Page 38 of The Blind Hordesman

“I mean what I said.”

A wet cloth hits my chest, and Kiki pushes against my shoulder, trying to move me back against the wall. I glare in her direction.

“You should rest,” she says. “And you,” she adds, “should find someone else to chastise. I think what he did was incredibly brave, and if he didn’t do it, there would be no drones for General Dreikx to examine, and you’d have no idea what you’re facing, seeing as you’ve underestimated my father and his fondness for technological innovations.”

I smile. “Kiki’s your new boss.”

“It’s Rickie Lee,” she corrects, but I hear the smile in her voice.

“Kiki,” I say firmly.

Footsteps pace back and forth. I’m surprised Arkin hasn’t brought up the de-collection Dreikx executed for me. I’m super curious how he convinced Arkin to give her up. Collectors get all worked up over Omegas in the ranks, which is why we’re required to turn them in. Arkin gets exceptionally worked up over Omegas because he’s inherited my uncle Tayseer’s fondness for Omegas and the obsessive behaviors that come with Collecting. An Omega in the ranks while Alpha units are on a mission is a big no in my uncle’s book, and I used to agree. That’s why I called the Collectors to retrieve her in the first place. I did that before I grew fond of her. Besides, I didn’t think my brother would come personally.

When he says nothing, I prompt, “Say hi to Kiki, Arkin. Try to be normal, make her feel like she’s already part of family, because she will be.” I stick my tongue out and taste her scent. “Very soon.”

His pacing ceases. “I’d like a word with my brother alone.”

“Of course.” Kiki readies to leave. I reach out and catch her ankle.

She tugs.

“Stay,” I say.

“Seer,” Arkin warns. “Omegas don’t belong here. The imposter annihilated his own people and blew up the entire town. If it weren’t for the Telean pod that took you up into the sky, you would have blown up with it. If she stays with you, you are risking her life.”

“I need her.”

“It’s not up to you,” he counters.

“My camp, my males, my rules.”

“You have no males left. There’s no camp.”

I wince. I am sad for the loss of my males, but I have no time to mourn. We move like the wind and upward, onward. “Another Warlord division will join me. This is not my first loss, and it won’t be my last. We keep moving.”

“The law about Omegas is clear. The king’s words are final.”

“Raven is king now.”

Arkin snarls.

Serpent’s balls, I love how this shuts him up.

“He hasn’t changed anything about those laws,” my brother says.

“He also never imposed them on me. Even Uncle Tay bent the rules for me. You will too.”

“Will not.”

“Will too.”

“I will kick you in the face!” he shouts.

Ha! “Temper, asshole.”

His pacing resumes. “Who’s the cage for?”

“There’s a cage?” I tap around me and find the bars. Great.

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