possible concussion.
My body is otherwise flayed by myriad cuts and bruises, my ankle so swollen now I can hardly put weight on it. My head is still bleeding, though I think it’s clotted at least a little. The bigger problem is that I stopped moving for too long; I’ve lost both momentum and adrenaline. And the truth is, I’m in no state to take on so many fighters alone.
James is still waiting.
I take a breath, then a single, cautious step toward him and the soldiers recoil like a school of fish, drawing back as one body before lifting nineteen rifles at my face.
James mutters an oath.
I try to hide my limp as I slowly approach the group, keeping my face impassive and my head level even as I walk past the blur of loaded weapons aimed directly at my heart. Whispers rise up around me like smoke.
“That’s her? I thought she was someone’s kid.”
“Why does she have a tail?”
“Shut up, you did not think that was someone’s kid—”
“Yes, I did!”
“Wait, is she wearing a cat costume?”
“You really thought someone decided to bring their kid to work today?”
I’m not ready to admit defeat.
I just need a new plan.
“Oh shit,” someone says, barking out a laugh. “I just saw the ears—”
Once I’m close enough, I hear James exhale roughly, losing some of his tension. Still, he seems angrier than I expected. He shoots me a dark look when he says, under his breath, “This isn’t going to work if you can’t take an order to save your own life.”
I look up at him, confused, but then I cast a glance at our audience and bite back my response.
“So—what now?” asks the tall brunette, looking around. “Has the mission changed?”
The guy with the broken nose nods at me. “I thought we were supposed to bring her in.”
James clamps an arm around my shoulder. “I’ve brought her in. Mission complete.”
“No.” I stiffen, alarm sounding through my body. “Wait—”
James doesn’t meet my eyes. “Try again next time, Rosabelle.”
“James—”
“Hey, where’s Kian?” a woman asks, looking around. “Why isn’t he here?”
Liam points at me. “She killed Kian.”
“What?” Someone gasps. “No—”
The group erupts into agitation.
“You killed Kian?” James goes briefly slack, stunned as he looks at me. “Really?”
“Who’s Kian?” I whisper, eyes widening as I take in the chaos. “I didn’t kill anyone. I mean, I didn’t think I—”
“I saw him,” Liam shouts, his face mottling with color. “He was covered in blood, passed out on the ground—”
