“Sorry, we suck at figuring out what we’re going to call ourselves when we go rogue,” I explain.
“You don’t have to be rogue,” she surprises me by saying.
I stare at her, perplexed, and she gives me a small smile and shakes her head.
“You saved my life, Vinna Aylin. You think something like that doesn’t matter to me or the people of Tierit?” she asks me, and I don’t know how to respond.
We walk side by side in silence for a minute. Suryn seems to be working something out in her mind, and I leave her to it.
“You won’t be vigilantes,” she declares after several quiet steps. “I’ll make you official. You’ll have the full weight of the Sentinels behind you, if you want it, that is,” Suryn offers, and I stop dead in my tracks and stare at her.
“What do you mean?” I ask, unable to wrap my mind around what she’s saying.
“Just what I said. I can make what you and your Chosen want to do official. You can be diplomats or something… I don’t know, I’m just saying it can be worked out,” she explains and continues to walk forward.
Her offer sends me reeling, and I get lost in thought for a moment as I fall in step next to her. We walk side by side, a hint of awkwardness between us. We were on two different sides up until the fight with the Sovereign happened. I don’t think that either one of us quite knows what to do with each other now. There’s a thread of camaraderie that ties us together because of what happened with her aunt, but aside from that, we’re strangers. Strangers that didn’t like each other all that much not too long ago. And now we could be…what? Partners? Diplomats? The Muscle?
I try to think through what she’s offering me, to see a downside or a catch, but right now I’m just not seeing it. Her backing could be just what the guys and I need to go up against the caster elders or any other leadership that could try to stand in our way.
“So does this mean you think it’s time for the Sentinels to see what’s outside of Tierit?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath. “I think our survival just might depend on it. Not everyone will be happy, but I think we can do this in a way that works for everyone,” she explains.
“We?” I tease.
Suryn looks at me for a moment and then nods. “Yes, we,” she declares, and then she fists her right hand and places it over her left bicep.
I don’t know why the gesture touches me as much as it does, but my eyes sting, and I have to blink back my emotions. I fist my right hand and place it over my left bicep.
“I’d be honored, Sovereign…”
I trail off, trying to wrack my brain for what her last name is. Suryn of the Second is all I can come up with, but that’s her family designation, not her last name.
“Shit, what’s your last name again?” I ask, a sheepish look on my face.
She laughs, and I feel a little less like a dick for not knowing.
“My mother’s last name was the same as my aunt’s. Chosen and children take the surname of the female,” she explains, and I try not to make a face.
“So you’re Sovereign Finella too?” I confirm, and she nods. “Well, at least you won’t have to change the stationary,” I comment, and she snorts.
“I look forward to redeeming the name,” she declares, and I put my fist out for her to bump her own fist against.
She just stares at it.
“Uh...you’re supposed to bump your own fist against it,” I explain. “It’s a solidarity thing,” I add when she still doesn’t move.
She balls her hand and taps the top of my knuckles with it, like a fist boop. I smile and nod.
That’ll work.
“I should get back and announce what we’ve discussed,” Suryn states.
I nod and look over at my guys. “Would you guys go with her?” I ask. “Back up what she’s saying and catch Marn and Tok when they pass out or implode,” I add.
My Chosen laugh, and Suryn grins and shakes her head.
“I’m going to just have a chat with my Shields,” I announce, and the irritation that flashes through Suryn’s gaze when I call themmineis clear. “Promise I won’t be long,” I offer, and the guys give me nods and move to escort Suryn back to the castle.
