"You both need to be on high alert, especially in that part of town," Andrew says as Colton and I get ready to leave. "With the whole rebel situation as well, you can-" Colton cuts him off.

"I know... Rose will be fine and so will I, we're only going to see mother," Colton's eyes meet Andrew's and I decide on staying out of this one. Too many times I have gotten involved in things I shouldn't have.

"Just be careful..." Andrew says softly and I know he is only trying to be cautious. With some luck we will finally find out tonight if Mariah has sided with the rebels. I'm hoping that she hasn't and that this is all just one big misunderstanding but you know what they say about hope.

"And we will be," Colton sighs and places his hand on my back, pushing me forward. I scowl at him before giving his father a small smile. Andrew returns the gesture as we leave.

"Does anyone else know where we are going?" I ask as we walk down the silent corridor. My voice echoing off of the rocky walls. The only thing guiding us are small bulbs that barely give off any light.

"I spoke to Marco earlier and he rounded up as many people as he could to accompany us if anything goes wrong," Colton confirms and I sigh in relief.

At least that is one less thing to worry about.

"Are you okay? This is the first time you're seeing your mother in god knows how long," I ask gently and he takes a deep breath before responding.

"It's probably best if we don't get too carried away with emotions," he says coldly and I roll my eyes.

"If that's how you want to be then fine but I'm here to listen... always," I assure him and he nods as we approach the familiar door that leads to where the trucks are held. I can't help but be nervous about tonight. I'd be a fool not to be.

I can't imagine how Colton must be feeling. From the very minimal amount he has told me, I already know he's always had a strained relationship with his mother. This would be the last straw for him.

I don't understand how a woman could ever betray her family so horrendously.

"You ready?" Colton questions, his hand clasped around the door handle. No. I don't think I could ever be ready for this.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I breathe and he chuckles a little. Seriously? Now he choses to laugh.

The hinges groan as the door swings open, revealing the rows of trucks. Marco and his crew already suited and ready. Marco flashes his charming grin and I can't help but smile back. His smile quickly drops and I look over to the culprit.

If looks could kill then Marco would have dropped dead at an instant at the sight of the deep scowl etched onto Colton's face.

I hook my arm through Colton's. "It's probably best if we don't get too carried away with emotions," I mock him, using his own words against him.

I pat his arm, condescendingly, before walking towards the truck.

His arm wraps around my waist, stopping me in my tracks. Slowly, he leans down so only I can hear him. "You're walking on a fine line, my love," his husky voice sends a shiver running down my spine.

"Hurry up, lovebirds," Marco shouts and my head snaps in his direction, shooting him a glare.

"Watch it Marco," Colton warns, his voice low but threatening. Marco immediately looks away and I can't help but smirk. "Now where were we?" Colton says, his hand trailing lower.

I quickly rip his hand away from my body. "We were no where... let's go," I say, almost breathless from the contact.

"Fine," he huffs and walks around to the driver's side of the truck before getting in. I follow suit, climbing in with ease.

***

The sun is setting behind the trees as we pull up to the tavern. Marco and the others set up camp further back, keeping a safe distance but close enough if we need them.

"Are you nervous? I'm nervous," Colton blurts out as the truck comes to a halt. His face and voice is void of any emotion. This is him nervous?

"It's okay to be nervous and if it helps... I don't think my hands have stopped shaking since we left your father's office," I admit with an uneasy laugh. "As long as you go in there with zero expectations then you can't get hurt," I say and he nods his head hesitantly.

I've learnt the hard way that it's best to not get your hopes up and to throw your expectations out of the window. It will only get you hurt and will most likely not end up in your favour.

We get out of the truck and I stare up at the tavern. It looks worn to the core - its thatched roof sagging and its wooden exterior covered in mould and moss. The only sign of life being a small oil lamp strung up beside the oak door. Leaded windows giving it a prison-like look.

I stay close to Colton's side as we walk towards the large door. The knocks echo into the night.

Looking around, it's as though we are in the middle of no where - nothing but trees as far as the eye can see. I can only think that someone would only ever choose to live here if they were hiding. Everything about this only adds to my suspicions.

A scruffy old man answers the door. His brown hair littered with grey, his stained top protruding out over his beer belly. "What do you want?" he slurs and I can't help but grimace at the sight.

"We're here to see Mariah Grey," Colton says and I rest my hand on his back for moral support.

"You're her kid I'm guessing," the man spits and Colton tenses beside me. "She'll be down in a minute, come in... you want a beer? Any drink for the lady," he smirks and I hold back the urge to show my distaste.

We enter the tavern. It's just as grimy as you would expect. The stone floors are sticky from what I can only assume is alcohol, the place is dank and smells bitter. The furniture torn and stained. There is no way his mother lives here.

"No... nothing for either of us," Colton however doesn't try to hide his disgust in the man before us. "Tell her to hurry up, we don't have time to waste," Colton presses.

"Don't speak of your mother that way," the old man points an accusing finger at Colton.

"I don't think you want to be telling me what to do..." Colton trails off, his hand reaching into his blazer.

"It's fine we can wait," I rush out, trying to diffuse the situation before it gets out of hand. We haven't been here five minutes and we're already on the brink of shooting each other.

"The pretty lady speaks," the man smiles and I glare at him but he backs away, both hands raised.

"Thank you Dennis, you can go back to whatever you were doing," a feminine voice sounds through the small tavern.

My eyes snap to where the voice came from and as soon as my eyes meet her green ones I feel the colour drain from my face. Her build is slender and tall, her light brown hair framing her face.

I know this woman.

I didn't think our suspicions would be confirmed so soon, so quickly.

She's the woman I saw the night I went to look for Maximus. The same woman that shot at me and chased me through the forest... that shot at her own son.

***

Colton

I watch as Rose's face blanches and her eyes go wide at the sight of my mother - I need to know what she knows but now isn't exactly the best time to interrogate her.

I bring my hand to the small of her back and she somewhat snaps back to reality. "Mother," I nod, hiding my grimace. The sight of her doesn't change my disliking for her, like I had expected.

"Colton... what brings you here?" she gets straight to the point. Her green eyes seem to be staring into my soul but I make a point to stand tall and seem unaffected by her.

"I'm sure you have heard about the uprising, our government is crumbling and I just wanted to clear some things up between us before we call a truce with them," I plant the lie casually. My mother nods her head slowly in understanding.

"I'd heard a few things about the uprising... I thought it was all propaganda really," she smiles, although there is a glint of something in her eyes.

"Well our people have suffered vastly, we don't have it in us for another fight. It's showed me just how fragile life is really and that's why I wanted to come here," I spout more lies.

The fragility of human life is more of an embarrassment if anything.

"I understand, I'm sorry for what you and your people must be going through. If there is anything I can do to help let me know," my mother says sweetly and I have to suppress a laugh.

She's a better liar than I thought.

"I will... I know that I can trust you," I say and she averts her gaze. C'mon mother, try harder to prove your innocence. You can do better than this.

"Of course, of course you can Colton," she stammers and I know that I've caught her. What happened to the woman that wanted nothing to do with me?

I see a small smile tugging at Rose's lips in the corner of my eye and I know she can see my mother's facade slipping too.

"I don't feel too well all of a sudden... I think you should go," she says, her eyes meeting mine again. I pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.

"I came all this way, mother, and now you're sending me away... you're not hiding anything are you?" I say, plastering an innocent smile on my face. Her features twist and the sight almost makes me howl in laughter.

"I think she's hiding something Colton..." Rose trails off, the same smile plastered onto her face.

"You need to leave, both of you," she spits and I sigh.

"Where's the hospitality mother?" I say, my voice laced with cold. "Kicking me out again are we?" I can't help but throw it in her face. Reminding her of what she did - whether she feels guilty about it or not.

"Get. Out," she spits and I hold my hands up. I can't help the laugh that ripples through me as Rose and I stalk towards the door.

"Tell Michael that I hope he will accept our offer," I say before laying my arm over Rose's shoulders and leading her out of the door.