Chapter 63 Cameron
CAMERON
Dianna spread out the map she’d stolen, showing us where to go.
“If,” Kaden interrupted, still disguised as one of the guards, “your plan succeeds, and we all don’t die, that won’t be the safest route to evacuate. It will be the first one they’ll close down.”
The line of her jaw tightened, that tension from days ago still bubbling beneath the surface. I wondered how quickly she would rip his head off if she could do it without causing damage to herself. I’d pay good money to see that.
“He’s right,” Isaiah said. “She has different ports set up around this planet, each taking you to a different realm. I’d pick a trade route. It will take us longer to return, but it will be the last place she’d look.”
Silence fell as she weighed her options, and I could see her wondering just how much she could trust them. I understood and agreed. The only reason there was a modicum of trust is that we all knew they wanted to live.
“Fine,” she said, sliding the map off the table and rolling it up. “Just stick to the plan.”
I sighed deeply, trying to release some of the tension building in me. They weren’t on each other’s side. They were just three powerful caged predators, snapping and snarling at each other.
“Just because you’re my queen doesn’t mean you can boss me around,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
Dianna startled, as if she’d forgotten I was there.
Then she smirked, hitting me softly over the head with the rolled-up prints.
“Actually, that’s exactly what it means.
” She handed me the map and started toward the door.
“Now, it’s time for my part. Play nice.” Her eyes cut toward Kaden and Isaiah. “All of you. Please.”
We nodded before pushing away from the table. “See you on the other side. Be careful, your grace,” I said with a jaunty salute.
She didn’t turn around, but held up her middle finger as she walked out the door.
I NEVER THOUGHT Kaden would impress me, but as we wandered the lower level of this damn mothership, I had to admit I was impressed.
All three of us wore the skin of the three lower crewmen we had eaten.
Our wings were tucked in tight, and we wore dark overalls, gloves, and hard hats.
The guards on this level barely gave us a passing glance as we walked in, yet even with the disguises, I didn’t know how they couldn’t tell who Kaden and Isaiah were.
Their long strides showed how, even in their smaller forms, they held themselves high.
They contained such power that I was stupid not to know or sense the relation to Samkiel until recently.
The overencompassing power of Unir ran through more than their blood.
“We wait and follow Dianna’s plan,” Kaden said, and for once, it didn’t seem like he was dripping in sarcasm. Isaiah himself didn’t even roll his eyes for once.
“I don’t buy it.”
“Buy what?” Kaden asked, his face set in what looked like a permanent grimace.
“This whole change,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you think this will earn you a way back into her pants?”
Isaiah’s brows shot up, but he didn’t speak. Kaden turned toward me, his movements reminding me who I was talking to. “Is that what you think?”
“I think you’re still in love with her.” I clicked my teeth. “Which is weird since you like to throw the sister you murdered in her face.”
“I didn’t—” He bit his tongue as workers passed and then took a step closer to me so we wouldn’t be overheard. “I didn’t say it to be cruel.”
My eyes narrowed. “I truly don’t think you know how to be anything but.”
“Hey,” Isaiah said, stepping forward. “Watch it.”
I held his gaze steadily, completely unfazed at facing them both down. “You too.”
Isaiah went to open his mouth when I raised my hand, cutting him off. I wasn’t scared of them. The only reason I didn’t punch Kaden in his fucking mouth for speaking to Dianna the way he did was because I didn’t know if it would hurt her with the bond.
“I see how you look at Imogen, how you care and want to be around her in that cell below the palace,” I said.
Isaiah’s jaw clenched painfully tight. “Do you truly think when she regains her body, she will look at you as anything but the cruel blood general? We all know what you have done to earn that title.”
He stared at me, the sound of the various machines loud in the silence between us.
I chuckled, rocking on the balls of my feet.
“Both of you act like the world cursed you to be the realm’s biggest dicks, but did you ever think that maybe no one wants to be around you because you pushed people away in the worst way?
You’re alone, not because the world hates you …
Wait, actually, it might be for that, but I think it’s more.
You don’t change. This bond had to be forced between you three for there to be even an attempt.
I pity you both. I’d hate to die alone like that with no one around you who’d truly care because you have given them no reason to.
What a waste,” I said, crossing my arms. “I may be Ig’Morruthen like you, but I would never choose to be the monster. ”
I waited for a smartass comment or snarl, but none came from either of them.
Even with the disguises, both reacted as if my words had some merit.
I know my anger came from my defensiveness of Dianna and my distaste for them.
I didn’t think it would have any true effect, but they met each other’s eyes and looked away as if they had felt the sharp edge of those words before.
“I think.” Kaden finally said, nodding toward Isaiah. “We need to finish what we came here for.”
Neither spared me another glance, and I hoped my words cut.
I may joke far too much, but I saw everything.
I picked up cues others thought I was blind to, and I knew I wasn’t wrong about either of them.
They went in different directions, leaving me standing in the center of the room.
I adjusted the front of my overalls and started toward a group of workers gathered around some crates.
One by one, they grabbed what looked like heavy sheets of metal before descending a wide stairwell.
I waited in line for my turn, and after hefting a few, I followed the young man in front of me, his wings tucked tight against his back.
Sparks flew as I descended the wrought iron stairs to the lowest level. The men shouted orders back and forth, handing off the sheets of metal to the crew welding them in place along the walls of the ship. I kept my eyes low, making trip after trip up and down the steps.
I took my time, trying to figure out what they were repairing, knowing we wanted whatever had managed to damage it on our side. But once I drew closer, I realized they weren’t fixing anything. They were reinforcing. She hadn’t taken this ship into battle … not yet.
Whatever Nismera’s ultimate plan was, she hadn’t set it in motion yet, but I suspected it would come to fruition soon.
Gods, if she unleashed this monstrosity, it didn’t matter where it went.
It would succeed. This wasn’t just a massive warship, but also a dock.
Milani could discharge thousands of soldiers.
They would descend upon a territory and own it in minutes.
It wouldn’t be war, it would be annihilation.