“Perfect, thank you,” Nova said.
“Okay, let’s get started, shall we? Lieutenant Demoi, how have supply drops been going?” Maitoza asked, facing the man two seats to the left of me.
His gaze flicked my way, a glare forming. When Maitoza cleared her throat, he sighed and faced her. “Not ideal. We’ve fallen behind in four districts.”
“Well, that’s a problem, isn’t it? Nova,” she said, turning towards us with a bright smile. “You might be able to help us with this.Both of you.” Her eyes were on me, a glint in themthat unsettled me. “You see, our supply drops have been difficult with our low number of shadow wielders. Leaving the island in general is quite difficult, let alone transporting goods without being killed or captured.”
“So you need us to do supply drops for you? Thatsoundseasy enough.” Nova’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of suspicion in it. A lilt she couldn’t hide.
“What’s the catch?” I added.
“Catch?” Maitoza’s calm demeanor never faded, her face unreadable.
“Yes, what aren’t you telling us?”
I felt Nova’s arm press into mine, but she didn’t seem upset by my tone, if anything we were finally on the same page. Neither of us trusted this.
“Well, it won’t really be easy. More officials have been stationed across the entire continent, making it far harder to walk around freely. On top of that, the two of you are obviously wanted.”
“Not to mention the cores have moved the shaytan forces into the Kawkeb District,” Nova added. We’d agreed on offering up a bit of our knowledge to gauge just how much the rebellion knew, but did she have to use it in a way that made her seem against me? “And what, exactly, are you supplying?”
“You are both stubborn brats. Commander, why must we involve them at all? Clearly they only care to argue,” one of the women at the table said, her mouth contorted into a sneer.
“Now, now, there’s no reason to be rude, Lieutenant Fay.” Maitoza was smiling even wider now, her hands clasping near her chin. “How about we end the meeting early? I’d like to talk with Nova and Azazel alone. Consider yourselves dismissed.”
A few moments passed before anyone moved. Once they seemed to settle into what Maitoza was saying, the arguments began.
“You can’t possibly expect—”
“Commander, they’re miscreants!”
“—they’re trying to sway you—”
“I can’t believe you’d let them—”
“Enough!” Maitoza yelled, slamming her fist onto the table as she stood. Her smile slipped, her eyes blazing. “You all chosemeas your commander; therefore, you will obeymyorders. Now get out!”
Each of the rebel leaders stood with slack jaws, their eyes wide as if they were baffled at her outburst. Maybe they were. I’d never seen Maitoza break character. Not even when I pushed her.
Still, they listened, each of them glaring at me before pushing out the heavy wooden door.
“Apologies for yelling. I let my anger get the best of me there.” Maitoza sat back down, her grin returning as she stared at us. Her eyes lowered, stopping at the spot where my hand rested on the table. Looking down, I realized Nova had set her hand inches from mine. While I left mine there, Nova tore hers away, clearing her throat.
“That’s okay, we understand,” Nova said. “I’ve had my fair share of outbursts.”
“Regardless, it won’t happen again. To get back on track, let me answer a few of your questions.” She leaned towards us, her hands moving as she spoke. “Supply drops are extremely difficult, because they have to be meticulously planned and perfectly executed. We risk not only ourselves being caught, but any allies we have.”
At my side, I felt Nova lean forward, listening more intently now. I knew I needed to be doing the same, but I couldn’t stop myself from feeling repulsed by Maitoza’s every word.
“As for what we smuggle onto the continent, it’s not what you might think. Of course, we offer what natural resources we canfind, as our priority is strictly eadi. Our most important item, though, ishaya.”
A gasp sounded from my right, Nova’s hand flying to her mouth. “Why haya? What do you stand to gain from supplying it?”
“It allows us to even the playing field. But we have to be careful when doing so.”
“Wait, why is it something you have to hide?” I asked. “The core families never cared about haya. Eventually it kills the user—poisons them from the inside. What’s the point of hiding it?”
At my side, Little Void stiffened, her back going so straight it looked painful. I wished I could say something to reassure her that I understood why she did what she did, but that conversation didn’t need to happen in front of the human abyss before us.
