“I just got back from pulling a shift at the fort.”
“What?” I went still, forgetting all about Jath. “Did you see anything?”Fuck! How could I have forgotten about the children? Those poor kids.
“Naw, nothing happened. I stared at a wall of shadows for a few hours.”
“At least the shifts aren't long,” Rath said.
“How will we ever get those kids out?” I muttered.
“I've told you how,” Death said.
I ignored him. I'd been getting better at it. I didn't even flinch when he spoke anymore. And I didn't make any indication of hearing him. But he knew I heard. And he kept speaking. As usual. His lectures were becoming a common part of my day.
“You are so obstinate,” Death said. “You could have those kids out tonight if you just allowed me to help you.”
Not happening,I thought.
But, of course, he didn't hear me.
“We'll keep watching for an opportunity,” Kel said. “What does he even want with them?”
“Once they're older, he could corrupt them,” Xae said.
I froze.
“Xaedren!” Rath snapped, then pointedly looked at me.
“Oh, sorry, sweetheart.” Xae put his arm around me. “It will be all right. We'll get the children out before he corrupts them.”
“Why haven't I been assigned a shift at the fort?” I asked.
My lovers, Kel, and Nex exchanged looks.
“What?” I asked.
“You're too involved,” Rath said gently. “And too valuable. General Ranor thinks it's better to keep you away from there.”
“I'm the one who can actually hurt the Corrupter! If anyone else sees him come out of that ward, they won't be able to do anything, but I could.”
“My love, the last time you fought the Corrupter, he killed you.”
“That wasn't a fight. I was his prisoner, and I was trying—”
“Still, you went up against him, and he won. You're not ready to face him again.”
Shit, I still hadn't told them about the Corrupter destroying my wraith. But that wouldn't help me win this argument. So all I said was, “I disagree.”
“As is your right,” Rath said. “But you are not in charge of assigning the shifts.”
“This is stupid,” I grumbled. “It's more dangerous for me to go on missions. Why can't I pull a shift at the fort? You could go with me.”
“As I said, you're too involved. You might do something . . .”
“Dumb,” Xae finished for Rath. “You might do something dumb because you're worried about the children.”
“I will not!”
“Ember, let it go,” Kel said. “You're not going to win this one.”
