I felt more grounded after those brief moments of shared calm.Centered and focused, I was ready to face what came next.
That thought accompanied me as I entered the armory.Ruth and Che sat on the floor amidst a sea of weapons, scattered sheets of paper between them.Both were scribbling furiously, heads bent in concentration.At the sound of my boots, their heads popped up, their faces alight with a mix of surprise and determination.
I walked closer and peered over Ruth’s shoulder.
“We didn’t know the names of most of the artillery,” she explained, “so we’re drawing scaled images to eliminate any confusion.Once we’re done, we’ll finish the inventory and have it to you in a few hours.”
I blinked, my jaw struggling to remain in place.Ruth had even adopted military jargon.Who had molded this child?These two had worked tirelessly since I’d given them the task.I tried to keep my tone gentle.
“Do your moms know you’re here?”I asked, trying not to smile too broadly.
Ruth shrugged, her thin shoulders belying her intense fortitude.“We couldn’t sleep, so we snuck out.This needs to be done before the fighting begins.We found a few guns that might be faulty and set them aside.If someone can show me how to fix them, I’ll take care of it.”
“Me too,” Che chimed in, looking up from his detailed drawing of a horseman’s pick; a medieval warhammer that, somehow, had ended up in our stockpile.
I rested a hand on my side where my sixteenth-century German Mortuary Sword hung in its scabbard.A gift from King, it was special, able to cleave a hellhound’s head clean off with little effort.“At least tell me you ate all your dinner,” I said.I knew that arguing about their lack of sleep would be futile.These battles had to be chosen wisely.
“Every bite,” Che replied with a grin.
Ruth’s expression soured.“My mom made meatloaf.I ate it, but it wasn’t very good.”
Hmm.My stomach growled at the thought.I hadn’t had meatloaf in years.“I’ll have two cots brought in here.If you get tired, rest.I’ll need you both alert when the Federation attacks.”
They nodded.I left the armory and headed to my room.When I got there, I found King lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling in the same way I had earlier.
I walked to the end of the bed, turned, and let myself fall backward.I landed with a soft thud and bounced a few times.
“Quite the entrance,” King said, still gazing upward.
“I’m exhausted,” I sighed.
“Lie here for two minutes, and you’ll be wide awake, I promise.”
“That’s the plan,” I replied, rolling to my side so I could face him.“Is it always like this before a battle?”
“Always,” he said simply.
“I think it’s easier to march for days, find what you’re hunting, and kill it.”I rubbed my temples.It definitely would’ve been easier on my overworked brain.
He was still looking at the ceiling, but I could hear the grin in his voice.“Much simpler.”
I nestled into his chest, letting his warmth soothe me as I closed my eyes.His arm tightened around me, anchoring me in place.I took a deep breath, trying to push the tension from my mind.“I’m going to meditate for a while,” I murmured.“Don’t start the war without me.”
“I promise,” he whispered into my hair.
I let my mind empty, focusing on the rhythm of my breathing.But instead of peace, my thoughts drifted to killing.Ms.Beast stirred within me, a steady and needed presence.Meditation, it seemed, was something she enjoyed too.
Chapter Nineteen
King
Within two minutes, Marinah was snoring softly.I rested my hand on her back, feeling each steady breath.She was worried.So was I.I never truly understood fear until Marinah entered my life.She’d asked what we’d do if we lost each other, and I made light of it, but I didn’t tell her the truth.Wherever she goes, I will follow.Our souls are intertwined, and I won’t live without her.
The difference is, if I fall, she’ll survive.Marinah is our destiny.She’ll lead the Shadow Warriors and fulfill the purpose she was born for.She only thinks she needs me.The truth is, Marinah needs no one.
I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion take me.An hour later, the sirens shattered the silence, their screaming blare filling the room.
The sun wouldn’t be up for a few hours.It was the perfect time to attack.
