Page 13

Marinah

This plane ride was nothing like the last one. I was an entirely different person now, or rather, I was Warrior.

The fear I carried wasn’t the same, and most of it stemmed from leaving King. He’d given me a location to meet him if nothing happened after a month. Just the thought of being away from him that long depressed me. To make it worse, Ms. Beast was throwing fits.

You will be good, I told her firmly when her grumbling started up again.

It was hard to explain what talking to Ms. Beast and being harassed by her by means of pain in certain areas was like. The speaking was more of a feeling that drifted into my head, not an actual voice. The so-called kicks were bursts of K5 that caused pain in certain spots.

She quieted, and I let out a sigh loud enough to draw a glance from Labyrinth. I fastened my seat belt and glanced down at my feet, grimacing at the heels I’d hoped to never wear again. It was funny how walking in the ridiculous shoes was effortless now. Once we landed, I’d need to remember to wobble, along with acting like the terrified woman I once was.

Not that I wasn’t nervous, but overwhelming fear, the kind that kept me from thinking straight, was nowhere to be found.

I could do this.

I had to.

Having one hundred Shadow Warriors packed into the plane was unsettling, not just for me but for Ms. Beast. On the island, we’d only ever seen maybe fifty. These Warriors knew I was King’s mate, and that fact alone carried significant weight. None of them would meet my gaze, and they treated me as though King was standing at my shoulder, watching.

Ms. Beast liked it. She was ready to challenge anyone who stepped out of line.

Lucky me.

Labyrinth stayed close, taking the seat directly behind mine, but he left me alone with my thoughts. I was flying straight into enemy territory, and I knew it.

The Federation wasn’t what I’d believed it to be. Uncovering how deep the corruption went was my main assignment.

There was no way the people I’d worked with knew the truth. We’d lived in a neat little box, blind to reality. Our greatest fear had been the thought of being called to wear a red stripe. It was a piece of red cloth on the military uniforms signifying we’d been sent to the front lines to face hellhounds. That fear seemed almost laughable now.

The knowledge that the Federation was using electronics and attracting hellhounds was chilling. But how deep did the conspiracy go? These thoughts weighed on me.

I came from a generation that hadn’t lived through the Soviet threat or the Cuban Missile Crisis. I wasn’t born until four years after the Twin Towers fell. We took our freedom for granted. When devastation hit, we scrambled to survive without our tech devices, realizing too late how dependent we’d become. Even our math skills had been outsourced to computers. My minor in analytics gave me a slight edge, but even with that, I struggled to adjust at first.

After my father’s death, I knew it was only a matter of time before I lost my job. That looming inevitability was one of the reasons I began avoiding my colleagues. My days were numbered, and it felt easier to work my hours and then hide away in my room with a book. I shared my quarters with other women, but they socialized, carried on with their limited lives, and eventually started ignoring me.

That’s how I wanted it. It would be easier to leave them behind when my number was called, sending me to the ranks of human fodder.

I had missed my father desperately. His memory was so painful that I cried myself to sleep most nights. Before his death, our long conversations and shared dreams of a new world of peace had kept me sane. But after he was gone, I became a shell of my former self. I had no close friends, no one to lean on.

It seemed easier that way, less painful than growing attached to someone and then losing them.

And on top of everything, the Federation was masterful at controlling us through fear. Their daily analytics requests alone were enough to keep us terrified. Our department communicated with others, but the news was always devastating from all sides. They fed us information to analyze, and we believed what they gave us. The Federation knew exactly what it was doing.

I settled in for the flight, deciding to think about King instead of the dangerous world I was heading into.

The other three planes were taking off from different locations and should be leaving soon. If the Federation was only monitoring the main airport, we’d be in luck. If not, my acting skills would have to kick in big time.

The Federation needed to believe the Warriors were on their side.

Right now, I pictured King arguing with Beck while Axel tried to keep the two of them from coming to blows.

And baby Boot.

He was amazing, with his father’s striking blue eyes. King explained that blue eye color was dominant in Shadow Warrior children, making my dark eyes an anomaly. Then again, so was Labyrinth, with his one blue and one green eye.

When I saw baby Boot again, he’d be so much bigger, and I might not even recognize him. The thought left me with a sad smile.

And Che.

Che had cried when I said goodbye this morning and ran off before I could give him a final hug. He’d lost so much with Boot’s death, and now me leaving was hard on him too.

A wave of depression washed over me, and Ms. Beast grumped, kicking me in the stomach.

Her response reminded me of a conversation I’d had with King a few days ago.

“Our beasts see and hear things we miss. Sometimes our stubborn human side refuses to listen, but we must. My beast knew you were something more. I fought with him daily. If your back is against the wall, follow your beast’s lead.”

Ms. Beast kicked again.

I hear you, loud and clear. No moping.

Controlling her was dicey at times. The only thing I’d been lucky with so far was that she hadn’t broken my ribs with K5 when she was displeased. King said my understanding of her would improve with time, and the best thing was to keep my stress levels down.

That plan had come to an abrupt halt with this crazy mission.

Somehow, I needed to stay calm and learn how to use Ms. Beast to my advantage. There was too much riding on this mission to let myself slip up.

I closed my eyes and leaned back in the seat, thankful that this time I didn’t have a parachute strapped to me to make me uncomfortable. The plane was old but in better condition than the one I’d flown to Cuba on. The seats were still in their original positions, and the rest of the interior hadn’t been stripped down.

At least this time, the flight was relatively comfortable.

Unlike that first flight, I was stronger, faster, and deadlier than I’d ever imagined. Even in my human form, I was a danger to anyone if I chose to be.

It didn’t take away my worry.

I was terrified that something would happen to Che, his mother, or baby Boot while I was away. Most of all, I worried about King. He did everything he could to mentally build me up for this mission, but I sensed his fear, even though he tried hard to never show it.

All these thoughts and frustrations weighed on me. I’d barely slept the night before, and I soon drifted into a twilight sleep, only half-aware of my surroundings.

“We’re approaching Washington,” Labyrinth said, his voice pulling me fully awake.

My heart rate accelerated. I used the breathing techniques I’d practiced to slow it down.

Funny how those same techniques had once worked on me as a human, staving off panic attacks. Now, they kept Ms. Beast from tearing out of my skin. Either way, the goal was the same.

Stay calm.

It took a few minutes to find the balance I needed.

I straightened my shoulders. I wasn’t just Marinah anymore.

I was the Defense Secretary of the New Federation.

My job was to uncover corruption within my government and fix it if I could.

I was Shadow Warrior, and failure wasn’t an option.

After we landed, I was the first to step off the plane.

Waiting for me was the same pimply-faced junior officer who had handed me the overview of the Shadow Warriors before my trip to Cuba.

“Ms. Church,” he said, his tone lacking the nervous smile I remembered from before.

He tried to appear unimpressed with my new braids but he stared at them a second too long, and his eyes showed his displeasure.

“Please come this way. President Barnes is waiting for you.”

His tone was cold, and unlike our first meeting, I got the distinct feeling he didn’t like me anymore.

Kill.

Yeah, that’s helpful, I chided Ms. Beast, and she grudgingly quieted.

“The Shadow Warriors?” I asked, my voice deliberately tinged with nervousness.

It was part of the act. If I had been living with them for four months, it would make sense that I had developed some affection for them. After all, I was supposed to have negotiated their help and, as a woman with mothering tendencies—

Baby.

Stop that.

I needed to strike a balance. This was my first test, and the Federation had to believe I was firmly in the president’s corner.

The officer cleared his throat. “They will follow us to the underground quarters. We have soldiers assigned to see to their needs.”

And monitor their every move, no doubt.

“Thank you. Please take me to the president,” I said evenly.

We had agreed I would show only a small amount of concern for the Shadow Warriors. I needed the Federation to think I trusted my government.

I followed Officer Daniels to a single tank that would transport me from the airfield to the underground. Behind us, the Shadow Warriors lined up in neat rows, ready to run the distance.

My palms itched to join them, to feel the ground beneath my feet and the wind on my face. Instead, I looked at Daniels and tried to focus.

“I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name,” I lied, adding a faint smile. “I was so nervous when I left.”

“Officer Daniels,” he said gruffly, his face devoid of warmth.

It wasn’t lost on me that Officer Daniels hadn’t used my official title, though it had only been part of the window dressing to send me to Cuba. Chances were good that my so-called position would be terminated.

The thought alone sent my temperature rising.

With a few slow, deliberate breaths, I forced Ms. Beast to settle.

We wait, we see, we calculate, we take action, I told her firmly.

The ride to the president took thirty minutes. I could feel the presence of the Shadow Warriors running alongside the tank. It wasn’t telepathy, just a sense of connection to their energy. Right now, that energy hummed with high alertness, giving me a sense of comfort even though I couldn’t see them.

When we finally stopped, I disembarked and followed Officer Daniels inside. As I stepped out, I caught Labyrinth’s eye, and he gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod.

I drew in a deep breath and followed Daniels.

Let the real show begin.

President Barnes was waiting inside the first metal enclosure. His eyes flickered nervously toward the door as it closed behind us, cutting off the Shadow Warriors from view. He let out a long exhale, clearly relieved to be separated from them.

No, President Barnes didn’t like the Warriors, and his reaction made that painfully obvious.

He was dressed in a suit, and it seemed even more laughably out of place than it had before. I’d spent too much time with Shadow Warriors, and they didn’t care about appearances or comfort. Combat readiness trumped everything. Uncomfortable shoes and tailored suits had no place in their world.

It no longer had a place in mine either.

“Ms. Church,” Barnes greeted me with forced congeniality, stepping forward and wrapping me in a surprising hug.

His touch sent revulsion crawling across my skin. It was all I could do not to recoil or demand an immediate shower.

King had warned me that I wouldn’t like being touched by the opposite sex, and unlike the mating rage, this visceral reaction would never go away.

Yet, I wasn’t entirely sure if the discomfort came from my Warrior instincts or if it was just because the hug came from him.

Barnes was a scientist; a man who had kept the human population he was sworn to protect in the dark about the dangers they faced.

He wasn’t my friend.

Not now. Not ever.

When he released me, I forced a bright, thousand-watt smile onto my face.

“Mr. President, thank you, sir. You honor me by seeing me today.”

The sugary sweetness dripping from my words made me want to gag, but I suppressed the reflex. I teetered on my shoes a bit for effect.

“Nonsense,” he replied with an equally fake smile though his eyes came back to my braids. He tried to cover the dislike, but I could see it in the downward turn of his lips. “You’ve done exactly as we asked. It took longer than I anticipated, but we’re pleased to have you back. Especially glad those savages didn’t harm you.”

His brow arched slightly, as though posing a question he didn’t dare ask outright.

The word savages made my stomach churn, and Ms. Beast let out a faint, warning rumble beneath my skin.

“I was treated reasonably well, for the most part,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.

Lying didn’t come naturally to me, but I needed to get better at it if I wanted to survive this deadly game.

“They’re very cautious of us, but I was as thrilled as you were when King agreed to send his Warriors.”

He nodded, satisfied, and we continued walking, joined by several of his staff. We passed through a door into a large boardroom I remembered from before my departure to Cuba.

“Please, have a seat, Ms. Church,” the president said, pulling out a chair for me.

When I sat, his hand landed lightly on my shoulder, and he gave it a brief squeeze before moving to his own seat.

Is it the hooker clothes that make him think he can be so handsy?

President Barnes adjusted his suit jacket, a nervous tic that grated on me. It was time for the next round of games to begin, and I mentally prepared myself.

As of now, we were in a tie.

“Ms. Church, you have the appreciation of the entire Federation for what you’ve accomplished.”

He gestured to the men seated around the table, all of whom nodded or smiled as if they’d rehearsed their expressions. Again, their eyes lingered on my braids which gave me an internal smile, while their synchronized responses left me unsettled.

“There will be a more extensive debriefing tomorrow,” Barnes continued, adjusting his jacket again. “We want you rested beforehand. Unless, of course,” he added with a thin smile, “you’d prefer to provide the critical information now and render the extended debrief unnecessary.”

What he really meant was that tomorrow’s debriefing would be a nightmare if I didn’t provide satisfying answers right now.

King and Axel prepared me for moments like this, coaching me on how to handle their probing questions. I put on my best shy, uncertain demeanor, letting my voice quiver just enough to sell the act.

“They’re savages, as you called them before,” I began, casting my eyes down briefly for effect. “I wasn’t treated badly, but I was terrified the entire time. They have filthy habits and these braids,” I tugged on one, “we’re the only way to keep vermin out of my hair. I’m so thankful to be home, but more than anything I need to feel clean. I’m sure everyone here understands.”

There, take that. I was sure President Barnes was thinking about the hug he gave me and could feel creepy crawlies on his skin. Before he could latch onto this narrative, I pivoted, steering the conversation in another direction to keep them off their game.

“I couldn’t help noticing that no one has used my title, the one that once belonged to my father. If I’m no longer needed as defense secretary, will my old job still be available?”

His eyes narrowed slightly, just enough to confirm I’d hit a nerve. That small victory filled me with a sense of satisfaction.

“Nonsense,” he said, the fake smile remaining firmly in place. “You won’t be going back to your old job. We’ll find something for you here. You’re a hero to our people, and we take exceptional care of our heroes.”

No mention of my title, no explanation as to why it was being stripped away. The avoidance was glaring.

I batted my eyes and feigned teary gratitude. “You’re so thoughtful,” I murmured, my voice dripping with contrived sincerity. “More than anything, I was worried about being assigned a red stripe. You’ve eased my mind so much.”

I reached out and lightly tugged on his sleeve. A flicker of distaste crossed his face, but he instantly returned to the stupid smile.

“Now, now.” He patted my hand patronizingly, then pulled it back a little too sharply. I could tell he wanted to wash the hand and wasn’t sure what to do. “Their technology. Can you tell us anything about it?”

I shook my head and added a dramatic shudder. “They’re as smart as we are but refuse to use anything that could attract hellhounds. Honestly, I was terrified just communicating with you on the machine they used to send messages. I had to return to my room afterward because my stomach felt queasy.”

This scared, whiny persona act grated on my nerves.

“For the most part, they live in the dark ages,” I continued, barely resisting the urge to gag on my own words. “They don’t have any of the luxuries we enjoy.” Then, with an even brighter smile, I added, “Cuba was the perfect place to send them.”

“You flew back on one of their planes?” the president asked, his eyes sharp, looking for me to slip.

“Yes,” I replied with a nod. “Their only operational plane. They have another they’re working on, but it won’t be ready for a few months.” I leaned closer to him and lowered my voice. “They sent food with me as a sign of good faith. They don’t share the good food with their people, though. Only King and his private guard get the good stuff. It was disheartening to see.”

This wasn’t something King and I had discussed, but I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass without taking a jab at the Federation’s hypocrisy. Their leaders hoarded the best food while the rest were stuck eating endless disgusting gruel.

My words landed as I intended, and I felt a small swell of satisfaction when I caught the almost imperceptible grimace on the president’s face. If I hadn’t been watching him so closely, I might have missed it.

Even though I now believed King’s assessment of my government, the realization stung. Everything I’d been taught to trust and value had been a lie. These men weren’t my friends, and I wasn’t theirs.

I placed a hand on my chest, subtly covering a bit of exposed cleavage.

“President Barnes,” I said, softening my voice, “I’ve had a long few months, and I haven’t slept well since leaving home. I need to eat and see if I can relieve this headache along with the shower to feel clean again.”

To drive my point home, I slid my hand slowly from my neck to my forehead.

His eyes followed the movement like a moth drawn to a flame, and he licked his thin lips. Disgust churned in my stomach, but I held onto my needy expression.

“Yes, of course, Ms. Church,” he replied, his voice overly polite. “We’ve arranged new quarters for you with added privacy. I think you’ll find them to your liking.” He turned his head and motioned to Daniels. “Officer Daniels, see Ms. Church to her room.”

It worked. I’d managed to escape for now, but I knew the reprieve was temporary.

Tomorrow, I’d be back in the hot seat, and the information I’d offer was far from what the president would be hoping for.

I stood and wobbled slightly, playing the bimbo klutz to perfection.

The president grabbed my arm to steady me. “It’s good to have you back, Ms. Church. Rest and prepare for tomorrow. It will be a very long day.”

“The Shadow Warriors, Mr. President? I’ll need to see their leader tomorrow and assure him we’re keeping our word and that they are in no danger. I’d do it now, but I’m just too tired.”

His jaw tightened. “You won’t need to worry about the Shadow Warriors, Ms. Church. We have people in place to deal with them, and they’ll be treated accordingly. You have my word on it.”

Accordingly. Yeah, right.

His word? A complete lie.

“Thank you so much,” I said, forcing a sweet smile. “After I’m clean and catch up on sleep, I’ll be an entirely different person.”

His eyes drifted back to my chest. “I wouldn’t want you to change too much, Ms. Church.”

Obviously when it came to vermin versus breasts, he wasn’t as picky. I wondered what he’d think of my hairy breasts in beast form.