Page 35 of Rising

“Eight forty-five,” she replied, biting her lip before adding with uncertainty, “He said to ‘Move your ass and stop wasting his time.’, um ma’am.”

“Shit,” I cursed under my breath, moving towards the door. “Take him back to Cell C after he gets some food in him. Don’t let him convince you to make any detours or stops. He’s not to be trusted. He doesn’t leave this compound, and he speaks tono one, not even you.”

We glared at each other as I inched out the door, remembering there was another person now falling victim to his miserable presence. “Take Daniels with you. And, thank you,” I added, though it wasn’t necessary. I wanted her to know I feltsomethingabout the way I was about to ruin her day.

Amaia

Iwas greeted by Seth leaned back in my chair. His large feet were kicked up on my desk as Harley’s foot tapped the ground, and she let out a throaty grunt, pleased by the head rub services Seth was providing. His face was hollow, countenance just as exhausted as I was now that I was able to see him in the light of day. With Seth taking over my duties, he’d also remained in his old ones as he awaited his new orders as lieutenant and an official transition of power took place.

“Thanks for stopping by!” He grinned, clearly amused at my tardiness and the person that caused it.

“No problem,” I replied, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice. “Looks like you and Harley have been keeping each other company just fine.”

Seth chuckled and scratched behind Harley’s ears. “Yeah, she’s been keeping me company while you’ve been … occupied.” He laced the last word with hesitancy, trying to gauge where I was mentally.

I rolled my eyes and walked over to my desk, trying to push my emotions away as I pushed his feet off the desk and waited for him to move. “So, how’s everything been going? Any updates on the transition of power?”

His expression grew serious as he stood up and moved to the chair on the other side of the desk. “Been a bit of a mess. I thought we were on the path of finally getting things sorted, but then, well, you know? Yesterday.”

He winced at the last word. “I’m meeting with Ford after this to discuss him taking over as head weapons officer. Ramona’s pretty much been groomed to replace me as Stable Master should my untimely death occur so”—he sniggered before seeing my face and realizing his dark humor wasn’t hitting home—”sorry. Anyway, it shouldn’t be too rough of a transition on that front. I’ll keep training the cavalry, but everything else she’ll be okay taking on.”

I nodded, relieved that at least one thing would be settled pretty easily. But now was time for the harder questions. He knew it too as he shifted in his seat, waiting for me to take the lead.

“Seth,” I said begrudgingly, “we have to discuss yesterday.”

He nodded in agreement. “I know. It won’t happen again. I just got caught up in everything that happened. I meant to tell you everything as soon as it happened, but then I saw Riley. Moe.”

In the wake of Jax’s death, I’d seen Seth show more emotion than he had in the years I’d come to know him. It was unfamiliar territory, and I wasn’t sure how to navigate it. He’d become something of a brother to me the last few years. The type who comes to your room and sits on the bed in silence, just happy to be in your presence. Agony etched over his rough, angled features. Yesterday too and as I laid in bed last night, I couldn’t help but find myself questioning if I’d made the right call.

This place deserved people in charge who could keep them safe. I had failed them, and Seth had failed them too. And as much as I wanted to, I couldn’t comfort my friend right now. In this meeting, I was a general, and I would act as such.

“Not only were we attacked, Lieutenant, you failed to follow protocol and send out a patrol to secure the area.” His pale face reddened as I continued, “Once it was secured, an intruder was located, a possiblesuspect,yet you failed to inform your superior, soldier.”

I peeled my eyes from his as I fixated on his fingers, now bone white from clutching the edges of his chair before the tension released. The neutral expression returned to his face once more.

“Like there was a superior to report to,” he mumbled under his breath, knowing I’d hear him but wanting to speak his truth. I’d take it, but that didn’t negate him from his own blame.

“I was out there fighting, Lieutenant. Where were you?” I wanted to stop there, but the stress of the last twenty-four hours tore at me and my anger reached its breaking point. “Matter fact, that’stwicenow that you’ve failed to give a proper report. Maybe Reina was right.” It was a low blow, bringing his sister into it.

My words hit home as he broke my gaze. Before Jax had died, I’d never once questioned his leadership before, but then again, he’d never questioned mine. I’d questioned his temper sure. But to question his capability to fulfill his role, his duty, that was new territory for me and if I was honest, part of me blamed him for Jax’s untimely demise.

Riley had explained that Seth had been out with the group that day on one of the horses he was trying to train, which meant he’d been pretty far ahead, especially with Jax hanging back to turn those soldiers around. It baffled me that even with his gifts, he’d heard nothing, seen nothing. The thought of blaming someone I loved and cared about, blaming them for the death of someonetheycared about, made my stomach churn. It only led down a further road of destruction.

If I wanted to, and thought too hard, I could blame Tomoe too. It wouldn’t be fair to her, as I knew she made a point not to try to channel visions around our deaths.

There was still the unknown about trying to change things that had not yet happened, the repercussions. We were only one entity in the grand scheme of things. The only time we used visions to our advantage was when it came to serving the greater good.

There were things like the Element Room where we could take a peek at the future, consequence free because it was something we knew we wouldn’t stop until we got right. Weknewwe’d invent it and thus, there was no harm in giving us the slight advantage of confirming our formulas were right and we weren’t creating the downfall of the innocent people who resided within our walls.

We hadn’t yet crossed that line of using them to be a weapon of war. Not that I wouldn’t have tried if it meant the people here at the Compound would be safe. But Moe hadn’t been here when borders were drawn and cities were finalized and none of the other Scholars here were powerful enough to channel visions both consistently and accurately the way she was.

Sure, she couldn’t control the random visions the universe forced upon her, but shecouldcontrol seeking out answers that weren’t meant for prying eyes. For now, it was safer if we tread her particular gift carefully, the butterfly effect and all.

A trail of ants squeezed through the crack of the door, announcing Riley’s arrival. I stood to move towards the door. “Poor leadership gets people killed, Lieutenant, and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of losing people.Ourpeople, good people. I’d prefer the number of deaths I’m responsible for being limited to those who deserve it.”

“Agreed. Am I dismissed?” he hissed.

Riley entered the now open door, taking in the scene and tension that filled the room, and opted to stay outside. “Still have a lot to discuss, but for now. Yes.” I stepped out of the way as he brushed past me, saying nothing to Riley.

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