by Auryn Hadley
She shrugged. "I dunno. Nothing I can think of."
He smiled deviously. "Well, there's one thing I can think of. Probably take all of us to pull it off, though." Then he looked to his guys.
"Uh oh, sounds nefarious," Aleks said, grinning.
Blaz nodded. "Need to pull a topsy turvey. From my door to the one next to it. Doesn't make sense to hide her away with me when LT's just a door over."
"Pssh," Lorenz dismissed that. "Too easy."
"Gimme an hour," Blaz said, pulling Sal to her feet. "Then let's run it."
"Yes, sir," Celso said. "I'll get your saddle. You two go make rumors."
"Thanks, guys," Blaz said, grabbing his shirt.
He pulled her away from them and toward his rooms. She moved easily to his side, wrapping her arm around his waist and hooking her fingers in his belt. To the watching eyes, she looked completely at ease with the situation. When they reached his rooms, she swiveled her ear back. Hearing voices, she tugged Blaz around to face her and pushed his back against the door before he could open it, pulling his head down to kiss her.
"No way that's a ruse," the man down the hall said.
"She really just ditched her partner and jumped in his bed in a few days?" the other asked.
"Guess so. I mean, they are pretty freakish about how well they follow orders. Maybe she really did. Cyno seems pissed but accepting of it. LT? He couldn't give a shit. No way was anything going between them."
"Maybe Jalik is right and it's their fighting style that started it? She's always got her teeth on someone's throat."
Sal broke the kiss and smiled up at Blaz, tilting her head at the door. He fumbled with the lock, then opened it and followed her inside.
"Sal?" he asked behind the closed door.
"Sorry, wanted to eavesdrop on some guys down the hall." She shrugged. "Looks like it's working, just so you know."
"Wow," he said, smiling at her shyly. "That's one hell of a performance."
"Sorry." She flopped onto the couch. "And thanks for not saying anything down there."
"About what?" he asked, confused.
"The strange shit that happens around us, what you heard from Ran, my fear of being a slave again?" She waved her hand in the air as she spoke, trying to make her words lighthearted, but they weren't. "All of it. This, too. It matters. I'll remember."
He flicked the lock on the door and nervously walked over. For a moment, he looked down at her, then sat beside her hip. Cautiously, he reached up and brushed the wisps away from her face.
"You're leaving soon, aren't you?"
"Before dawn," Sal told him.
"That storm's supposed to hit tonight. You're riding out in the middle of it?"
She nodded. "I'd rather no one noticed we're gone until we're just not here, ok?"
"Yeah," he said, understanding. "I won't say shit. About any of it. Thanks for the trust."
She patted his leg. "Guess that means this is our last time together."
"Yeah," he said softly. "Look. I needed this, ok? I know you're not into me, and it would never work out between us, but I kinda needed someone to push me a bit."
"You're pretty good at the kissing," she teased. "I don't think you have anything to worry about there. Better than most humans."
"Thanks, I think." He laughed, but kept looking at her. "What is it about you?" he asked finally.
"What do you mean?"
"Celso's right. I don't exactly make friends easy, and I can't ever remember going out of my way for someone outside my unit, but here I am with a line of iliran bites down my shoulder and a beautiful girl on my couch that I can't touch. Why?"
"Cyno says it's because I'm a Kaisae and I have the vis." She shrugged. "I don't exactly know what that means, but it's supposed to be a big deal. Not that I feel like a big deal, but..." She lifted her hands, showing that she had nothing else.
"I think you're a lot bigger deal than you know, Sal. I just have a feeling that shit's about to get real, and somehow you're going to be in the middle of it, and I want to make sure I'm on your side."
She laughed at that. "I think it's because you want in my pants," she teased, getting up and heading to grab a drink.
Blaz said nothing for a long time. "Maybe," he said softly. "I dunno." He laughed when Sal turned to look at him.
"Blaz?" she asked.
"Nothing like that, Sal. Fuck, pour me one of those. We have time to kill. I'll bare my soul."
She poured him a large glass and filed hers to match. He moved to the chair beside her, so she could recline again and still see him.
"I'm kinda glad you're leaving soon. I think a few more days of this and I'd be looking at you differently. That kiss at my door a bit ago? I didn't expect that, ok?"
"I'm sorry," she said, trying to understand what he was saying.
"No, it's good. You're just so, I dunno, there. No one can miss it when you're around, and you're completely upfront about everything. That kiss was the first time you've done that to me, and I wasn't expecting it. For a second, I was simply desired by a girl, and it's been a long time since that's happened. I think I kinda relaxed or something." He nodded, trying to choose his words. "We're good, and I'm not about to risk Cyno getting pissed at me, but for just a second, I wasn't acting, ok?"
She nodded, her ears intent on him.
"If that happened too much more? I dunno, I might end up having the wrong kind of thoughts. That's why I said maybe. You're a pretty girl, Sal."
She laughed at that. "I think only you and Cyno believe that."
"Not human pretty. You're too exotic for that, but once I got used to it, you're a pretty girl. I think it's the confidence. Believe in yourself a bit more, ok? You're going to need that in Anglia."
Chapter 42
The 112th kept their word, sneaking Sal into Blaec's office, giving her the night alone with him. Sal lay with her head against his chest, listening to Blaec's heart beat beneath her ear, her fingers twined with his. He wiped at his eyes with one hand and held her tight with the other. With a deep sigh, he pulled her even closer and bent to kiss her head.
"We have a couple nights on the road. You think Cyno will mind if I keep you to myself?"
She shook her head. "No. Maast, love, I'm going to miss you."
"You'll be fine, sweetness. We should be able to hear you for the first couple of days, but it won't be long. I don't know how far you can reach."
"How far can you reach?" she asked, having never thought about it before.
"About two days ride. Problem is, we're both going to be headed in the opposite directions."
"What are we going to do with my things?" she asked. "And Cyno's?"
"Ran has storage for deployed soldiers. We'll take care of it, Sal, don't worry."
"I just feel like I'm forgetting something."
He laughed softly. "I hope it isn't me."
"No," she assured him. "If I could fit you in my packs, you'd be coming too. Unfortunately, I think the rest of the guys might need you."
"More than you do." He kissed her again and glanced up at a loud boom of thunder. "I think that's our sign. C'mon, get dressed."
"Tell Blaz thank you?"
"If you get dressed, I will," he said, sliding out from beneath her. "Least it will be a nice cool rain."
Sal pulled on her riding clothes and strapped her knives to her belt while Blaec did the same. She could feel him checking with the rest of the men in the unit, the melancholy of their impending departure looming over them both. At least she still had a few days with the Blades.
Blaec handed her an oiled coat and she buttoned it to her throat, then flipped the hood over her head. With a nod, he opened the door. Sal glanced back at the room she'd spent so much time in, then walked through the door. This departure felt so final, like she was leaving a part of her life behind.
Shadows moved through the compound, the Black Blades drifting toward the stables. Their dark clothing hid their pale skin, making them into g
hosts. It felt like a macabre scene as they moved silently through the sleeping compound. Beside Blaec, she slipped down the stairs, their footsteps soft, and he touched her arm before they turned the last corner. The leader of the Devil Dogs stood before them.
"Back gate's open," he told Blaec. "Tyr will close it when you're through. Good luck, brother."
"Thanks, Pig," Blaec said. "Delay them if you can?"
"We'll do everything we can think of," Pig said, winking.
"I owe ya."
"Not yet."
With a nod, the men turned, and Sal followed Blaec into the stables. Their horses stood tacked in the alley, silhouettes highlighted by the flashes of lightning through the doors and windows. Zep bent over Cyno's mare, securing a few last minute things. Arden and Raven were laden, but the gear had been stored and balanced well.
"Sal," he said, seeing her enter. "Take these." He passed her a fistful of leather, rows of scabbards hanging from each. "One for each leg."
She buckled them on, and counted. Five pale blades hung from each side, the sheaths attached to a strip of leather that ran from her belt to her thigh and buckled around her leg. It looked as if it had been designed to be worn while mounted.
"Thanks, Zep," she said, then hugged him.
"Take care of my little brother, ok?"
"Promise."
Ok, Blaec told them. Let's get mounted. Next time the rain dumps, we move. Dogs have the back gate.
They all sent back their acknowledgment and found their horses. Sal swung up to Arden's back as Cyno pulled beside her.
Ya good? he asked.
As well as I can be, she assured him.
K. Just so ya know, I am na jealous if ya wanna be with him. I understand, kitten.
Thanks. I kinda do.
Then do, he told her, reaching out to gently grab her arm. With a smile, he pushed Raven forward, toward Zep.
Bright light flashed, making Sal wince. A few seconds later, a loud boom followed, triggering the rain. A deluge fell from the sky, and they began to move.
The horses all balked at the edge of the barn, not wanting to step into the cool stream of water, but none refused for more than a moment. When Arden passed under the eave, the water pummeled Sal, each large drop slamming against the oiled hood and ringing in her ears. She could just make out the shapes of her brothers before her. Step by step, they squished through the sloppy ground, the noise of their passing covered by the storm.
There was a small gate in the back wall where Blaec led them. Sal knew it was there but couldn't see it in the rain until she was almost on top of it. At the side, a large man stood with his head down, his hood sheltering him. She ducked through the opening, shivering as her movement caused a few drops of water to trail down her neck, and then she was in the streets of Prin. At the next flash of lightning, she moved Arden up the line.
The Blades tightened their grouping and picked up speed, urging the horses into a slow trot. Their hooves smacked on the wet cobbles, sounding like the fat drops on the roof tiles of the wealthy homes around them. In this weather, they could be sure that few would see their departure.
The rain didn't let up until well after dawn, just before they crossed the border into Unav. When the pelting water slowed to a mere drizzle, many of the men dropped their hoods. By the time the rain stopped completely, the humidity was sweltering. Sal pulled off her coat and rested it across Arden's hip, hoping it would dry by the time they stopped for breakfast. She wasn't the only one.
We can rest now, Blaec thought to them, or push into Issevi.
If we keep going, we can overnight there, Arctic said. Will make it that much harder for anyone to trail us. If we leave through the north gate, they'll assume we're headed to Ryass. Cut east and double back, and we should be pretty safe.
We're all going to need the time out of the saddle too, Sal added. We haven't exactly been doing a lot of riding lately.
'Cept you, Shift teased, but not horses.
Sal stuck her tongue out at him, and he laughed, pushing Boo close enough to snag her coat from Arden's hip.
"Hey!" Sal said.
"Come get it," Shift taunted, and put his heels to his gelding's side.
She gave chase, her mare excited to finally stretch her legs. It soon became a game, the men passing her rain coat from one to the next, all of them laughing. When Arden began to tire, Sal reined her in, patting her neck.
"Damn," Shift said, moving Boo to her side and passing back the coat. "I guess I'm gonna have to start picking on Geo."
"He might pick back," Sal teased, "and then what would you do?"
"I can think of a few things." He winked at her deviously.
They reached Issevi just after noon. As they rode into the city, a pale-skinned woman pushed through the crowd, staring at Sal. She called out in Iliran, but Sal didn't understand the words. Cyno moved Raven forward and answered.
Terrans in town, he translated for the Blades. She's offerin' us a place to stay and warned us to get out of uniform.
Take her up on it, Blaec said, halting the group.
Cyno leaned across his horse's shoulder and offered the woman his hand. She smiled and tilted her head politely before brushing her palm lightly across his. He said something else to the woman, and she gestured at them, leading the way down a small side street. Eventually, she stopped before a large stone-sided building and pointed around back, yelling what sounded like a name.
The woman turned to enter the building, but paused and looked directly at Sal. "Laetus Kaisae," she said respectfully, then left the Blades to make their own decisions.
Well, we're off the main road, and I think we'll be ok here, Arctic told the Blades.
Yeah, Blaec agreed. Let's get the horses tacked down and find some food. Least we know we can eat what they serve. Make sure you grab civilian clothing. We're not Blades for the night. We're in Terric's back pocket now. Stay sharp, people.
The others gave both Cyno and Sal a hand with their over-full packs, a young boy showing them where to store their gear. The kid stared at Sal with open admiration, smiling shyly each time she looked at him, but when he began to hover as she groomed Arden, Cyno growled. The boy disappeared quickly.
"We're in the underground of Issevi," he told her. "They play human when the Terrans show up, but keep their culture otherwise. They should all speak Glish, and they will all stare."
She nodded at him. "I understand."
That night, they relaxed comfortably. Sal kept close to Blaec, not needing to hide her relationship from these people. They were gathered over dinner when the boy burst into the room, a frightened look on his face.
"Terrans?" Blaec asked the kid.
"No," he said, speaking Glish. "There's a group of men in brown uniforms, saying they are from the CFC, looking for the Black Blades. Do I need to tell them where you are?"
"No," Blaec said, leaning forward. "We are not here, no one has seen us."
"Some have. They saw you enter."
Sal spoke up, "We stopped for a meal, then continued north, possibly northwest. Add as much as you want to that, but let us know what it is?"
"Yes, Kaisae," he said, running back through the door.
His mother stood at the entrance to the kitchens. "You want to tell me what I just brought into my business?"
Sal smiled at her. "The Black Blades."
"What are you doing, Kaisae? Is my boy going to be hurt for this?"
"Na," Cyno said. "He's just throwin' the hounds off the scent, kaisae. We are na sure those men want Terric ta lose. We can na trust them, so we do na want them here."
She nodded and grabbed something from the shelf, then marched toward Sal. Setting it on the table, the woman pushed, sending the jade medallion sliding to rest beside Sal's hand. A crude symbol was carved in the front.
"Pride," Cyno said, reading the word. We're in the center of the Unavi Rebels.
Sal looked up at the woman and smiled. "We've been looking for you."
&
nbsp; "And we've been waiting for you," she said. "What do you need from us?"
"We need to get to Echo Gap. There's a load of steel headed to Anglia." Sal said.
That's classified, Blaec growled in her head.
And they don't exist. I'm trusting my damned instincts, she snapped back, before continuing. "If it makes it, Anglia will join with Terric. We need to stop it. Those men in brown? They want to stop us, but they aren't sure where it's crossing the mountains."
"What will you do when you get it?"
"Take it back to the Conglomerate, let them think it's a big win, and use the praise to help the iliri there. They know what we are, kaisae. That's why they don't want us to do this. If we fail, they think it'll prove that our kind are worthless."
"And then what? After this mission of yours, do we just go back to hiding?"
"Yes," Sal told her. "For now."
The woman thought about that, then nodded. "When does it end?"
"When we all give up," Sal promised. "Or when the war is finally over, and we can be free. Strengthen the iliri, kaisae. Give them hope and teach them to hide, to fight only when they will win. We will be back. It won't be soon, but we will beat the Emperor."
The woman turned to Blaec and took a long deep breath. "I have heard of you, the iliri Lieutenant. What do you see?"
Blaec didn't bother to correct his rank. "The Kaisae before an army and the Emperor is scared," he said, meeting her eyes with a smile. "It's all I see. There's no other good option, now. All other fates lead to her death."
Sal sucked in a breath. She'd never heard Blaec talk about his visions this way, but she didn't dare ask. Not now.
The iliri woman nodded as if she knew exactly what he meant. "Then take that. If you wear it where it can be seen, we will find you. It doesn't matter where in Unav you are, we have people." She looked at Razor, then to Zep. "Some are like yours, but we are sure of them. Let me get you everything on Echo Gap."
With that, she tottered back into the kitchen, whistling. The Blades looked amongst themselves, surprised at how easy it had been to not only verify the rumors of the Rebels' existence, but to find them.
Should have known, Razor thought. I mean, they are iliri.
