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She nods and pulls out her phone, chewing her lips as she taps the screen with shaky hands. “Done. Now we wait, I guess.”
“No, we gear up and head out.” I stride through the entrance hall of KnightsGate Manor, the weight of leadership gnawing at my insides. I’m not used to being in charge, but tonight, I have no choice. The silence is thick, the atmosphere charged withan unspoken urgency that quickens my pulse. This isn’t just a battle; it’s a war.
“Alex should be there,” Alistair finally concedes as we hit the tunnel for the underground chamber. “This is a fight that involves him, however fucked up that is.”
“Right,” I mutter, nodding. “What about Sebastian? Kid’s green, but he’s got guts.”
“South-West will come.” Alistair says it as though it’s already decided. “It’ll toughen him up.”
“Then let’s bring in Marcus and Trent too,” I suggest, thinking of our other inter-Cardinals. “South-East and North-East. They’re itching for action, and we need all hands on deck.”
“Now, you’re getting the hang of it, asshole,” he chuckles and turns the corner as we head into the chamber.
Damien watches from the shadows, his stare unreadable, but I know he’s assessing every word, every decision. Charlie’s restless energy vibrates next to me, ready to explode into action at any moment.
“I’ll call in the troops,” he mutters.
I nod. Tonight, we set the stage for a showdown that’ll ripple through KnightsGate University’s history, and I’ll be damned if we don’t end this piss-take and show everyone even remotely thinking about coming up against us that it’s signing their death warrant.
Gathering weapons and gear, we arm up.
I glance at Ever as she straps the sheath to her thigh, ensuring the wicked blade sits snugly against her jeans.
Going up behind her, I strap another to her belt within easy reach of her delicate hands. The thought of seeing blood coating her skin makes my dick go hard, and I hope that this night ends in mass bloodshed.
“Ever, when we get there, you’re up front,” I say, the words clipped, no room for argument. “They know this is your turf.”
“My turf?”
“The woods are part of KnightsCastle,” Alistair says. “That’s why we’re going there.”
“Oh.” She nods, a slight tilt of her head that doesn’t betray any of the fear I know is coursing through her. Her hair glimmers in the darkness, a cascade of blonde waves framing her face as she pulls the hair band out and redoes her bun, curling it up on top of her head and snapping the band into place.
Leaning over, I kiss the back of her neck. “Good call.”
She giggles. “I’m learning.”
Her gaze flickers to Alistair, who’s loading his handgun with practised ease. His designer clothes are gone; instead, he wears all black, like a shadow poised to strike. Guns out in the open, or even indoors, really, are a last resort and more for firepower and show than real action. They are illegal in this country, and we are all about flying under the radar.
Alex and Sebastian arrive with Marcus and Trent hot on their heels from the tunnels that lead to the outside world.
“We’re here. Where do you need us?” Alex asks, his gaze lingering on Ever.
She smiles at him, and he almost faints with relief.
Fucking asshole.
I flick his forehead to get his attention. He glares at me but then remembers his place. “Arm up and be back up. Your fucking twin will probably be there, You ready for this?”
“Oh, you have no fucking idea how much I’m ready for this,” he growls, slamming his fist into his palm.
“Marcus, Trent,” I call out to the other inter-Cardinals, both standing a few paces away, going over their gear. Marcus, South-East, has a lean, quiet intensity about him. Trent, North-East, exudes a restless energy, barely contained. He is Charlie’s little protégé, and I can see why.
“Stick close to Ever,” I instruct. “Your job is to back her play.”
“Understood,” they respond in unison, their faces set and serious, not even glancing at her.
“Charlie.” I turn to him, who’s checking the action on his weapons, a smirk playing on his lips despite the gravity of the situation. “Try not to do anything too crazy, okay?”
