Page 161 of Hell and High Water

“He was incredibly brave.” Gavin nodded.

“Damn right, he was. Hell… did he say anything? At the end?”

I take a deep breath before I tell her. Even though I knew this was coming, it’s impossibly difficult.

But I do.

I relay every detail of Clive’s and my exchange, and when I’m done, everyone in the house is silent. Stunned.

“He was Ardor…” Tell wonders, rubbing his chin.

“And the very last of the Sinful that we know of.”

“Aside from whoever was sending us messages,” Evan muses. “Although, it’s not impossible that some of it was automated, left over from before they all got taken out by…”

He points a thumb over his shoulder toward Alaya accusingly. It’s a topic we mostly avoid since we’re seemingly stuck with her for the time being.

“No way to know for sure.” Tell shrugs.

“What we do know is that with my grandfather gone, we are the only ones left leading the charge against Marco.” Ora sobers, her brow furrowing. “We’re all that’s left between the people of Sanctum and that madman.”

“Sinful, the next generation,” Gavin huffs sarcastically.

I look around the table, absently taking count. “Six out of seven isn’t bad…”

“Whoa…” Tell laughs, patting the air with his palms. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”

“No! Yes? I don’t know,” I fumble, trying to organize my wine-addled thoughts. “People need to believe someone is looking out for them. Enough of the town knows something about the Sinful. Even just legends. So, why not?”

“It’s iconic. Symbolic. And it might even give us an edge against Marco if he thinks the real leadership has come out of hiding to fight back.”

“Like sending up the Bat Signal!” Ora cheers.

“Maybe not that far. But we can use it, the anonymity and mystery.” I can see the gears turning in Gavin’s strategic mind.

“Yeah, and unlike the old guys, we actually trust each other!” Alaya joins us at the table.

All five of us stare blankly at her for a moment before she scowls.

“Alright, most of us.”

This could work.

“Now all we need is an army to fight Marco.”

The thought looms over us for a time. The people of Sanctum could fight back. But I can’t bring myself to suggest it. To ask average folks to make that sacrifice…

“What could we do with a shit ton of money?” Evan finally offers, folding his hands behind his head and looking at Gavin, Alaya.

“We could hire mercenaries. Build our own army for hire.”

“You know people?”

Alaya nods, looking thoughtful. “Definitely. A lot of them are out of the game, but I bet between the two of us, we’re owed more than a few favors.”

“Hmm.” Evan grunts softly. “And I know hundreds of people in food service. Supply chains.”

“As well as every hidden route in and out of Sanctum…” Tell adds, gaining momentum. “We could sneak in the supplies we need.”

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