Dark Awakening: Echoes of Destiny (The Children Of The Gods #88)

15. The Saboteur

15

THE SABOTEUR

T he saboteur had known what the assembly would be about long before she'd stepped foot in the hall. After all, she was the cause of it.

Now she sat still as a statue, her back straight and her face a carefully crafted mask of bored interest with a light tinge of concern that mirrored those around her.

Inside, however, she was barely containing her glee.

The assembly hall buzzed with conspiratorial whispers, everyone trying to guess who the culprit was, and hearing how clueless they all were, it was all she could do to hide a smirk.

As Kian spoke of thefts and sabotage and the impending investigation that would involve every resident of the village, the need to let her lips curl in a satisfied smile became overwhelming.

The worried faces surrounding her made her want to laugh. Didn't they realize that this was coming?

Jade had questioned everyone, but with her dismal compulsion ability, that had been a surface-level inquiry at best. Now, they were bringing out the big guns, but even Toven wasn't going to break her.

The compulsion he'd placed on her before was already fraying at the edges, its power waning with each act of defiance she committed. It was proof of her strength and her indomitable will.

They would not catch her, nor would they catch her accomplices. Each of them had their orders for tonight. They were carefully planned and would be meticulously executed.

She was invincible, and soon they would all know it.

As Annani rose to speak, the saboteur had to admit a grudging admiration for the Clan Mother's ability to work the crowd. Her words were like balm to the worried masses, easing their fears with promises of cookies and reassurances. But the saboteur knew better.

No amount of sweetness could cover the bitter truth.

Their perfect world was crumbling, and she was the hammer striking at its foundations.

The moment the assembly was declared over, she was on her feet, slipping through the crowd. She didn't linger, didn't engage in the conversations erupting around her.

She had work to do.

The walkways of the village were quiet as she made her way to her target. The house was occupied by three immortal females who she was sure would remain in the assembly to chat with their friends.

As she approached the back of the property, she paused to scan for any signs of movement or new cameras that hadn't been there the last time she'd scoped the area. Satisfied that she was alone and that no recording devices had been added, she carefully opened the wooden gate and then closed it quietly behind her. Crouching low among the shrubs that lined the yard, she observed the dwelling.

The house stood silent before her, its windows reflecting the last rays of the setting sun.

The automatic shutters were still up, just as she had anticipated.

Timing was everything.

Moving with cautious speed, she approached the sliding living-room door and pulled it open. No one locked their doors in the village, not even after the thefts had started.

Well, so far, she and her minions had only stolen things from the mailroom. But it was time to step up her efforts. Perhaps after today, they would start locking their doors.

Once inside, she paused, letting her eyes adjust to the dimmer light, and checked for internal cameras.

There was no reason for them, given that no one even bothered to lock their front doors, but maybe someone had anticipated her next move and installed cameras inside the houses.

From her pocket, she produced a small handheld device. It looked like a phone, but it was a little scanner capable of detecting the electromagnetic emissions from active cameras.

It was incredible what could be purchased online.

Naturally, she didn't use her own credit card or put her name on the delivery. She'd used the card of one of her minions and sent the device to his name. The truth was that she hadn't expected the thing to work and had been pleasantly surprised when it had.

Perhaps she should buy a few more gadgets from the same company, using a different card and a different delivery name each time.

As she moved the scanner in slow motion around the room, the device remained silent.

There were no cameras.

The saboteur allowed herself a small smile. This would make things much easier.

The problem was that there was nothing worth stealing in the room. A few cheap frames with pictures of ridiculously pretty people adorned the mantel, and several throw pillows decorated the couch. None of that would even be missed.

She needed to check the bedrooms, but first, she had to disable the automatic shutters before they went down so she could get out of the house through one of the sliding doors that faced the backyard. Using the front door was out of the question.

The saboteur made her way to the control panel for the house's systems. Since all the houses in the village followed a similar floor plan, she knew it was located in a utility cabinet in the kitchen.

The shutter motor control was easy enough to identify since she had dealt with it several times before, and she pried off the cover, exposing the circuitry beneath. From a small pouch at her waist, she withdrew a set of tools.

Working quickly, she began to tamper with the control. A wire snipped here, and a connection loosened there. When the living room shutters activated tonight, the motor would strain against her sabotage before failing.

After she replaced the panel cover, the saboteur allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The repair crew would be scratching their heads over this one.

As she prepared to leave, a sound from outside froze her in place. Voices, growing closer. Her heart raced as she realized the occupants were returning earlier than expected.

Quick as a shadow, she slipped into a nearby closet, pulling the door closed just as the front door opened. She held her breath, listening intently as the females entered, chatting about the assembly.

"I can't believe that we are to be interrogated," one voice said, sounding more angry than worried. "As if any of us would do such things."

"It's the damn Kra-ell," the other said. "I didn't want to say anything out there and be accused of being a racist, but everyone knows who's behind this."

"Don't worry," the third voice said. "Whoever is behind those acts won't get away with it. Tomorrow or the day after, we will know who it was."

The saboteur stifled a laugh.

She waited, every muscle tense, as the three females moved through the house. After what felt like an eternity, she heard one bedroom door close, then the second one, and finally the third.

This was her chance.

The fantastic soundproofing of the village homes meant that none of the immortals would hear her from behind their closed doors, but she still exercised utmost care as she eased out of the closet and made her way to the sliding door. With nothing better to steal, she grabbed one of the framed photographs and stuffed it inside her vest. It was worthless, but then, she wasn't stealing for money. The theft was meant to hurt and shatter the immortals' false illusion of safety.

After a short pause to listen for movement, she slid the door open and slipped outside. In a matter of seconds, she was outside and across the yard in a crouched run.

Getting out onto the walkway, though, was not as easy.

She had to wait long moments before the coast was clear and she could open the gate and get out.

Her heart was pounding as she put distance between herself and the house, but it wasn't from fear. It was exhilaration. Another successful mission. Another blow struck against the immortals' illusion of utopia.

As the last light of day faded from the sky, she made her way to the playground. It was deserted at this hour, the swings swaying gently in the evening breeze. But she wasn't here for recreation.

From the shadows of a large oak tree, three figures emerged.

Her accomplices.