Page 79 of Shadow Master
Lugh’s shoulders rose and fell. “I see that, my friend. And I don’t expect you to bow or cede to me. I simply wish to be of aid. I have seen my fair share of war.”
Bearded dude inclined his head. “Very well. And you vouch for the female?”
“She is a formidable warrior,” Lugh said.
I couldn’t help but bristle. I wasn’t a damsel who needed to be rescued. I didn’t need him to speak for me, but the rational, logical part of my brain, the part Henrich had urged me to employ, cautioned me to keep my mouth shut, to accept aid where it was offered. We needed to build bridges. Bridges that would connect us in this fight against a common enemy.
I smiled. “I’m honored to have you here to fight alongside us. My authority extends to the shadow cadets, not to your militia. I have no intention of telling you what to do. This meeting is for us all to discuss our defense strategy.”
“And what would you know about war, child?” bearded dude asked.
Okay, that was uncalled for.
Lugh made a sound of protest, and Hyde bristled, about to step in, but I shot him a warning glance before returning my gaze to the mouthy fomorian.
“I know that if we’re going to survive, we need to work together, and bickering over who has the largest … sword isn’t going to help us.”
His eyes narrowed. “The militia will take the lead. Our men will form a barrier, cutting down as many fir bolg as we can. We will position ourselves halfway through what you call sector three. We have a small amount of fire grain that we can plant in sector two, which may help incapacitate the enemies that get past us.”
“Fire grain?” Kash asked.
He raked Kash over. “The grain makes fire when crushed underfoot,” he said as if speaking to a moron.
“An explosive,” Hyde mused. “That could work.”
“The fomori-touched will hang back,” Lugh said. “They will hold the line at the border to sector two and act as the second line of defense.”
Orion was nodding along with this plan.
I guess that explained what they’d been talking about last night, but I had another plan. I looked at Kash, who nodded as if to saygo for it.
“Your plan is solid, but I have a suggestion.”
He crossed his arms. “Go on.”
“We have a weaver who can siphon energy. I suggest we send a troop ahead with the weaver to get close enough to siphon energy from the enemy troops. By the time the first attack wave reaches you, they’ll be at half their strength.”
He frowned. “It will be dangerous to get so close.”
“I’m not afraid,” Kash said.
His gaze flicked to Kash, and was that a sparkle of respect in his startling blue eyes?
I stood taller. “He’ll be well guarded by his troop.”
“It’s a good plan,” one of the other militia leaders said.
“Agreed,” Balan said.
I smiled at the fomorian, grateful for his vote of confidence.
The bearded guy nodded slowly. “Very well. We make the adjustment to the plan.” His gaze slid to Athos. “But the militia will commandeer your hounds.”
Like hell you will. Athos growled and bared his teeth.
Harmon chuckled.
“That’s not going to happen,” Hyde said.
