Page 71

War Party

E verything moves fast after that. Dray finds trousers from somewhere, and I follow him out of the building to see the Seekers he has brought with him amassing on the steps, the stink of desperation, anger and need for blood humming through their group.

Major jogs around the corner with my men at his back, he takes in the awaiting Seekers before joining us on the steps.

“You okay, kid?” he asks, thumbing the blood at my neck.

I nod and turn away, not giving my back to the eyes staring at me. Nan saunters around the corner with a rumpled looking Reeves behind her.

When everyone is present, I step up next to Dray.

He gives me a searching look before turning to his people.

Holding his hand up he settles them down, they don’t even move, their eyes are locked on their leader, waiting for orders.

Looking around at the men present, I know some of them will have family back home, some will be wondering what is left to go back to.

Yet they wait, trusting Dray with their lives.

“There was an attack. I do not know how bad, I do not know how many are dead. What I do know is every single person who laid a hand on a Seeker will die before the week is through.” The crowd cheers and stomps their feet as he carries on.

“We will have their blood after we bury our dead.” Screams come from the crowd as Dray quiets again.

Blowing out a breath, I address his men. “The Summit is postponed. We will journey to Seeker land, we will help you clear your lands and mourn your people. Then we kill them all. Ivar must die!” I finish, my last words for the other leader’s present. Cheers start up as I feel Dray look at me.

“You coming with me, soulmate?” he asks .

“We stick together, we will need each other’s strength before this war is through,” I reply, looking around at the warriors, their faces etched with anger and ready for war. I have a feeling this is only just the beginning.

We pack up quickly, everyone’s thoughts on what we might find when we reach Seeker territory. I have never been before, but I know it will be even more dangerous now.

“You know he will have left warriors behind, little queen. Spies and killers,” Vasilisy inserts as he stares at two weapons before adding both to his rapidly filling bag.

“I know.” I shove another knife in my bag as I look around for anything I have missed.

“They will all be looking for you,” he says.

Sighing, I stare down at my bag. “I know, let them come. I am tired of hiding.” Turning around I run into a hard chest. Drax glances down at me, a fierce look in his eyes.

“And if she can’t kill them, we will,” he tells Vasilisy without looking at him. I hear movement and a bag being thrown out of the door.

“I will give you some time alone, eh.” I hear the Berserker say before he shuts the door behind him.

Sighing again, I lean my face into Drax’s awaiting chest. I know all my men know what happened between me and Dray, yet they don’t seem bothered. Not that it’s important right now, with a Berserker threat looming.

“Am I right to go?” I ask, unsure for once.

“Yes. Dray is one of yours, he needs you. His people need you, and you will show them the wrath of the Champion and prove the Berserker threat is real, so when you get back, the other leaders will agree.” I blink at his logic, a surprised laugh escaping me.

“I didn’t even think of that,” I add.

“I know, you were too busy trying to think of everything else.” He leans forward and drops a gentle kiss on my lips. It feels like forever since I got some time with my men, just running from one thing to another. “I see the shadows in your eyes baby, everything else can wait.”

“He’s right,” Thorn says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me. Jax and Maxen are readying the bikes, so I let my two other men hold me for a moment.

“You’re not mad?” I ask eventually, it’s weak and needy, but fuck it, I would rather know.

“No,” Drax says with a smile.

“Why?” I ask generally curious.

“We told you before, he was already one of your men. You just didn’t know it. Plus, that bastard is crazy, he will protect you as fiercely as we will, and I reckon not even Ivar will want to tangle with an enraged Seeker,” Thorn answers.

A smile forms on my lips at that, he is right in a way.

Ivar always had respect for the Seekers and tried to stay out of trouble with them, frowning I wonder why he attacked them out of all the clans.

Maybe because they are closer, or maybe because they are the strongest?

No, it doesn’t feel right, it feels personal, like he is trying to hit me, weaken me.

..but the only way he would know to hit the Seekers to do that was if we had a traitor.

“I can hear the wheels in your head turning, what is it?” Thorn asks, his arms tightening.

It can’t be, who would betray me, us? Who would be stupid enough to go against the Seekers?

The obvious choice would be Vasilisy, but I saw the shock in his eyes at the attack’s announcement and I can feel the hate pouring off him when it comes to Ivar.

No, I trust him, maybe a stupid move, but my gut is telling me it’s true.

There were only a few other people who knew about The Summit, namely the people here… and my father.

My face contorts in anger, surely, he wouldn’t?

But even as I think that, I know that if it came to saving his people or giving away something he deems insignificant, like a piece of information, he would do it in a heartbeat.

But he should know how damning words can be and wouldn’t he want to try and protect me?

Didn’t he say he wishes he could protect me or was that all pretty lies?

I can’t be sure, but all I know is that I need to watch my back and trust no one but my men.

“I think we have a traitor,” I say as my brain whirs and a plan forms.

I feel them stiffen. “You think one of us?” they growl in unison.

Blinking stupidly, I bring myself back to the here and now, and rerun my words through my head, wincing when I realise how bad they sounded.

“No, never. But someone tipped off Ivar, we can’t be sure who.

I want you both to watch everyone like hawks.

Trust no one but each other...I couldn’t bear to lose you,” I finish softly.

“You never will,” Thorn declares, his promise rattling through the air, making my chest tight. I want to warn him not to promise things he can’t keep, after all, war means death.

Once we get back into the main part of The Ring, it’s clear panic and unease are in the air.

I don’t spot anyone I know, so I head to the front gate with Thorn and Drax taking up protective positions behind me, their eyes sharp and hands on their weapons.

Even my hand drops to my blade and rubs it reassuringly.

When we get there, my mouth drops open at the war party assembled.

Row after row of bikes and pimped out cars wait for us, with assassins, guards, and scavs eagerly waiting to go.

Major and Dray are there with Priest and Nan.

I narrow my eyes at Priest, having realised he wasn’t there when I made the announcement earlier.

Striding up to them I try to control my glare.

“Finally heard the news I see?” I ask, my eyes still on the vehicles.

“Indeed, I was tending to my flock when a messenger reached us.” I feel him looking at me, so I meet his eyes. Major steps between our staring match, making Priest turn back to the gate.

“You don’t have to go, kid, The Summit needs you here,” he says softly to not be overheard.

“I have to go, it’s me they are looking for. Plus, The Summit can’t go ahead without all the leaders here and Dray will be going no matter what.”

“Don’t you think that’s what Ivar wants?” Major asks, making me look at him.

“I considered it, but it still doesn’t change what has to be done. Make sure to keep the peace while I am gone.” Blowing out a breath, I step closer. Thorn and Drax cover me so that no one watching can see what I am about to tell him.

“Watch your back, Major,” I warn, just in case anyone overhears us.

His eyes narrow as his gaze turns calculating. “You think someone…” He looks around before lowering his voice. “You could be right, but if so, the likelihood is they are going with you.”

I nod as my eyes flicker to Priest. “Not necessarily.” Priest meets my eyes and I turn back to Major.

“Promise me you will be careful?” I ask, done with pretending I still hate him .

“Promise, but you promise to come back.” I nod with a silly grin, even as his face turns grave. “I mean it, come back and I promise to tell you anything you want to know.”

His bribe works, and he knows it, shock courses through me and I nod. Blowing out a breath with a fresh determination I look at the cars again.

“Are we ready?” I ask in general.

Just then, Maxen jogs up, his chest bare with his white trousers clinging to his muscles. More weapons than I have ever seen line his body, and I raise my eyebrow as he reaches us.

“Gotta be prepared.” He winks before turning serious. “Bikes are ready, Vasilisy has...commandeered one.” I hold in my laugh as I nod at him.

“Let’s get going then.” He nods and turns to Thorn as I look at Priest, Nan, and Major.

“When we return, The Summit will continue, until then I suggest you think on what has been said.” With that final warning I stride through the gate.

“Seeker land we go…” Drax mumbles, making me smile, it’s just like old times, apart from the impending death and fight, oh wait…