Page 55 of Captured
“Good.” I purse my lips, exposing my fangs. “Then we can set up our trap.”
The heaviness of what is to come descends on me and I hold Juliet closer. I was born for this, for leading men into battle and into peace. For choosing between life and death.
I’m not going to fail now.
“Whoever the traitor is, he will reveal himself.”
Darhk’s face takes on a savage expression and his eyes gleam with the thirst for blood that has characterized his entire life. Not for the first time, I wonder if he will ever be capable of settling down, finding peace and happiness. Find an Amara to anchor his heart.
“We will be ready. We have an advantage over him now. If the traitor is inside the Freedom now, he doesn’t know about your crash and the failed attack.”
As Darhk speaks, I see he is right.
“The Freedom is one of the most advanced ships the Rebellion possesses, it is well shielded against spies. Any transmission would automatically be flagged and the traitor would reveal himself.”
My lips lift up into a savage grin as I understand Darhk’s point.
“The Rebellion is still waiting for my signal. The traitor won’t know we’re coming for him.”
We have the advantage now. We can’t afford to lose it.
“We can’t trust anyone in the Rebellion from now on,” I say and Darhk silently agrees. “The traitor is embedded deep inside the organization. We can’t rule anyone out, not even at the very top.”
Darhk exhales and I can see his mind rolling out names, assessing the trust he has in them. But my brother trusts no one. No one but his own.
“How will we flush the traitor out?” Darhk finally asks. “We can’t afford to fail.”
My lips fall back over my fangs and I inhale, deep. Darhk is right. We have only one chance at unmasking the enemy in our midst.
“Whoever it is, he will have to steal both the data frame and the key. Only then will he break his silence and contact the Black Star. If we want to flush him out, we will have to give him both.” I begin, the seed of my plan taking root as I speak. “Is Harko on board the Pearl?”
Darhk nods. Our brother seldom leaves his workshop at the Drakian Academy, but this mission is important enough that he chose to follow.
“You want to set him up with a decoy?” Darhk rubs his chin. “It’s not a bad plan, but it remains to be seen if Harko can replicate this level of technology before the Rebellion arrives.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing our brother like to prove to everyone how smart he is.”
“We have a plan, then.”
Darhk turns his back on me and returns to his observation point at the window. His gaze sets on the Pearl. It often does. The ship is my brother’s most prized possession, the closest thing he’s ever had to a lover.
Now that we have our plan, we’ll have to set up the trap.
The rest will be painted in blood. There will be no mercy for the traitor, no redemption.
