I know it must be due to Daegel’s and his family’s ties to Caligos. But he promised to distance himself from Caligos, and as far as I know, he has.
I just hope the General knows that.
Roman puts a hand over my bouncing knee and squeezes it lightly. He arches an eyebrow in question. I shrug.
I…love Daegel. He has become a home for me, unexpectedly. And things between us have been great. Apart from his territorial tendencies, he’s a great lover and a partner.
But the General warned me to stay away. And I chose Daegel in front of everyone. I just hope my skills are enough to prove to the General that he didn’t make a mistake betting on me.
Something tells me, though, that my skills are not the issue. It’s my loyalty.
Ezkai Xander finishes speaking to Daegel who gives him a sharp nod and turns to face the table.
“Ezkai,” Daegel speaks, his voice full of authority. “Tonight you’re here for a last-minute mission. Our teams have been surveying the harbor, trying to find out which of the pirates frequenting our shores runs the underground smuggling operation that brings etherleaf from Emera to Ekios to be sold to Caligos.”
Ezkai Xander holds a paper with an illustration of a beautiful purple-colored plant with white stripes for us to see.
“Etherleaf is illegal to grow in Ekios due to its hallucinogenic properties when consumed. It’s one of the most popular drugs Caligos sells,” Daegel explains. “So far, all the pirates we’veinterrogated are only the carriers. We haven’t found the man or a woman who runs the show. But just earlier this week, we finally got the name. And two hours ago we received the reports of the man we’re looking for arriving at Jaakii’s harbor.”
Daegel doesn’t share a name. But when he says our target is a man leading a pirate network, my stomach sinks.
Thankfully, Roman raises his arm. “Name of this man, sir?”
Daegel’s gaze is not kind when it lands on Roman. I barely keep myself from rolling my eyes.This man.“You’ll get the name when it’s time.”
“Tonight, we’re heading to the harbor to raid the ship that’s docked there and get the man who runs the operation,” Ezkai Xander says. “The goal is to capture him alive. I repeat, we need the man alive.”
Nods and chatter go around the table. The Giant across the table from me huffs and laces his fingers over his stomach. Whenever we have an order not to kill the target, he huffs. It would be funny if it wasn’t terrifying.
Daegel brings out the map of the harbor and briefs the team on the plan of attack.
It’s a simple enough mission. We split into two groups: One approaches from the harbor side, while the other gets in through the boat from the back.
Search the ship, eliminate the pirates, capture the Big Boss. Easy.
“Any questions?” Daegel’s gaze sweeps past us. No hands rise. “Let’s move.”
I’m in a group with The Giant, Bloom, and Fern. Daegel’s leading our team, while Ezkai Xander heads the other group. We’re to sneak in through the back.
I wish Roman was in my group. The last mission at the academy wasn’t the only time we nailed a mission when working together. We make a hell of a team.
Unfortunately, Daegel tends to ignore that sometimes. He’s moody tonight.Blue balls and all.
All I can think about as our carriage approaches the harbor is:
Please don’t let it be Vasquez.
Please don’t let it be Vasquez.
Please don’t let it be Vasquez.
I can’t help him, even as Ezkai Lieutenant. I can’t ask Daegel to help him. Something in my gut tells me he wouldn’t spare an ex of mine.
And the last thing I want is to see V being captured by Order of Ezkai, only to be tortured and killed.
Right before the carriage comes to a halt, I shoot off a little prayer to the spirits of the gods if they’re listening and slide my mask on.
CHAPTER THREE
