Chapter Sixty-One
Saphyra
“ Q uiet.” Shadow held up his hand, calling a halt, whipping his head from side to side, scanning the treetops.
I tried to follow his gaze but couldn’t even see the sky through the thick canopy, let alone whatever he was looking for. “What is it?” I kept my voice low, not really sure why we were whispering.
Shadow paused a moment longer before urging our shared horse forward. “The fighters headed away from our location, but I thought I heard an explosion.”
“I heard it too, but the trees and valleys can distort sound. It could’ve been anything,” Ghost said. Despite his words, worry infused his voice.
It was difficult to hear much over the horses’ hooves thudding on the hard-packed dirt and the creak of the saddles, but I hadn’t noticed anything. Lex’s concern and Grey’s simmering alarm were settled softly in the bond, steadily moving away from me. “Whatever it was, Grey and Lex seem fine. I think. Just…” I paused, thinking of the best way to describe what I was feeling through the connection. “Concerned.”
I wasn’t sure if I completely trust the details of what I felt through the bond. It was a slippery thing, sliding through my fingers any time I focused on it, and the distance only made the clarity worse.
I didn’t imagine Lex would appreciate that his fear and desperation reached out to me. He’d always tried so hard to hide anything but confidence, but he couldn’t hide it from me now. I knew the way he’d felt when he left, too. He was terrified.
Ghost cleared his throat. “So, uh… you can feel them? I guess you know what just happened, then?”
Shadow’s fingers flexed on my hips when I shifted in his saddle to look at Ghost. “Yeah, I understand the reality of our situation.”
Lex didn’t think he was coming back, but I did. I trusted him, maybe more than I should, and maybe more than he trusted himself. He’d do what he set out to do, no matter what. He needed to protect us, and I was certain that was exactly what was going to happen. My unshakable faith in him was the only thing holding me together as he and Grey got further away.
I had to believe in him because any other outcome was unthinkable. He’d made me question his motives in the past, but never about keeping me safe.
“Then why let him go on a suicide mission?” Ghost asked.
I cringed at Ghost’s harsh wording. “Because that’s not what this is. He’ll find a way.” I spoke it into the universe with conviction. There wasn’t room for doubt. Doubt would crush me, and I couldn’t deal with that now.
“I hope you’re right.” Shadow pressed a kiss to the top of my head.
Ghost gave a noncommittal grunt and rode past us into the lead. I was going to assume that meant he agreed. We continued up the steep rocky trail north around the wooded shoulder of the mountain. It provided much needed cover but was difficult for the horses to navigate.
After what felt like forever, the path leveled out as we crested the ridge, and Ghost stopped. “We’re getting close to the guard perimeter. Where are we headed?”
That was a question I had no answer to. I was relying on their knowledge of the area to guide the decisions.
Shadow maneuvered his horse alongside Ghost’s. “There’s the tunnel at the old oak grove. Only Fenix’s team knows about it. It lets out near the brig as well. That’ll be important if we still plan to break our allies out.”
I remembered the steel door that led to the sparring circle where Shadow fought with the female alphas. Trees concealed the area, and it was tucked in a hollow, hugging the base of the mountain.
Ghost nodded. “But even with their whole team, we’re gonna need more to take back the city.”
“We don’t know how many people they’ve imprisoned. There might be others that would help,” I said, hope filling my voice.
“It’s true, but that’s a big gamble,” Ghost replied. “I have an idea.” His eyes sparked with mischief, making me wonder what he was up to.
Ghost flipped open his saddlebag and pulled out the little black communications box he’d been using earlier. His fingers moved so fast over the touchpad I lost track. The speaker clicked, but before anyone said anything, Ghost was already talking into it. “Maddox, where are you and what sort of troops do you have?”
“Well, hello to you, too, asshole. Now, why would I tell you any of that?” A smile rang through Maddox’s words.
“Out of the goodness of your heart? Because you’re such a nice guy?”
I cut Ghost’s playful banter off. “Because your queen requires the information.”
Maddox fell silent for a second. I may have imagined it, but it sounded like he swallowed a gulp. “Your Majesty.” His voice turned reverent. “I apologize for my rudeness. I didn’t realize I was on speaker comms. We’re stationed at the north watch tower with three squadrons of loyal soldiers.”
I wasn’t sure what that meant. Was three a lot? Was that nearby? I looked to Ghost for answers.
He saw me looking and flashed me a grin and a wink. “That’s pretty good, Maddox. You wanna storm the castle with us?”
“All due respect, my friend, but we can’t get in. Not with that large a force. The starfighters might be busy chasing phantoms through the woods right now, but I’m sure they’d happily detour to blow my men up,” Maddox said.
Ghost paused for a moment as if in thought before he went on. “What if I told you I know a way?”
“I’d say you were a liar.” Maddox’s voice was light, but there was an undertone of hesitant eagerness.
“Can he bring them through the tunnel?” I asked quietly, trying not to broadcast over the comms.
Shadow’s graveled growl ruffled my hair. “That passage is too small. He has at least seventy-five men.”
My lips formed an O of understanding, but wondered if not that, then what was Ghost thinking?
Ghost’s smile and self assured confidence radiated through our connection. His emotions set my mind at ease. Whatever it was, he was sure it’d work.
Ghost looked around, studying the landscape before going on. “Can you get to the old water tank?”
“That’s well inside the perimeter. There are patrols. Many patrols,” Maddox grumbled over the sound of flipping paper.
Ghost rushed in before Maddox had time to come up with more excuses. “Yes, probably, but they won’t have scouts in that area because there aren’t any entry bays. Only a forgotten service shaft that no one would ever use for anything.”
“Except you. I get where you’re going with this. Sure, we can make it there.” Maddox sounded exasperated, as if he was faking annoyance, but was secretly thrilled with the plan.
“It’s genius, I know. You don’t have to say it.” Ghost buffed his nails on his shoulder.
I held back a laugh. “You know he can’t see you, right?”
Ghost gasped theatrically. “Maddox, can you not see me?”
“No, idiot. I can’t see you.” Maddox sounded mildly bored but maybe the tiniest bit amused by Ghost’s shenanigans.
If nothing else, I was grinning.
“That’s probably for the best, if I’m being honest. It’s been rough out here. Meet me at the old water tank in three hours and try not to raise any alarms,” Ghost said.
“Will do.” Maddox’s side of the connection clicked and went silent.
“So, we’re going in through a service shaft?” I asked.
Ghost guided his horse closer. “No. You and Valyx should still go through the tunnel at the oak grove. It’s safer and you’ll be able to release Fenix’s team from there.”
“You want us to split the party even more? Sounds like a terrible idea,” I grumbled, not wanting to be parted from any more of my mates.