Chapter 40
FORTY
Leah
“She’s a stupid girl who thinks that a night raid that kills a fraction of our army will stop us.
” Leah lounged in her seat, rolling her eyes at Commander Steel.
“She’s banking on the fact that I care about the lives of our soldiers.
I, unlike her, understand that in war, casualties are inevitable. ”
“She destroyed most of our blood supply and took out two hundred and forty nine soldiers in the process.” Commander Steel had said the words as if they should have meant something to Leah. “Yes, that is a drop in the bucket of our army, but the morale of the men is low.”
Leah studied Commander Steel. Had she made a mistake promoting him to a place of such power? Had she been blinded by his good looks and toned physique from the beginning?
“Well then, it’s your job to make sure that our army sees this night ambush against them as an act of cowardice. Spin it as a trap against us from weak, spineless enemies who attack in the dark and run in the day.”
“I have. Your army will take Azra as soon as we get to the city, as you’ve commanded. However, may I recommend a rest before we begin the assault?”
“Why? My vampire soldiers don’t need rest. They don’t require sleep.”
“Sleep no, but after running two days all day and all night, giving them a moment to prepare before the invasion may be helpful.”
“No, push them forward. You know the plan. The assault has to last long enough for the slaves to finish building the track for the mage engine. We have to get the tracks laid all the way to the gates, or else we’ll have to go with Plan B.”
“Understood.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there, and so will Dominic, to inspire and lead.”
“He was reported injured.” Commander Steel cocked his head to the side. “I don’t see him here now.”
“He’ll be fine.” Leah waved away the question with an open hand. “I want my armor prepared for the attack. Let the weapon smith know.”
“Already done.”
“Good. When we’re within sight of Azra, notify me. You are dismissed.”
Commander Steel bowed, then left the compartment, leaving Leah alone to think.
Leah let out a heavy sigh. She looked around the compartment, giving her eyes something to do while her brain worked on the attack strategy.
The compartment she was in was just behind the mage engine and in front of the cars holding the slaves.
Very soon, the mage engine would need to slow to allow the slaves off to begin work on progressing the track to Azra.
Her compartment was plain, made up of grey carpet, black walls, and sparse furnishings. A painting of a broken city was the only thing on the walls, minus the windows that lined the sides of the cart.
Right now, the most important thing was to rest her mind for the fight that would come against her sister. The battle with Croft would be the deciding factor in the war. There was no doubt she would be able to defeat her sister, no matter how powerful she had become.
Dominic Drencher was the ace up her sleeve. If, for any reason, there was the slightest chance she could fail, Dominic would be there to support her.
Leah forced herself to relax. She envisioned victory in her mind, the walls of Azra broken by her mage engine, a pile of broken bodies beneath her feet, starting with Charlotte Sloan and ending with Croft.
The night would be a bloodbath on both sides, but there was no doubt in her mind they would prevail.