I had received a note telling me to come down.
And now I could see why.
Ash walked behind me, keeping close, with Sy on my other side.
I hadn’t seen Dev.
I told myself I didn’t care.
Kieran was running drills up front. He was dressed simply, in fighting leathers and hard boots. I followed a narrow path up to where Elliot sat, overseeing the army of soldiers. A table sat beside him, laid out with a small buffet of food. Ash was into it immediately. Sy remained still, watching the progress.
I could see a second troop with Sable at the helm practising combat.
Jess was in the front line, looking fierce. Her red hair, normally wild and free, was plastered tightly to her forehead. She was in full fighting gear.
She moved like fire — wild, bright, impossible to ignore.
For a moment I frowned.
“Good morning Seph,” Elliot said, without looking at me.
“Morning, Elliot.” I replied tiredly. I gestured to Jess.
“Jess is training to be a warden then?”
“It’s a valuable position. The wardens are our strongest fighters.”
“I see,” I said, watching her. She was practically glowing with each kick.
Sable called out each command and the fighters answered. The symmetry was immaculate.
In that moment, I felt a little smaller.
“So,” he flicked his gaze my way.
“You want to yell at me too?”
“Would it make a difference?” he asked quietly.
“It would make me feel shitty, if that helps.”
Ash shoved a plate of food in front of me. I picked at it, barely tasting it.
“So, what is this?”
“The events at the airstrip showed me the Libertarians are more organised than we first thought. So, we will be pushing training harder.”
“I would like to train too.”
“I thought you might. But Sable,” he gestured to my sister, “seems to think you would be better in a one-on-one capacity.So, starting today, if you’re willing, Dev will take you for training.”
I paused. “Does he know that?”
“He will. After your visit with Gideon, it became clear he’s willing to take you into danger. The least he can do is prepare you for it.”
“Great,” I sighed. “So, I am his punishment.”
“Is this a problem?”
