“Yes,” she and Raiden respond in unison, and I roll my eyes, stomping down the path and ignoring my three companions.
They're much further in clearing the tunnels than I expected, and we make it to the main hub of the Underground after hours of walking with very few breaks. We catch up to others along the way, joining up with them as we go.
Thankfully, I’m able to keep a wide berth between Shreya and myself.
“There are still a few tunnels to clear in different directions, but we managed to clear the path in. Our main concern is getting the tunnel to Spoikos finished without drawing too much attention,” Baltas tells us.
The four of us are gathered around a table in Raiden's quarters.
“How long will that take?” I ask, taking a bite of some of the rations Breesha packed us.
“Maybe three days,” he says.
“Then what?” I ask, already not liking the way this plan is going.
“Then we go above and see what we can find out without drawing too much attention.” I narrow my eyes on him.
“Or,” I say, "you could blur the two of us up there now, and we can get ahead of things.”
Baltas raises his brows, and Raiden gives him a look that says something along the lines of, “Don't fucking start with me.”
“It's not safe. We have no idea what’s happened since the cave-in—“
Anger surges through me, and I bring my fist down on the table. “I don't give a shit, to be honest. My best friend is up there.She probably thinks I'm dead. Or worse, she thinks I'm a traitor. I have to see her.”
“Out of the fucking question.” Raiden’s eyes are locked on mine.
He’s being unreasonable, and I don't understand why.
I’m about to argue my cases further, when Lavinia says, “Then take me.”
We all stare at her, waiting for her to elaborate.
“These people have never seen me. They don’t know me from any other traveler. Send me, and I can get a message to her friend.” I could kiss her. It’s a great idea, and the next best thing to getting to see Phillipa myself.
Raiden’s face is a shade of red I didn’t think he could turn, and the vein at his temple looks like it’s trying to burst. But the male hangs his head in defeat. “Fine. We leave first thing tomorrow.”
Raiden
“I DON'T FUCKING like this,” I tell both females as Arina puts the strap of a pack over Lavinia's head and fastens her cloak.
“You're going to have to get over it. We're in a war. One that you have had a pretty heavy hand in, if you'll recall,” my mate snaps at me. “And we all have our parts to play.”
I rub a hand over my chin, trying to wash away the frustration working its way into my jaw. I hate that I have upset her so much, and I need to get her alone to apologize properly, but there's no time.
“I’m just trying to keep you both safe. What’s wrong with that?” I ask.
Lavinia pats me on the shoulder, urging me to give it up already after having the same conversation over and over again.
“There’s nothing wrong with the idea of it, but you will not keep us from this fight. So stop trying.” Arina releases an exasperated sigh.
I couldn’t agree to take my mate nor my friend above without scouting first, and I snuck out of bed early this morning to do just that.
They’ve been ganging up on me ever since I returned.
“You said the place is a ghost town. There wasn’t a soldier to be found this morning, right?” Lavinia asks.
“Yes, but—"
