Page 58 of Lost

“No, sir. None.”

“Did you think about calling someone on your cell phone when you got lost? Or do you really just not think much?” Dallas sneered at Kevin.

Kevin stifled the urge to punch him in his narrow face. But he showed no sign of any emotion except confusion, and answered immediately. “I did, but had no cell service, Lieutenant.”

“Lieutenant Heffer, did General Dominick mention where he and his soldiers were going?” Stark asked.

Kevin let his face show surprise. “Of course, sir. He said he was marching on orders.”

“Orders? Whose?” Stark said.

“Sorry, sir, but that’s above my need to know.”

“Yeah, okay. Where were they headed?” Stark asked.

Then Kevin began leading Stark on a trail of total bullshit in the opposite direction of Sapulpa, the Resistance, and their Old Magick–protected ridge. “He said the state militia was coming up out of New Mexico and crossing Texas by using the Red River. I believe the general was heading to Elmer to set a trap for them.”

“The New Mexico militia? That’s bullshit. There hasn’t been a peep outta any of our neighboring states’ militias in months. He’s making shit up. It’s a waste of time to talk to him. To talk to any of them,” Dallas said, shaking his head in disgust.

Stark ignored Dallas. “No, something definitely feels wrong. My gut has been telling me that for weeks. Things are happening that we don’t know about. Heffer, I want you to come with me.”

“Yes, sir! I’d be honored, sir!”

Dallas rolled his eyes. “General, he stinks.”

“They all stink, but this red vamp kid has given us the only intel we’ve had on a missing general and his soldiers. Go get that key from Artus and then join us in the auditorium for Neferet’s briefing.”

“Yes, sir,” Dallas said before sending Kevin another look of disgust and jogging away.

“Okay, follow me, Lieutenant. And don’t get lost.”

“Yes, sir!”

Kevin’s mind was in turmoil as he followed General Stark. He needed to attend the briefing, but he also had to find a way to get free of Stark and that jackass, Dallas, so that he could go outside and wait for Anastasia’s raven to find him. Dragon had to know about the weapons stash. Today.

“Hey, quit lagging!” Stark snapped at Kevin, who had, indeed, begun to lag.

“Yes, sir!” He sped up and was just behind Stark as they left the Field House and entered the hallway that led to the entrance to the school and the auditorium, when a familiar voice, sexy and sarcastic, interrupted his escape planning.

“Hello there, Bow Boy. I’d say it’s nice to see you, but we’d both know it’s a lie.”

Stark paused to greet her as she entered the hallway from the direction of the priestesses’ quarters, and Kevin got to study Aphrodite, noticing nuances he hadn’t been able to see in the darkness of the morgue gardens.

She looks tired. Really tired. And thin. Almost frail.This Aphrodite wore a lot more makeup than the one in Zo’s world, and Kevin wondered if that was because she was trying to cover dark circles and stress.And her mouth is different too. Harder. Like she doesn’t ever smile.It made his heart hurt, and he wanted to put his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. Unbidden, his feet started forward a step when Stark’s voice brought him back to reality.

“Since when does it bother you to lie, Aphrodite? And don’t call me that.”

“Oh, hey,so sorry. I tend to forget that you’reGeneralBow Boy now. Whoop-de-doo. We’ve all been so elevated by this war.” Her perfectly beautiful nose wrinkled as she glanced behind Stark to Kevin. “Eww. It stinks.”

“He’salso a lieutenant in your High Priestess’ army, and he puts his life on the line every time he leaves this House of Night. I don’t think how he smells would make a damn bit of difference to you if he was all that was standing between you and a mob of humans.”

Aphrodite made a show of looking around the hallway, which was becoming increasingly busy as soldiers, Son of Erebus Warriors, and priestesses began heading toward the auditorium. “Funny, but I don’t seeanyhumans around.”

“Funny? You know what I think is funny? The rumor I’ve heard that you might be joining the Red Army, so my advice to you is to get used to that smell.” Stark jerked his head in Kevin’s direction. “Come on, Lieutenant.” He bowed mockingly to Aphrodite. “Have a real nice day, Prophetess.”