Page 33 of Echoes of War

Lola and I shook our heads at the same time, but she was the one who answered. “Tinkerers and Scholars as you all say in Monterey.”

“How did you know where I came from?” Amaia’s eyes narrowed and her hand reached toward her weapons still strapped to her hip.

None of anything she carried would do us any good here. By the hesitancy in her movements, she knew that. Still, she was skeptical though Lola had posed no true threat to us yet. We’d caught her on one of her better days, but I understood Amaia’s reluctance to trust someone who clearly knew more about her than either of us had divulged.

“I know more than you think, General.”

“You’ve heard of me.” The absence of a menacing look on Lola and María’s face calmed her suspicions. “Does that mean you’ll help us?”

“Help is already on the way.” Lola grinned mischievously.

Amaia’s grin fell from her face before it had a chance to fully form. “And the cost of your help is …”

“Consider this an act of good faith. I’m sure our paths will cross again in the future.”

There were fifteen in Lola’s coven, and only half of them could leave their little compound for it to remain safe against any threats that may make their way here. The numbers dwindled when we realized that some would have to follow close behind Reina and Tomoe on their emissary tour. The remaining others would work through Duluth’s population, then spread out throughout the allied territories. It was fair enough. We were just thankful for the ease of which Lola was willing to help. I thought it would have taken far longer to convince her, but she had her ownScholarhere who was able to see the same daunting future Moe had seen.

She noted that there were other covens she knew spread around what was left of the continental United States. Lola would get the word out and hopefully, others would be inclined to help. She remained hopeful—that had to mean something. Tomoe hadn’t sent the spell with us for obvious reasons; Lola’s people would have to get it when they arrived at Duluth in a few days. From there they would relay the message to Lola, and Lola to the others.

As we lay on the lumpy mattress of straw and feathers Lola had crafted, I lay awake that night listening to the soft snores of Amaia. She tossed and turned in her sleep, her curls soaked withsweat of whatever nightmare she was having before she finally settled. She inched closer to me, tucking her body against mine.

I curved to meet her position, my arm spanning across her waist, and I pulled her closer. The sweet scent of her hair made me relax instantly. A taste of home no matter the distance I was from Monterey.

The thought kept me awake longer than I wanted to be. I hoped we would live to see the end of this, because I wanted nothing more than to experience my new home with her by my side every night for the rest of my life.

Reina

In the last few weeks, I hadn’t had a moment of boredom, but I found myself to be quite antsy since Amaia left. I sat on the floor, ripping apart the God-awful clothing this place had and creating something new. You would think they would have some vague sense of style here. It’d probably make living here a heck of a lot better. I mean, layering up made the fashion possibilities endless, it was such a waste.

When things got better again, I’d ask Amaia if I could come spend some time up here. Someone would have to show them that part of getting to a new normal was acting as though some of the smaller things, like how they presented themselves, mattered.

A hurried knock against the door startled the life out of me, making me jump. Tomoe never bothered to knock back home, plus she knew how to pick these crappy locks easily. Alexi andAmaia were still gone; as far as I knew, they weren’t due back for another day, maybe longer. It could be Abel, though he hadn’t stopped by the room without being invited yet. I grabbed the knife Alexi had given me and tucked it into my trousers.

Sloan blocked most of the door frame, an oddly serene visage on her face that I hadn’t seen since the last time I’d visited her in The Before. She tried to push her way through, but I shifted into her path, wanting to know why she was here before letting her into my last place of peace.

“I think it’s about time we had a talk,” she said calmly.

I glanced over her, shocked to see the older woman with strawberry blonde hair in her wake. “Auntie,” I gulped out.

It wasn’t a surprise that she was in Duluth. At my door, however, was unexpected. Sloan had rejected each of my requests to see her. I guess with my brother’s nonsense, Sloan couldn’t be too sure I wouldn’t hurt her.

“Reina.” She flew into my arms, hugging me tightly.

My body tensed.

It’d been a long time since I’d let someone hug me. Well, a long time in my book. Okay, perhaps only a few weeks, since before Seth left me behind.

“You want to know about Uncle Harris,” I said, pulling her back from the embrace. They offered rigid nods in response. “Come in.”

“Was going to do that anyway since I own the entire place.” The cold in Sloan’s voice slipped through again.

My auntie wasn’t having any of her crappy attitude. She grabbed her shoulder in warning. “Sloan Victoria Moore.”

“Sorry,” Sloan, shrugged at me half apologetically.

They moved across the small living room and took a seat on the couch. I forced myself to sit across from them on the coffee table, the guilt already creeping back up in my heart.

Taking a few meditating breaths, I spilled it all: how I’d caught Hunter and Uncle Harris arguing, about what, I wasn’t sure. He had shot my brother in the back of the head when he’d turned away, ready to leave whatever they had argued about behind them. It was so typical of Hunter, he hated confrontation.

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