Page 108 of Deck of Scarlets

Emilia stepped up, looking fully recovered and ready to kill. “You’re missing a valuable piece of information.” All eyes were on Emilia; her dark eyes blazed with fury.

Captain Harrison cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable at being called out. “Right, well, that information is still being discussed with the Spades—”

Dean Poverly appeared from the back. “If it’s on my grounds, I have a right to know.”

If Captain Harrison was intimidated, he didn’t let it show. Rather, he clasped his hands behind his back and stalked forward down the middle aisle, grabbing the attention of everyone in the pews. “The Olemak horde entered the school grounds, and we have footage showing their… odd behavior. Someone might be… controlling them.”

Nobody uttered a word at this possible revelation.

Can that happen? I asked Josh, panicked.

If it’s true, then we’re looking at a whole new enemy.

Toke, for the first time in his life, looked somewhat okay compared to his usual sweaty appearance. “What you’re suggesting can’t happen.”

Captain Harrison ignored Toke, continuing his speech. “It’s time the trainees of this Order step out into the field with us. If hordes keep showing up, then we need all hands on deck to prepare for what could come.”

“They’re finally old enough to train properly and you want them out in the field to get slaughtered like cattle?” snapped Thatcher.

“They have one hour to gear up and report back here.” He didn’t give anyone a chance for a rebuttal, leaving down the aisle, each pew emptying single file.

Emilia was last, stopping in front of me. “Suit up, Watson. You’re with me.”

I changed with the other Scarlets, listening to their conversation.

“I hope I’m in Owen’s squad. The guy is deadly with the crossbow,” said Zoey.

Anna rolled her eyes, shimmying her pants over her hips. “We’re about to invade a horde of Olemaks, and you’re horny over a dude with the same crossbow the rest of the fleet has.”

Zoey braided her long brown hair. “He’s on the market, so yeah, I’m gonna shoot my shot.”

“Girl, you’re insane,” laughed Anna, throwing the scarlet hood over her head.

Chloe snorted beside me. “Anna may be a twat, but she has a point.”

Lacing up my combat boots, I sheathed my freshly polished dagger. “I don’t know. It’s nice to hear some sense of normalcy before we head out to die.”

“Wow, you’re super optimistic tonight.”

I shrugged, tucking the amethyst stone inside my shirt. “We’re constantly trying to stay alive. I think a negative attitude deserves a pass.”

Before she could respond, a soft knock came at the door, and Kal’s voice was heard on the other side. “Are you ladies ready?”

Filing out of the changing room, Kal lingered by the threshold until I was the last to exit, taking an easy stride to match my pace. “How are you?”

Kal was kind enough to bring me home the other night, vomiting several times on the road, but Josh’s warning always stayed with me whenever he was around. “Better. I’m sorry I never got to thank you for that night.”

His sandy blonde hair was gelled back from his face, giving a clear view of the freckles dotting his nose and cheeks. “A thank you is not necessary. I should be the one apologizing for my actions at the beginning of the year. I never wanted to paint you as some—”

“Whore?”

Kal’s dark, hazel eyes bulged. “No! I wasn’t—”

“Relax,” I said as we made our way upstairs to the main floor. “I just want you to know, what happened between us, it was a one-time thing.”

“Probably should call it a two-time thing,” he joked.

“Right, the night of Summerfest.” That night felt so long ago. Less complicated, less everything.

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