Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
But now I was no longer just fighting for myself, I was fighting for Jamie. I had to keep her safe and that meant reaching out for help.
I press the communication button screen and type in the code contact to reach Sector 2.
I would normally go through my communications director to make an intersectoral call but I had yet to determine who’s side he is own.
I wait for the signal to go through and am greeted by the Communication director of Sector 2.
A holographic image pops up when a connection is made. “Greetings from Sector 2. Sector Leader Draken,” to what do I owe the honor of this call. He doesn’t hide the surprise from his voice, but he immediately bows his head out of respect for my title.
“I offer my apologies for the time difference, I must speak to the Sector Leader. It is an emergency.”
“I will see if I can reach him. His last message to me was to not be disturbed but I believe he will make an exception for you, Sector Leader.”
The screen goes black as I wait for a response. Anxiety grips my heart. What if he doesn’t wish to take my call? Or worse yet, if he does come on, maybe he’ll gloat and tell me that I wasn’t foolish for taking his offer to give him the extra time. Had I just left Jamie in Sector 2 I might have been able to work with him to figure her situation out. But in my arrogance, I believed I could handle it on my own.
Now I fear, the control was quickly slipping from my hands.
Several minutes later, a holographic image appears and it’s Sector Leader Magnus. I’ve only ever seen him in his full uniform and he’s always been well put together. But now, his hair is in disarray and he’s in robe that’s not pulled tight enough to cover his bare chest.
“Sector Leader Draken, Greetings. I trust you’ve taken into account the time difference in our Sectors.”
This wasn’t getting off to a good start. I want to disconnect the call but I can’t allow my pride to get in the way of receiving the help I need not only for me but for Jamie as well.
“Yes, I’m aware, and I offer my sincerest apologies for disturbing you. If I thought this could wait, I would have contacted you at a more acceptable time.”
He sighs and rakes his fingers through his red tresses. “No, I’m the one who should apologize for my surliness. Things have been busy around the manor in preparation for the arrival of our first child. I’m assuming you’re calling because of Jamie. Is everything okay with her? Has something happened?”
“Nothing has happened yet, but I find myself in a predicament I’m not sure how to get out of.”
“Tell me what’s happening.”
I take a deep breath and explain everything that had occurred from the time Jamie had arrived to now when I’ve found out the results of the autopsy. By the time I’m finished, a deep wariness sets over me. I’ve grown accustomed to never having to explain myself to anyone and to do so to another Sector Leader is a humbling experience.
To his credit, Magnus’ expression remains stoic and nonjudgmental. He’d made a good impression on me at the previous summit and I now know that my initial thoughts about him had been correct. He’s an honorable man. I wish I hadn’t allowed my stubbornness to get in the way at our last encounter. Looking back, I realize, he had been trying to offer me help while sparing my pride.
“It sounds like you have little time left before your cousin makes his move. If I may speak freely, I’d like to share some of my observations of him when he’d accompanied you at the summit.”
I’d almost forgotten that Braeden had accompanied me to the summit because he’d stayed in the background most of the time. Usually when we went on official trips he was my mouth piece.
“You may.” I brace myself for his words.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time because my focus was on making sure the summit ran smoothly, but I noticed when the Sector Leaders were mingling with each other he would ingratiate himself with them. It was almost as if he was in the role of Sector Leader. He and I had a brief conversation that made me a bit uneasy.”
“What was said?” I asked.
“He didn’t come right out and say it, but he hinted that he had a hand in the running of Sector 10 and that you were basically just the figurehead who enforced the laws because of your brawn. I’d asked him to clarify because I surely must have misinterpreted what he was saying. He laughed it off and said that he was only letting me know that the operations in Sector 10 are running smoothly. He then asked for my support for Sector 10 regardless of who the leader is.”