Page 79 of Red Demon

“Chasing shadows?”

I shrugged, nodding to all the people around. There was no way I could explain everything right here. I needed to get him alone.

We reached the armory tent. Asher rummaged through the gear, pulling out a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved shirt like his, the fabric hugging tight up the neck.

“Top quality Chaeten leather,” Asher said, holding it up. “Deflects a lot of damage; already saved my life twice. You’d never know by looking at it, right?”

I ran my fingers across the material, surprised by how soft and thin it felt on the inside of the shirt. “Yeah.”

“Did the Chaeten gang have tech like this in Nunbiren?” Ash said, whispering to ensure the soldiers just outside the tent couldn’t hear.

A flicker of unease sparked in my gut. “I didn’t see any Chaeten rebels during the attack.”

“What about the unit that caught them looting?”

“What unit?” I asked.

“The report didn’t specify—classified.” Asher gestured to the shirt. “Put this on under your uniform. Make sure it fits.”

I peeled off my dirty layers to put it on. Asher helped me into the secondary armor, the pieces conforming to my body like a second skin. He strapped on a utility belt loaded with pouches and daggers.

My thoughts whirled as I followed him out of the armory. Wind licked my face as the rest of me stayed warm under the Chaeten leather.

“Jesse, how did Taam die?” Ash whispered.

My heart sank in my chest. “A demon in his mind, after the khels fell.” I clenched my fist. “We should have done what the ghost girl said and left. I should have trusted my instincts.”

He paused, his gaze flickering away for a moment. “What ghost girl?”

I frowned. “Mahakal said he knew about that. I thought he’d have told the whole unit.”

Asher pulled me aside when a cluster of soldiers walked by, and I could see his panic rising. “Tell me everything, from the beginning.”

I recounted everything I thought I could unravel quickly: what the ghost said, Solonstrong, Ruan killing Ola as if she didn’t even know her. Asher’s face contorted into a variety of expressions as I spoke, but he didn’t interrupt.

“That’s very different from what my squad leader told me,” Asher said. “Something is not adding up.”

“Ash, there’s so much more we need to talk about—alone, as soon as possible,” I said. Even now, his ravaged expression and roving eyes were getting stares from passing soldiers.

Before I could say more, a harsh voice sliced the air. “Eirini! What in the voids are you doing with Biohazard?”

Captain Havoc approached, his scarred lips pursed in irritation. His gaze flicked between me and Asher, another furrow appearing on his forehead with each passing second.

“Captain, Sir,” Asher said, his voice tight. “The med tent cleared my brother. I volunteered to help him with his gear.”

Havoc snorted. “Someone in the med tent, not your commanding officer, allowed you to leave your post to do their job?”

Asher opened his mouth to protest, but Havoc cut him off with a sharp gesture. “Back to squad leader Navarro, and expect some extra duties tonight. And you… Biohazard.” Havoc turned his steely gaze on me. “Unless you’ve passed basic and pledged in that shed, you aren’t free to wander. Let’s put you to work in the meantime. You’ll be reporting to me.”

A flicker of concern crossed Asher’s face. He saluted Havoc, then turned to me. “See you later, Brother. Clean that pond water out of your canteen, na?”

Pond water. His code word for someone throwing off his dahn. I gave him an Asri salute farewell, burying the jolt his warning sent through me. Havoc. I shouldn’t trust Havoc. I jerked my head to confirm I had that right, but Asher was already marching off.

Havoc barked another order to follow, and I did, crossing the camp in bold strides. A knot of unease tightened in my stomach.

“All right, soldier,” Havoc snapped, pulling me from my thoughts. “I need you to relieve a guard on the edge of the camp.”

I blinked. It all felt rushed. I hadn’t showered since getting out of quarantine. No one showed me where my quarters were, or even briefed me on basic procedures yet. But I knew enough not to appear defiant when given orders. “Yes sir, Captain Havoc.”