Page 310 of Commanding Blood And Bonds
“Likewise,” I said, trying—and failing—not to recall the countless legends tied to that name. His companion stepped forward next.
“Ansel Callahan.”
The Old General. Holy shit. Which meant—
“And you must be the assassin,” I said. Her smile crawled down my spine.
I motioned to my family. “My sister, Calypso. Our cousin, Carr. And I believe you know Blaz.”
“What’s the assignment?” Freya asked, reemerging in her black Grayshell leathers. I barely restrained a groan. God, she was gonna get me killed.
“It’s diadem day,” Aren said grimly.
Freya met my eyes and gave a nod. The time had come.
“Adrastos is a Balaskas family Commander,” Aren continued. “According to Magnolia’s source, their numbers are exponentially higher than any hierarchy had anticipated. We are at war with Bellpost and their allies.”
That brutal confirmation struck like a brand to my chest. My skin went cold. My kingdom…was fractured.
“We move now, or we lose the target, kid.”
“Where’s Ally?” Freya demanded, dropping into a chair and yanking on her boots.
I didn’t wait. I rose, stepped toward the assassin, and met her simmering fury head-on. I walked past her, knowing full well the statement I made by giving her my back.
“We attack in synchronized strikes,” Aren said—but his gaze cut to me, thoughtful. Assessing.
“He’s good,” Freya said, tying her boot.
“He’s one of them,” her mother hissed.
I sighed, finally meeting Lana’s gaze again. “And yet here I am, standing with you.”
“Cyrus is questioning his allegiances,” Freya supplied, rapid-fire. “He helped me prepare.”
“This is the mate?” Lana bit out, each word a blade.
“Time to be mad later,” Freya sing-songed. She moved through the shadows like they were muscle memory, pulling her blades from the dresser and strapping them across her suit with chilling efficiency. “Coordinates?”
Aren provided them. I looked to Carr—he gave me a short nod. We’d been right.
“Are Damien and Tessa ready?”
“Locked and loaded,” Aren confirmed. Tessa and Damien. Either shared names, or Westerlund tech support was officially in play.
“Extraction team?”
“The four of us and Jax,” Lana said, still glaring.
“Five,” I corrected, tugging on my boots. “Five of us and Jax.”
If she’d hated me before, it was nothing compared to what lit in her eyes now.
I shrugged. “Where Freya goes, I go.”
“Absolutely not,” she snapped. Her fists curled at her sides. “Besides, Ally didn’t say—”
“I met your second,” I cut in, gaze steady. “And I highly doubt she believes I’d abandon my mate as she infiltrates the inner sanctum of a ruthless king.”
