Sitting down at his side, I wrapped my arm around him.
Are you all still ignoring me?
I waited. And waited. And waited.
Silence was my only answer.
They hadn’t spoken to me since they’d told me they were mad that I wasn’t giving in to Azazel. But, oh, could I use them right now.
Az remained hunched over, his breaths rapid. His body was shaking slightly, and I was ninety percent certain he was starting to truly cry now. Threading my fingers through his hair, I took a deep breath and tried to think of a solution. To be there for him as he regularly was for me.
“Okay, so it won’t be easy. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible though. Think. We only really need to find Cal. He can get us to the others. I know Cal will be the last to leave the alchemy lab on any given day, which means around dinner time he’ll be alone in that room on the shaytan base. The others will be there too, because clearly being home isn’t ideal at the moment. If it was me, I’d work as many late nights as I could.”
He spread two of his long fingers, his eye appearing between them. I took that as a sign he was truly listening now. So, I forced my mind to work in ways it seemingly hadn’t since I stepped foot in Snake Lodge.
“We can send a message to Cal that has no signature. I’ll write it so no one recognizes the penmanship. I’ll mention a brew and a number, and we’ll have faith that Cal will understand it means location and time. If not, we get onto that base and don’t leave without them.”
“How do you propose we get onto the base without being noticed?”
“Do you still have your mask?”
“Yes.”
“Then I say we do the one thing they’d never expect. Let’s walk right in.”
***
By the time we finished morning training, Az had truly refined and perfected the rescue plan. Despite saying I’d be a great strategist, he inadvertently proved himself wrong by showing me what a true strategist was. He’d sat down on the floor with at least ten pieces of parchment spread out, scattered graphite everywhere, a chess board with silver and black pieces, and his journal.
Nearly half an hour had passed before he’d even flinched, but once he started writing and finally began placing chess pieces, he seemingly couldn’t stop moving. I’d never seen anything like it. Which was why, as we stood and bowed at the end of our group movement session, I couldn’t help but stare at him in awe.
“Are you so obsessed with me that you can’t resist staring?” he asked, his lopsided grin revealing only his left dimple as he stepped into me.
“Nova!” I recognized Desi’s voice, my head automatically turning away from Azazel and towards the approaching woman. A large, burly man walked beside her, his dark hair long like hers, braided in a single plait that swung with every step. Hisface bore no tattoos, though his copper skin and dark eyes matched hers. As they grew closer, I noted the shadow marks on his hands, wisps of darkness crawling up his fingers just like Az and I’s.
“Who’s that?” I asked Azazel as I raised my hand to wave. Desi beamed, grabbing the man by the wrist and tugging him behind her as she quickened her pace. Around us, the other rebels dispersed, most of them peeking our way as they walked.
“Jonah,” Az answered. “He and Desi know each other well. They’re from the same place.”
“Which is where?” I dared to ask. Az only stepped forward slightly, putting us side by side as Desi and Jonah stopped in front of us.
“Hey, Desi. Jonah.” His voice was kind, if not a bit more formal than Desi on her own would have received.
“Az, Jonah was hoping to meet Nova. I figured while they chatted, you and I could talk about that painting I liked.”
With that, Az’s entire demeanor changed. He straightened, his body stiff and mouth downturned. Painting?
“Of course. Nova, I’ll be right back.” He smiled at me, the expression strained. I opened my mouth, trying to argue, but he only turned to the man before us. “Be good, Jonah. I know where you sleep.”
The last line was said with a sharper smile, one that stretched his face into something terrifying. Deadly. Blood thirsty.
“Will do,” Jonah said, speaking for the first time. His voice was even deeper than Az’s, the tone almost melodic. He stood straight and poised, watching closely as Desi pulled Az away from us. When they were far enough away, Jonah turned to face me. “It’s nice to meet you, Nova.”
“You as well. Jonah, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Azazel mentioned you and Desi are from the same place. Where is that, exactly?”
