Chapter 43 Emery
EMERY
Reed sends two of his guards to check on Wraith while he, Damian, Gage, and a guard head to the roof of the current building we’re in to find Thomas.
Cameron and I are escorted down to the lower floor while we wait. The guards are my father’s men, but I don’t recognize many of them. I’m guessing they are the ones Reed has brought in over the years. Sly fox, I muse. Always four steps ahead.
We sit with our backs against the cold clay wall that lines the street. Small five-foot trees have taken root here in the building, growing with the light from patches in the wall and ceiling. Even in a desolate place such as this, hope perseveres.
Cameron’s hand shifts on top of mine, and he grips tenderly.
We persevered too. Some of us for much longer than others.
“Can I tell you something?” he murmurs, as he sets his head back against the wall.
I glance at him. “Of course.”
His grip tightens. “Being an officer in the Dark Forces was my dream for a long time. I don’t remember if it was what I wanted at first, but it became the dream that kept me going.
Past all the killings and all the downfalls.
It was the only goal that kept me from putting a bullet in my head.
” His tone is light and makes an ache grow in my heart.
He flicks those lovely sage eyes at me and lets them study my features before he continues, “Then you came along.”
I firm my lips, trying to keep the emotions from spilling out of me.
“When he ordered me to not only kill my team, but you, it wasn’t even a question.
No command or promised riches could ever make me pull that trigger.
The me before I met you would’ve greedily killed them all just for a chance to rise further up, but you changed me, Em.
” He leans in my direction and rests his head against mine.
“Your love could change even the darkest of hearts. I think that’s why Reed isn’t a master of all evil,” he jests at the end, making me grin past the tears prickling my eyes.
“I think he still has something behind his back he hasn’t shown us yet.” I worry my lip. “And your heart wasn’t that dark.”
His shoulders bounce jovially. “You’ve always had night vision, I swear.”
I comb my fingers through the side of Cameron’s hair that isn’t matted with blood for a few minutes before the others appear at the stairs.
There’s no sign of Thomas.
I’m sullen, wondering if he would’ve believed us or not when it came to the Dark Forces; maybe this was the most merciful way for him to go.
Gage keels over in a corner and vomits.
Cameron’s brows furrow as he forces himself to his feet, using the cane to get to Gage’s side. They whisper in hushed tones. I know Gage was with Thomas longer than me. I can’t imagine how much worse Bree’s or Mikah’s death would’ve hurt if I had the chance to know them longer.
I take Reed’s hand when he extends it to me, and he easily pulls me up. Damian shoves his hands into his pockets and stares at the wall with dull eyes.
“He was shot down. His leg was broken too from the landing,” Damian mutters, kicking at dust.
Reed grunts. “The other guards should be back soon. Be ready to move out. We’re going to take the eastern street while Mori heads straight to the lieutenant. Once the half brother is dead, we’ll be golden.”
I grab Reed’s hand before he can strut off and inform his men that we’re preparing to leave.
“What happens after that?” I try to find anything in his eyes that will give him away, but he keeps his expression mild.
“You love spoilers, don’t you?” he teases, but I don’t laugh. “Get your soldier boyfriend ready to go.” He waves his hand dismissively as he turns his back on me.
A few minutes pass and we’re expecting the guards to return empty-handed when they walk through the door hauling behind them a very beaten and barely lucid Wraith. He struggles to lift his head, but manages a weak smile.
“Herc!” Damian rushes to his side and takes over one of the guard’s positions helping him walk.
“You thought Mori could kill me?” Wraith rasps, trying to be cocky but massively failing.
“I mean, if you saw how hard he took you to the ground, with a knife to your chest, I might add, you would’ve thought so too,” I say with a grin. Wraith offers me a smirk. I’m happy he made it, but he still has a long way to go to get on my good side.
Reed helps Cameron get as far as the last building before parting ways and meeting back with our group.
I watch with dread in my stomach as Cameron slowly makes his way to Erik. He has his headset mic set to on and turned to a private channel we agreed on so that only we can hear the conversation they’re about to hash out. To smother any doubt Gage and the rest of us may have left for Erik.
“I don’t think Mori has it in him to kill the lieutenant,” Gage admits to me as we make our way down the eastern street. I nod sadly. He already killed his own mother. “Erik has always taken care of him like a son.”
I grit my teeth. “What fatherly figure would ever subject their son to this?”