Expendables (The Wall Series Book 1) by Alison Ingleby

Author:Alison Ingleby [Ingleby, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Dystopian, thriller, Sci-fi, Young Adult
Publisher: Windswept Writing
Published: 2017-11-23T22:00:00+00:00

19

Aleesha

I leave Lily up on the roof, huddled at the back of the sheltered area to keep out of the rain blowing in. When I get back to Jay’s, I hear voices coming from the apartment, too low for me to make out any words. I shuffle my feet outside to mark my presence, then open the door and walk in.

The room is gloomy, the last grey light of the day coming through the window. Jay is standing by the table. His head whips around as the door opens and his face is tense and lined. Behind him, standing by the window with his back to us, is a tall figure dressed all in black. The hood of his tight, lightweight top is pulled up over his head and his arms are crossed.

“Aleesha. Where have you been?” Jay asks.

I shrug. “Out and about. I didn’t want to wake you this morning.” Especially as you’d have been like a bear with a sore head.

Jay throws a glance in the direction of his guest and begins to massage his temples. He’s worried about something. There’s a tension in the air, but I can’t tell if it was there before I walked in or if I’m the cause.

I look at the stranger, intrigued, then Jay catches my eye. “Go!” he mouths silently.

I step back uncertainly. “Well, I won’t disturb you. I’ll see you in … in a bit.” I take another step back, my hand still on the door handle.

“Wait.” The voice is deep and smooth. It’s not shouted or barked, but it’s a command all the same. A flash of fear crosses Jay’s face. Fear for me or for himself?

“Shut the door and sit down, Aleesha.”

I shut the door and walk over to the table, but remain standing. The figure turns to face me. Under the hood, white eyeballs stare out. His skin seems to absorb light. As I meet his eyes, a shiver runs down my spine.

He gives off a strange smell. Not unpleasant, just unusual. Fresh damp earth, sweet wood and a slight freshness, like the needled trees in the Insiders’ gardens.

“I don’t think we’ve met.” I’m impressed at how calm and relaxed I sound, despite my stomach tying itself in knots.

“No, we haven’t.”

Fine, not one for conversation, then. Or names.

Jay looks from one of us to the other, obviously not sure if he should intercede. There’s an uncomfortable silence. Finally, the man breaks it. “I have a proposition for you, Aleesha.”

From the blank look on Jay’s face I can see this is news to him.

“I know who you’re working for, and why. They are not friends of ours, the Chain. And if you knew the truth about them, I suspect you would not agree with their ambitions, either.”

Who is this man? I can’t remember ever seeing him before. Damn it. I’ve been so careful about being followed when I go to meet Murdoch since Jay let slip Jonas had spotted me. I could swear I hadn’t been followed. I glance at Jay out of the corner of my eye.

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