Page 56 of Warrior

“With my life,” I said, holding his gaze.I prayed he would believe me.I needed them on my side.

Landan grimaced but finally nodded, seemingly accepting my words as truth.“The Federation has mandated that all humans come into the city.From the beginning, they’ve lied about how many people are still alive in this country and across the world.After what you’ve told us, I’m convinced they’re using the hellhounds to scare Americans into Washington.And if they don’t come in—” he paused, his voice hardening, “—they use the hounds to kill them.”

Even though I’d suspected something like this, hearing it hit like a punch to the gut.

“Are you sure?”I asked quietly.

Everyone’s eyes shifted to Skylar.She hesitated for a moment, giving me a look I couldn’t quite decipher, then spoke.“My husband, Harris, is the commander of the Fourth Infantry.He was given orders to kill any humans who refuse to come to the capital.”

Now I understood her expression.She loved her husband and didn’t want to endanger him by revealing too much.The guilt etched on her face made that painfully clear.

“The Federation protects us,” she continued, her voice tight, “but at the same time, they use us against our loved ones to keep everyone in line.We’re sure they manipulated your father the same way.”

I didn’t need to ask what Harris was doing about his orders.I already knew.My father would have done anything to keep me safe.Anything.

What I was about to say could cost me my life.It was absolute treason, but to the Federation,me being Shadow Warriorwas treason.

“Will your husband fight with the Shadow Warriors if we overthrow the Federation?”

Skylar’s eyes turned cold.“We’re not interested in trading one dictatorship for another.”

“Good,” I said, holding her gaze with equal intensity.“The Shadow Warriors don’t want to govern anyone.They’re being set up by the Federation.Brought here under the pretense of fighting hellhounds.We believe the Federation plans to annihilate them.They used me to lure them here because the Warriors trusted my father.”

“You’re sure you can trust them?”Skylar asked.

I’d already answered this question but maybe hearing it again would finally drive the point home.

“I’m in love with their leader.So yes, I trust them.”

Landan shifted uncomfortably, his expression tightening.“We shouldn’t be talking here,” he muttered.“Your guard is paying more attention to us now than he was five minutes ago.”

I resisted the urge to glance toward the guard.“My round to buy, then we’ll leave,” I said.“How are you communicating with the other rebels?”

“Rebels,” Mila chimed in.“I like the sound of that.”

“Word of mouth,” Landan replied.“We don’t write anything down.I room with a guy from another department.We share info he picks up while working.”

“I have little freedom,” I admitted, thinking through my options.Then a troubling thought struck me.“Does Thad know what you’re doing?”

“No,” Landan said firmly, shaking his head.“Thad is one of their spies.We set him up, and he fell for it.He gave the Federation accurate figures on something we deliberately staged to look like data manipulation.They punished Mila for themistake.She received thirty straight days of work without a break.Do not trust Thad.”

“Friday is in two days,” I told Landan.“I’ll meet the ladies in their sleeping quarters for some ‘girl time’ at eight that evening.If you can get there before me and hide before the guard brings me, we can come up with a game plan.”

“That works,” Skylar agreed with a nod.

My round of hooch arrived, and we downed the drinks quickly.Just as I was about to leave, Mila reached out and touched my arm.Her fingers trembled.

“If you betray us, we’re dead,” she whispered, fear stark in her wide eyes.

It was the same fear I used to carry, and I remembered it all too well.

I placed my hand over hers, trying to reassure her.“We need to trust each other,” I said softly.“It’s hard for me too, but we’re in this together now.And it’s not just me who has your back.The Shadow Warriors do too.”

Chapter Twenty

King

A week passed before Beck’s men arrived.Minus Beck and half his team.

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