“And she's incredible at kissing,” Brock said.
“Fuck you,” Zayne growled. “You're not fucking cute.”
“I'm trying to help you, believe it or not,” Brock said.
“She's my prisoner, and that was one time years ago. I'm with Mellie.”
“Only technically.”
Zayne pushed the chair back, twisting toward him before stopping himself. Brock didn't flinch, likely aware Zayne hated losing control.
Why was he being such an asshole?
A deep breath to calm himself. “I won't tolerate any insinuations when the Phaedra almost ordered me to manipulate her and—” Zayne grunted, shaking his head, refusing to dishonor Kira with the mere mention. “Fuck. Do you understand the vulnerable position she is in?” His hand slammed the table. “I won't see her that way. Understand?”
A long sigh drifted from Brock, and he rubbed his face. “Yeah, I understand. I didn't mean it in any way. I just think you need to admit that you care.”
“I. Care.” Zayne snarled each word.
“Okay.” Ashantae clapped. “You need someone else to evaluate every aspect of this operation because you can't pretend this isn't compromising your judgment.”
Zayne ground his teeth, picking at the crack, but he nodded.
Brock, much less emboldened than before—and looking like he felt at least a little bad—explained, while Zayne filled in any missing pieces.
CHAPTER 22
Zayne
The Territories
Archai, Caspador
833 P.C. [Post-Collapse]
Zayne walked to the window after they filled Ashantae in on every detail related to Kira. “I owe her.”
“Let me do it,” Ashantae said next.
“Tae.” Imani's voice sounded chastising, but fear quieted the name.
“I'm as high on your father's enemy list as a person gets,” Ashantae said. “He butchered the rest of my comrades. He already wants to butcher me.”
The dark memories binding them in blood filled the air with the metallic stench of death. Zayne turned back to his old friend with one hand in his pocket. “My father thinks you're dead. We're not telling him you're alive. He'll hunt you down.”
“We can't let them kill Kira and those innocent Followers,” Ashantae said. “I can disappear for good this time. What I'm doing in Antor matters, but we all know I don't have your reach.”
“The people needyou,” Zayne said.
“You know how long soldiers survive fighting in my city? Months at the most. Weeks. Days. I've made it for four years because of our partnership. If your work ends, mine will too, along with my life.”
“You made it because you're the best of the best,” Zayne said.
“Being the best of the best doesn't change what a bomb does to my body. I have limits, Zayne.”
“I can take her home.” Brock gripped his fists on the table, voice resolute. “I can do it on my own, without Zayne.”
Stunned, Zayne didn't speak for several moments. “The Phaedra will kill you.”
