“It means the general population is pissed and the government is on the run.” His face returns. “There were a lot of Cursed hiding in plain sight, many of them shielded by their families. As we’d assumed, finding out the truth has stirred up a lot of civil unrest. And not only among Cursed in hiding. Non-Cursed of all designations are outraged.” The screen swaps to a written message in a window. “The information we sent out across the globe told everyone they were welcome to join our cause at the academy.”
“Is that wise?”
Rodrigo fills the screen again. “The GBE already knows we’ve taken both academies. We’re prepared to defend our base locations.”
“And from within? You already said there was a mole you hadn’t caught, and now we’re about to add who knows how many unknowns.”
His brow rises. “Are you saying you won’t be able to tell if someone is being untruthful during their intake interviews?”
I frown. “I suppose this is my recruitment?”
“You and all our empaths will be the first line of screening.” He’s silent, expression contemplative.
“What is it?”
He lets out a sigh, rubs his face with his palm and leans back heavily in his seat. “The data you all pulled from the mainframe. Lucas and I just started weeding through it all. It’s not good. Not that we expected it to be sunshine and rainbows.”
“Define ‘not good.’”
“The GBE is creating some kind of weapon. A big one. Something that supposedly only affects Cursed.”
“This is true.”
Rodrigo gazes off to the side at the sound of a deep voice with a heavy Russian accent.
“I have seen this. It was not complete yet when I defected, but the Russian Empire has been working with the East Asian Empire on a terrible weapon for many years.”
“Do you know where this weapon is?”
“The EAE. There is a massive facility in Japan. Lots of experimenting. Many weapons.” A huff. “The Russian Empire did not want to house such a threat. They have the most indentured Cursed in the world.”
Rodrigo looks like he needs a long sleep when he looks back at the screen. “Make sure you check in with Willow and Jory when you get back. They’ll have more information for you.”
“You’re not returning to the academy?”
He frowns. “Apparently, we’re heading for the EAE.”
“And Lowe is with them?” Nyxeris is a ball of worried energy as she speaks with a calm, smiling Willow.
“Yes, dear. They’ll be gone for quite some time. But I assure you that she is surrounded by Alphas who would protect her with their lives.”
I wince at that remark. It was only a day ago that one of our Omegas sacrificed himself to save our other Omega.
What a fine pair of Alpha protectors Erich and I had been. Zephyr being back with us doesn’t change how incompetent I feel. And I sense from Erich similar feelings.
Mira loops her arm with Nyxeris’ and this relaxes her. “She’ll be okay, Nyx. And this could be a good thing for her on a personal level, spending time with her Alphas. Maybe it will change her mind about the situation.”
The two Omegas share a look before bursting out into laughter that I don’t understand.
“Laurant.” Willow looks me over with a knowing look that unnerves me. “You said you had something you wanted to discuss?”
I clear my throat, my eyes snapping to Nyxeris, then the Zephyr beside Erich. “First, I need to confess something.”
“You invaded our dreams on the jet. We know.”
I gape at Zephyr, turn to Nyxeris’ raised brow and narrowed eyes. “If you can see us in our dreams, we can see you. Just like the night we mated.”
Well, shit. I hadn’t considered that.
