Chapter Five

I had no fucking idea what I was doing.

After a visit to the beach, and once again regretting my consumption of the cheese pastry thing, because I was hungry just a few hours later, I realized I had no idea where to start on my search for Thirteen.

I was in a strange city, a strange new world. I didn't speak all the languages spoken around here, had no idea how to maneuver a city, no idea where to begin to look for the compound itself. I had no idea where to start. Should I just start looking for the compound itself? How did I do that when I had no resources at my disposal? And I couldn't very well just find a computer and search how to look for top secret facilities. That's not how shit worked.

So I found myself sitting on a bench on the wooden walkway that went along the beach. I sighed, burying my face in my heads before sitting back on the bench, tilting my head up to glare at the sky, wishing it had all of the answers, but the damn thing didn't even have clouds, so what the fuck was I even looking at? Was I supposed to ask someone? What if they turned me over to my genetic carriers?

That was a whole other issue to deal with.

I had to move through the realm without alerting them to my presence, or Thirteen's. If they were to find us, they'd kill us, or worse. I had no idea what to expect from them, just what I'd been told, which was the fact that they were terrifying monstrosities.

I looked around, then rolled my eyes.

Yeah... If they were so terrible, why did they live in fucking paradise?

Sighing heavily, I heaved myself to my feet and looked around once more. I was getting hungry, but doubted anyone would spare change for food, or another vendor would happily give me something for free. Frustrated, I started walking again, hoping to come across something that would help me on my search for Thirteen, or food. At this rate, food was beginning to take first place.

I quickly came to hate the temperature of this realm. It was far too hot. The air was too thick, too humid. By the time mid-afternoon rolled around, I felt like I was just wearing my sweat as a second skin. Of course, no one else seemed to be having this issue because they were dressed for the weather in shorts and tank tops or bikinis. Meanwhile, I was trudging around in all back with long sleeves and pants. I probably looked insane.

I continued along the outer edge of the city, not sure how I felt about going further in. I didn't want to get insanely lost among all the buildings and people. Plus, the compound wouldn't be in the inner city. The compound would require privacy and lots of land. If anything, it was probably out in the jungle somewhere, which was a whole other issue.

I'd never been in a jungle before. I had no idea what to expect, aside from what I'd learned in classes, which was shit about poisonous plants, venomous snakes, monstrous big cats, quick sand. All that fun stuff was not on my list of sightseeing, no thanks.

So I needed to figure out how to get through the jungle, how to find this compound, how to get in and out as quickly and quietly as possible. Afterwards... Afterwards, we'd go to the ocean, I decided. That's what I would do. I would take Thirteen to the ocean, then to the vendor who gave me the cheese pastry, and... After? I had no idea. I'd never thought about it. I hadn't really thought beyond the whole rescue plan. And even that was a rough list of events, not an actual plan.

Shaking my head, I rounded a corner with the intention to try and find some food, only to fail to pay attention to where I was going and slammed into a rock solid chest, collapsing back on the ground.

Cursing, I jerked my head up to glare at the source of my headache. A muscular male with hair so dark it was practically black, shaved on the sides, longer on top, eyes so blue they glowed... Wait, he seemed familiar somehow.

"Deja vu," he said, making me blink and tilt my head curiously, but he didn't elaborate as he held his hand out to me. I took it and he lifted me so easily, it was like I weighed nothing at all. And I wasn't exactly a light person to begin with. I was on my feet in a second and the male studied me with those eerie eyes. I stared back at him, still lost for a second until I recognized him from last night. I'd crashed into him before.

Shit, what was his name?

Karen?

Karl?

"Keros," the male introduced, making me stiffen as he held his hand out to me again, this time for a shake. I looked at his hand, at his face, back at his hand, then took it hesitantly. At the same time, my stomach decided now was a great time to belt out the opening to an opera song. I felt extra heat pop into my cheeks as I withdrew my hand slowly, clearing my throat.

"Yeah, sorry about that," I muttered, "Always in a hurry." Keros shrugged at that, then looked back at me, clearly trying to meet my eyes. I shifted uncomfortably at that.

"Well... Bye, I guess," I mumbled, turning with the intention to walk away, only to feel his hand touch my arm. I snapped back around, my instinct to throw him over my head and flat on the ground, except the guy had a good hundred pounds on me, so flipping him would take two of me.

"Hey," he said, making me arch a brow and he held his hands up in surrender, "I know this is probably gonna sound weird, but... Do you want to get some lunch?" I stared at him.

"Yup, definitely sounds weird," I replied, making him shrug a little, but those glowing blue eyes continued to stay locked on me with hopeful expectation. It would be totally weird and risky to go to lunch with some random stranger. So we bumped into each other a couple times, no big fucking deal, we didn't know each other, so why did I feel like I wanted to say yes?

My stomach gave another rumbling growl of disapproval at my mental war. I had only eaten that cheese pastry thing. And before that? When was the last time I ate? How long had it been since I'd last eaten?

I chewed my bottom lip.

"My treat," Keros added, making my eyebrows go up in surprise.

"Why?" I asked frankly. Even if it was risky for me, what about him? What was he doing asking a total stranger to lunch?

"Eating alone can be boring," Keros responded, "And you seem hungry. Figured it was a win-win situation." I gave him a droll stare.

"Your boredom can get you killed if you invite the wrong person to lunch," I pointed out. Keros stared at me.

"You don't seem like the wrong person," he replied. I wasn't sure what to say to that, but my stomach had a few comments of its own, making me clear my throat again nervously.

"Fine," I said at last, "I suppose I can find the time." As if I had anything else to do at the moment. I couldn't very well search for Thirteen on an empty stomach. I'd be weakened and unable to handle anyone who came after me for going after Thirteen.

Yeah, I decided.

That's right. That's what this was. It was just me fueling up before going to save my brother. That's all it was.

Keros's mouth twitched at my response, like he found me amusing. He didn't say anything else as he gestured for me to follow him. Thankfully, we stayed in a pretty populated place, so I didn't have to worry about him tricking me or jumping me in a dark alley somewhere. Though, there was something oddly trustworthy about him. Like, I couldn't imagine him doing such a thing to someone. But I suppose that was always the one who did it, right? The one you least expected?

Wary, I followed Keros into the city where he led the way to a small quaint diner with faded menu panels on the wall near the register, the smell of food a powerful combination of spices and bread and honey. There was something so warm and homey about the place, like a place you'd bring your family too... or maybe a partner.

I tried not to snort out loud at the thought.

Yeah. A partner.

I didn't have time for shit like that. I didn't have time to understand shit like that.

It wasn't that relationships were completely foreign to me. They happened back at the compound all the time. Males and females, females and females, males and males, or other sexes and genders depending on the species. Love itself was not forbidden.

But, no one wanted to love a defect, which I was, so I had no experience with that kind of thing. Dating, romance, none of that occurred to me while training. Most of the time I was focused on staying alive and trying to find a way to help Thirteen anyway I could. The idea of it being a possibility now that I was out in the world...

No. No way. I was getting ahead of myself. I hadn't even saved Thirteen yet. I didn't have time to make sense of that kind of thing, didn't have time to explore it.

As tempting as Keros was.

And holy shit, was he tempting.

The guy walked like a predator. His muscles were a symphony of movement as he took a seat at the table across from me, settling his long legs under the little table, stretching them out so they stuck out the sides. He dwarfed the chair he was in and I wondered how he could possibly be comfortable in it.

"Sorry," he said when his foot bumped against mine as he got comfortable, "I have my dad's genes, unfortunately." I raised an eyebrow.

"I'd hate to see him."

"You would. He's bigger than Hades himself," Keros replied, making my eyes widen at a name I only recognized from the textbooks. His comparison was innocent, but hearing Hades's name from someone other than a textbook was just too familiar for me, too comfortable. His name was usually whispered between students, like the boogeyman, or cursed by the guardians.

"So, I didn't catch your name," Keros said. I blinked.

"Oh, uh... Seven. My name's Seven," I replied. Keros raised an eyebrow.

"Just Seven? Not One?" He asked. I rolled my eyes at that question. Of course not One. There was no One. As far as anyone knew, Bait was the first artificial to be created by the Mother. And I sure as hell wasn't going to introduce myself with his name.

"So where are you from?" I asked, changing the subject. Keros looked at his menu for a moment before looking up.

"Styx," he answered, making me frown.

"All the way from Hades? What are you doing here?" I asked. Keros looked at me curiously.

"The festival," he said, and at my blank stare, he cocked his head, "The festival to celebrate the Royal Consort's birthday. It's a huge festival they have every year... You're not from around here, are you?" I hesitated.

"Ah, no. I'm from... Easter," I said after a moment, using the first word that came to mind. Keros frowned.

"Where's that?"

"You wouldn't recognize it," I assured, then cleared my throat as the server came over to get our drink orders before leaving, "So a festival, huh? For a birthday?"

"He is the King's husband," Keros replied, "We come every year, my family and I. Makes sense considering Akin is my uncle." I almost choked on my own spit at his words. Akin? The King's husband? My genetic carrier? Was his uncle?

"Through marriage," Keros admitted, "But either way."

"Oh," I said, trying not to show how much his words shook me, "Ah, so what kind of things do they do for the festival?" Meaning, did my genetic carriers come into town to celebrate, or did they stick to their royal palace, wherever the hell that was?

It was a general rule not to get too close to them. While technically it made them our parents, they weren't the ones who actually went through the trouble of creating us. That went to the Mother and her group of scientists. At the same time, I knew enough about my carriers from Rae's warning to stay away from them. I didn't have time to get mixed up with them while trying to save Thirteen. It would draw too much attention.

"Typical festivities," Keros replied, "Games, music, a parade. Akin's always there with Hannibal. Lots of noise. Not really my type of gig, but you know, it can be nice if it's your thing." I cocked my head. Shit, so I'd need to lay really low, avoid the festivities, or at the very least any main events. Although, I didn't get Keros to be the type to not like parties.

"Not a party guy?" I asked. Keros smiled thinly.

"Not particularly. Don't get me wrong; I love music. I just like it in the privacy of my own home," he answered, surprising me. The server returned with our meals, mostly things I didn't recognize, but accepted without complaint. At this point, I didn't care what they put in front of me as long as it was edible because I was starving.

The meal was some kind of seafood dish, judging from the smell, with a thick orange sauce on top and a bed of yellow grain. I had no idea what it was, didn't care, and plunged my fork in and started eating. Of course, the moment I tasted it, I actually paused to let the flavors wash over my palate. Like, holy shit, that was incredible. It was rich and spicy and flavorful. There was a pleasant heat on the back of my tongue, soothed by the creaminess in the sauce, the freshness in the seafood. I never thought of myself as much of a culinary person, but tasting so many amazing foods roused something inside me to want to try more. So I shoveled more forkfuls into my mouth, inhaling the meal and the little flatbread side dish that came with it

"This is incredible," I said through a mouthful of bread, licking sauce off my lips.

Keros smiled, and curse that dimple of his for making my heart clench up tight.

"It's an Atlantean staple. It's like a curry. It's made with crab, coconut milk, and Atlantean chili peppers. It's usually served with flatbread."

"It's my new favorite," I said, swallowing down the last bit of food. As we finished up our lunch, Keros ordered some kind of after meal drink that was supposed to settle one's stomach. It was tart and creamy at the same time. I gulped the whole thing down, then sat there, letting everything settle as I watched Keros pay the bill.

It made me mildly uncomfortable to have someone pay for me, but I was used to people buying things for me. After all, none of what I had was my own. It was given to me by the Mother and her people. Not that all of it was appreciated, considering I wanted to wear more than just black sweats all day. Seeing all the different styles of fashion around me made me want new clothes now.

Of course, I wasn't going to ask Keros for that.

He just bought me lunch for fuck's sake.

"Well," I said after a moment, making him look up from tucking his credit card back in his wallet, "Thanks for lunch, I guess." I started to get up and Keros did the same, almost knocking over the chair he was in. I raised an eyebrow at that and Keros cleared his throat, giving me a nod and quickly stooping to pick up the chair. I pretended my eyes didn't linger on his impossibly snug black jeans.

"I'm sorry," Keros said after a moment, making me look at him with a frown, "Do you mind if we talk somewhere a little more private?"

"Ah, sure, I guess," I muttered. If he was going to do something to me, he would've done it by now. The guy was so much bigger than me. He'd probably flip me over and crack my skull open.

I followed Keros out of the diner and we headed out to the street. I waited for him to say something, but he didn't look comfortable out in the street either. So I followed him as we made our way through the crowds of people that had begun to fill the streets, probably preparing for another long night of partying. We finally got to a nice patch of forest in the middle of the city, looking like some kind of park, given the benches and signs. It wasn't nearly as crowded either. Just a few people milling about with books or laptops or their dog.

"So what's up? If you're gonna ask me to pay you back, I'm gonna be pissed," I added, folding my arms over my chest. Keros shook his head.

"No, absolutely not," he assured, then frowned and averted his eyes, reaching up to rub at the back of his neck, "It's not... that. I just... This is difficult for me to say without sounding completely insane, so I'm just going to say it and hope you don't kick me for it."

"That's a good opening," I deadpanned. Keros shrugged, then sighed and looked at me.

"I have visions," he stated, making me raise an eyebrow slowly, "Like... visions of the future, sometimes of the past, sometimes of things happening right here, right now. But they're mostly about the future." I nodded slowly, not sure why he was telling me this. It was pretty fascinating to be able to see the future and what I wouldn't give to be able to do that right now, to find some way to find Thirteen easily.

"Okay," I said at last. Keros studied me.

"I didn't just ask you to lunch to be polite," he said at last, making me frown now, "I had a vision. Of you. Specifically." I stared at him, alarmed. A vision about me?

"What... did you see?" I asked hesitantly. If he saw anything about the Mother, I would be triple screwed if they caught up with me. Or, rather, when they caught up with me. They'd think I'd spilled the beans about the Mother and at that point, nothing would be able to save me.

"You were screaming for help," Keros said quietly, making me cock my head curiously, "You were in some kind of cell. I wanted to say something last night, when I saw you, but I didn't know what to say or how to say it without sounding like a nutjob. All I know is that you're in some kind of trouble and you need help... And I can help you." I stared at him, alarmed that he saw something that could've already happened, or was going to happen. A cell? My bedroom back at the compound could easily be mistaken as a cell. But there were actual holding cells for soldiers who were misbehaving as well. So did that mean the Mother was going to capture me in the end of all of this? Or was it when I was trapped before I escaped?

"Did you... Did you see my brother?" I asked at last. Keros frowned curiously.

"Just you," he responded, "You have a brother?" I debated saying more. The more I said, the more danger I put myself, Thirteen, and this guy in. That wasn't fair. At the same time, I needed to save Thirteen. It sounded like only I would get captured in the end, if that were the case. If the future couldn't be changed.

"I can help you," Keros said at last, making me look at him warily, "And I know you don't have a reason to believe that yet, but let me prove it to you. It's literally my job to help people." Frowning, I watched him pull his wallet out and flip it open, revealing a badge, making my eyes widen.

"You're a Peace officer?" I demanded. That made me nervous. Peace officers kept the peace, it was right in the name. They generally dealt with low level crimes, like petty theft or drugs. Dealing with something that could result in a borderline terrorist attack? I would say that was too big a cookie for this guy to chew. Plus, the more he knew about the Mother, the more likely the Mother was to kill him just for knowing she existed. That would put him in even more danger, and that wasn't fair to him. He had nothing to do with it.

At the same time, he had a point.

I couldn't do this alone. I had no idea how to maneuver this realm. I had no idea where to begin in my search for Thirteen. And what would happen if I did find him? What then? I would challenge all the soldiers there to a fight? I'd be screwed without magic. I'd be pinned down and sent to the Mother before I had a chance to even see Thirteen again.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I wasn't comfortable endangering Keros's life, or trusting him with anything personal just yet. But at the same time, I couldn't do this on my own.

I needed help.

So I did the only thing I could do at that moment.

"I need help," I whispered.