“Why the change in behavior?” Dick’s eyes narrowed, and his tone was poisonous. “Where did they go, soldier?”
“I’m not sure, sir. It’s our belief, however, that it wasn’t that many and the war is over. We’ve wiped out most of the ungodly. The last ones can be eliminated as they’re found.” Knox bowed his head deeply and stepped back from the screen.
Dick stared down at where he’d stood with disgust on his features.
I inhaled fortitude and lifted my head high. “I know where they went,” I said.
Dick’s head snapped up.
It took every ounce of control I possessed not to flinch as he looked at me.
The angels turned around and glared.
Lothaire nodded at me, like he was encouraging me to continue. He believed in me.
His approval gave me strength.
I took a deep breath.
“In the battle, we found another map of the realms,” I said calmly. “However, this one contained a key—the red Xs on the mountains by the third valley are villages. It’s likely that the last stronghold of infected is located there.”
Silence.
The room exploded in murmurs. In my peripheral vision, the angels gave me death glares. They wanted the war to be over, and so did I. But I wasn’t going to pretend the threat was eliminated when it wasn’t.
This war would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I needed it over.
For good.
Once I left this sun-god-cursed realm, I was never coming back. The corrupt High Court would have to drag me kicking and screaming.
“How many infected are suspected?” Dick asked.
My heart thumped erratically in my chest as I thought about what he’d done to Jinx. What he’d done to all of us.
He was a leader, and we were his pawns.
I wanted to snap his neck.
Ice spread across my fingers, and I tucked them behind my back as I stood at attention.
“Unclear, sir.” I kept my eyes dead and expression blank. “Most likely a large number. There were multiple Xs on the map.”
The angels murmured to one another with discontent.
“There are only twenty of you left.” Dick enunciated each word like he was thinking. “And because of the peace accords, we can’t recruit additional soldiers.”
Lothaire looked worried.
“All of you will RJE to the valley and hike to the mountains. You’ll eliminate the last ungodly, and this war will be over. We can’t give them time to escape. You’ll go tomorrow.”
Rina gasped.
The corner of Dick’s lips pulled up in a sneer, and he turned to Malum. “Since you’ve found all your mates, you’ll activate your powers to ensure this battle is won. You’re the kings of the sun god for a reason—prove it.”
Malum made a noise of disbelief. “But, sir—”
“We’ve paid for your therapy,” Dick said harshly, “and we’ve been informed that you’ve been practicing—is that not true?”
“It’s true,” Corvus said. “Howev—”
Dick interrupted, “Then it’s decided. Good luck, soldiers.”
The screen went dark.
“See you tomorrow on the battlefield,” the angels sneered at me as they left the room.
From their tone, they thought this was my fault.
Sadie and Jinx both turned to me with worry.
“You guys go ahead. I need to speak to my legion.” I tried to sound reassuring, but I shivered with nerves and ice spread across the floor beneath me.
They reluctantly left the room.
Seven men stared at me expectantly.
“Um, you two can also go,” I said to the demons.
Vegar rolled his eyes and sat down in a leather chair. “No, thank you,” he said. “We’ll stay here where it’s safe.” Zenith nodded as he sat down next to him.
“It was an accident,” Malum mumbled petulantly, referring to the bathroom he’d destroyed in a fit of rage. “No one got hurt.”
Vegar scoffed. “We’re staying.” He turned in his chair to face Zenith and gave us his back, a clear dismissal.
“Whatever.” I stomped out into the raging blizzard, and five men ran to surround me.
John threw his arm over my shoulder and tucked me against his side as he turned to protect me from the harsh snow.
Luka wrapped his hand around my curls and leaned close. “Are you okay?” he whispered, dark circles stark under his worried eyes as snow gathered on his lashes.
“I think so,” I said honestly.
He pressed a soft kiss onto my forehead.