I once more silently thanked King and Beck for all the hours they’d spent drilling military tactics into me.“Make sure they head this way,” I ordered Cabel through the radio.
My strategy hinged on the assumption that the citadel would be the Federation’s primary target.It was our established stronghold, and Knet knew we’d move the humans inside the walls if an attack became imminent.We’d intentionally painted a huge target on the citadel, hoping the Federation would take the bait.If a little violent persuasion was needed to nudge them along, Cabel would see to it.
“Understood.Out,” he replied.
“We’re ready,” King assured me as soon as the transmission ended.Another explosion rocked the area outside the citadel, this one closer than the last.
I hit the radio again.“Axel, send the women and children below.You have fifteen minutes.”
“I’m ahead of you.We’re almost situated,” Axel responded.
Click.“Labyrinth, those planes need to do more damage.We can’t let the ships return to the U.S.Either they sink, or we destroy and salvage.”
Static crackled before Labyrinth’s reply.“They hit one of our planes.We’re using the small sub for rescue.I’ll have my men take another pass at the ships.”
The connection cut off abruptly.
I turned to King.“We need to get down there.”
He gave a mock bow, sweeping his arm in an exaggerated gesture.“After you, my queen.”
I rolled my eyes, stuck out my tongue, and bolted.It was finally time to face the Federation one on one.
We reached the main floor of the citadel.A few women and children were still making their way to the basement.To my surprise, Skylar and Mila ushered the stragglers along.Mila saw me first.
“Marinah?”
I didn’t have time, but I stopped.She ran toward me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, bringing me in for a quick hug before pulling back.She had a gun on her hip and noticed me looking at it.
“Skylar and I have been training with some of the other people at our new home.”They had gone to the northernmost region of the island to give Skylar a chance to heal.
“Hi,” Skylar said.The sadness was still there, but she also had something else in her eyes.“We’ll defend our people with our lives,” she said solemnly.
“I never doubted it.Thank you.I need to get out there.”
“Stay safe,” Skylar said.
“Kick ass,” Mila added.
“You got it.”
The lower levels of the citadel had no windows, and its reinforced walls made it the safest place for them.I turned and headed down another corridor.A battalion of Shadow Warriors rounded the corner, led by Eagle, with Elright as his second.They were our two best snipers.Eagle brought the troops to a halt in front of us.
“I’ll lead,” King said.
The men had constructed several sniper towers on the citadel roof.Eagle and Elright would do the most damage from up there.The battalion followed King as we jogged outside, where more Shadow Warriors waited.
The sound of our heavy boots echoed against the citadel’s stone tiles, the rhythm matching the rapid pounding of my heart.My adrenaline surged as we stepped into the open air.It felt as if I’d waited my entire life for this.
The rumbling inside me said Ms.Beast was ready to explode.I held her back, forcing control, as Eagle’s troops fell in line with the other Warriors.I glanced up, spotting longbows and focused faces in the windows above us, where metal grates had been strategically placed to protect the archers as much as possible.We were as ready as we could ever be.
A shadow fell over me, and I looked into King’s massive jaws.
“You need to shift.I’ll loosen your straps,” he said.His clawed hands fumbled slightly as he unfastened the buckles on my gear.When he was done, he carefully ran a sharp claw along the bare skin of my back, sending a shiver down my spine.
“One kiss,” he growled, “and we’ll pick this up later in human form.”
He said it like we were about to take a casual stroll through the park, and I couldn’t help but appreciate his attempt to lighten the mood.My nerves were coiled so tightly I could barely breathe.Now he wanted a kiss, and I couldn’t think of anything better.
