Built on smoke and mirrors

Chapter 30

Behind a building, without prying eyes, Kol let his emotions get the better of him. He's crying. It's been years since I saw him cry last. He was always the kind of person that held it in. Not now, not today.

He doesn't seem to mind that Ezra is near, silently watching. I don't mind either. He is easy to forget when he's silent.

"I thought you were here at the training center so I was first on the scene," Kol says as he shakes his head. "There was so much rubble and bodies. I thought I lost you."

I thought the same about him. I will never forget the sickening feeling when I discovered he went to the Motherwealth.

"I fled Regal, and I went home, you weren't there. Mr. Green said you came to the capital to fight this war."

He grabs my hands. They are larger than mine. They encompass them like gloves. "I just wanted to get to you."

"And I thought the same."

He lets out a tired breath. "It's been a heavy few days."

I can only imagine. This war isn't for us. We are from Hell. Kol should have never come. Maybe I should have never come to begin with. Hell is where we belonged.

"Let's go back home."

He bite his lip. I don't like his reaction. It is as if he is debating about leaving. How could he think such a thing? He hates the Motherwealth. He does not owe the Motherwealth anything.

My eyes widen. "This isn't our fight, Kol."

"You don't understand. When I checked into camp a few days ago, I learned Mom and Dad were from the Motherwealth. This is their land. This is our land too."

He isn't serious. They were from Hell. Everyone knows that. He is mistaken. They gave him false information. They would do something like. Anything to make them stay. "No, they were from Hell."

He shakes his head. "They were from the capital. I found Mom's housing records. Her family still lives a few miles down the road." He points towards the gates. "I wanted to talk to them. Understand why they left."

I can't believe this. It must be a lie. The Motherwealth is good at lying. And he fell into their trap.

"I doubt they are still around. The war probably scared anyone off. I imagine most have run for the country for protection," Ezra speaks up for the first time since finding Kol.

"I have to at least try, Telvi, come with me."

I don't want to. Regal has nothing for me. Even if Kol is right. Let me keep my little peace. I don't want to be one of them. Let me believe Mom and Dad were from Hell.

"What's the street name?" Ezra asks.

Walter. I wished he wasn't around. Without him here, finding the house would be impossible.

"Wall street. 1340 is the house number."

He nod knowingly. "It's not far from here. I'll get you there."

I wish he wouldn't.

I peer around the building and see the group continuing to work. They will not take lightly to deserters; I am sure of it. I can use that as an excuse. "What about them?"

"I think I can sneak out. They don't keep a good eye on us. A few have already run off." Kol starts to walk the opposite way without making any more of a plan. It makes my stomach churn. What if we are caught? What if we get shot? The war is still going on. Walking around the streets does not sound like the safest idea.