Page 114 of Gift from the Source
My uncles surround her and comfort her. There’s guilt written across her face as though she holds all the fault for what our rotten grandmother did. What the previous generation of Gales did.
They spoiled Vicki so rotten, her murdering her cousin didn’t even make them bat their eyes.
This isn’t Aunt Rory’s fault, though. It’s none of ours, but we have to stop it.
“He was the distraction that night that the three of you got free that final time,” I say, looking at Trex and gaining everyone’s attention back.
“He was the cloaked man,” Dec whispers, and Xander and Trex turn their heads to him. “When all the commotion of whatever was happening started, the cloaked man told us what direction to run and not to stop. It was him.”
“Shit,” Trex breathes and looks to me for confirmation.
“That was my uncle’s last conversation with Dillon. He asked him if everything was in place to get the three of you free.”
“Then we fucked it up royally,” Xander bites out, hanging his head low.
“There’s more to it than this, T-man. Not that all of this isn’t important, it is, but he’s been a Mastery member for what, damn two hundred years? Why isn’t he higher ranked than what he is? Did he stay under the scope so he could spy better or what?” Draken asks knowingly and I nod.
“That’s exactly what he did. He stayed quiet, kept his head down, and listened. Interfered where he could and told his brothers anything of importance at their monthly meetups. Eight years ago, Dillon told him to make himself known. Not in the sense of who he was but what he was capable of. He just took over Gish’s role when Willow burned him beyond repair.”
Draken and Cas snicker at that, breaking up the intensity in the air, but Willow’s voice silences them.
“Eight years ago. When CC died. They didn’t know what direction everything was going to go in, so they decided to get him higher up and closer to the Summum-Master.”
“And back closer to them. They see high-ranked officials more than lower ones, so it made them speaking with him less suspicious. Since taking over this ranking, he hasn’t recruited anyone in like he’s supposed to have been. Their numbers are…devastating. More than we could’ve assumed. At least a couple hundred stronger than us. He’s been trying to slow down recruitment on his end as best as he can.
“He’s slacked on their training. His interference is basically why at all ten of those locations, the Mastery members were like sitting ducks. He hasn’t given them any orders in weeks. He’s supposed to be preparing them.
“We were right in the assumption their gearing up. They most certainly are. In two weeks’ time, they were going to attack the Central. That was the last order he received two days ago. He got that order, went to his first location, and did nothing. Then we caught him.”
Again, the room descends into silence and my heartbeat thuds in my ears.
The hundreds more soldiers than our E.F. is a fear-inducing piece of knowledge.
Everyone realizes we’re now in a position of truly not knowing what’s going to happen. We have no one really on the inside, we’ve changed the trajectory of the Summum-Master’s plans, and the waiting game begins.
We must be prepared at all times from this moment forward.
“Roye, Tillme, prepare the E.F. for imminent battle. Station them spread out around the Central lines. No more missions for the time being. We continue with our plans, and we still host the Spring Ball. Everyone will be listening to everything. Both the Gales and the Everglows have sent in their agreements for attendance. Maybe we will gather something from them. Get the academies ready and inform the headmasters. The students are not to leave. From this moment on, we proceed as though Elementra is under attack.”
Aunt Rory’s words send a chill through the air. There’s a finality in them that is undeniable. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up and my chest pounds with anticipation.
It’s a collective pulse. From my brothers, myself, and most importantly our Primary.
Our heartbeats sync and thud together as one.
My little warrior lets out a slow breath that has everyone else inhaling deeply. Her strength pours through our bond, causing my brothers and me to straighten our shoulders. She nods to each of us before facing the others.
“We prepare for war.”
Fourteen
Willow
Judging by the position of the sun outside the window in my foyer, the guys are about to finish up what they’re doing, and they’ll be here soon.
With only two days now until the Spring Ball, they’ve been wrapping up everything they can, then they come straight home. Oakly, Gaster, and I stay behind at the palace and do whatever Aurora needs us to, or we work around the relics.
Now that we know a little more about the Gods Binding, it has Oakly beyond fascinated. She studies that thing under a magnifying glass.
