Page 120 of Revenge of the Forgotten

“I can’t keep you safe if you don’t listen!”

“It’s not your job to keep me safe!” Vega stopped, exhausted by his constant need to shelter her. “I’m in this fight! Fuck, Khort!” Her eyes shot side to side for anyone within earshot. “I’m a god. I’m not going to hide like a coward just because I’m a cursed one.”

The tug in her chest was unbearable, prying her away from the spot she’d planted herself. Vega backed away from Khort. “I’m not going to hide anymore. I’m more me than I’ve ever been. It’s time you and everyone else saw that.” She turned and sprinted towards the direction her heart was pulling her in.

Vega climbed the stairs, one, two, three levels. The people of Castra flooded the stairs, some fleeing to their rooms, others to the posts they were assigned to during an attack.

What if she had been wrong? What if Bridger was angrier than she’d anticipated him to be after she plunged his dagger through his chest? What if he tracked me here because I stole his stupid fucking bonded dagger?

Was that possible?

Vega picked up her speed at the thought. Her heart ticked faster the closer she got to the office where the rebellion leaders met. The entrance was hidden by Arlet at all times, but Vega knew where the door was through the illusion masking it as a blank wall.

She flung the door open, eyes landing on Arlet. She’s okay. Vega scanned the room, her eyes finding a face she hadn’t seen in at least twenty-five years: the now praefectus of Solum. “Urban,” she gawked.

The redhead wasn’t the young boy she remembered from the start of her sister’s rule—he had grown into himself, though he was still lanky and sported a patchy ginger beard. His hands were in front of him, cuffed together. The rest of his body was roped to a chair, and who Vega assumed was his guard was slumped in the corner on the floor, unconscious.

He’d been on Marlena’s side since the beginning.

“Hi, stranger. It’s good to see you.” His voice was more profound than she remembered.

Khort came up behind her, and Leo barged in with scarlet fire licking up his arms.

Arlet’s hands rested on her hips, foot tapping against the flooring below with a tink, tink, tink. “I’m hoping this is a false alarm,” she grumbled.

“How did you find this place?” Khort interrogated, zipping around Vega to stand between her and Urban.

“A rebel from my territory. He said I could find you on the south peak of Imber. I didn’t actually know where you were until your guards snatched us up,” Urban answered. “How is this place possible? How are you hiding it?”

Khort pulled a dagger out of its sheath so quickly Vega almost missed it. He pressed the tip to the bottom of Urban’s chin, and a bead of blood instantly dripped down the blade. “Who told you that?”

“Khort,” Arlet warned. If they killed Urban too early, they wouldn’t be able to get any information out of him.

Urban went completely still. “Please don’t kill me. I’m of no threat to you all. I swear.” His voice quivered with nerves.

The bacon.

It came from Solum. Vega knew there had been rebel uprisings there but hadn’t expected help from Urban—not with his timid nature.

“I came here to talk, to offer an alliance,” he blubbered. “If I were here to attack, would I have only brought one guard?”

Good point.

Vega stepped forward. “Put the dagger down, Khort.” She reached out and lowered his arm away from Urban’s jugular, giving the man at least another minute to live.

“Thank you. Oh my gods, thank you,” Urban chattered.

“I only bought you enough time to explain yourself. He can still kill you if he doesn’t like your answer.” Vega wanted to save the people of Tolevarre, but she wasn’t opposed to killing those who deserved to die.

Bridger had taught her that not everyone was worth saving. What a shame he’d become exactly who he’d told Vega to give up on.

Arlet gave orders to Leo, sending him to do a perimeter check around the grounds of Imber. He left without a word. Arlet hit a button on the control board in the corner, and the blaring alarms finally came to a stop, followed by three staccato beeps alerting the people of Castra to stay in their rooms until the all-clear was given.

“Better start talking. I’m running out of patience.” Khort stood up straight, stepping back to line himself up with Vega.

“Marlena is killing my people. Innocent people who don’t deserve to die. General Ignis has set up camp near the border of Littera to keep the rebels at bay. These rebels, most of them are my people just standing up for themselves, refusing to work under the conditions Marlena has imposed. They don’t want a war, but they’d rather fight than continue to live this way. They just want their lives back. Their happiness,” he started.

“Innocent people are dying every day because of her. What makes your people so special?” Arlet asked, crossing her arms over her chest like Khort.

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