Page 156 of Vengeance of the Gods

Khort reached for Vega next and wrapped her in a hug. “Please don’t hate me,” she said against his chest.

“I could never,” he whispered against the top of her head.

She took a deep breath, stepped out of Khort’s arms, and turned to Bridger. “Okay, I think we’re ready now.”

Bridger reached out and caressed her cheek, rubbing his thumb against her soft skin. He didn’t say anything, because he didn’t need to. Vega knew what he’d say.

I love you.

48

Octavia had finally sent word that she’d be arriving tonight, under the cover of nightfall, with forty-two children from Demuto. Arlet was the first to know since the message had been relayed to Avi by a bird Tilie sent.

Everyone was eager to get back and get the young shifters comfortable and settled.

But there was still a war of wits happening. They still had to free the mines and remind Marlena she wasn’t the only player in motion on this map now.

Meyer, Leo, Helena, Halo, and a girl with leg muscles the size of tree trunks waited outside the door when they arrived.

“Alright, let’s make this quick. I’d like to have this done so we can all be back before Octavia.” Bridger leaned against the back of his desk chair, the desk lighting up like a screen at his proximity.

Vega was still in awe at some of the technology Bridger had. There was a time long ago where Tolevarre didn’t have modern technology, but no one alive today could remember that. What Bridger had here in Vincere reminded Vega of something straight out of a futuristic dream.

Live footage from the cameras in both the mines and Ustilo appeared.

“We’ll have three groups. Leo and Helena at the mines, another with me and Meyer at his parents’ home, and one here with Yara to protect the people staying behind in case of an attack. Halo will jump between locations as needed.” Bridger leaned down to zoom in on the mine entrance with the pinch of his fingers. “Leo and Helena, you’ll need to take out the guards. Don’t give them time to sweet talk you. They’ll say anything to save themselves.” He swiped over to the camera in Ustilo’s square. “Meyer, you’ll need to get control of the city. Let them know Ardor is now home to the revolution.”

The room hummed with a new current of energy when Bridger didn’t call them a rebellion anymore. Rebellions were only a resistance. Revolutions were an overtaking. He spoke of their cause like they’d already won.

“They can stay and join us or leave peacefully and keep their lives. Death is the only other option. I’ll deal with your parents.” Bridger turned his attention to Khort. “Where do you want to be?”

Death’s purr vibrated Vega’s chest the same way a dragon’s deep bellow would when Bridger spoke about it.

Khort raised a brow. “You’re letting me choose?”

“Yes, Fera, I’m letting you choose,” he fired back quickly, his annoyance pulsing through their bodies. “Where do you think you’ll be the most useful?” Bridger followed up his question with a brow raise of his own.

Khort stared for a few seconds, trying to read Bridger’s intentions. Vega knew he’d never be able to. “The mines. It’s got great airspace in case of an attack, and if need be, I can withstand the heat inside them out of my dragon form,” Khort answered confidently.

Bridger nodded, his way of silently agreeing. He turned his head farther to the right until his eyes landed on Arlet.

He didn’t have to ask before she blurted her answer. “I’ll stay behind and keep watch. Avi’s got the skies, and I can communicate with Khort through her. If something happens here, I can create a big enough distraction until help arrives.” As if giving a reminder of her powers to the ones in the room who weren’t familiar with what she could do, Arlet cupped her hands together and let the image of Vincere form inside them. A wave washed over the gates, sending the foundation of all that was visible of the underground facility crashing to pieces. It washed away, slowly dissipating with Arlet’s mirage.

People stared where the image had once been until Arlet dropped her hands back down to her sides.

The room was silent until Bridger spoke again. “And where do you belong, my love?”

Vega looked away from everyone when their attention shifted from Arlet to her, locking eyes with Bridger, who had been staring at her for a lot longer than she even realized. His gaze turned her molten. “With you,” she responded with conviction.

He hid his full smile, slipping behind the commander’s mask he wore too well. “Is that where you’re most useful?” he asked like he’d asked Khort.

“Yes,” she answered back.

“Why?”

Vega lowered her eyebrows. “Why the third degree?”

“Answer the question,” he urged.