The Girl Who Dared to Think by Bella Forrest (best novels of all time TXT) 📗

If I got caught, then it was on me. I couldn’t risk another person I cared about on this harebrained idea. I just hoped he would forgive me.

I had set my gear aside last night after talking to Tian, in preparation for this. Sitting with it was my crimson uniform, modified baton, and lash harness. The only thing I needed was Paragon.

And a whole lot of luck.

Alex had told me my net had been deactivated, but that only meant it wasn’t actively connecting to the servers. The device was still alive in my skull, and ran the risk of getting picked up by scanners if I wasn’t careful enough.

I knew this was dangerous. I knew what it would mean if I got caught.

Zoe was worth the risk.

As quietly as humanly possible, I picked up my gear and started getting dressed. I began with the lash harness, and then the uniform, pausing only to run the lash ends into place. I zipped up the front and smoothed it down, then tucked my baton into the loop.

Putting on the uniform, even after having been out of it for only a short amount of time, felt wrong, but it wasn’t hard to realize why. I didn’t belong to the Knights any more than I belonged to the Tower.

I belonged here. I knew what I was doing was jeopardizing their safety, but I couldn’t let Zoe die. I just hoped they could find it in them to forgive me after everything was said and done. Because even though I’d known them only for a short amount of time, I didn’t want to lose them so soon.

I couldn’t bring the Knights down on their heads. I just couldn’t. It was six lives to Zoe’s one, and I knew that this wasn’t the right choice, but the emotional one. But I couldn’t stop it. I just had to make one hundred percent sure I didn’t bring anyone back—except for maybe Zoe.

If I could do that, then, hopefully, they’d accept my apology for betraying them in the first place.

Number one on my future apology list was Roark, and I crept into his makeshift room amidst the machines and looked around. I typically didn’t come into this area, out of respect for his privacy, but I needed Paragon, and I needed it now.

The pills were set up on a table next to his bed, as was all the equipment we’d been able to carry from his house. I moved over to it, treading as silently as possible, while the old man snored in his hammock. And though I was familiar with the sound, every time he made a noise, I felt close to coming out of my skin.

I was being ridiculous, and this was critical.

I finished crossing the room and began picking up pill bottles, looking for the right label.

The fourth bottle I picked up was labeled “Paragon 5,” and I quickly popped open the lid, hoping that the “5” meant it was the rank it got someone to.

Roark’s snores faltered for a second as the loud pop filled the air, and I looked over at him, expecting to see his eyes open and staring at me. His eyes were closed, though, and he suddenly snorted. Then the gentle snores were back, filling the air.

I fished out a few pills—just in case—and then found the bottle marked “Paragon 9” and grabbed a few for myself, also just in case. I didn’t want to take the bottles, for fear of losing them or getting caught with them—the pills at least I could swallow. I mean... I had no idea what the side effects would be, but at least they wouldn’t have anything to analyze if they caught me.

I slid the pills into my pockets—Zoe’s on the left and mine on the right—closed the bottle, and then took a quiet step away. Then another, and another, the sound of Roark’s snores chasing me out. I couldn’t imagine getting caught by him, but he did not give the impression that he was a “hug it out” kind of guy.

Though, who in this Tower was, really?

I carefully slid out of the narrow opening and headed directly for the stairs, unwilling to waste any more time. I made it to the front room easily—everyone was fast asleep in their beds, thankfully. I was on a roll tonight in the luck department.

I was starting for the ladder, and nearly screamed when a voice spoke out behind me.

“Where do you think you’re—”

My hand pressed against Grey’s mouth, and I pushed him back away from the entrance of the hall, deeper into the shadows of the room.

“Keep your voice down,” I whispered after a moment, lowering my hand from his mouth. “You want to wake everyone?”

Grey stared at me, his eyes dark and unfathomable. “No. But then again, I’m guessing you really don’t want me to, considering you’re wearing your Knight’s uniform... Where are you going?” he breathed.

I exhaled slowly, puffing out my cheeks. “Zoe’s in trouble.”

His eyes widened, and then narrowed. “How do you know that? I thought the contact only agreed to—”

“My brother netted me on the way back from the meeting,” I whispered, interrupting him. Grey gave me a hard look, and I sighed. “He’s an Eye. But before you freak out, he’s figured out what’s going on, too, and wants to help. He looked up Zoe, and she’s in the Medica, Grey. They are cracking down on threes, and now fours—and she’s a two. If I don’t get her out of there, they will kill her.”

Grey studied me for a long moment, and then nodded. “Then there’s no time to waste. I’m coming with you.”

“I don’t...” I hesitated, torn between wanting him to come along, and wanting to protect him. “Grey, you’re wanted for Gerome’s murder.”

Grey stared at me, and his expression grew dark. “Gerome’s dead? How?”

“Poisoned—an injection. But they think you killed him and... and me. They’ll be looking for you.”

There was a span of silence, and then Grey shrugged. “It