Page 33 of Us Defiant Few

“Timothy lived three hundred years ago when humanity first went underground.” Winnie frowned. “The Governor couldn’t have been around that long.”

“We don’t know that, Winnie,” Khalani reminded her. “He was a freaking robot. Who knows how long they’re able to last? He could’ve been in Apollo from the very beginning.”

“But if we find Project Helix”—Winnie held up a finger—“we might finally get the truth!”

“Or we could be walking into a trap.”

Winnie rubbed her chin, considering Khalani’s words. She didn’t speak for a long time, but she finally nodded in solidarity.

“You’re right, dear. We don’t know what lies ahead. But if there’s one thing Winnie learned in the Archives, it’s that the truth will set us free. And if the door is closed, it’s up to us to open it. Do you understand what Winnie’s saying?”

She shifted her weight, tingles running up her legs.

Winnie spoke as if she were ready to leave for California tomorrow to find Prometheus. But a strange voice told Khalani that once they took that step, they wouldn’t come back the same.

More footsteps thundered down the stairs, interrupting them. Adan’s characteristic laugh reverberated through the basement as Elise walked beside him. Following behind were Serene and Brock, who didn’t say one word to each other.

She could practically see the tension coiling around their stiff frames.

Raziel leisurely strolled down the stairs after them like he possessed all the time in the world. Khalani drew back, not expecting him to join their training sessions anymore.

But Brock didn’t seem surprised and prowled to the front of the room. His dark gaze lingered momentarily on Serene before speaking.

“All right. We’re going to practice full takedowns today. Three seconds to tap out, and we’re going one pair at a time.”

Adan and Elise went first.

Adan fidgeted, unnaturally quiet as he faced Elise. When Brock sounded off, Khalani could tell Adan didn’t want to fight her. But Elise held a fire in her eyes, like she had something to prove.

She used her size well, landing solid hits on his larger frame. But when it came to knocking her opponent to the ground, she didn’t quite know the proper technique. Her movements became erratic with each failed attempt to take him down.

But he didn’t move for the final blow either.

“Stop going easy on her,” Brock snapped.

Adan glanced over at him, and that’s when Elise punched him in the balls.

Punched.

Him.

In.

The.

Balls.

Adan collapsed to his knees, his face turning purple as he clutched his stomach.

“One…two…three. All right, Adan. You lost.”

Elise backed away, looking slightly sheepish, but the tinge of victory in her eyes was undeniable.

Serene let out a low whistle. “I knew I liked her.”

Adan hobbled to his feet, moving gingerly, his expression twisting like he was swallowing back vomit.

“You all right?” Khalani called out.