Page 71 of Princess

“How will you survive if you send that number of troops?”Landan asked, his voice dropping.

The governor didn’t know how many Shadow Warriors we had, and any guess he made was likely far lower than actuality.We were sending a thousand Shadow Warriors his way.I didn’t tell him a third.I trusted Landan, but this kind of information had to be kept hidden.It was one of the reasons the Federation sent me to the island to begin with.I was a glorified spy, along with being a sacrificial lamb.They wanted to know the number of Shadow Warriors on the island, their weapons, and anything else that would help destroy them.Those days were long over, and I was their enemy now, exactly like I wanted it.

“We are fighting for our lives, and we will win this,” I told him.“The Warriors will begin flying out this afternoon and arrive at your end tonight.We are sending tents and supplies with them.”

“Okay, we’ll be ready.”

“Weapons and ammunition too.We have a large stockpile.”

Ten seconds of silence met this declaration.

“Thank you, Marinah.Good luck on your end,” he finally said.

I sat for several minutes after radio silence filled the small room.The island and Landan’s outposts would be the safest.The Warriors with me would be in the most danger.Deciding who would go to Louisiana would be hard.There was no way we would get through this without casualties.

My thoughts turned to Nikayla.I couldn’t imagine not seeing her grow up, but with or without me, I wanted her to live under the banner of peace.I felt as if my entire life had been heading to this one point in time.

We had to win.There was too much at stake.If President Barnes escaped, we were going after him this time.We would track him until he was eliminated.I stood and headed back to the argument room.Only Axel sat inside.

“King sent everyone for food, and they will be back in thirty minutes.He has breakfast waiting in your room,” he said.

“Why aren’t you eating?”I asked.

“I will, but I needed to say something before the next meeting.”He stood up and faced me, shoulders squared.“I’m going with you.Garret and Kenneth will remain on the island.”He shook his head before I argued.“You need me.And you owe this to me.I will not stay behind when you are taking the biggest risk.If anyone can keep you alive other than King and your Nova, it’s me.”

I walked over and hugged him.He’d been on my side since the day I arrived on the island.At times, he was my only friend.Boot finally came around, but in the beginning, it was Axel.After a tight squeeze, I pulled away.

“You’re right.We need you.Thank you.”

“I’ll bitch and grumble about every scrape and bruise.Thank me after we kick the Federation’s ass.”

“That’s a deal.”

I found King in our room with a fussy baby.

“She’s hungry, and I seriously doubt one of my pecs will make her happy.”

“It was worth a try.”I gave him a comical look of defeat.“The food smells delicious.”

King’s nose wrinkled.“There is something called tofu on your plate,” he grumbled.

“That’s why it smells so good.I’ve been requesting tofu, and it turns out the Shadow Women brought it with them.”

“You’re actually craving that sh, I mean, um, food?”

I huffed out a laugh.“Amissa believes the baby craves it, and I’m tuned into her wants and needs.I can’t argue because the thought of meat turns my stomach.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll stick to bacon.”He lifted a piece and placed it in his mouth.

It did absolutely nothing for me.Gone were the days I could eat a pound of the stuff in one sitting.

“How did Landan take the news?”King asked after we finished the first round of food.

“Surprised we’re sending so many Shadow Warriors.Thrilled about the guns and ammo.”

King contemplated my answer.“He needs us.I hope they don’t stab us in the back afterward.”

I placed my hand over his.“They will not do what the Federation did to you.It’s different now.They know who the enemy is.”

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