Page 45 of True As Steel

It was a massacre. With nowhere to run, the Fereins had no choice but to fight until their last breath. Once they were wiped out, we raced to the other little pockets of skirmishes remaining while the protective dome parted to let out a number of our chasers and bombers. The enemy was retreating, but Haelin wanted every drop of blood she could get.

Grellik had fucked with the wrong female.

Chapter 15

Jarog

The Narengi leader had not been kidding when she’d stated that her city was well defended. Although the outer walls had taken a number of scratches, and a few buildings and streets had been roughed up by the Burrowers that had made it in, the damages were mostly cosmetic. Disposing of the nearly four hundred corpses and of the wrecked Burrowers would be a bigger hassle.

Thanks to the ultrasonic blasters, we hadn’t suffered a single casualty, although a couple of Narengis had sustained some serious injuries. The rest of us had gotten away with a few bruises and cuts that wouldn’t leave scars. I was still annoyed with Tamryn. It had taken every bit of my willpower not to call for reinforcement on her behalf when she delayed too long to do so. Had she waited a second more, I would have spoken up.

I didn’t want to become the overprotective—not to say controlling—mate, but she was my woman. Her being a skilled warrior and in no way helpless didn’t matter. It was my duty to keep her safe.

While the cleaning work had begun, Haelin called a meeting with her two lieutenants, Tamryn, and me. Loreus had not been invited, but upon his request to join, she allowed him. That stirred my curiosity. Him assisting in today’s battle had not been surprising. However, I would have expected him to not want to get sucked further into this mess, considering his imminent departure.

After going over the preliminary damage reports and assessing our troops readiness should another attack occur, Loreus raised the subject that had prompted his desire to attend the meeting.

“This attack wasn’t retaliation,” Loreus said. “He sent his troops, intent on destroying your city. Instead, he faced another crushing defeat and massive humiliation. His people are defecting, and his allies are turning on him.”

“How do you know that?” Haelin challenged, narrowing her eyes at him.

“I have my contacts,” Loreus said mysteriously. “Ever since you broke me out, Grellik has been trying to recruit other cartels into joining forces with him to obliterate you. The bigger ones were holding off to see how this attack would fare. Now that he has failed so miserably, those who do not simply turn their backs on him will think about attacking him while he’s weakened to take over his territory.”

“Are you implying that I should reach out to the other cartels to strike an alliance with them instead?” Haelin asked.

“No. I’m saying thatyoushould finish off Grellik before he strikes again, or before someone else does him in,” Loreus explained. “He hasno choicebut to attack Satos once more. He’s desperate now, and desperate people do stupid shit. He will sacrifice every single one of his people to destroy you, even if he destroys himself in the process.”

“What makes you so certain?” Haelin asked, echoing my thoughts.

“My pod has been heading logistics for the Cyborg Military Elite for many years now,” Loreus said. “In our function, we’ve worked closely with every department, especially intelligence and secret services. The situation on Xyva has been on our radar for a long time, more specifically Grellik.”

“Why?” I asked, taken aback. “I never heard any of this.”

“Because of what we saw in his lab,” Loreus replied. “Rumors were circulating, from the complaints of the families of the ‘volunteers’ he experimented on to the types of doctors and scientists he’d been recruiting of late. There’s a reason I was so comfortable accepting your hospitality, Haelin Zorani,” he added, turning towards the Narengi female. “Our intelligence service studied you as well, as part of their investigation of Grellik.”

“Why did the Cyborgs care so much about what was happening on Xyva?” Tamryn asked. “Did the Emperor fear a rival?”

“The Emperor knew nothing of it,” Loreus said smugly before turning to me. “Which is why you haven’t heard about it either. The rebellion within the Cyborg ranks had been going on for a while. We realized Grellik was another Shui in the making. We wanted to nip that in the bud because we knew the minute Emperor Shui launched his attack on Bionus, Grellik would try to sneak in through the backdoor. You have to kill him, Haelin.”

“I hear what you’re saying,” she replied with a frown, “but I can’t handle such a big territory.”

“That’s a different issue that can be addressed later,” Loreus countered dismissively. “Youdo not need to run it if you can’t. There will be plenty of time for you to instate someone you trust in that role. First, eliminate Grellik. The next time he attacks, he will go all out, and you won’t get away with only a few scratches.”

“You have given me much to think about,” Haelin said, running a hand over the delicate antlers on top of her head. “I will sleep on it.”

Loreus nodded. Haelin rose to her feet, imitated by Yelena and Lanish.

“Stay a minute. I would like to have a word with you,” Loreus said when I made to stand as well.

“All right,” I said, making no effort to hide my surprise.

Tamryn stared at Loreus with a slight frown before turning her beautiful blue eyes towards me. The troubled glint within didn’t go unnoticed. She caressed my cheek and gave me a rather stiff smile before exiting the room with the others. When the door closed, I turned a questioning look towards him.

“So, Tamryn and you are officially a couple?” he asked, although it came out more as a statement.

I repressed my initial reaction to tell him that it was none of his business. “Yes,” I replied, tilting my head to the side.

“Will she follow you wherever you decide to go?” he insisted.

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