I blink, my heart fluttering bizarrely.
“You would help?”
He growls, leaning in and I cringe. He freezes, eyebrows drawing as sorrow becomes clear on his chiseled face.
He slowly continues leaning, touching the holo-caller. As he types in a number over my shoulder, Theo mutters, “When did you manage to sneak out here and call your friend?
I shrug as Arch straightens and I swear I hear Theo chuckle.
“Earl Archibald?” the voice emerges from the caller even as Ben tugs me hurriedly behind his body.
“Hello, Frederick. I have information that there are many human young and elderly in Sylrya, where the conflict seems to be spreading.”
“Yes?”
I peek around Theo’s wing. It’s that short pink gargoyle who stared at me when I was in that cell, cupping his junk lewdly. I blink, anger rising in me.
“We should be lenient; either reach out to the leaders and ask for a meeting, or at least allow them time to evacuate the civilians,” Arch argues, tone both flippant and firm at the same time.
“Fuck them,” the pink statue mutters, “Stupid humans. Kill them all.”
My mouth opens as I try to duck under Theo’s wing, ready to give him a piece of my mind. Ben’s tail is suddenly around my waist and he yanks me back, firmly behind Arch.
“The terms of the treaty agreement lay out conflict resolution. We have a duty to follow it,” Arch says tightly.
“Nah, no one is gonna complain.”
Arch tilts his head as his wings shift in a manner that I’ve learned is annoyance. He waits Pinky out.
“Cuz we’re gonna raze it,” he confirms smugly.
“I disagree with this plan,” Arch responds succinctly.
“Hm, too bad you weren’t here to call a vote at Quorum. On leave and all.” At that, Pinky blanks the holo-caller.
“Fucker!” I yell, unable to contain myself any longer, my hands in fists.
“Got him,” Ben purrs happily.
“What?” I spin even as his hand lands on my shoulder.
He holds out a small device as he presses a button. “...too bad you weren’t here...” Pinky’s voice emerges before Ben snaps it off.
“Fine, fucking great, but what about my people?” I spit.
“Tell us,” Arch commands.
I take a deep breath.I have to do this. I have to tell them.
“My second in command is untried. She’ll do her best, but Noah, the only other head, besides me and Raquel, is who started this. So his contingent is already fighting. And likely depleted.”
“Because you were chosen in the lottery,” Ben confirms.
“Yes. Noah, an old friend, is embroiled and can’t help with Sylrya. Raquel is too far. I’ve been working on a secondary contingent for a year or so, but...” I pause.
Theo cups my chin, tilting my face up. “But what, sweetling?”
My eyes fill with tears and I curse myself silently. “They keep dying,” I whisper. “Some while on a mission, but many just disappear from their homes.”
