Gabe’s voice came low from farther down the table. “And when the triads comes, how do we make sure we’re ready? We might have numbers, but I think we all know by now that sheer strength won’t be enough.”
Archangel Astor looked up from the tome in front of her, eyes shadowed but steady. “That’s what we have to figure out.”
Silence followed, heavy but not without hope. My gaze swept the table, pausing on each face gathered beneath the same fragile banner of defiance. Exhaustion lined every expression, yet none of them had broken. They all wore the same quiet refusal to yield.
Noah spoke after a long moment, his tone even but deliberate. “Before we talk battle strategy, we need to make sure we’re prepared to house the forces we’ll need. We’ll have to decide where everyone is staying, and we’ll need a centralized command baseoutsidethe city. Alfemir’s city center will likely be the triad’s first target.”
Archangel Astor pointed toward one of the maps near the center of the table. “We’ll also need a safe zone for non-combatants—somewhere out of reach when the city falls under attack.”
“So we need space for both the Rebellion and the wyvern, a central command base, and a separate safe zone,” Mithrie said, her brow furrowing as she thought. She traced a finger along the edge of a map, calculating distances.
Niz’s mother inclined her head slightly. “Obviously, we must avoid open terrain, but any sites I could offer are too far from Alfemir to be useful. Perhaps they could serve to shelter those not taking part in combat.”
“Once we know how many will be evacuating the city, we’ll need that,” I said as Niz’s mother nodded in understanding. Her eyes sharpened, lips pressing thin in a look of calculation. I could tell she was already mapping out where Alfemir’s civilians could be sheltered.
Ronan leaned forward, his voice calm but certain. “The Beast Tamers’ center in the western forest could work for housing both the Rebellion and the wyvern forces. It’s sizable, with plenty of room to build, and the forest canopy offers cover from the air. It’s far enough from Alfemir to feel safe, yet close enough to move into battle when the time comes.”
“How do we know they’d agree to that?” Astor asked, her brow creasing. “The Beast Tamers usually keep to themselves.”
“They’ll agree, they trust me,” Ronan said, his confidence steady. He leaned back slightly, hands clasped before him. “I’ll speak with them personally.”
“Make contact tonight if you can,” I requested softly. “If they’re willing, we’ll start setting up to welcome the Rebellion forces as they arrive. The sooner we start, the better.”
Amelia exhaled, then gave a slow nod. “That could work. For a central command base, the forested land nearby the center would give us cover for operations, and the beasts can handlesupply runs faster than any convoy between there and the city proper.”
Steele inclined his head. “Then much like the housing, we’ll have to move fast to establish it. This many people won’t be able to work together without direction and a command structure, especially considering the history between them.”
Bash let out a low hum of agreement. “Especially since the upper triads could drop in at any fucking moment without warning.”
The corner of my mouth twitched despite myself. Leave it to Bash to cut through strategy with brutal honesty.
I drew in a breath and pushed myself upright. “With that in mind, let’s start talking about strategy—how we’re going to face and win against the triad,” I said, letting my voice carry. “We need to put ideas forward and organize defenses before they choose the battlefield for us. I know we won’t solve everything today, but a start is better than nothing.”
The movement around the table sharpened as I spoke—pens to paper and maps shifting. The discussion that came after stretched well into the hour. After offering my opinion a few times, I leaned back in my chair, letting the weight of it settle. Around the table, faces blurred between fatigue and resolve. Noah had ink on his fingertips, jotting notes as each person spoke, building possibilities for both offense and defense.
I listened more than I spoke, but every word filtered through me, shaping into something cohesive. Every contribution mattered. My ears specifically pricked each time one of my men offered something.
My men.I loved that.
Ronan leaned close to me, his voice low enough for only me to hear. “You see it now, don’t you?” he murmured, the ghost of a smile playing at his lips. “You’re not alone in this, Beauty.”
The quiet conviction in his tone struck deeper than I expected, causing the tension in my chest to ease. I tilted my head up at him, considering his words. “I don’t think I’ve ever truly thought I was alone. From the beginning, you, Niz, and Bash took that step into the portal with me. But the weight of this prophecy—of ensuring Alfemir, hell, our world, has a future—it’s a lot.”
Ronan’s gaze softened, his voice filled with understanding. “You don’t have to carry it alone, and you don’t have to have every answer, Kieran. That’s why we’re here. All of us.”
The words pulled at something deep inside me. I wanted to argue, to tell him I didn’t know how to let go, but the truth was already spread out across the table—maps scattered, voices overlapping, everyone fighting to find a way forward.
Ronan was right. It didn’t matter thatIwas the prophecy’s vessel; I had an entire city beside me. Leadership wasn’t about carrying the weight of the world alone. It was about trusting others to help bear it.
Inside of me, my fears settled into something steadier. Purpose.
After another hour or so, Amelia’s voice drew me back. She straightened, scanning the room. “We move on this immediately. Astor and Mithrie will organize the central command base’s construction. I’ll coordinate the Rebellion’s movement to Alfemir and the units will move in once Ronan gives the all-clear.”
Niz’s mom inclined her head before speaking. “We will return to the mountains to bring forth our warriors. I will also consider solutions for where to house Alfemir’s non-combatants. I may have a few ideas.”
“We’ll continue this discussion soon,” Noah said, his gaze sweeping the table. “We can’t afford to be caught off guard—thetriads won’t give us a second chance. If we falter, the cost will be absolute carnage.”
No one argued. One by one, chairs scraped back. The meeting dissolved into motion—plans to execute, orders to carry out. Still, I stayed seated, tracing the edge of the map until the parchment frayed beneath my fingers, caught in my thoughts.
