Page 135 of Fated

I buckled up and focused on Ash as he ran through the plan, while Xanth manually entered the coordinates to the outpost. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of anxiety as the charger took flight, but I forced myself to concentrate on Ash’s voice.

“We’re approximately two hundred and fifty miles from the central outpost located in Astern,” he began. “I’ve enchanted the charger to pass through my wards for four hours. It’ll take us about an hour and a half to get there. The charger’s equipped with the same technology as your suit. Once we activate stealth mode, it’ll blend into the surroundings, and the landing will be near silent.”

I nodded, trying to absorb every detail as he continued.

“We’ll assess the number of rippers occupying the outpost while we’re still in the air. Greyson, Xanth, and I plan to be in and out within minutes. You’ll remain safely locked inside the charger until we return. Once we have Calyx contained, you’llneed to give him a glimpse of his memories. After we’re home, we’ll worry about fully healing him.”

“Ok,” I said, nodding in understanding. “But what happens if you’re attacked?” I was genuinely concerned.

Ash exchanged a look with Greyson and Xanth. All three shared the same mischievous grin.

“They won’t know what hit them,” Greyson answered.

“As far as raw power goes, Xanth is loaded and specializes in hand-to-hand combat when we can’t rely on magic,” Ash said, motioning toward his brother.

“Xanth is a beast in a fight. Ash doesn’t even stand a chance against Xanth without his magic,” Greyson added with a chuckle.

“Oh, please. He’s good, but let’s not oversell him,” Ash called back, clearly amused as Greyson laughed louder.

Then, Ash pointed at Greyson. “Greyson is one of a kind.”

Greyson opened his hands, and electricity danced between his fingers, crackling with energy. “And Ash is a whole damn arsenal,” Greyson said, smirking as Xanth nodded in agreement.

Ash’s mouth curved into a cocky grin, and he winked at me.

I giggled and rolled my eyes at their display. The sheer confidence radiating from the three of them was comforting, easing the tension in my chest.

“Damn, I can’t believe we’ll all be back together by tonight,” Greyson said, his grin wide and infectious.

The air was charged with excitement at the prospect of bringing Calyx home.

“We’ll let Calyx adjust,” Ash continued, “and then he and I will get into Astern undetected, gather intel on Agidius, and bring Reize home.”

Greyson nodded. “Shit, you’ll have to physically restrain Calyx the second he realizes where Reize is.”

“That boy’s been chasing her like a lovesick puppy for what, three hundred years now?” Xanth laughed.

Ash turned to me, grinning. “The day I brought Calyx home and he saw Reize, he told me, ‘I’m going to marry your sister.’”

“And Reize wouldn’t give him the time of day for the first hundred years!” Xanth chuckled.

“He’s been hopelessly in love with her ever since,” Greyson added, and they all burst into laughter.

I found myself joining in, their laughter infectious.

“Remind me what Calyx’s power is?” I asked Ash.

“Calyx is also one of a kind,” Ash explained. “He harnesses the power of light. He can bend it around himself—or all of us—to make us invisible. He can also concentrate it into a weapon, like a laser.”

“Don’t forget his secret power!” Greyson added, laughing.

That sent both Ash and Xanth into fits of laughter, doubling over as they tried to catch their breath.

“What is it?” I asked, giggling.

“He turns himself into a giant ass glow stick,” Ash said.

“He wears that giant goofy grin of his like a kid in a candy shop, and then his skin goes all glowy,” Xanth added, laughter erupting from everyone in the charger.

---