Page 127

The Last Supper

A fter we have dressed, we head back to the celebration.

I need to speak to some of the guards here, and put people in charge for when I leave and just in case I don’t come back.

I also need to speak to my generals. Dray and I are leaving tomorrow, and they need to be made aware of exactly what needs to happen.

I leave the ring on, the stones catching the firelight and shining as we make our way through The Ring.

It seems so strange here now, like the weight of Ivar’s reign has lifted.

There’s more laughter, I don’t spot any slaves, and everyone is drinking and enjoying themselves.

I stand for a moment on the edge of the crowd, just looking out at them all.

Who knew a slave girl like me would end up here?

Dray reaches for my hand, twining our fingers as he looks out with me, and I feel nearly complete.

There is a hole at my back and other side where my other men should be, but hopefully next time we are here, they will be with me and I will be complete again.

“Let’s get something to eat before you start giving orders, I’m hungry,” Dray says, tugging me along with him.

I roll my eyes but follow him over to the building that holds the cafeteria.

People are spilling out of the doors, drinking and eating, and spread out outside because there obviously isn’t enough room inside.

I nod at some and greet them as we pass, but it’s like the mention of food has reminded me how hungry I am, and my stomach growls and I grin.

I’m used to going without eating, but I’ve been spoiled recently, and it’s clear my stomach is used to it now .

When we step through the door, the chaos hits me square in the face.

It’s really loud in here with men drinking, fighting, and eating over every surface.

Women sit on laps, joking and teasing men, and I grin at the sight.

This feels like a home no bike on the road ever could.

I head to the bar in the corner, grab a bottle, and head to the table where Erik, Henry, and Bern are sitting with a few others.

Dray goes and gets us some food as I hover over the table.

A Seeker gets up instantly, nods at me, and moves to a different table.

I sit in his spot and they all grin over at me, and Bern hollers in laughter when he spots the ring on my finger.

I flip him the bird and down some of the alcohol as they all whoop and howl.

Word must spread, because soon everyone is looking over at me and changing our names.

Sands below.

I turn to see Dray grinning as he hops up on a table and holds out his arms. “It’s true, I have been tamed!

” he yells, and everyone stomps and cheers.

“The Seeker King now has a queen!” he finishes, and toasts everyone with a stolen drink.

He tosses it back, grabs two trays, and saunters over to me, plonking one in front of me as he straddles the end of the bench by my side.

“Really?” I mutter, but he winks at me and I can’t help but smile.

Eventually, everyone quiets down and goes back to their own conversations, and I work my way through the meat on my plate as I listen to them all.

“So, tomorrow we leave?” Erik inquires, watching me as he sips from his metal goblet.

I nod around a mouthful of meat before washing it down with some booze. “We’ll eat and then I’ll go over everything, but yes.”

Bern butts in then, slamming his fist onto the table. “I cannie wait to get back at those Cities fuckers,” he declares loudly.

“We will win.” Henry nods.

That makes me feel better. I’m not leading them to slaughter, but I know I’m right.

This is about more than just my men, they wont stop there.

They will keep coming and the Wastes will fall into chaos, becoming easy for them to snatch and rule, and from what I’ve heard, they don’t rule fairly.

The North has suffered enough, they need to be stopped, and if it means we have to lose lives to do it, then so be it.

You can’t save every life, you just can’t, and sometimes you have to sacrifice to save the many.

Major’s words ring in my head. Did he know what he was preparing me for, or did he just know the burden of leadership? I will sacrifice before this war is through, I know it, but I won’t be asking for that without giving myself. I will be right there alongside them, fighting until the bitter end.

I finish eating and sip my booze as I join the conversations, laughing and joking with my men, and forgetting everything for a while.

We play drinking games, watch a Seeker get knocked out, and Dray only kills one person.

Overall, it’s a good night, but I can feel time passing and I know I need to have our discussions before we leave and get some sleep.

Who knows when we will get to sleep again? It won’t do to fight tired.

Erik must notice, because he tosses back his drink and stands. “Come on, generals, our queen needs us.”

“That sounds filthy,” I mutter, and Dray laughs next to me and leans in.

“It better not be, I still have twenty blades on me,” he threatens, and I look him over, wondering where they are hidden before I shake my head and stand, drinking the rest of the bottle.

Bern and Henry follow, while Dray grabs more meat on his way out, munching as we head over to the meeting room.

I would bring them to Major’s office, but I remember his letter, and honestly I don’t want strangers in that space.

I look over at Bern. “Will you grab me the head guard of The Ring please?”

“Aye, Ma Queen.” He plods off, and he’s so big, people dodge away from him, clearing his path. I grin as I carry on walking.

There is a dead body on the steps of the building, and I don’t even blink as I step over it and head inside.

I spot Nan turning a corner, obviously heading for one of the rooms with a pissed looking Reeves behind her.

I hide my smirk. Seems the dirty old bitch likes to ride the scavs, I can’t wait to use it against the old broad.

The Summit room is empty when we get there, and I take my seat at the head of the table as we wait for Bern to get back.

He trudges back in with the man I met at the gate behind him. Bern takes a seat, the wood creaking under his weight, and the guard hovers at the end of the table, clearly unsure.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Ace,” he replies instantly.

“Good, sit.” I nod and he grabs a seat, spinning it and sitting backwards as he looks around at us.

“I’ve read Major’s letter, I know I’m in charge.

Now, I’m not going to change many of his rules, they mostly still stand.

This is a safe place, so no fighting on the grounds or they are killed.

The only thing I’m changing is this—no more slaves here.

It isn’t welcome. I know I can’t stop everyone from having them in the Wastes, but they aren’t welcome here.

Anyone, man or woman, caught with a slave will be killed, and the slave given his possessions and freedom. ”

He whistles then but doesn’t seem angry. “That’s a hella big rule change, might piss some people off.”

“Good, can you handle it?” I inquire, grinning at him .

He smirks back. “Fuck yes I can! Ya leaving?”

I nod. “Hopefully I’ll be back, but if I’m not, I want you to leave a woman named Piper in charge with you helping her.”

It seems like the best option. Archel won’t let her die and she is strong enough to hold it. I would leave it to Dray, but if I don’t make it back then neither will he or my men, so it needs to be someone outside of my circle. “I will leave her instructions in case it comes to it.”

“It won’t,” Dray interjects and I roll my eyes.

“Just in case. Anything else you need? I’ll be leaving in the morning,” I inform him.

“Nope, we will keep it running in your absence, just make sure you come back. This Piper woman might have your trust, but she doesn’t have ours, you do.

You’ve fought with us, drank with us, and lived here, this is your home as much as anywhere.

” He nods then stands and leaves, and I gape after him. Well shit.

The door shuts after him and I lean back in my chair.

“Down to business. We are leaving first thing in the morning, and stopping at Reeves’ and The Rim on our way.

I expect you to be waiting in position in three days.

” I pull out the maps then and show them everything I know.

“If I don’t come back, build a fucking check point to give your selves a warning when they come for you, and haul ass to kill those bastards.

If we do come back, we will lead them right to you.

I want people waiting at The Rim, here and here, then they close in behind the Cities’ people as we lead them to you. ”

“We box tha fuckers in.” Bern nods in respect.

“We do, and we decimate them, send a message that you never fuck with us again. It will be awhile before they try that again.” I look at Dray.

“As for our part, I want you to sneak in using this open system here like Jago explained. I want you to rile up the locals. Thorn said poverty was rife, so I’m betting we drop a match in that and boom.

Attack them from all sides, cause riots and chaos, enough that we can escape if my part of the plan doesn’t work.

Then meet me back at the gates, but only wait one day.

If I’m not back, you leave,” I order, but he narrows his eyes and I laugh.

“Joking, I know you won’t. You burn that place to the ground and come save my ass, but only if I can’t save it first.”

“Sounds like a plan, soulmate.” He nods his agreement, reaching over and kissing the ring before leaning back and smirking at the others in the room, making me roll my eyes.