I turn back to Noire. “Obviously, Jax is coming and so is Kazh. I also want to take Ezkai Bloom and Ezkai Fern with me, too. They were my squad mates back at the Ezkai Academy. Unless…they have Caligos affiliations?”
Noire shakes his head. “None we could find.”
I exhale with relief. “Good. Good. That should be enough, no?”
Kazh shrugs, giving my guards a side-eye.
“You need someone from the Mender Unit,” Noire says. “I have someone who’s suitable, a trustworthy soldier with exceptional healer knowledge, just in case you require it.”
I nod. “Okay. Have I met them?”
“I don’t think so, General,” Noire says, thoughtfully. “Ezkai Ravenna.”
The name doesn’t ring a bell.
“No Caligos affiliations?”
“Of course not, General. I’ve personally vetted her.”
“Good. Thank you. She’ll be going with us, then. Let’s leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Ahem, apologies, General.” Jax speaks up for the first time. Our attention snaps to him. “May I request to leave the castle grounds to prepare for the trip?” I frown. He gestures at his appearance. “Fresh clothes, snacks, and all.”
I shrug. “I don’t see why not. As long as you get back in time.”
Jax nods enthusiastically.
“Genera—” Noire starts, but I silence him by raising my palm.
“Noire, please. I trust Jax not to do something stupid. And you can’t expect us to be attached at the hip at all times.”
From the look Noire gives me, it’s clear that’s exactly what he was expecting.
I glare at Noire. “Absolutely the fuck not, Noire. If I have another person trailing me at all times, I’m gonna start murdering people.”
Jax snorts. Kazh purses her lips and rolls her eyes. Lorca stirs at the back of my mind.
You’d repay what I’m owed much quicker, the trickster god purrs.
I flinch at their words.
“Understood, General,” Noire says with a smile. “Your Sentineal doesn’t have to always be with you.”
I wouldn’t be opposed to it…A lone thought of Jax’s glides over the front of my mind.
“Jax. A word,” I say, my tone clipped.
He nods and follows me farther away from prying ears to the window.
“Don’t you dare go fuck someone while you’re getting ready for the trip,” I warn him quietly. “I have no desire to listen in onthatthrough the mind connection.”
Amusement dances in his gaze as he looks down at me.
“Oh, is that the reason why?” He cocks his head to the side. “Or maybe there’s a different reason why you don’t want me finding company tonight?”
I narrow my eyes at him, and instinctively, before I can think about it, my hand wraps around the handle of one of my blades.
Jax’s eyes drop to the blade strapped to my waist and flick back up.
