Page 51 of Crimson Flames

“They aren’t punished with violence there. Instead, the guards make them spend their day in a hot bunk, like an intense sauna you can’t leave. It would be manipulation for sure, but I think we can do this to help them trust us.”

“Do what?” Havoc asks while Laney’s pen hovers over her notepad as she also tries to understand.

“If we go in and get the kids out of those bunks first, then take them to the others to vouch for us, it could be enough to win their trust.”

“Kind of like how I saved you,” Nessa says as it clicks.

“Exactly.” I tap my fingers as more ideas come to me. “You could leave some of the guards for them to kill too. Give them weapons after showing them the gun is loaded. That would also get them to believe you.”

Boris nods approvingly while Cillian has this psychotic gleam in his eyes that should probably scare me but really just makes me want to laugh.

“One problem,” Nessa adds, making everyone look at her. “You keep saying ‘we’ and that isn’t happening. You can help us plan, but you have to stay back here where you’re safe.”

Nausea bubbles in my throat as I process her words. “What?”

“Kid, it’s not safe out there,” Cillian adds.

“We cannot promise your protection.” Boris' words hit the hardest because they are the most firm, his voice ringing with authority, making it clear he is one of the ones in charge even if he is the most quiet.

I stand up, my chair nearly tipping over behind me as it screeches along the floor. Nessa flinches, and I know I should feel bad, butwhat the fuck?

“Y-you said I get to choose.”

Damien shakes his head dejectedly as Batman stands, buttoning his suit jacket.

“Throwing a tantrum will not get you your way here, Kai.”

“I am not throwing a tantrum,” I say, slamming my fist into the table. “I’m the one telling you how to set up your entire mission, only to get cut because of what? My age?”

Laney stands and eyes Alexi. Her pink unicorn top should calm me down a bit, but I know better than to think that just because she dresses like a princess that she’s the nice one. Alexi takes a seat again after she gives him a look.

“Kai, we need your help here. We will always need your help. You said that it was important to get to these kids, right?”

Some of the anger in me calms at her gentle voice. “Right,” I say thickly.

“Think about it this way for just a second. We go on this mission to get them out, and you get hurt orworse. How do you think we would all feel? Not only that, but what would the kids we are trying to save think? They could assume we are just like their captors, using child soldiers to do our bidding.”

I make the mistake of looking at Nessa then. That scared, hollow look is back in her eyes. She gave up so much to protect me—put herself between me and death. Put me before her baby.

Sitting down with a resigned sigh, I feel the whole room relax. I’m still hurt, but Laney has a good point.

“Okay.” My voice feels raw, but I agree and try not to feel dejected.

I give them all the information I can think of when it comes to possible locations. I tell them flight times and how many guards have been reported to be there. Between the two other camps, I don’t think there are more than twenty kids combined, but that is still a lot of lives we need to save.

Even if I have to sit at home like the kid they all think I am.

When we have exhausted all avenues for immediate answers, Damien begins rubbing Lev’s shoulders. We already knew this wasn’t going to be an easy task, but Lev thinks it might take a few months if we’re lucky.

“I think it’s time to turn in for the night,” Damien says to us and we all agree.

I stand to head to my room off the kitchen when Boris stops me. I pause by my door as everyone filters out, leaving just the two of us.

“I hope you can understand that we are not trying to punish you or take your choice away. I do not know what would happen to Nessa if you did not make it or if you were hurt, and I think you are one of the main things helping her right now.”

I shake my head and release a breath. “I get it, it just sucks, ya know? I felt like I was part of the team until I got booted off, and this is the only thing I know I’m good at.”

“Not everyone on the team is on the front lines at all times. We have some people stay back to protect what matters here, Lev works in the van most of the time, and it is often someone stays back with him. Just because you are not there with a gun in hand, does not mean you are not important to the team.”

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