Chapter 25 · Untitled Chapter

"Cyrus Vale."

He froze. Arch's rifle snapped toward the tree line as six figures stepped out of the shadows, weapons ready.

Cyrus's arms still shook from the ink work. Blood covered him to the elbows. Kael lay at his feet, chest heaving, the red glow finally gone from her skin. Then Tess Karven walked into the clearing, and two years of distance vanished.

"Tess," he said.

Her blonde hair was pulled tight. A new scar cut through her left eyebrow. Her rifle wasn't aimed at him yet, but her finger rested along the trigger guard.

Ready.

"Two years," she said. "You look like shit."

"You always did know how to welcome someone home."

Orin and Rhys moved wide, boots grinding through dead leaves. Arch kept his rifle trained on Tess.

"Captain Davin Arch," he said. "You're inside my perimeter with six armed soldiers. Explain that before somebody gets nervous."

Tess didn't look at him. Her eyes stayed on Cyrus.

"We need the route."

Cyrus's stomach dropped. "What route?"

"Don't insult me. The orphan convoy. The kids you're moving to the border." She took one step closer. "Which road?"

"No."

"That's not a request, deserter.