Chapter Fourteen #3
Rubbing sweat and grit from my eyes, I blink through the haze to find Reya standing a few paces away, hands on her hips, glaring at me.
God, I’ve never been so grateful to see her in my life.
“Draconite.” I mutter with a heavy sigh then I shove myself upright, every muscle protesting with the effort as the clearing comes back into focus.
The four Outerlanders still lie unconscious around us, scattered through the dirt where I dropped them, but beyond them are the remains of two dragons—one red, one green—their bodies slashed open, wings twisted, and their white-robed riders crumpled nearby.
JC, Shanwyn and Nex tower over the carnage, blood streaking the ground between them, dark and wet against the dust.
“It’s like a bloody battlefield. Is JC okay?” I ask as Darren and Luc step up beside us.
Luc gives a relieved nod.
“Did either of them see you?” Reya tilts her head toward the dead riders in white.
I shake my head. “No. They were too far away to get a proper look.”
“That was too close.”
I don’t respond to Cal’s jab. There’s no point. He’s right. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before my cover is blown.
“We need to get back.” My gaze lowers to the mother and son still frozen with panic below me, and I throw a silence shield around us before they can hear what comes next. “Did the father make it?”
Darren’s expression tightens. “No.”
“Fuck.” Raking my hands through my hair, I glance away for a breath. “We can’t run evacs like this anymore. It’s too risky.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Luc pushes.
“I don’t know.” Dropping my arms, I turn around, though my jaw stays flexed.
“I’ll speak to Merrin later. Right now, we need to get these two out of here before more scouts decide to show up.
” My head shifts in the direction of the father.
“But I’m not leaving the draconite lying around for someone else to find, and I’m sure as hell not taking it back to the Citadel. ”
“I’ll take it,” Reya responds a bit too fast. Our eyes narrow on her. “I mean, I can take it back to camp and have it made into more handcuffs,” she adds, pulling a small wooden box from a pouch at her waist then flipping open the lid.
“Screw me, Reya,” Darren blurts, staring into the box as dozens of metallic stones gleam up at us, catching in the afternoon light. “Why do you have so much of that shit? And how in the Stars have you been carrying it around?”
For a second, none of us move. Draconite doesn’t last long—it decays just like mirroring elements do—but still, this isn’t a sample. Not a few scraps. It’s enough to cripple half an army if used right.
“Well, I’m the one doing the deals and collecting it from the mountain settlement near camp.” Reya slams the wooden box shut with a sharp crack. “And the box is laced with Threads so it stops the draconite from messing with mine.”
My brows pull in at the mention of the mountain settlement.
I bloody knew they were double-dealing behind our backs. They’re the only ones mining the stuff around here, and the agreement was that it stayed with the Movement. But clearly, they’ve been selling it elsewhere.
And Lyra went there.
The image claws straight through me.
I’m going to fucking kill—
“Did she make that for you?” Luc grumbles beside me, the question slicing through my thoughts, and only then do I realise my teeth are grinding.
“It’s none of your business,” Reya fires back. “But yes.”
“Who are we talking about?” I ask.
“No one,” they both respond at once.
Right. Of course. “Look, I don't have time for whatever relationship bullshit you’re both pretending not to have. But we need to move these two and I need to get back for the Census meeting with Serrane and the rest of the board.”
Glancing down at the mother and son still quivering at our feet, my fists curl so tight I’m sure they’ll draw blood, but I swallow and continue.
“I doubt the meeting itself will reveal anything. Whatever Serrane’s really planning, he won’t be stupid enough to discuss it in front of the entire Citadel board.
But it’ll keep Professor Strannt occupied, and I’m pretty sure a copy of the Census plans is in his office.
I want to get there early and see if I can get in while he’s distracted. ”
Luc raises a brow at me. “You’re going to break into his office looking like that?”
Following his stare, I look down at the white Citadel uniform now covered in dirt and blood. “I’ll clean up first.” I grumble, knowing that with everything going on, there’s no way I'm going to get time to visit Lyra now.
“Reya and I can sort this mess out.” Darren states.
“Thank you.” I let my shoulders loosen a fraction. “JC happy to take us both?” I ask Luc. “I’d rather keep Cal at bay.”
He nods, and before whatever the hell is going on between them all can twist into another argument, I walk away.
But not before my focus cuts back to the mother and boy.
She’s still holding him like if she lets go, the world will take him too, while a few hundred feet away, his father lies face-down in the dust. Dead.
And I promised I'd keep them all safe.
Guilt settles heavy in my gut.
God, I fucking hate the Outerlands.