Page 16 of Harmless
“You don’t look happy,” LJ mused from his spot sitting on the kitchen counter.
Sighing, I put the list down and rubbed my eyes. “Thank you, guys. This is actually great, and I appreciate you both getting this together. I just worry about actually executing it.”
“If the diagram you gave me is accurate, it should be doable. Given we stick to the plan,” Carter said. “Everyone’s been briefed, and they’re ready to go on your order.”
I scanned the names of the riders again, a few of whom I recognized as family friends and acquaintances, but many I didn’t. These were Carter’s people from the Valkyrie Network who were currently off rotation, some of whom were members of Sons of Odin MC.
If Carter vouched for them, then they were solid. Good riders, quick thinkers, and trustworthy. But it still bothered me that I personally didn’t know most of the people I’d be riding and fighting besides.
And even more concerning, eighteen total people, including me and my cousins, didn’t seem like enough to take down the whole resort.
Who knew if the gladiators would even see us as help? Santos said he’d do what he could, but could he realistically do anything after being dragged away by those guards? Maybe Tezca was communicating intel to him. Or, for all I knew, the big cat was as useful as my damn bird.
“So what do you think?” Carter pressed. “Are we a go?”
“Hang on.” I stood, leaving the list behind as I headed for the small balcony off the dining room. “I need to think for a minute.”
Ignoring Carter’s grumbling, I went outside to the crisp, dry air. For once, the trees were empty as I scanned them.
“Figures,” I muttered. “When I go looking for you, you’re nowhere to be seen. When I don’t want you around, you’re hovering over me.”
Only silence answered me and the distant cawing of a crow or raven. My uncle T-Bone had a raven named Munin who could mimic voices and allowed me to pet him. He was a much cooler bird than this fucking dove.
“You’re here to guide me, so where the fuck are you?” I muttered.
You know, Aurora, a little respect goes a long way.The familiar, disembodied voice raked over my brain.Please and thank you cost nothing.
“Yeah, well, the feeling is mutual,” I grumbled. “Straightforward answers would be most appreciated.”
Just like your father,Asarte mused. You mask feelings of fear and inadequacy with stone walls and sharp barbs. True strength is being open and vulnerable, Aurora.
“This is not about me. I’m trying to ask you about this attack we’re planning.” I lowered my voice, knowing my cousins could overhear if I got too riled up. “Is this a suicide mission? Am I going to cost seventeen other people their lives if we do this? And that’s not even counting the people in the canyon.”
The outcome of your attack will depend on the decisions you will make in critical moments.
I nearly slammed my forehead down on the balcony railing. “Just once. One fucking time. A yes or no answer would be amazing.”
A force came out of nowhere, like an invisible vice pressing in on me on all sides. I felt excruciating pressure on my head, chest, arms, and legs. I could barely take a breath, and every attempt to move felt like trying to lift a car with my pinkie.
I am not your personal fortune teller, Aurora Wilder. I am not a toy you can pull off a shelf and demand answers from. You are a human woman who has known twenty-three years of life. In the millenia of humanity I’ve seen, do you realize how utterly insignificant you are?
“Please,” I gasped, finding it harder to draw breath with each passing second.
I am not in your service. Do you understand? If you don’t want humanity to fall, you will listen to me. Because I have seen your kind rise and fall.
“Okay!” I wheezed, desperately clutching my throat. “I’m sorry. I’m listening.”
The pressure immediately lifted, and I slumped against the railing, taking in lungfuls of beautiful, precious oxygen.
As I’ve said, Astarte’s voice took on an eerie calm,I cannot influence outcomes of events or your decisions. I am telling you to trust yourself, your own inner compass, Aurora.
“But I—”
Stop. Stop running your mouth and letting your brain chatter take up all the room in your head. I’m telling you to cut through all of that and listen to the deepest, most instinctual part of yourself, Aurora. Listen to the part of you that has always been connected to me.
“What the fuck?” I groaned, still gasping for breath.
Astarte went silent and I knew she was gone, or at least not hovering over me anymore. As I caught my breath and found my legs underneath me again, it became clear that it wasn’t just the goddess that went silent but all of my surroundings.
