Wraith stands abruptly, drawing my attention. His face has paled, but his eyes are steady. He tilts his head to the door. I set the chair back where I found it, and follow him out, flicking the light off as if we were never there.
We walk urgently back through the common room and down through the hall, only stopping once we reach Wraith’s room.
He whispers in a low voice that brings back heinous memories from the Under and him trying to murder me. “Meet me by that shed we saw near the landing pad tomorrow after breakfast. Bring Damian with you.”
My heart is racing. “What about Cameron?”
He lifts a brow.
“Mori.” I correct myself to his code name as I remember no one ever calls him by his name.
Wraith shakes his head. “Don’t tell him. I don’t trust him yet.”
I glower at him. “I don’t trustyou.”
“You heard the same thing I did. We can’t talk here about it, so if you don’t want to show up tomorrow, then don’t. I’ll let Damian know. We won’t wait up for you.” Then he turns and shuts his door quietly.
I make my way back to Cameron’s room and slip back under the sheets, curling up against his back and shutting my eyes at the warmth. A dark and unsettling theory tumbles in my mind heavily and steals any comfort I found tonight away.
Everyone seems shocked when Erik shares the news that we will not be leaving our current location as “plans have changed.” Well, everyone except me and Wraith.
I catch the subtle shift of his eyes as he casts me a side glance.
Cameron’s expression is hard-pressed as he takes in the new strategy that Erik is proposing.
“Our intel tells us that Mavestelli is pulling the trigger on his upcoming trade in just a few weeks. It’s better if we stay put and gather as much information as we can until then. Our objective is to take out the king of the underworld, Mavestelli himself.”
My pulse leaps, but I keep my facial features as smooth as I can.
He’s still my father. Even if he’s a fucking spawn of Satan.
Mikah speaks up, “With all due respect, this isn’t exactly a secure enough location for the data on my laptop, lieutenant. I assumed that this was a one-night stop.” Her dark hair looks more frazzled today, like she hasn’t been able to get a good night’s rest in days. But beyond her fatigued appearance lies a deep underlying stress and worry. Her eyes are bloodshot as she taps the table repeatedly with her index finger.
Damian shifts in his seat uncomfortably and shoots me awhat the fuck is going onlook. I dismiss it and pretend like I have no clue.
“Not to worry, Mikah, you will be on a plane first thing tomorrow morning as your services are concluded.” His amber eyes drag over the remainder of our heads. “The rest of us will make a base of this place for now and ensure that the trade location has not changed.”
Thomas has his arms crossed squarely over his chest as he glances at Gage, who has a cumbersome furrow to his brow.
At least we all have a collective concern about this switch.
Gage lifts his hand in a half wave. “Lieutenant, wouldn’t it make more sense to have Malum take this phase? It’s more up theiralley, isn’t it? We have three newbies and Mori and Morphine are injured still?—”
Erik slams his hands against the table, making all of us collectively flinch. “Malum is on a separate mission at the moment, Gage. Are you trying to suggest that you know more about strategizing than your superior officers?”
Gage’s eyes widen and he shakes his head quickly. “No, sir. Of course not.”
“You’re all excused. Familiarize yourselves with the base today and take it easy,” Erik says coldly as he walks out of the room. He seems stiff today, like the news from Nolan unsettled him as much as it did me. It makes me wonder if he’s as trapped in this as we are, only following orders because he has to. Even if it means losing his own team.
The entire squad remains seated with an air of dread that grows between us. I finally look at Wraith, whose face is just as pale as it was last night. No matter how much I distrust him, there’s not really a choice in the matter, I have to meet him and Damian at the shed.
But there’s still the matter of Reed and the part he plays in this. Cameron owes me an explanation.
After everyone else gets up and slowly filters out of the room besides me and Cameron, I get up and lock the door so we aren’t interrupted. I make it a point to check for any vents that might carry our conversation, and let out a relieved sigh when I don’t find any.
Cameron’s hair is mussed with sleep and he actually looks more tired than he did last night. I wish he could get more rest, but it’s probably his heavy mind that’s giving him a lack of reprieve. He still glances at the scar on my temple with burdensome eyes. I wish I’d known that it wasn’t disdain he had for me, but for himself for the last several weeks.
I settle back into the seat beside him. He glances up at mehesitantly before stretching out his hand for mine. His touch is soft and gentle, even his calluses. Cam’s eyes drink me in.
