Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

T he “bar” was a glorified mess hall that became the hangout spot from 8 p.m. onwards. Fleet personnel of all ages and ranks fanned out across tables and let their hair down. Some music was playing out of a speaker in the corner, and some people were drinking alcohol while others, probably on duty, sipped water.

They stiffened as I passed, sitting up straighter and standing at attention. Elaine would probably advise against fraternizing with the common soldiers. My father never did. But I wasn’t my father, and I wanted to be different.

“At ease,” I said as I walked by them. One by one, they all went back to muffled talking or dancing, but they still glanced nervously my way as if wondering why I was there. I noticed they weren’t just looking at me. They were glancing at Kohen and the other Imbrians with me in a suspicious manner. I hated it. I hated the division between us, but it had been there for so long that I wasn’t sure how to bridge the gap. As empress, I should be able to do something about that. Maybe it started small, maybe it started with me sitting at a table with my friends who were Imbrian and having a good time. Let the soldiers see us smiling and laughing the night away.

I realized then that there was a newfound freedom now that my father was gone. I felt guilty for thinking it, but now that I knew his disapproval wasn’t imminent, I could do what I wanted to a certain degree.

“It will take getting used to,” Tetra whispered to me as she braced herself on her cane. “An empress of the people,” she declared.

I grinned at my bestie, glad to have her with me.

We found a spot in the corner, and the second we sat down, Anika reached out and clasped my shoulder, keeping her voice low. “You blew their Red Palace sky high. That deserves a toast.”

Everyone chorused their agreement, and Meera disappeared with Dev to grab drinks and dinner.

“Hey, it wasn’t just me.” I tipped my head to Kohen, and Anika pulled her hand from my shoulder with a nod.

Was there jealousy on her face?

The drinks were served, water and juice for all of us, because we had to report for duty early in the morning. Nachos with candied shredded pork were set before me by Tetra. I said nothing when Kohen took a sip of my drink and a bite of my food first and then pushed it back in front of me after a few moments. He’d somehow become my food tester when Elaine wasn’t around. I’d protested yesterday, saying I didn’t want anything to happen to him, but he’d argued that we were both alive well into the future, so he wasn’t worried about it.

Anika raised her glass. “To everyone involved in bringing justice to the Luskins.”

The table roared their approval, but they had no idea. No one had any idea that we’d killed Prime Leader Vlek when we’d attacked that building. Word had spread about the building going down, and it had boosted morale, but once I shared the contents of that letter with the admirals, the assassination of Luska’s highest commanding officer, who had tortured our people for decades, would spread like wildfire. If they were excited now, they’d be thrilled when they heard that. But I trusted Elaine in this matter and wanted to execute her plan first and foremost before I told any of the admirals.

“Room for a few more?” Jace’s voice came from behind me, and I stiffened.

I turned, seeing his best friend, Tucker, beside him, both holding their duffle bags.

Of course they would be here. His own father was. After what he’d said about me not “putting out,” I didn’t want him here, but I didn’t want to act petty.

Tetra stood at the same time as Kohen.

“Table’s full,” she growled. There were easily four more spots. It was a huge mess hall table.

Oh, thank the stars for sassy best friends who do your dirty work for you.

Jace rolled his eyes. “Oh come on, Tetra. We’re going to be working and training together. At some point we need to move past this.”

“The table is full .” Kohen echoed Tetra’s words, but there was a warning in his tone.

Jace glanced at me, pleading in his gaze. How had I ever loved him? He was such a vapid jerk.

“Get lost, Jace. Make new friends,” I spat.

His head reeled back like he’d been slapped. Maybe that’s what he needed—for me to finally lay down the law. He’d said Kohen shouldn’t waste time on me because I didn’t put out, and he’d cheated on me. In what world did he think I would ever tolerate his presence more than I had to?

“And you’re still here. Wow, this is pathetic,” Anika said.

Tucker pulled Jace’s arm, and he snapped out of his shock, anger marring his features. They turned and walked away.

An awkward silence descended on the table.

“Remember that time those thugs on the south hill kept messing with us?” Meera asked.

Dev, Kian, Kohen, and Anika all looked at Meera then, who wore a maniacal grin. “I have the herbs for it in my pack.”

“For what?” I asked.

Kohen peered at me. “If we tell you, then you’re complicit in the act.”

I raised one eyebrow. “What act?”

He shrugged. “Just a little something to humble, Jace.”

Tetra was smiling too, now. “Oh, I like this. Tell me.”

Kohen peered at me one last time as if giving me a chance to leave so I wouldn’t overhear.

“I’m empress. I’m pretty sure I can get away with murder, though I hope you’re not planning that. He is the commander’s son.”

Meera leaned in. “ Gratonis bulgaris root. Even in small quantities, it has quite the laxative effect.”

We all burst out laughing, drawing the gazes of some near us. I hadn’t expected that. It was so innocent, and yet perfect for Jace.

“Oh yes please,” I agreed with their plan.

Meera simply nodded. “Consider it done by breakfast.”

I peered around the table at our little alliance and smiled. Never in a million years did I think I’d become close, trusting friends of nearly half a dozen Imbrians. There was just one person missing: Alek. I glanced at Roc, and he gave me a small smile as if reading my mind.

Was he really tired or had he said that because things were weird between us?

“Speaking of herbs…” Anika lowered her voice and glanced at me. “Any way we could get leave for a few days to head back to Imbria and get… the stuff I need?”

Right . I’d almost forgotten the convulsions and the small herbal chews she took to stave it off.

“Of course,” I told her. “Can you wait until the weekend? I’ll say you’re visiting family.”

She nodded.

I looked at Meera. “Can you get enough to last a long time?”

Meera, so small and delicate and clearly brilliant, nodded her head. “I’ll make a year’s worth in this batch.”

Good . I wanted to avoid Anika having any more episodes.

I tucked into my nachos and listened to a hilarious story Tetra was telling about how she’d tricked Valor into thinking blue corn was poison when she was small. Then I felt Liana stir in my mind.

I stiffened.

‘I’m reborn. Coming home ,’ Liana sent, and I sagged with relief. Kohen met my gaze and smiled. Onyx must have told him.

‘I was worried sick about you! ’ I told her. ‘Did you get revenge for your mate?’

Even though Onyx already said they had, I wanted to hear it from her.

‘Yes.’ I could hear the grin in her voice. But there was something else. Something she was hiding.

‘What aren’t you telling me? ’ I asked.

“So I was thinking, tomorrow after training—” Anika began, and I stood, fake yawning.

“Sorry, I’m beat. I’m gonna head out,” I told everyone.

They wished me goodbye, and I knew Kohen wanted to talk with me more about Liana, but he didn’t. It would look like we were a couple. I’d convinced Elaine and Caruso to let me ditch a security detail while on base. I was a weapon myself, being able to explode into fire, and they agreed.

‘I saw some things while I was here. Things that have me worried about the future of Amersea at the hands of this new leader,’ Liana said.

I sucked in a breath, making it to the door and then out of the mess hall. ‘Maxim?’

‘Yes. He’s… Aisling. He…’ She was struggling to put it into words .

‘What is it?’ I was fully freaked out now. If it worried her, it should definitely worry me.

‘He has two bondeds. Two creatures.’

I stopped walking and cocked my head to the side. What did she just say? ‘That’s not possible,’ I said, but as I did, I wondered… maybe it was. Had anyone ever tried?

‘That’s not the worst part, Aisling. He’s… evil.’

Evil?

‘What do you mean?’ Liana and I had different cultures and upbringings. Evil to her might be something different to me.

I felt her struggle to explain. ‘Your father, his energy was… off-putting to me. I never liked him…’ The confession didn’t shock me, which made me feel weird. Had I always known she didn’t like him? Yes, I think I did. Deep down.

She’d once told me she was an amazing judge of character, and for her not to like my father should be offensive, but I guess I understood. He was prickly and often unkind.

‘Maxim is nothing like that, Aisling. His energy… when I look at him, bile rises in my throat. He’s… I’m trying to think of the word in my language and translate it. He’s the lack of light.’

Lack of light. Darkness? That caused chills to race up my arms.

‘He asked me to marry him,’ I blurted out.

I felt her fiery rage. ‘Not while I’m still alive! And I’m immortal, so that’s saying a lot.’

I smiled at that and then quickly told her about the letter Maxim sent and Elaine and her mission.

‘Elaine is here, in Luska? I will find her and fly her home.’

‘No, it’s danger—’ Then I remembered that she was immortal. ‘Okay, but how will you find her?’

‘If I have smelled someone once, I can find them almost anywhere.’

Wow. That was a good skill to have.

‘Okay, well, stay out of sight. She’s gone incognito, spying,’ I told her.

‘I’ll keep to the woods. There are plenty of those here.’

Nervousness ate away at my gut as I stepped back down into the bunker and made my way to my room. How much longer would we all stay down here before there was no retaliation attack? Is that what Maxim was waiting for? For us to go topside and relax, and then he’d bomb the base? What Liana said about him having no light and being evil, gave me chills.

I paced my room, checking in with Liana every hour.

‘I found her. I almost didn’t recognize her,’ Liana said.

I sagged in relief. ‘Is she alive?’

I could nearly feel Liana’s grin. ‘She’s more than alive, Aisling. She got something that will scare the life out of that demon.’

Demon? Wow, Liana really didn’t like Maxim.

‘What did she get?’

‘I’ll let her show you. Be back in about four hours. Get some sleep.’

Sleep! No way. I’d pace this entire bedroom until they got back and would only sleep when Elaine was safe in her bed, and I knew what she got that would scare Maxim. I needed to reply to his letter and to tell the admirals about it. I also had my first day of base training tomorrow morning.

No. I’d sleep when I was dead.