Page 106 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

Gravel crunched beneath their feet as Gray led them to a nondescript iron door fitted into the rough, rocky walls. Their hushed whispers and clanking swords echoed throughout the chamber, bouncing off the high ceilings.

Pulling his dagger from his hip, Gray swiftly sliced a cut several inches long into his right palm, then placed his hand flat against the metal. With a long groan of gears turning and then a shortpop, the door clicked open. He ushered them through the door, passing through a shield of magic so intense that Lea sucked in a sharp inhale.

You okay?Gray asked, squeezing her hand.

Lea squeezed back.Just fine,Lea answered with a reassuring smile as they entered a large living area. It had been built as a common room for the rebellion, a massive stone cavern with soaring ceilings and enough tables and chairs to serve meals or gather together for meetings. To the left, through a large rectangular opening, was a training room equipped with all types of weaponry, as well as mats and bags for sparring. Through an identical door to the right, carved from the stone of the mountain itself, were the sleeping quarters. There were three dozen small rooms, as well as four large barracks. And straight ahead through another, smaller door, were offices for himself and his most trusted soldiers as well as storage rooms for food and a kitchen.

It was late, and the common room was empty, but Gray knew that Vincent would have been alerted of their arrival and would likely be waiting for them in Gray’s office. The others looked around in awe as they walked, Janelle and Lea muttering to each other about their shock that something this large could’ve existed so close to their homes without their knowledge.

It wasn’t anything fancy, just cavern after cavern that he had whittled away one room at a time, but he was proud of it all the same.

"I’ll give you a tour later," he said, his words clipped. "For now, this is the way to our meeting rooms."

Gray was unsurprised when he walked into the chamber that he used as his main office to strategize and found Vincent sitting behind his broad stone desk. What did surprise him, though, was that Thomas was also present, casually leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed in front of him. As Gray moved to shake Vincent’s hand, Thomas stood up straighter. His eyes were focused on Lea, and Gray guessed from the intensity of his stare that he desperately wanted to get her attention.

A possessive growl rumbled in Gray’s chest, and Gray's shadows begged to be set free, but he held them in. Now was not the time.

"Do you have news?" Vincent asked, leading them to a large sitting area in the corner of the room.

"Eudora’s curse is broken." Gray wasted no time getting to the point. "Our plan is working, except," Gray looked at Lea, wondering once again how much of her visions were true. "We think Alaric has plans to kill my father and steal his power, or more likely, has done so already."

Vincent exhaled harshly, but maintained his composure. "That changes things."

"It does," Gray agreed. "Which is why we need to be prepared sooner than we thought. What progress has been made here?" They’d initially thought they'd have months, if not more, to prepare the rebels. They were well hidden, after all, and they had been more than thorough with keeping their intentions—and his involvement—a secret. They had taken care to be subtle, to thoroughly plan for every contingency. But if Alaric had been successful in stealing his father’s power, it indeed changedeverything. The two of them separately would have been a challenge. But Alaric holding their power combined? It seemed insurmountable.

Vincent straightened his shoulders.

"We relocated the residents of Bearswillow to Pelar, but many remained to fight with us. Scouts have been deployed throughout the kingdom, and more rebels have appeared from all over Desia. They’re showing up every day. Many cite your father, Henry, as their deciding factor for joining us." Vincent nodded his head to Lea. "Our numbers have more than tripled since we left Auropera."

"Good." A bit of Gray’s worries eased. Henry was staying true to his word and recruiting more men and women for their cause. They needed as many people as possible if they were to stand a chance.

"We’ve identified those with strong fighting skills, as well as those with magic, and have assigned them to duties that complement their abilities. For those without magic or experience in combat, we’ve been training every day and assessing where they will be most useful."

"Excellent job, Vincent." Gray rubbed a hand across his scruffy face, suddenly so very tired. There was nothing more they could do tonight, not with everyone asleep. Tomorrow he would get to work helping assess the new arrivals, as well as strategizing for how to best utilize everyone’s skill set.

Emma stood up abruptly. "I’d like to speak to those with magic." She cleared her throat. "And my mom." She bounced on the balls of her feet. "Um, please."

Gray quietly observed her posture. Emma stood tall with her chin raised in confidence, but he didn’t miss the way her fingers nervously tapped her thighs. Emma had been nearly silent for weeks, and when Gray had given her Eudora’s potion, she had simply taken it from his hand with a thank you and turned away.

"I’ve been learning about different abilities, and I think I might be of help," she continued.

"Of course," Gray answered. It was obvious Emma was hiding something, but his gut told him to trust her. He was confident that she would confide in them when she connected the rest of the dots of whatever it was she was planning. "Vincent, will you make the arrangements for Emma to meet with all those with magic in the morning? And bring her to Elise. She’d wring my neck if she found out that I brought her daughter back and didn't tell her straight away."

"Consider it done." Vincent rose. "For now, I think it’s best ifeveryonerests."

"I agree." Gray didn’t miss the way Vincent’s eyes lingered on the shadows he was certain darkened his eyes. "It’s been a long journey."

With the mumble of agreement, everyone stood and turned to leave, but Thomas stepped forward.

"Lea, I’d like to speak with you. If that’s okay with you, of course." Thomas looked to Gray, his face flushing slightly. Gray’s shadows twisted inside him, but once again he held them back. If he believed that Thomas would hurt Lea in any way, he would be rotting in the ground already, not here with them, preparing for war. While he wanted nothing more than to take his mate away, bring her to their room, and explore her body in the comfort of his own bed, in the safety of his own home, he wouldn’t stop Lea from speaking with her friends, even if he didn’t particularly likethisfriend.

"It’s her decision. Not mine." Gray tilted his head toward Lea, removing his sword from his back and rolling his neck from side to side.

"Of course." Thomas blushed, lowering his eyes. "Lea?"

"Sure." Lea said, leaning up to give Gray a kiss on the cheek before following Thomas into the common room. They settled at a nearby table, and Gray’s shoulders relaxed a bit as Thomas positioned himself diagonally on the opposite bench, as far away from Lea as he could possibly sit. Good. The boy had some sense, after all.

Gray’s shadows implored him for permission to drift across the floor and listen to the conversation unfolding just outside the room, but he trusted his mate and wouldn’t betray her confidence by doing what his overprotective Fae urges demanded. Forcing his eyes away, he turned to Vincent.

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