Page 63 of Rising from the Ashes

“Look at her. She’s weak, a spoiled rich brat. What is she going to do? Pirouette someone to death?” Everly chides.

I hear one of Everly’s men snort. I snap my head in their direction and Rayth hides his face.

I turn back to Everly. “I can train her.” I say, quickly.

“Like you trained Shado? He’s still wielding a Glock. He’s definitely not the male archer he claimed he wanted to be.”

“You know why he did that. He was just trying to get close to me. That’s over now,” I say defensively.

“Can she even throw a punch?”

Shaking my head, I can feel the frustration begin to boil within me.

I point my finger at her.

“You started this Society to go after the people who wronged us. To protect the innocent people of the cities where YOUR Society resides. How is this any different? Allister wronged The Society, he was working with my father, and he killed the most important people in Quinn’s life.” I pause for a moment as I can see the wheels in Everly’s head turning. “Let her get her revenge too. She has just the same right you do.”

“Dammit, Calista. Using my own words against me.” She exhales. “Fine. She can join us, but just like Shado. You are responsible for her.”

I hesitate, but I know I need to drop this bomb on E.

Crossing my arms, I say firmly, “I don’t want her to join The Society.”

Everly’s eyes look as though they are about to bulge out of her head at my words. She begins to open her mouth, but before she can speak I interrupt her.

“She still has a chance to live the happy life she once had before it was stolen from her. I’ve dug my own grave, killed too many people. Shado and I will stay with you and your mission. She gets released once the job is done.”

“Fine. If the plans Enzo and Allister have thought up come to fruition, it will be a civil war amongst the organizations. She needs to understand the severity of this. She could easily get killed, Calista.”

“I won’t let that happen.” I grit out with clenched teeth.

“Very well. Keep me updated on the mission.” She nods, and motions toward the door, letting me know this conversation is over.

Turning around, I grab Quinn’s arm leading her out into the hallway. She rips her arm from me once we are standing in the middle of the hall.

“What is wrong? You agreed to this last night,” I say, surprised at her agitation.

“You two talked like I wasn’t even in the room. I’m just a fucking puppet to you, physically and in this plan of yours,” she snaps back.

“That’s not true.” I whisper. She has every right to be angry. I did use her for my own selfish needs, and she was forced into all of this. The only way I could think to bring Allister and my father out was to dangle her in front of them.

“I don’t need your protection. I can take care of myself.”

Her comment makes me laugh. “Oh? You can? Then what the fuck was that last night?”

“I trusted you.” She mutters.

“Yeah, well, learn to read people better, princess.”

The burner phone Drake gave me buzzes in my back pocket. Looking around, I carefully pull it out.

Shado: How did it go?

Calista: She’s in.

Shado: We need to get this plan rolling. Drake has news. Go to his bunker. I’ll send you the address.

Locking the screen as the address flashes across, I place the phone back in my pocket.

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