“Of course we can get you something to eat. Oraya! Can you come in here please?” Commander Maitoza shouted, a small woman barreling in through the door seconds later. The commander smiled at the woman, setting the papers on the table. “Will you get Azazel something to eat?”
“Yes, Commander. Is there a particular food you’re hoping for? We just got a shipment of supplies.”
“I want something…” He tugged harder on my curl, fingers burrowing into my hair until the tips grazed my neck. “Sweet. Yeah, something sweet. The messier the better.”
I dared to peek at him, finding his eyes were already on me, his gaze hungry. Was he trying to tempt me into admitting how I felt?
“Yes, sir,” she muttered, her cheeks a bright red as she ogled him. Annoyed, I cleared my throat, startling her enough that she coughed and said, “I’ll try to find a, um,messydessert.”
When she turned and rushed out the door, I shook off Az’s hand, scooting my chair away from his. He only grinned, taking his hand away and turning to the commander. She watched us with keen eyes. Ones that unsettled me to my core. Her faint smile and tapping fingers were almost smug.
“I’m so glad you two made it out safely.”
Azazel’s mood fell immediately, his long-suffering sigh so loud even the commander leveled him with a look of annoyed boredom.
“Moving on,” she said, spreading out the various sheets of parchment we’d stolen. “What you’ve brought back is invaluable.Specifically, their exact numbers and written strategy for how they plan to take the districts. It looks like General Altair has done far more than take control of the Kawkeb District. He has fully reestablished seniority, offering the land to the Elders and Utwasten dynasties. Apparently, his current plot is to spread the elite forces across the districts, split by their divisions. Since the two core families who run Intelligence are Elders and Utwasten, they now own the Kawkeb District entirely.”
We nodded, both of us taken aback. I hadn’t bothered to read any of the sheets, so wrapped up in what was going on with Azazel and I that I’d somehow pushedlearningof all things to the side.
“Spreading out what are essentially super soldiers that can read minds gives them a chance to see how the people truly feel. Eadi who refuse to submit will likely be hanged for it, setting a brutal, bloody standard. They’re all already terrified of the officials and the horrors they’ve been committing, so they’ll likely submit quickly and quietly.”
I listened to Az speak, his tone flat and factual. It was as if he’d been possessed by a war general, speaking without remorse or feelings at all. He spoke like acore.Maitoza listened intently, her hands clasped and her chin rested atop them.
“This wasn’t the original plan, but it’s smarter,” Az said. “It gives King Amori time to prepare and panic, but it attacks the stronger eadi districts while they’re unprepared. What they might not be expecting is for us to take the other districts first.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, sliding further from him as I looked his way. His face was suddenly brighter, his eyes wide. He stood, beginning to pace. Maitoza only watched with a curious furrow of her brows.
“That could work. The rebellion could gain a stronghold in the western districts if we move quickly. Garnering eadi supportwon’t be hard when it could mean safety for them. How are your numbers? Do they match the shaytan military yet?”
“No. We have about half of what they do, all less trained and most magicless.”
“Okay, then it might be beneficial to take the land by sending in waves of shaytan first. If we’re quick and efficient, we could kill the officials before they even have a chance to make an elite aware of what’s going on. If no one can shadow walk, then no one can alert my father.”
“And how do you propose we cover that much land without getting caught?”
“Nova and I can do a lot of the work. But what we really need are more elites on our side.”
I knew then exactly what he was thinking. Azazel had just found the perfect way to bring his friends into the equation. Three more elites—core family members, no less—would change everything. Commander Maitoza squinted her eyes, watching as he approached the table once more.
“We need strong soldiers who will fight. We need to completely alter the training methods you use and reshape this rebellion for an offensive attack. We need to move.Now.”
While I knew the commander wasn’t Azazel’s biggest fan, it was still startling to see how quickly she wrote him off. She waved her hand towards him, as if shooing a pesky fly. “I’ll consider it. For now, we stick to my plan. I’d also like to see the two of you at morning drills and training from here on out.”
Oraya came dashing in a second later, the door slamming into the wall. I yelped, surprised by her abrupt appearance. “I got your dessert, Sir!”
“Thank you, Oraya,” Commander Maitoza said, her voice stiff.
Oraya set a plate down in front of him, the chocolate monstrosity on it looking as if it wasoozing.Messy indeed. Thewoman left as quickly as she came, shutting the door far softer for her exit.
Now clearly angry at the commander’s immediate dismissal, Az yanked the plate closer to him, gripping the fork and stabbing what I assumed was cake. He shoveled it into his mouth, taking large bites that left dribbles of chocolate sliding down his lip.
Stars above, was I really horny right now? Of all times?
His eyes flicked my way, a short, rapid wink all the acknowledgment I got as he continued to devour the dessert.
“As I was saying,” Commander Maitoza said, her face pinched slightly as she watched Azazel eat. Maybe he’d swallow the plate just to annoy her. “The two of you will be attending all morning trainings beginning tomorrow. You also have supplies waiting for you at the edge of the wards. If there is anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you,” I said, standing. Altair took a final bite, daring to lick the fork. His eyes were on me, his tongue slow and firm against the metal before he rose as well. I could have killed him for it.
