Chapter Forty-One
Nova
“One thing I’ve learned from books that seems to be true universally is that you really can’t trust authority. Everyone is far too selfish to be good at leading.”
“Thank you all for meeting with me,” the commander said as she sat down at the head of the table. Azazel, Quinn, Priya, Caleb, Zura, Desi, and I all sat, waiting for her to berate us. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet with you yesterday like I hoped. I fell surprisingly ill.”
Az let out a soft snort, catching Commander Maitoza’s eye. I kicked him under the table, smiling widely at her. “That’s okay. We understand. What would you like to speak to us about?”
“Well, for starters, I want to discuss each of your places in this rebellion. I fear none of you have truly made the choice to be an active part in it. Even you, Nova, have only done what has been asked of you. That concerns me. We don’t need anyone being a part of this movement unless they truly believe in it.
Otherwise, who’s to say your loyalty will remain with us? ”
Give me a break.
“How do you suggest we do that? Kiss your feet?” Otarn asked, crossing her arms as she leaned back. Stars, these cores were terrible at winning people over.
“You see, Ms. Otarn, that is the problem. You lack impulse control and respect. You exist as if you are the sun and we orbit you. Like a core.”
“I am a core family member. That will never change. But I’m here, risking my life, potentially throwing everything away. Why do you think that is? Why do you think any of us are here?”
“I think you’ve chosen the side you think will best serve you. My problem with that is the possibility that when something else—something you deem better—comes along, you’ll leave the rebellion. I can’t have this entire movement put at risk for your flimsy desires and whims.”
“How is that any different than Az? You chose him,” Cal said, his hands hitting the table far too loudly.
“I made an executive decision that involved believing in his ability to kill others like him. Plus, he is in a very different situation. There is nothing for him to return to.”
“There’s nothing for us either. So tell us what you want us to do, and we’ll do it,” Elders demanded. Great. Just great.
While they all had agreed to fight, I begrudgingly saw the same thing the commander did.
We were all there for selfish reasons, ones that might be fleeting.
They all had siblings and homes and lives to return to.
Az and I had nothing, but that made us even more unpredictable—dangerous.
Stars, I wasn’t sure Commander Maitoza even knew I had burned the cathedral down.
It was proof of how little she could count on us.
“Actually, there’s no need for suggestions.” Az’s voice was calm and cool, his back pressing into the wooden chair and a smile splitting his face. “I know exactly what we can do.”
Pressing my fingertips into my temples, I fought off the pounding headache as it began. In that moment, I was incredibly thankful not to have the stars’ essence anymore, if only for the reprieve of their commentary on top of everything else.
“And what would that be, Azazel?” Commander Maitoza asked, her voice so monotone it almost hid the fury that blazed in her squinted eyes. At her side, Desi bore a strained smile, her jaw tight and brows furrowed.
“We’re going to help with one of your protests. You have them weekly, right? When’s the next one?” Az asked, tucking both hands behind his head as he leaned further back.
Commander Maitoza raised her brows, her lips parting in shock. I didn’t miss the flick of her eyes towards Desi, who genuinely looked like she might throw up now. Zura let out a soft squeak beside me, her body leaning towards mine.
A protest? What good would that do? We’d be discovered quickly even if the officials didn’t immediately break up the show of dissent and defiance. So what was Az’s angle?
“Well, Azazel, that’s very brave of you, but the next one is this evening in the Qamar District. Surely there’s something else you all can do.”
“No, I think protesting for eadi rights is exactly what we should do. In the end, it’s not more dangerous for us to go than it is for you or any other rebel, right?
” Azazel knew he’d won. His smile had turned feral, eyes alight.
Maitoza seemed to be considering his words, her gaze squinted and top lip lifted slightly.
“And all six of us possess the shadows, so we can help with shadow walking rebels there and back if need be.”
“He makes an excellent point. We’ll go to your protest, ideally not die, and then all will be right in the world. How magical,” Cal said, throwing out his hands and wagging his fingers. At his side, Elders snorted, draping his arm over Otarn’s shoulders.
“There is a lot of planning that goes into the protests, Az. Adding six bodies—especially known faces—can alter everything,” Desi said, chuckling awkwardly.
“You know what?” the commander said, raising her hand to Desi as she continued glaring at Az. “Let’s give them the chance.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I asked, sitting up straighter. I looked at Azazel, my eyes so wide I wondered if they would pop out of the sockets. I tried to somehow speak into his mind.
What the fuck are you doing right now? I asked. He didn’t seem to catch on, so I absolutely wasn’t capable of alghazi then.
“Perfect! Desi, can you come over to my cottage to fill us in? Pri, you’re in charge of clothes.
Cal, you’re in charge of signs. Q, you’re in charge of keeping watch and time.
Zura, what are you good at? Never mind, we’ll figure that out later.
Nova, you and I are primary shadow walking duty.
Boom, done. We’ll see you soon, Commander. ”
“Hold on, I wasn’t finished speak—”
“No time to talk! Best get ready. Wouldn’t want to negatively affect the protest, would we?
Of course not! See you soon!” With that, Az stood up and threw his hand over his head in a sharp wave, not looking back.
The rest of us sat there for a few moments, the seconds ticking by so slowly I wondered if time had stilled.
Then, as if something snapped within us, we all stood.
Commander Maitoza glared openly at Az’s fleeing form, Desi looking pained at her side.
The rest of us quickly shuffled out of the room, eager to exit the tension-soaked space.
The second I was through the door, I chased down Az, grabbing his elbow.
“What was that about?” I said between clenched teeth, the others quickly catching up to us.
“All will be revealed shortly, young star,” he hummed, winking. When he tried to grab my hand, I crossed my arms.
“You get used to Az making plans without you. He’s always plotting, but he catches you up eventually.” Quinn smiled down at me, his hands in his trouser pockets. I noticed a purple raven pinned to his black cloak, the symbol of his family shining brightly.
When I dared to look slightly behind him, I saw that Priya also wore a pin, the howling wolf an emerald shade of green.
Caleb and Az didn’t bear any symbols of their families, but I knew that was hard for them.
Leaving behind the legacy they were born into.
It was why I knew the commander was right, even if I didn’t like her.
“Well, Quinn, I don’t think I like his silent plotting very much.” When Azazel opened the door to leave the building, nudging me with his arm as I passed, I sidestepped closer to the man on my left.
“None of us do, but we’ve all submitted to our fate,” Quinn fired back, smiling as he placed his arm around my shoulders.
As if possessed, Az abruptly stopped walking and snatched Elders’ wrist, twisting it and ripping it upwards. “Hands off.”
“Woah, woah, relax,” I said, pressing my palms into Az’s chest. He released his friend, every muscle in his face tense. Elders only snickered behind me, Cal walking up to my other side.
“Now, now. Let’s not have a repeat of the great fight of 9218,” Caleb cooed, smacking his hand into Az’s cheek.
“What happened in 9218?” Zura whispered to Quinn.
“Our sweet, gentle Azazel punched Talon in the face because he stole his favorite ball,” Quinn answered, the smile evident in his voice.
“He took it and put a knife through it,” Az hissed, tugging me into his body. I flattened against him, feeling his chest rise and fall, his heartbeat slowing. After a moment he whispered, “Sorry, Quinn. I don’t know what came over me.”
“You’re acting more like a dog than a snake lately, that’s for sure,” Otarn mumbled, pushing past us to keep walking through the fresh snow. “Pathetic.”
“Pri,” Caleb groaned, jogging to catch up with her. “Come on! Be reasonable!”
Leaning away from Az, I looked over to Quinn and Zura. “Can I have a minute alone with Azazel?”
Az tightened his hold, his fingers spreading across my back. Zura offered a soft smile, nodding. “Of course.”
“Come on, Zura. I’ll tell you all about my childhood trauma and you can pretend to act surprised,” Quinn said, smiling when Zura let out a soft gasp. He draped his arm over her shoulders much like he had mine, smirking at Az as he passed. “Woof woof.”
Az’s entire body tensed around me, but the second they were far enough not to hear, he relaxed again. I felt his lips press into my hair, a deep inhale following the gentle kiss.
Aggravated, I shoved away from him, jabbing my finger into his chest. “You don’t own me. Stop acting like I’m your favorite toy no one else can touch!”
“No one else should be touching you!” He stepped back into my space, his smokey breath fanning across my face. “How would you feel if Zura put her arm around me? What would your gut instinct be?”
Looking around, I grabbed his collar, dragging him behind me and leading him to the thickly forested area on the eastern side of the base. The second we entered a densely packed section, I shoved him into a tree, his back smacking hard into the thick, crumbling bark.