Page 62 of Echoes of War

“You ready for this?” I asked, helping Moe secure her extra pack on the back of her horse.

She scoffed, “Did alright on my own the few years before I met you, can handle myself out there just fine.”

“You’re so brave, Moe. I want to be just like you when I grow up,” I said, a broad grin on my face.

Moe playfully bumped against my shoulder. “Look who’s talking.”

I turned, setting my eyes on Reina, now saying a tearful goodbye to Sloan and her aunt. I was happy she’d gotten this bit of closure after she’d lost so much. But just as that bit of closure had come, she was back out on the road, this time, for the first time, without her brother at her side.

“I’m worried about her,” I mumbled, knowing Moe had heard every word.

She sighed in response. “Yeah, me too.”

I faced the sister next to me, the black layers drowning her out while allowing her to blend in with the night and remain warm. “I’m worried about you, too.”

The surrounding darkness hid it to an extent, but her nose crinkled in response. “I know what I have to do. You shouldn’t worry.”

“I always will,” I said, making sure she not only understood, but knew the gravity of my words.“No matter how far the war takes us from each other.”

Her mouth twitched, giving me a half smile. “How many times do you want me to tell you that you shouldn’t worry?”

“How much time do you got?” I teased, “Not gonna tell me you’re worried about me too?”

“You’re annoying, not dumb.”

Moe winked, her dark eyes glistening in the moonlight above. We stood there, taking each other in for possibly the last time. I studied every inch of her, from her long dark hair pulled off her pointed, sporadically freckled face. The thick socks creviced over her wool lined boots, her long legs covered by thermo pants and gloves covered her small hands. My sister, my beautiful little demon on my shoulder.

“I don’t have to worry about you anymore,” she said, her voice gentle as she gestured over toward Alexiares. “You have him. He’s good for you.”

“Sloan doesn’t think that,” I snapped. In my defense, I had said I could understand where her concerns rooted from, not that her judgment on him had brushed off me.

Alexiares stood off to the side, engaging in a stern conversation with Abel. Then his features relaxed. Abel reached out offering him a handshake. He looked at it for a moment before pullinghim into a hug. I fought the smile from my lips, noticing how comfortable he’d gotten to displaying affection since he’d arrived in Monterey what felt like ages ago. Abel tensed, his face leaning heavenward, and he blinked in quick succession, fighting off the tears that threatened to fall.

He was certainly entitled to being emotional over leaving this place, but the sadness taking over him hadn’t been expected. I watched him, realizing this place had become another home to him for the last two and half years.

“Sloan doesn’t seem to think about a lot of things,” Moe paused, “but that doesn’t mean she’s not a good friend. I didn’t see that before, and I’m sorry for that. I see it clearly now, though. She’d do anything for you. Rough around the edges, but a solid person. Take your time with your goodbyes.”

My gaze fell on Moe, studying her for a moment. She would not say more than that. It had already taken all the maturity in her body to say those words. I nodded, pulling her into a tight hug.

“I love you. Be safe,” I said.

Her body shuddered against mine. “Always. I love you too, sister. Until fate decides to intervene again.”

“Whenever destiny chooses to meddle once more.”

She pulled away, walking over in the direction of Alexiares. Moe gave Sloan a tense up down, a quick nod of respect as she passed by, to which Sloan gave her a similar one back.

I moved toward Reina, now leaned over her pack, checking it one last time before she tossed it over her back. She turned at my footsteps, tears immediately coming to the surface. I was in her arms within seconds, the smell of vanilla and something tangy coming from her usual fur coat.

“I … I don’t think I’ve been without you since we met,” Reina said in between shaky breaths. She nuzzled her head on the top of my head as if she was trying to remember my scent.

I laughed her off. “That’s not true. I’ve been on plenty of missions where you stayed back.”

“I know, but not for this long.” She rebutted, “It’s weird, like a part of my soul is being left behind.”

“Likewise, my sister, likewise.” It took everything in me to keep it together. If I fell apart, then she would too, and I needed her to remain confident in herself.

“I’m gonna make you proud, I promise,” Reina replied, reading the words right out of my mind.

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