into a tight hug and buried his face in my hair. I wrapped my arms around him, too scared and worried and a dozen other emotions to speak. Benjy was warm and real and solid, and I needed that. I needed him to remind me that this wasn’t all some crazy nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.