Soldiers whispered.
I recognized a voice.
Knox, the angel captain with heterochromia, called Jinx a string of expletives, which was strange because he was usually polite and collaborative.
I narrowed my eyes.
We’d spent a lot of time with the shifter legion, and I’d come to enjoy Jinx’s presence.
I didn’t like his fucking tone.
Dick continued, “We have no knowledge about the civilization the ungodly have taken over. We recommend conserving your abilities and only using weapons in this first meeting to identify as much information as possible about your foes.”
The worker handed me a small silicone device and explained hastily, “It’s an enchanted earpiece so the champions and generals can communicate with each other. Press down on the top button once to speak. Hold it down to turn it off.”
I nodded and placed it in my ear.
It fit snugly.
“Per the OPA, all high-ranking members of the High Court will leave this camp immediately. How you choose to proceed is up to you. We are giving you all the tools you need to succeed.”
A rustle of unease spread through the room.
“A team of healers, weapons strategists, enchanters, and food workers unconnected to the High Court will remain to assist with the base operations. All concerns can be sent to the High Court through a secured, enchanted tablet, but note we may not be able to respond.”
Boots shuffled back and forth on concrete.
“Corvus and Jax have been handed RJE devices to the settlement. Wait for their directions. Good luck, soldiers. The fate of the realms is in your hands.”
There was a whirring noise. CRACK. Dick was gone.
The room erupted into motion.
Arabella scoffed beside me, “I can’t believe they just abandoned us here.”
“Don’t be stupid,” I sneered. “People in power always leave their messes to others. It was always going to be this way.”
“It’s still stupid,” she muttered. “Personally, I think we should let the ungodly do their thing. Who are we to intervene?”
Corvus huffed, “We’re the sun god’s kings. We’re built for war.”
“No,” she said. “You’re kings, I’m a queen. I was built for shopping and leisure.”
My Ignis choked, and I chuckled at how ridiculous she was. It was adorable. If I hadn’t fought beside her in gruesome battles, I would think she was serious.
My Revered liked to pretend she was a privileged despot. It was part of the reason we’d judged her so wrongly.
She hid her fierceness behind masks of sarcasm, but there was no mistaking that she was a force of rage and power.
She was savage.
And I couldn’t stop obsessing over her.
I grabbed her hand and threaded our fingers together, and hers were frozen like she was sculpted from ice.
Tension dissipated from my body at the contact, and I rubbed my thumb back and forth over hers. She tried to pull away, but my grip was steel.
The others gathered around.
“The champions and angels are going to RJE to the location for surveillance. Wait here for further orders. When we return, we go to war,” Corvus barked loudly in the quiet room.
“Yes, sir!” soldiers chorused back.
There was a clattering of wings as the angels walked over.
“You didn’t join us for the scouting trip,” Knox said in a smooth tone beside me. “We missed you.”
I bristled.
He hadn’t earned the right to miss her.
How fucking dare he talk to my Revered like he knew her? Orion put his arm around my shoulder and held me back.
Arabella chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah, well I can’t fly yet. I’m still working on it.”
“You’ll learn to fly,” he responded curtly. “You’ll train with us after this battle.”
“Don’t fucking tell her what to do,” Corvus snarled aggressively, and heat poured off him.
“That would work for me.” Arabella clicked her tongue. “But I’m really big on rest days. So let’s circle back to that idea next week.”
“Soon,” Knox said. “Until you learn to fly, you’re weak. You need to master your abilities.”
“Thirty seconds until we all RJE,” Corvus said. Wings clattered, and Knox made a sound like he’d been pushed to the side.
Jax replied, “Remember, we need to be discreet, no loud noises.”
“Got it, make loud noises,” Sadie drawled obnoxiously.
Arabella laughed.
It wasn’t funny.
Warm breath suddenly fanned against my ear. “Why did you have a hair band?” Arabella whispered so closely that she must have been on her tiptoes.