Page 94 of Rhuyin

“I didn’t, sir,” Rhu responded, a flush spreading across his face. “This is all new.”

O’Fallon harrumphed as he looked at us. His eyes caught on Helios and recognition seemed to spark and his gaze turned thoughtful.

“You’re Asimenios, right?” he asked.

Hel nodded.

“Yes, sir. Helios Asimenios. I’ve been on—special assignment—for the War Leader.”

“I’ve heard. You’re the one we have to thank for the influx of Mageia,” he responded.

“I was in the right place at the right time, sir,” Hel responded modestly.

O’Fallon’s gaze ran around the room.

“Who are your other friends, Katastrofis?”

“This is Luke Alexus,” Rhu began. “My Bonded.”

O’Fallon’s eyebrows almost climbed to his hairline in surprise this time.

“When didthathappen?” he asked.

“Just a few days ago,” Rhu began, but O’Fallon waved him off.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been assigned a mission,” he said. “And as I told you, once assigned, there is no backing out.”

“I understand, sir, and I am prepared to do my duty.”

There was a warm, tingly feeling in my chest as I watched my Bonded interact with his superior. All I could sense from him was a sense of determination to do what needed to be done, and I was so proud of him.

“This is a classified mission, Katastrofis. I can’t share it with your family.”

His words startled me.Family. I had a family. Other than Dagan, I’d never had anyone I considered family before, except maybe Dagan.

“You can,” Elex interrupted. “If we plan on being a part of that mission team.”

O’Fallon’s eyes narrowed as he began to object and I saw Rhu straighten, his hands signing an emphaticNo way.

Yes, way,I responded.

The worry in his eyes had turned their color a deep green. I knew he was going to fight me on this, but there was no way I was letting him go without me.

I can’t let you do that!he signed.

I don’t think you can stop me,I replied.Where you go, I go.

“I think more detailed introductions may be in order,” O’Fallon said.

“Commander O’Fallon, as I said, this is my Bonded. Next to him is his brother, Elex Lapydes. He and Hel are Bonded.” Rhu replied, obviously torn between fighting with me and answering O’Fallon’s question.

“This is highly irregular—” O’Fallon began but his phone rang at just that moment.

“Excuse me, I thought that was on silent,” O’Fallon went to turn his phone off, then looked at the display and paled slightly. Without another word to us he answered the phone.

“O’Fallon,” he said in clipped tones. He listened for a moment before saying. “Sir. Yes, sir, I—Yes sir. Understood.”

He hung up the phone and turned back to us.