Page 40 of Oathborn
Tobias blinked, at both the statement and Javen’s matter-of-fact tone. “What sort of things?”
“You don’t need details.”
Tobias thought about protesting that yes, in fact, he reallydidneed some idea of what they were doing but decided to keep his mouth shut. When they got back on their motorbikes, Javen signaled to veer west, until train tracks came into view. They followed the tracks north, until they reached a small train stop.
After Javen braked, Tobias hurried to do the same. He made sure to take the keys out of the ignition this time, while Javen checked both his pistol and sword. His usual habit, any time they reached a new location, as if he always expected a fight to break out.
“I assume your academy taught you how to search a train?” Javen asked, almost nonchalantly.
“Oh, yeah, sure. Train Search 101, took the class my first year. Followed it with Apartment Search 201.”
“Ah.”
Tobias blinked. “Captain? I’m joking.”
Javen didn’t answer. He’d already pulled open the door to the station. As soon as he did, a dozen Crimson soldiers snapped to attention, saluting Javen crisply. Which made no sense, as Tobias recognized at least two captains, their badge less obvious than the three bands of deep red silk on the sleeves, denoting their rank. They were the same rank as Javen and should have no business saluting him.
“At ease,” Javen said. The Crimsons dropped their salutes but kept their ramrod straight posture. From the rifles slung over their shoulders, to the double set of pistols they each wore, they seemed vastly more dangerous than the soldiers Tobias served among.
“Sir.” One withdrew a small envelope from his pocket. “Commander Lockwood sent this.”
Javen scanned the note. A muscle in his jaw tightened, and Tobias could have sworn the temperature of the room dropped five degrees.What could it contain?Tobias’s curiosity burned within him.
“Lieutenant Bridger,” Javen said.
Tobias snapped to attention, his heart soaring with hope. He’d been allowed on this mission, so was he now to be privy to the information inside the note? “Yes, sir?”
“You will stay here, with the Crimsons, and work alongside them.”
The highly trained soldiers were too composed to complain, but Tobias caught a few of their eye rolls. So much for him being Javen’s right-hand man.
Javen addressed all of them. “If you find Ankmetta, bring her to the precinct in Wesburg.”
That was all? They’d pushed their bikes to the limit to reach here so swiftly. Now Javen was just going to hand off the task? “But, sir—”
Javen’s blue eyes landed on him, and disdain colored his expression. “I am trusting you to complete a task that you already failed once. Perhaps reflect on that as you complete your duty.”
One of the Crimsons laughed, though he quickly turned it into a cough. Tobias reddened. Javen turned to address the other soldiers. “As for you, remain on alert for further orders. Lockwood believes Blood Ember may be close by. Call for reinforcements if needed.”
At his words, the assembled soldiers all nodded, their expressions sharp and focused. Tobias had previously thought of his own posture as perfect, the Crimsons outdid him easily, as if their bones were made of iron. No wonder these were the infamous soldiers, the ones said to have killed more fae than the rest of the army put together.
Without pausing, Javen turned to speak to two of the soldiers directly. “Drace, you and Erik will assist Lieutenant Bridger in searching the train.”
“Uh,” Tobias cleared his throat. He was very aware of every set of eyes in the room snapping to focus on him. “Who exactly am I—” he stopped. No, he had to use his brain. Javen had given him context clues already. “I’m searching for Zari, right? But why?”
“She is a traitor to the nation,” Javen replied briskly. “And a threat.”
He wasted no further energy on speaking to Tobias, and instead returned to addressing the pair of Crimsons. “Should the girl have traveling companions, use force to restrain them, as needed. I expect them all to be brought to Wesburg alive.”
As Javen stepped through the door, Tobias followed after him. He still had more questions than answers. The slamming door nicked him on his heel and he winced. “Wait, Captain!” He hobbled forward, trying to reach Javen before he left. “Are you just going to leave?”
“I have a score to settle with Blood Ember.”
“You can’t be serious. That’s a myth. A fairytale, a—”
“I am well aware of the synonyms for the concept ofmyth, and I assure you, Blood Ember is not any of them.” A muscle in Javen’s jaw twitched. “Would you prefer to be sent back to the capital?”
No. The last thing he wanted was to sulk back, his tail between his legs. Nor did he particularly relish the thought of another five hours astride the bike. Tobias saluted, remaining at attention until Javen tore off.
