Chapter 042: Mysteries and Shadows

Ava's POV 

There was enough tension in the air to cut. Eli stood across the room, back to me, arms crossed, staring out the window into the evening. His quiet seemed colder than the breeze blowing across the broken glass. Since Jackson had shared what he had discovered, this was the first time we had been alone.

"Eli," I said, keeping a calm voice and yet clenching my fists tightly. "We ought to discuss.

His shoulders stiff, he turned not toward me. Ava, nothing to talk about here. Whatever Jackson shared with you—”

"Is it accurate?" I stopped myself before I could stop asking. I had to have the truth. The shadows and the half-truths that appeared to float about me like smoke bored me. "Were you meeting supporters of Raven?"

Eli whirled around, his face a mask of hardly controlled rage. But under that wrath, I sensed something else: dread. "What if I were?" asked. Ava, I performed what I had to. You wouldn't be able to grasp it.

Test me. I moved in front of him, staring back. "You owe the truth after everything we have gone through. No more secrets.

He stopped, his gaze flitting between the door and me. He was clearly considering his alternatives and trying to decide how much he could believe me. The stop became quiet, and my tolerance started to wane.

At last, he said, his voice little above a whisper. Perfect. Yes, I have been having meetings with Raven supporters. But Jackson's perspective is not what I share. Ava, I am not working against us here. I am looking out for us.

"Protect us." I repeated, doubt slinking into my voice. "By lining up with our adversaries? Eli, it is a weird approach to demonstrate loyalty.

Frustration was obvious, he ran a hand over his hair. "It's not quite straightforward." The Ravens are informed about stuff. They have a major project under planning. We will be blindsided if we do not have someone on the inside someone we trust.

Convinced nothing, I crossed my arms. Then you felt you could do this on your own? Not even me, you never considered telling someone?

He shot back, "I couldn't risk it." Do you believe Jackson would have approved of this strategy? He is overly mired in his own grudgery. He would have instantly turned it off.

His comments stung, partially because they had some accuracy. Jackson harbored strong mistrust of the Ravens, hence Eli's actions would have seen to him as a betrayal. That did not, however, justify Eli's hiding or his readiness to lie to everyone in his vicinity.

"Eli, you are engaged in a dangerous game," I cautioned. Though you might believe you are in charge, the Ravens are merciless. They will switch on you the instant it suits them.

Maybe, he said, his tone grim. "But if it means keeping you—keeping all of us—safe—that risk is one I'm ready to take."

His eyes softened, and for a minute I could see the youngster I had grown up with—the one who had always been by my side. But that moment vanished as fast as it arrived, replaced by the guarded, toughened version of him I hardly knew.

"This is not just about me, Eli," I murmured softly. "Everyone is under risk from you. Should Jackson come upon the truth...

"I'll handle Jackson," he stated with much conviction, but I could sense concern in his eyes. "I have traveled this far. Not now is there going back.

A strong tap on the door cut off my next words. My heart skipped, strain coiling in my gut. Eli glanced at me quickly, almost begging, then moved over to unlock the door.

It was Jackson, his expression blank as he entered and his eyes strayed between me and Eli.

Jackson's voice was calm, but there was a seething passion that told me he sensed something was up. "I hope I'm not interrupting," he murmured.

Eli fixed his eyes without wavering. Actually, we were talking about something quite significant. Something you may be involved with.

"Oh?," wonders Jackson wrinkled his eyebrows and folded his arms. I am all ears then.

I held my breath and wondered whether Eli was going to come clean. Instead, though, he veered another way and his demeanor became stiff.

"Plans have changed," Eli remarked. "The Ravens have moved, and it is more critical than we first believed. For a little I will have to go incognito. We can only get ahead of them this way.

Jackson's eyes contracted. And when were you intending to share this with me?

Eli said calmly, "I'm telling you now." "Go ahead and stop me if you wish. Still, this is our best chance for obtaining internal knowledge. Jackson, we have been on defensive for far too long. We should start to take charge.

Jackson looked at me, as though seeking some sort of validation, but I could only shrug, caught between allegiance to both of them.

"This is a reckless plan, Eli," Jackson replied, his voice full of doubt. And supposing they find your small deed? What then happens?

Eli grinned, but there was not much fun in it. Then I will take care of it. I have traveled too far to turn around right now.

The two of them gazed one another down for a lengthy minute, each pushing the other to make the following action. Jackson's pride would not allow him back down readily, but I also knew deep down he cared for Eli—perhaps even viewed him as a brother. But that relationship was the only thing preventing this conflict from erupting. It was brittle.

Jackson broke the quiet at last, sighing resignedly. " Fine. Still, you are on your own if you tumble down. I am not exposing my people to danger for your one-sided trip.

Eli nodded in acknowledgement, but I could see the flickering of relief in his eyes. For now at least, he had what he had desired.

Jackson started to go, then stopped at the entrance to give one more glance across his shoulder. "Be careful, Eli." You are walking on very thin ice.

He disappeared with that, leaving a heated quiet in his path.

Eli slanted slightly, as though a weight had been taken off. Glancing across at me, he wore a weary smile. Well, it went better than anticipated.

I returned his smile not at all. Eli, you are engaged in a deadly game. And I'm not sure whether I can continue to cover for you.

He came forward, his gaze fixed on me. I am aware of it. And I apologize as well. Still, Ava, I need you to believe me. simply once.

I wanted to believe him, wanted to be sure he was acting sensibly. But the shadows in his eyes revealed another narrative—one of secrets and betrayals I wasn't sure I wanted to be involved in.

"Just be careful," I murmured, my voice just above a whisper. "I am not ready to lose you."

Eli stretched forward, sliding a hair strand behind my ear. "You won't," he said in a whisper. "I assure you."

But I started to get cold as I watched him vanish into the evening. Since I knew, down deep, certain promises were unfulfilling.