Laken springs up to my side. “Skyla, what is it?”
“It’s her.” A breath escapes me as Logan and Ellis crop up. “It’s Rory. She’s the harbinger.” I look around the room. “The war we were waiting for? It’s just arrived.”
Wes steps forward with a determined look on his face as if he understands the implications.
“It looks as if Rory volunteered.” He nods my way. “She’s telling us something, Skyla.”
“She’s telling us that our attempts to hide the markers aren’t good enough anymore,” the words strum from me numbly. “Rory made it a point to tell me that Melody’s body had the serum we gave out. And now, for whatever reason, it’s inert. Our serum doesn’t work anymore.”
Wes blows out a hard breath. “And if Rory didn’t do this, our people would have had to learn the hard way which end was up.” He looks my way. “This is the cure that Gage was touting to our people. He doesn’t just have a permanent serum—he has the only serum.”
Brody nods, his eyes still very much glued to the television set. “Ten bucks says they’re taking her to Raven’s Eye.”
Logan’s chest expands. “And there is no way in hell they’re going to let her get away. I’m sorry, Skyla.”
“No.” I shake my head. “This is what she wanted. It’s her destiny. A great sacrifice for many.” I blink unexpected tears away. “Operation Dark Horse begins today. If anyone wants to back out, this is your chance.” I look to Marshall. “I believe you have a dress waiting for me upstairs. It’s time for me to slip into something a little more supernatural.”
Marshall’s lids hood low. “By all means, Ms. Messenger. Allow me to help you do just that.”
No sooner does Marshall open the door to his bedroom than we find a greasy rat lying over his bed in the nude.
“Chloe,” I say her name without much fanfare. “I take it things didn’t go in the direction you hoped with my sister?”
Logan chuckles. “Chloe, Chloe. When will you learn? Things will never go the way you’re hoping unless you’re rooting for the winning team.”
“Oh hush, you two. I haven’t seen that twat in days. And I was with you at the Take Gage Oliver Down Meet and Greet at Whitehorse. I miss one patty-cake session and the two of you tear me apart.” She glowers our way while rolling over to get a better look at us. It doesn’t surprise me how unashamed she is of her nakedness. Chloe’s entire life is a shock and awe campaign. “And since it bears repeating, I’m fighting for Celestra, not Skyla. I am on the winning team.”
Marshall takes a deep breath. “You’re simply not the leader.”
I nod. “And therein lies the problem.”
Chloe snorts. “Dudley, you really should get a TV in here. The live productions you’re hauling into your room these days are rather boring. Unless, of course, the three of you were about to finally have that threesome you’ve been gearing up for.” She purses her lips at me. “I bet you and Logan miss rolling around with Gage.”
A laugh chirps from me. “Those are your fantasies, not mine.” Okay, fine. I may have had a heated dream or two that went in that direction, but the reality was never that attractive to me. And I’m pretty sure it would have been a hard no from Logan and Gage—not that I would have asked. But if I did.
Marshall leads us to his massive closet, the size of a small city, with Chloe and her bouncing boobs following close behind. I was in possession of Marlena’s dress before—I’ve worn it—but once the boys’ clothes infiltrated my speck of a closet back home, I gave Marshall a few haunted frocks to guard for me, this being one of them.
“Here she is.” He holds up the purple and black corset with the overgrown deep purple tutu attached. It so dark it almost looks black.
“Stunning,” I say. “Just the way I remember her.”
Chloe grunts, “And what does she do?”
“It binds the hell out of a Fem, Chloe. It’s the dress I was born to wear.” I shrug over at her while running my fingers over the coarse fabric.
“Let’s get it on,” I say.
Chloe laughs. “Words you say nightly to whoever happens to be in your bed.”
“Be quiet, Chloe.” I sigh over at her. “I don’t need you to antagonize me today.”
“And what’s today?” She looks from me to Logan. “Time for Operation Dark Horse so soon?”
“Not soon enough.” Logan shifts as his eyes narrow over hers. “Today is the day, Chloe. And we’re going in full force.”
I pull the dress off the hanger and feel its weight in my arms.
“I need Gage to see the truth,” I whisper. “The Fems need to be stopped. That virus they’ve poisoned the planet with? They have a cure, and that cure just so happens to be the undoing of our people.”
