Jake POV:

Eve didn't stop questioning me about Kaya the entire way there. Now that she was out of mortal danger she seemed to be a lot more talkative… and intrusive. We walked deeper into the forest until the moonight was not enough to see and the canopy of the trees became too thick. Pulling out a flashlight, I lit the way.

" Are we almost there?" her voice came behind me.

" Almost."

" That's what you said before."

" What? Can you not handle a little walking?"

" Rude." He laughed at her tone.

" You sound like Kaya."

" So...will you tell me about you two?" I rubbed my forehead. It was a habit that had begun when I first entered the Palace. She has wanted me to tell Eve the truth but I was sure that the entire, more complicated truth, would sound better coming from someone Eve knew better. The entire truth was a bit jarring. I knew from personal experience. But at the same time, telling Eve this truth might be the only way to get her to stop talking and stop the jagged pain in my forehead.

" Kaya and I were best friends back at home. Before we were attacked by the Southerners and I joined the Northern Rebellion. I didn't see her again until the Slection."

" Is...is Kaya part of the Northern Rebellion."

" Sort of." Despite everything I wanted, she had forced her way in. But I wasn't one who could or should stop her. "Yes."

" Oh my god." She was about to be even more surprised. We stepped into an open meadow and crossed, stoppping in front of the largest willow tree. Raising my fist I knocked on the wood. I heard Eve suck in a breah behind me. A voice sounded from behind the tree.

" He who flies at night."

" Watches the moonlight."

" She who walks the paths of the sun."

" Roams unafraid of dark." The side of the tree split open, showing into a narrow elevator.

" Not claustraphobic, are you?" I asked, smirking a little bit as I saw Eve. She raised her chin deifantly and glared at me.

" No. Are you?" She and Kaya could be twins in that department: stubborness. It almost made me smile. We stepped into the narrow elevator and within seconds we began dropping slowly. I finally let go of the hilt of my knife taking a deep breath. This place was now one of the only places I felt safe. Eve was quiet behind me. I wondered what she was thinking. But she was in for a surprise.

The elevator clanked slightly as we reached the bottom.

" Get ready," I warned, hiding a smile. Eve couldn't say a word before the door opened and the beautiful underground expanse of the Northern Rebllion unfolded before us. I had been here countless times and yet its strange beauty and existence always surprised me. The squat building with blue lights sitting by the window still. The chattering people and stalls. The blue gems and light floating in the air above to look like skies. The skylights letting the real world seep in. And the dull hum of the purifiers. To this day, I'm not sure how she made this place. Eve looks awestruck behind me.

" Come on," I gesture to the small dirt road, " Let's go." Eve walked beside me, her head darting around like a cartoon character's trying to see everything around her. I could see a numer of people casting us confused glances. With Eve in her tattered dress and my in my Palace uniform we weren't exactly in the inconspicuous. I led her toward the tallest building in town center. Walking up the steps I knocked on the door. An elderly woman with reddish gray hair opened the door and smiled. Eve gasped behind me and stepped forward, her expression utterly shocked.

" Gran?" Ms. America turned towards me and smiled.

" Thank you, Jake. She wants to see you."

" Eve?"

" I'll watch over her." Eve slowly walked forward as her grandmother took her hand. I nodded and turned away as I heard the door closed behind me. I wonder what she wanted.

Her home was only a mile away. There were guards posted at the front of her door. I waved to one of them. They grinned as they saw me.

" Hey, its Jake! How's the Palace treating you?" Billy asked. Billy had joined the Northern Rebellion the same time as me and had been in my class. He had shaved his head as a dare and now had a little fuzz growing on his head. I laughed and bumped my fist to his.

" It sucks, actually. You got lucky." Billy laughed.

" Yeah, I'll bet. At least you get to see those hotties in the Selection."

" Billy…" I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. His bluntness was always amusing.

He raised his arms in defense and grinned. " I know, I know. You've only got eyes for that Kaya girl." I punched his shoulder feeling my cheeks redden.

" Shut up Billy." He chuckled again and rubbed his shoulder.

" Damn, the Palace is making you rude." Before I could retort the door opened and a woman in a long dress and a tight bun nodded to me.

" She would like to see you." I nodded, schooling my expression. Following the woman up the stairs the guards closed the doors. The women led me down a dimly lit hallway into a small living room with pale beige couches and walls full of books. The room was lit by candlelight. I bowed as I saw the woman standing at the far side of the room. The women in white left and I stayed bowed.

" Your Majesty."

"Oh, please, Jake you know I don't like all of that. Stand up please." I stood as she drifted away from the windows and sat on the couch in front of me. She gestured for me to sit and I obliged.

" You called for me, Your Majesty."

" Yes, yes. But first, do you want anything to drink? Or eat? I know they don't treat the guards terribly well. Hot chocolate?"

" No thank you."

" Oh, you're so serious Jake. Loosen up." I looked up in surprise as the jovial woman looked at me. She was sipping her own hot chocolate.

" I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

" Call me Lila."

" Yes, of course."

" Alright, Jake. I have a job for you."

" Anything, Your.." she shot me a glare. " Lila."

" It's time Holden learned the truth. Eve will stay here. And you, my friend, will tell Holden the truth of the Northern and Southern Rebellion. You may tell Kaya as well." She smirked at me as I blushed. How did everyone seem to know about Kaya and I?

" I'm a Mother, too, Jake. I can see it written all over your face," she laughed. I smiled uneasily and looked back at her.

" Tell him everything?"

" Everything we know." She stood, a bittersweet expression on her face. " It's time my son learned the truth."

What is the truth Jake must deliver? And can you guess who "she" is? What will happen between Eve and America. I hope you liked this chapter in Jake's POV, sorry for all the cliffhangers :) Comment and favorite for faster chapters.