Garrett had left to load our luggage on the boat long before Kael finally came for me. Though I had tried to rest, I couldn't. I had retreated to the library soon after helping Garrett clean up and decided to stay there until we were ready to leave. Enough damage had been done this morning. I hoped injuries weren't beyond repair. The afternoon had given me time to think, to plan. Though my actions would have to be drastic, I needed to regain trust between Kael and I. Standing by the window in the library, I didn't notice his entrance at first. I'd become lost in my thoughts.

"We're all ready. Boat's loaded," Kael announced, then studied me a moment and asked, "You up for this?"

I feigned resilience I didn't feel despite the attempted rest I'd had while preparations were made for the trip. Expecting wind on the boat, I'd covered my dress with a cream sweater I'd found in the collection of items I'd been given. The warmth gave me some measure of comfort though the cold chill deep inside me remained.

"Of course," I said as I started toward him, "Garrett's on already?"

"Yes," he said coolly. As could be expected, the mention of Garrett brought a measure of tension to his demeanor. He moved to open the door.

Resisting the temptation to prolong the inevitable, I reached over and pushed the hardwood door, closing the small opening he had made. "We need to talk," I started, serious. I was startled at my bravado, but I intended to thank myself for this later. He turned and looked at me, waiting. Yes, this afternoon had changed things a lot. I hadn't noticed the spark his eye held when he looked at me until I noted its absence. Now, he watched me with strained patience. My heart rate quickened. I couldn't fail now. These next few moments could be my only hope of regaining his trust.

I took a breath, willing myself to be brave. With my years of working with people as an editor, I had some conflict resolution skills, however different the situation was now. I met his eyes, knowing our relationship was tenuous at best. My speech had better be good.

"I know you're angry and you have a right to be. I just want you to know, Garrett's only doing this because he's intimidated by you. Neither of us has experience in the underground war raging here. He wants the upper hand in some way."

I spoke slowly in hopes that my words would meet their mark. Despite my fears, I refused to break eye contact.

"I went along with him because, to be honest with you, I just feel safer with you not miles away."

The muscle in his jaw loosened for the first time since he'd come into the library to retrieve me. Although I took this as a good sign, I kept my expression solemn.

"I know a lot of what you've done in the past hasn't made you the most upstanding citizen." I paused and chose my next words carefully, "I am willing to help you in this matter, however. After all you've done to help me, it's the least I can do. We can't tell Garrett, and you have to promise me we'll go ahead with this as planned."

I could see the doubt in his eyes, the hesitation to trust me. Rather than continue, I waited, wanting to see if I had any ground at all.

"He's already sent the files. How could you help with this?" he asked finally.

Pleased he was taking me seriously, I tried to remain composed and explained, "I know who he sent them to. And unless by some miracle that guy changed his password, I can go delete the files right out of his inbox. It will be as if this never happened." He looked doubtful so I pressed on, "If you take us as planned, he won't know I deleted them. Only..." I had forgotten about Garrett's phone. It was best to gain complete trust from him so I added, "The phone. I can get that off him."

"I already have the phone," Kael offered. I tried to find in his face any indication of how he had accomplished this. His flat expression wouldn't divulge if there was more violence involved or if Garrett had surrendered it willingly. No doubt Kael would have to let him use it to "contact Charlie" every twenty-four hours, but we could divert those emails easily enough.

"Why are you doing this?" Kael asked, interrupting my train of thought.

I bit my lip, trying to formulate a good answer. Nothing I was willing to verbalize came to mind. I wanted him to look at me the way he used to, wanted this dark stare to go away forever. I needed to know I could depend on him if things got bad again. "Take it or leave it," I said crossing my arms.

"What do you want in return?" he asked, clearly suspicious.

I tried to think of something, then shook my head and said quietly, "You've already done enough for me. Just please make sure I don't die out there, ok?"

"Done." He took my arm and led me over to the laptop on the desk. I got to the website, praying silently that Charlie wouldn't have changed his account and password since we were in college. If this didn't work, I wasn't sure how to get my footing right with this man again. Entering his address and password, I held my breath. It worked. My relieved sigh was audible. Garrett's message was there, the first in a list of thirty. Unread. Without wasting another moment I deleted it, both from the inbox and the trash folder.

"There." I turned to Kael. "Satisfied? Now let's get on that boat," I attempted a joke, "Why can't we take the train again?" I asked.

He smiled at me, making my decision to help him seem less insane than I knew it to be. "Back to your questions, you must be feeling better," he teased on our way out of the room, and revisited my query, "Gideon said the most discreet way to access this place undetected was by water."

"You've never been there?" I stopped my descent of the stairs, staring.

"No."

He continued and reached the bottom before I started again.

"So how are we getting there?"

"I know somebody who's been."

Seeing my fearful look, he continued. "Don't worry, Madeline's secure. Higgin's sole role is keeping her away from you."

He took me through the house to the passage we had taken the first night. Even with the darkness, I was glad as I was not feeling up to the roundabout nature walk today.

We entered the dark stairwell. I concentrated on each step, trying not to fall. He stopped at the bottom, only a small light coming through under the door.

"Where we are going, you can't trust anyone. Especially not your father. Even if deep down, you hope I rot in prison someday, while we are in this, stick with me ok?"

I needed light. Badly. I had tried so hard not to think about where we were going, what we were doing. The reality was hitting me, and I was scared. "Ok," I managed and hesitated before adding, "and I don't hope you rot in prison."

"Ah, but I know you do," Kael whispered. I winced knowing his words were closer to the truth than my own. With that, he pushed open the door, and we were back in the underground boardroom.

*****

Do you think Harper did the right thing in betraying Garrett and regaining Kael's trust?  

Sorry this one is a little short guys! Thursday's installment will be longer. I promise. XD   

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