Peter curled his lip at him. “Bravery isn’t an inherited trait.”
Tate didn’t listen any longer as she rested one hand on her stomach and the other on Rath’s curled up body next to her. His ribs expanded and contracted under her hand with his steady breathing. Tate closed her eyes, letting her mind go.
All that was left to do was wait.
* * *
To pass the time, Tate napped, allowing Ilith’s warm presence to embrace her as Rath kept them company. Tate rested, emptying her mind as she mentally prepared for the battle ahead.
There was a chance she or others might not survive, but that didn’t change what she had to do. She could only prepare herself for every eventuality.
This was the lull before battle. The period between planning and action. Seemingly lasting an eternity and an instant at the same time. Where you couldn’t help but anticipate and dread the unknown.
Despite the silence around her, Tate could feel Night nearby.
“Do you have a problem with the plan?” Tate asked without opening her eyes.
“The plan where we’re up against terrible odds with little chance of success?”
Tate smiled. “Yup. That one.”
Night made a feline harrumph. “We’ve been through worse.”
Tate waited, knowing that wasn’t all he had to say.
“Do you really think he is who he says?”
Tate opened her eyes and stared at the white ceiling above. “I don’t know.”
And the only person who could have verified his identity was long dead—not withstanding Tate’s encounter with his fragment. Something she still wasn’t sure was dream or reality—or perhaps some combination of the two.
“But you’re going to trust him anyway?”
Tate rolled her eyes to look at Night. “Who said anything about trust?”
Night stared before a sly smile spread across his lips. There was nothing cute about that smile. Only pure wickedness. “I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
“How do you feel in that form?” Tate asked, changing the subject.
He tilted his head and rolled his shoulders. “Odd, but I’m getting used to it.”
There was a shimmer in the air announcing Roslyn’s return.
Tate caught Night’s arm as he turned to go. “Night, the warp stone can get us in, but it can also get us out.”
Tate waited, hoping he caught her message. After a moment, he inclined his head in understanding.
“If the others are incapacitated and you see your chance, get them out.”
Tate’s request came from a selfish place. As much as she didn’t want the city to fall, she wanted to watch her friends die even less. If there was even the remotest chance they could live, she’d take it. Even if it meant Night wouldn’t be able to fight at her side, thus reducing their fighting force.
Dewdrop, Night, and Ryu were her heart and soul. The reason she hadn’t taken Suze’s offer to remain in that between place.
Besides, if they were truly incapacitated, they wouldn’t be much help in the battle and might even be used against her.
Night’s nod was somber as Roslyn’s image flickered into existence. “I will.”
Roslyn moved toward Tate quickly.
