Page 62 of Rising

“So then, what do we do? Keep sitting here waiting to get our asses handed to us until it all crumbles around us?” Moe burst through the silence, never one to sugarcoat anything.

“No. Just because we can’t pull up soldiers at ready doesn’t mean we can’t do some recon followed by a little emissary visit. An innocent one of course.”

Seth leaned forward, my mischievous tone piquing his interest, and I wasn’t sure if I should be worried, or excited at his eagerness to head out on this mission.

“Youjustsaid you’d have to be dumb as hell to send us all at once not more than a few weeks ago,” Riley noted.

I made a face at him, recognizing his slight embellishment at my words.

“Um, didn’t say dumb as hell. But maybe I was wrong.” I huffed, plopping back down into my seat after adding to the anxiety of the room with my pacing.

“I’ll be honest with you guys. This is the only thing I can think of. Like Moe said, we can’t just sit here and wait for everything to crumble around us.” I gestured towards her. “Everything I’ve done so far has been reactionary. On defense. Maybe it’s time to play offense for once. Besides, it won’t be all of us, just three.”

They looked at each other as if trying to decide who would go. It wasn’t fear for themselves, but for the ones who would inevitably go. We couldn’t afford to lose anyone else; the weight of our previous losses still hung heavy. The truth was clear, the odds of survival were slim. Whether it was the perilous journey or the unknown terrors that awaited us, we were certain to face more loss. Someone wouldn’t return. Perhaps none of us would.

Reina faced me, a cheery smile creeping onto an exceptionally determined face, “Well I’m sure as hell ain’t gonna let my bestest friend go out there alone.”

“I thought I was your best friend,” Moe said, the corner of her mouth twitching.

“Well, duh, y’all all are! I just lumped ya all together since I know you’re coming too.”

“And you assume that because?”

Reina grinned at her knowingly as Moe turned to her and slapped her knee.

“Reina, stay away from my emotions!”

Of course, they’d all volunteer.I expected some pushback from them. Had prepared for it. The boys still had their attention directed to me, awaiting further information. Soldiers listening for the details of their mission.

And, of course, they all assumed they were included in the mission trio.“ImeantSeth and Alexiares.”

Riley stood at attention. His body rigid as he awaited me to continue. I knew my words were hard to swallow, and hoped at this moment he wouldn’t find them targeted due to the recent tension in our relationship. That wasn’t why I wanted him to stay.

Ineededhim to stay, because out of everyone here, I trusted him the most. He’d proven to me time and time again that he wouldalwaysact in the best interest of both me and The Compound. His behavior of late only proved that. His coffee brown eyes showed no emotion beyond a single blink. A soldier accepting their duty without question.

He nodded at me. “Understood, General Bennett,” he said, his gravelly voice steady and strong.

“No,” Tomoe countered strongly, “that’s bullshit. If you’re both targets, why would youbothserve yourselves up on a silver platter with theoneperson you suspect to be part of it? Why is he even in the room?”

“Ouch, and here I was thinking we got along,” Alexiares snarked, hand flying over his heart. “I assume I’m going because I know the area … and have connections.”

I felt my head moving in agreement, though that was the last thing I wanted to do.

“Please, you’ve been the main one besides Riley telling me to focus on the facts at hand and their relation to him. Like youbothhave made very clear that I have nothing, and as he made very clear the other day, he saved your ass”—I pointed to her and then to Seth—”and your ass. Now you don’t have to support my decision, or feel satisfied by my orders Tomoe, but at the end of the day, I’m the one responsible if this goes to shit. What would be reckless for me is to send you both out there if you’re not needed.”

“Hey! I’m needed,” Reina whimpered. “What if someone gets hurt? We literally have several examples ofwhya healer should be with you no matter what.”

Solid point, once again.

“Valid. Riley is needed here as third in command to keep everything in order with our troops, the gates,andhis men. Moe, we need you here where”—I moved towards where she sat and grabbed her hand, slouching down to her level—”I need you to do something for me that I swore I wouldneverask you to do in a million years. But now I have to. I need you to stay here and focus on us. On making sure our path ahead is clear, as seamless as possible, so wecanmake it back here in one piece.”

She squeezed my palm. A solemn look on her face that reflected both defeat and acceptance before I added, “Seth can communicate with you both and report back to me, and vice versa. That way, Prescott can stay up-to-date too.”

“No!” Seth and Tomoe said in unison, both going red.

What in the hell.Reina met me stare, wondering the same thing and shrugging her shoulders, as clueless as I was.

“I mean,” Moe recovered. “I can easily do that from the road. It’s not essential I do my job here. Not like Riley.”

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