“Underground is still being swept for explosives, but I can take you both to help get the injured ready for transfer to the infirmary.”
“Can you do that?” Reign asks Amaya softly.
Amaya lifts her head, wiping away her tears. “Yes. Let’s go.”
After I’ve dropped them off, I head straight for the library. Other than the scattered wolves sweeping the room, it’s empty. They must’ve heard all of the commotion and gone somewhere else.
Just as I suspected, I see Zane helping Akari and Emeric prepare the Center.
“Mind if I borrow him?” It wasn’t really a question, but rather my casual attempt at acknowledging he’s coming with me without alarming anyone.
I already have him shackled to the chair that used to hold Damien before he can register what I’ve done.
“What is all this?” he demands, pulling at the chains around his wrists. “Let me go!”
“Calm down,” I warn, leaning myself up against the wall that separates the room. “This is just a precaution.”
“For what?” he growls.
“For you. Nexus just blew himself up in the middle of the military units. Do you know anything about that?”
Shock coats his face. “He what?”
“Yeah, I doubt he knew anything either. Whose idea was it to leave the Sector?”
“Nexus mentioned it, but—”
“I see.” I push myself off of the wall. “Look, I don’t think either you or him is responsible for this. I know the way my father works, and I can only assume he had someone slipping in and out of your minds while you were at the Training Sector. It wouldn’t take much for him to figure out you are friends with Reign. I shouldn’t have had you guys go back. This is on me.”
“What do you mean, slipping into our minds?”
“There are fae and witches who can manipulate the mind. Night Renderers are one example of that. Luckily for us we have one of those.”
“You mean Slader?” He moves as far away from me as he can. Almost like he thinks I’m going to rip his heart from his chest at any moment.
“Yes, Slader. He’ll be able to get into your head and see if anyone has planted anything in your mind—or body.”
“That’s what you think happened to Nexus?” he asks, tensing against the metal chair.
“I do. I think my father found a way to create a weapon out of him and sent him back here to take out our armies.” His eyes fall away, trying to process the information. I can’t imagine it’s easy being told you might have a bomb inside of you just waiting to go off. “I need to grab Slader. After he’s done a thorough examination, then we can see what the next steps are. Until then, there’s no need to worry. Got it?”
He nods, but I can tell there’s no part of him that isn’t doing just that.
Chapter 43
Reign
This can’t be happening again.
Blood, burning flesh, and cries of pain surround us. My body feels frozen, taking in the sight of it all. Meeka’s face flashes in my mind, and I watch her turn into nothing but a cloud of mist all over again. The lump in my throat grows as I try to fight back tears.
“Reign, are you okay?” Amaya steps in front of me, blocking my view of the fallen soldiers.
“I’m good.” I choke down whatever feelings are trying to come to the surface and focus on the task at hand. “I’ll start cauterizing.”
“Good call. I’ll cast whatever spells I can to help alleviate the pain.” We both quickly get to work while Elias barks orders to others, telling them to move on when someone is past saving.
“Can you help me?”
