Page 192 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
“Everlyn said you visited me when I was hurt. The other docs couldn’t figure out how I healed so fast, and I reckon I’ve got your Omega magic to thank.”
I look at Shade’s face, now just a tinge of yellow betraying his recent injuries.
“Was saving all the Sparkle dust magic just for you, Jase,” I laugh, and it almost feels normal.
The radio clicks and a distorted sound of shouting rings out. A loud clanging sound makes the radio squeal, a high-pitched ringing tone that makes me recoil from the radio.
“Shit,” I hear Jason say through the clamor.
The ringing stops and Ever speaks rapidly. “Halley, we can’t talk for long. We’ve evacuated from Barkrood Base.They say the human forces breached Dunefold Fortress and they’re taking territory fast. Half of the active duty troops on base just left. They defected!”
“What? Are you safe? You have to get out of there!”
“We have, we’re in a transport truck, but I have to tell you something first.”
“The Omega Division—”
“No.”
“Halley—”
“No, please,” I beg. For what, I’m not sure.
“General Stone disappeared two nights ago. He knew what was coming and he took them. The base went dark the next morning.”
“Why? Why would he—”
I feel sick. My stomach heaves.
What does he want with them? My mind drags up hundreds of scenarios. All of them are horrible and morbid.
“Did you see them? Dazz, Ember, Flicker?”
She sighs. “No. He took them in the middle of the night. No one heard a struggle and as far as we can tell, they went willingly.”
I nod, swallowing back tears. “Do you know where they went?”
“Look, when you died, Jase and I knew something wasn’t adding up. We started digging into some of the shadier parts of the military and stumbled across scraps of intel that suggest General Stone is part of some sort of rebellion. We didn’t have enough time to figure out much, but it has something to do with Omegas.”
“No. Oh no, no, no.”
“All we know is he’s heading for the Blackreach Province.”
I breathe a short sigh of relief. If he was taking them to the Companionship Program, he’d take them to the capital. It’s not ideal, but at least they aren’t going to be subject to that particular fate. “Are you two going to be okay?”
“We have orders to retreat to Hazlin Base, but we’re done being a part of this war machine. We’ve got a truck and supplies to get us to Blackreach Province, and then we’re going after them,” she says in a determined voice until it cracks. A small sob slips through as she utters, “I can’t leave them, not after losing you, Halley.”
I swallow back my own tears and press my eyes shut. The pain in her voice is raw, like an open wound.
“I’m not dead, Ever. Not dead,” I repeat.
There’s a moment of silence between us, filled with unsaid things and so much hurt.
“Where are you?”
I glance up at Knox, who shakes his head. “I can’t say.”
“Shit is… it’s hitting the fan out here, Halley. Please tell me you’re safe.”
