Fortune Favors the Bold

40

"Nashid-."

"I want in."

Both of their heads shot up to look at the man who placed the bowl onto the dinner table, rounding its side to join them in the living room. Kalani froze in shock. "What?"

"She's the one in charge of Thysía –the murder of thousands of innocent souls, my wife's included. If you're bringing her to justice and ending that wicked tradition then I want to do everything I can to help. You name it and it's done."

Kalani glanced at Not-Castiel, whose expression was unreadable as always. "No, he's right. It'll be dangerous. I can't risk anything happening to you and Sohila after you just got her back."

"Nothing will. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's keeping the people I love safe. The only time I failed to do that was when the Chancellor tore the most important ones away from me," his eyes darkened. "If there's a fight against her, then I'll be standing with you at the front. I wouldn't be Nashid if I let you do this alone."

"I know how you can help," Convict 286 muttered. Kalani's eyebrows shot up at his sudden willingness to let Nashid help. "Tell people."

"You just-," she exclaimed.

Not-Castiel lifted a hand to pause her. "If enough people know throughout the provinces, it'll start a revolution. Then it'll be the people against the government. I'll do the rest behind the scenes."

"Tell them of your plans?"

He shook his head. "Tell them Thysía's a cover-up for a twisted game of catch the killer before he kills you." Kalani's heart fell as she turned to Not-Castiel, feeling her legs weaken while watching Nashid for his reaction. "A game that all the Intermediate Counsel gets to watch and enjoy while the Thysían sacrifices are-."

Suddenly, she shot up and clamped her hand over her mouth. Convict 286's words were interrupted because his attention shifted to the girl who raced toward the bathroom.

"Kalani?" Nashid called after her, but his voice only sent the girl further into her panic as she pushed the door open. Kalani fell onto the toilet, letting the little food she'd eaten out of her stomach. Nausea was brought about by the fact that Not-Castiel had just told Nashid the truth about what'd happened to his wife –both clueless to who the other was.

"Makoa," a hand set between her shoulder blades. The familiar voice preceded the familiar face that lowered itself beside her.

Kalani lifted herself to smoothly shrug his hand off. "Sorry." Why had become so willing to let Nashid in on their plans and take it a step further by telling him the truth of what happened to Tamara? Suddenly, the hatred she had for herself for bringing him into his own victim's house returned.

Convict 286 lifted his hand, noticing the way she shrunk from his touch. "Have I done something?"

"No."

"Kalani."

"Just give me a second," she answered a little too quickly. When meeting his gaze, she easily identified the slight wonder that remained in his eyes while looking at her. "I'll be out in a bit, okay?"

He didn't say anything else before leaving her to collect herself in the bathroom, shoving the guilt down her throat. Only when she fixed her appearance into one that hid her internal panic did she join the three at dinner, sitting in front of the served bowl of rice, meat, and sauce. Sohila beamed at her presence; Convict 286 hardly acknowledge it.

The three adults ate silently, listening to Sohila's adventures at her new school. When she calmed enough to eat, Nashid spoke up. "You guys can take the master bedroom. It's connected right to the bathroom so you won't have to step into the hall at night. Sohila and I will have our own little sleepover, right lovely?"