Page 73 of Hell Breaks Loose

Which is worse.

Stop feeling feelings, heart.

“Back to the matter at hand…”

“I was just thinking the same thing. Like maybe you need to catch hands to snap you out of this fuckery you’ve gotten yourself into.” She leans forward with a grin.

“Ora. Leadership looks good on you. Petty doesn’t.”

“I would say the same thing, if you were actually in charge,” Tell mumbles, and I nearly jump. He’s standing in the corner, behind me to my left, almost invisible. How does he still do that?

“Oh, Tell. I see that you’re still alive. Thanks to me.”

“Enough. We reached out to see if this advance party of Marco’s was a ploy on your part or the real deal. I think we have our answer,” Gavin growls, stabbing Ora with a stare, never once looking at me.

Ouch.

“Who are you, Hellena?” Ora whispers, losing her bluster.

“I’m Hell. You said it yourself all those months ago in that jail cell. And I’m using every tool at my disposal to make the best of this situation. I want to keep the takeover from turning into a war.”

“No. you’re someone else. Someone I don’t recognize.” She rises, clenching her fists. “Someone I do not want to ally with. And this place is already at war.”

“I’m using Marco’s resources to help people, Ora. We should combine our efforts.”

“Then help them. And help yourself. That seems to be the most important thing to you now.” Her hand waves down, gesturing to my clothes, then the room and the house.

“You don’t know what I’ve been through.” I let it slip, the anger and bitterness cracking through my shell.

“Whatever it is gave you delusions of grandeur. You come in here like you’re going to save us. Like you’re a fucking benefactor, an agent of relief and refuge. Guess what? We’re saving ourselves. The people of this town are strong. They are mad. And they will put up a fight. Against you. Against Marco. And we will win.”

“I see. Sing. See them out, won’t you?”

Alaya doesn’t wait, trotting right out the door with a huff of indignant laughter directed at me and Sing at her back. Tell slinks out after, sullen, giving me a hurt look.

Fucking puppy-dog eyes.

As if I wasn’t already feeling guilty enough. Gavin stays, waiting for Ora, who is still standing across from me, her lips curled in a disgusted snarl.

With Sing out of earshot, I lower my voice.

“Are they alright?”

Ora drops her gaze, her shoulders slumping. “Yeah. Most of the town is safe.”

“Too much to ask where?” I let my eyes drift to hers, the ache in my chest showing through.

“Way too much. All of this is beyond…”

“You’re killing it, Ora. Xavier would be?—”

“Nope. You don’t get to do that. Fake or not, I can’t?—”

“Ora—”

“Do not expect things to be this nice next time. We meet in the field, it’s as enemies. Watch your back.” She spears me with an iron stare and a raised, pointing finger. “Let’s go, Rorshak.”

“No. This isn’t the right way. I’m staying.”

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