Page 111 of Carnal: The Beast Who Loved Me

“Questions?” asked Blathekin.

Carnal said, “Yeah. Is it necessary to use a pipe cannon to launch one of these?” He held up one of the round balls in his big hand.

“Well, yes. How else could you do it?”

“We could throw them.”

Blathekin started to laugh dismissively, but his smile faded when he realized it was a serious question. “How far do you think you could throw one of these?”

Carnal tossed the ball up, testing for weight, then turned it over in his hand. “A hundred and fifty yards. About.”

Blathekin’s mood turned serious as he looked at Carnal with what appeared to be a newfound respect. “Yes. That would do it.”

“Okay, people, you heard that,” Forshep said. “It means we need more balls and less cannons. Let’s get those trailers loaded fast. Get a move on. We’re burning darkness.”

Rosie grabbed Carnal and pulled him aside. “Carnal.”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“Rosie. This is no time for joking around.”

“I’m not joking! I don’t want you to go.”

“Where’s this coming from?”

“You could be hurt. Or worse. Look around. There are plenty of people, humans and hybrids. They don’t needyou.”

“They don’t need me?” He looked angry. “Yes. They do need me. But even if they didn’t, you think I could live with myself if I stayed behind? We’re going to get my brother. What kind of example would I be setting if I put this in motion and then said, ‘Hey. Good luck. Let me know how it turns out’.”

“Yes. You could live with yourself. And with me!”

His face softened when he realized she was scared of losing him. “Rosie. Love is the most important thing in the world, but it doesn’t stand alone. It has to be supported by people who are worth loving. If I didn’t go try to get my brother away from those monsters, I wouldn’t beworthloving. At this moment, you’re the most important thing in the world to me, but I can’t hide from this. Not even for you.”

And in that moment, as she searched Carnal’s face and saw the truth of his heart reflected in his eyes, she understood what Glen had once tried to tell her. A person can love and put themselves at risk at the same time, especially when the cause is a noble one.

Carnal saw understanding flicker across her face and was grateful. He kissed her with emotion born of both gratitude and reality, knowing there was a chance it would be the last time. And then he let her go. “Help us get ready.”

“I’m going.”

“You are not going.”

“If you’re going, I’m going.”

“Rosie, you cannot go. I can’t do my job and worry about you at the same time.”

“You know there’s nothing to worry about. I can take care of myself. Remember?”

“Intellectually I know that, but emotionally I don’t. You’re not going.”

She knew there was no point in arguing so she pretended to acquiesce. If he thought he could keep her away, then he really didn’t understand her at all.

By the time they had sorted out which humans would go, the seventy or so who would be left behind actually looked disappointed rather than relieved.

Sychon, Free, and Forshep had agreed on a plan that might, admittedly, have holes, but was the best they could come up with on such short notice. The three stood on a table in the center of the room, side by side, to address the troops.

Forshep spoke first. “The first wave of attack will be handheld weapon only. We will give Exiled back up in their attempt to extract their captive. If we’re able to lay down fire cover for them, without endangering them, we will do so. If not, we will wait for their signal that they have the prisoner and are clear. In that event, and only in that event, will we utilize the pipe cannons or advance with automatic riflery.”