Chapter 10
NIM
We huddled together in the fading light.
Sim stood beside me, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
I let go of Brynn’s elbow, but kept her at my side.
Clitasoxdfwe’h kept to my left, ever alert, while Xy hovered nearby, his hand resting on his weapon.
Across from us, CG watched with a measured stare.
Nif loomed next to him, his mouth still covered by that cloth.
“We need a plan that avoids bloodshed,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “The prison guards are innocent. There’s no need for unnecessary conflict.”
CG crossed his arms. “Agreed. I understand But we can’t just waltz in there.”
Sim glanced at me. “A small group can infiltrate more easily. Less chance of detection.”
I nodded. “Exactly. We’ll go in as a small team. The rest of you stay behind.”
Nif grumbled, the sound muffled. His eyes narrowed, a flash of annoyance evident even with half his face covered.
CG frowned. “Leaving my crew behind isn’t acceptable. We came to rescue Old Onork. We’re part of this.”
“It’s not about excluding you,” I replied. “It’s about minimizing risk.”
Nif pulled the cloth from his mouth. “We’re capable fighters. We won’t be a hindrance.”
Clitasoxdfwe’h stepped forward. “The more people involved, the higher the stakes. Stealth is key.”
Tension thickened the air. Xy’s grip tightened on his hilt. I could feel Sim bristling beside me.
Brynn moved closer, her eyes meeting mine. Hope shimmered there, a silent plea. She believed in me. That trust stirred something deep within. If not for her, I’d have dismissed CG and his crew without a second thought.
“Please,” Brynn said softly. “We all want the same thing. Let’s find a way together.”
Sim sighed. I could sense his hesitation, his unease mirroring my own. But Brynn’s request weighed heavily.
“Fine,” I said. “But only a few of you. A small group, as we planned.”
CG exchanged a look with Nif. “Agreed. Nif and I will accompany you.”
Sim’s jaw tightened, but he gave a curt nod. “We move at dawn. Be ready.”
As the others dispersed, I caught Brynn’s gaze again. Her gratitude was evident, but so was her concern. She approached me quietly.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For trusting them. For trusting me.”
I held her gaze. “I trust you. It’s them I’m wary of.”
She gave a small smile. “They’re rough around the edges, but their hearts are in the right place.”
“We’ll see.” I glanced over at CG and Nif, who were deep in conversation. “We can’t afford mistakes.”
“I know.” She touched my arm lightly, then approached the others from CG’s crew. I clenched my fist tight, knowing she won’t like it if I restrict her.
The air was thick with tension as I studied Sim’s rigid stance beside me.
His ears twitched—a subtle tell of his unease.
I knew him too well to miss it. He wasn’t happy about involving CG and his crew, and neither was I.
But Brynn’s quiet request had shifted the balance.
We both would go wherever she went, even if it meant walking into a trap with untested allies.
Sim’s golden eyes flicked to mine, his expression a mask of grim determination. The slight clench in his jaw mirrored my own frustration. He would never say it aloud, but I could feel his thoughts as if they were my own: They’re a liability.
Brynn stood a few paces away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The faint glow of the moon highlighted her pale skin and the curve of her lips, pressed into an anxious line.
She glanced between me and the others, her purple eyes searching for reassurance.
She didn’t know it yet, but she carried more than just our child—she carried the future of our planet.
That secret burned in my chest, a truth too dangerous to share with anyone outside our circle. Not yet.
I met Sim’s gaze across the gathering darkness. A subtle nod passed between us - silent agreement to watch these newcomers carefully. They’d proven useful so far, but trust had to be earned. Especially when it came to Brynn and our unborn child.
Sim’s tail brushed against mine—a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. For all his doubts, I knew he would stand by me, just as I would stand by him.
My hand tightened at my side. One wrong move from CG’s crew, one hint of betrayal, and they’d learn exactly why the Purple Tribe feared its leaders. But for now, we’d give them the chance Brynn requested. And trust that her faith in them wasn’t misplaced.