Free The Sway by Ruby Knight

at it, and sighed. Something in my mind began ticking, almost like a timer. I glanced around the room trying to find a clock. When I looked back to Cole, he was tying his combat boots. I walked over to the table that held an assortment of food items and grabbed a banana. Why might he need combat boots at three in the morning?
    â€œDid you know we share about fifty percent of our DNA with bananas?” I took a bite and smiled at him. He barked out a laugh and met my eyes.
    â€œYou might want to get dressed. We have to head back to the city,” he said.
    I snapped around to face him. “What? Why would we go back to the city? I just got here and the government will be looking for me, not to mention the whole world ending thing.”
    Fight, Julia. I had to try to push down the bubbles of panic rising in my throat. Cole slowly shook his head.
    â€œNo, they won’t be looking for you. A fake helicopter crash happened thirty miles outside of the city. Your blood and your hair were there. They’ll have enough DNA evidence to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you’re dead.”
    How could he sound so calm and blasé? Like it was no big deal that I was dead or fake dead. I took a bite of the fruit and swallowed quickly.
    â€œIf I’m with you, they will see me. They’re still going to have people on you. Our doorman is one of my guys, for heaven’s sake. You can’t just go back with me in tow.”
    Cole pressed his palms to his eyes, rubbing against them.
    â€œI told my dad that I wouldn’t go with him unless you could come with me. This is his MO. He takes me out of the states when things get shaky. You’re coming with me,” he mumbled into his hands.
    â€œWhy would you do that?”
    He shook his head and stood up, grabbed a leather jacket out of the closet, and tossed a similar one onto the bed.
    â€œIt’s going to be cold from here to my cabin. You’re going to want that. My dad thinks we’re dating.”
    He used a nonchalant tone. My jaw popped open slightly.
    â€œI can keep you safe and teach you about The Sway. I can let you see my ability and tell you about others. I can help you develop yours, too. Quade and I agreed that I should train you. So you’re stuck with me for the time being. If you prefer another trainer, I’m sure we can find someone for you when we get back.” He dropped his gaze to the bed as he pulled his jacket around him and zipped it closed.
    â€œI need my last dose. I won’t be very good company when I’m knocked out,” I said.
    Cole’s eyes met mine. “This one isn’t laced with morphine. It will sting more while running its circuit through your veins, but you’ll be conscious the entire time.”
    Yay, that just sounded like a barrel of fun. If it hurt that much with drugs, what would the torture be like without that buffer? Seemed like there would be no way out here. Best to comply. I threw my banana peel in the garbage then grabbed the jacket issued to me by The Sway and after that, the leather coat sitting on the bed by Cole.
    â€œWhen are we coming back?” I asked.
    â€œI think this weekend. We should only be gone a couple of days. Part of the reason I’m here is to play double agent. You’ve got to see how beneficial the position I’m in can be. When my dad says jump, I have to say how high. He’s my dad, Julia. I have to go. I just, I have to see for myself.” He sighed and held out his hand to me.
    Our gazes locked as I reached for his hand. This felt important. Like I was taking my first step in acceptance of my identity.

    W e made good time back to Cole’s cabin—a quaint little craftsman bungalow. We took off from a helipad on The Sway’s property and flew into the city, landing on the building we had left from. Except, instead of watching the sun set, we watched it rise. Two days ago when I left the city, I was one girl.