I stare back at the others. “I think having an armed ship in the waters would be beneficial. They can initiate the attack and attempt to prevent the ship from docking. The longer we keep the creatures away from shore, the better our chances of defeating them.” I can’t help but glance at the balcony and the vast sea surrounding us. “This will need to be an attack of destruction. We can’t let their numbers find landfall. It will be ugly, but I know we have strong people who can do this.”
“Lark…” Silas begins to speak, but I cut him off.
“I would like to be on the ship for the first attack.”
Silas snaps his head toward me. “Briar.”
“You said I am the strongest?—"
“I’m regretting my words,” he protests.
“—let me prove that.”
I watch Silas’s chest cave in. “I promise you don’t have to prove anything to me, my love.”
Warrick stands. “I will assist Larkin in recruiting for the ship, but will remain on land during the battle. We will have our strongest on the ship and be prepared on the dock for attack.”
I nod in appreciation.
“Silas and Oak will also remain on land and prepare in case the ship docks. We will need our barrier strong and ready to strike. We can’t let the creatures far into the city, or I fear the battle could turn on us.”
Oak gives me a hesitant thumbs up, and I cut my gaze to Silas towering over me.
“You created a wall of shadows once before. I’m going to need you to do that again.”
“That would create a wall to separate us,” he says, sharply. “Those of you on the ship would be alone and leave us blind to what’s happening.”
“Correct, but it will buy you all the time to prepare. If things go wrong and they dock, lower your walls and fight. Blindside them.”
Silas blinks rapidly, and I know he hates this as much as I do.
Hux speaks, “We will lead that and prepare our men.”
I tear my gaze from Silas’s worried face and turn to Hux. “Don’t you think you should stay back with Malachi?” Anger pulses around me. “He seems to be more your speed.”
Silas snaps his gaze to mine. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Hux narrows his eyes and places both hands on the table. “I’m not entirely sure what you mean, either. I am head of land operations for the Andorwood army.” He leans forward. “It makes sense that I help Silas.”
“There are many things that make sense to me, Hux, but having you beside me on the day of the battle isn’t fucking one of them.”
“Whoa,” Silas interrupts, placing his hand on my arm. “What the fuck?”
I look at him, trying to calm the rage swirling inside me. I glance at the others, and they stay silent, their eyes widening. Even Warrick appears shocked by my outburst.
“I’m not sure what’s happening between you two, but this needs to be resolved before the ship arrives,” Silas says.
Hux relaxes his hands. “I have nothing against her, but clearly I’ve done something to offend her, somehow.”
I huff.
“If we don’t fight together, we’ll have gaps in our strength,” Silas warns.
I glance at Hux, feeling my darkness rise. The tattoo on my shoulder throbs as my inner shadows pound against the ink, desperate for me to lose control. With their gazes turned fromours, Hux winks in my direction, and it takes everything in me not to lunge across my seat.
“If everyone can calm down, let’s please finish going through everything,” Fen chimes in. “We have a lot to get started on and not much time.”
I take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand. Silas urges me to continue, giving me the floor once more. I take a deep breath, ignoring the stares from the room, and swallow my anger. I smooth my clothes, and focus on the task at hand.
