On Broken Wings

Chapter 13

Cassius

"I will be going with you," I said to Lucifer over an early breakfast. The sun was hanging somewhere just below the horizon, the sky still a deep violet from night.

He avoided my gaze, looking down at his half-finished plate. "Is that truly the best idea?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your body is not strong at the moment."

"I know that much," I said defensively, a sharp sting in the back of my throat.

"And you still wish to go?"

I nodded.

He finally met my eyes. "Cassius, if something were to happen to you, I would not forgive myself."

"But something is already happening to me," I said, almost pleading, hands gripping the edge of the table like a lifeline. "At least let me do this much. I will not be able to forgive myself if the cure slips through my fingers."

"And if you slip through mine?" he asked. A muscle feathered in his jaw, but his eyes held a desperate worry.

I could not answer that. "We need more people who know how to find signs of the Garden. You and I have studied on it more than the entire village combined, even if that only adds up to a few hours. I can help."

"I am not doubting your usefulness."

"I know. You would never dare to." I felt my momentary anger fizzle out as if it were a candle beneath rain.

This brings the smallest of smiles to his lips. "I wouldn't."

"So, I'll be going?"

"Under one condition—you stay next to my side."

"Always," I promise.

Until Death do us part.

***

I looked at the rough, crudely hand drawn map in front of us. It had arrows etched on the paper, showing where each group's path of travel. Wide circles marked the spots where groups would search. The leaders huddled around the table, memorizing where their area would be when they got sent out. Name, along with his warriors, were surrounding the table. The air seemed to vibrate with energy.

Lucifer traced a finger along two routes. "These ones pass near the end of our territory. I will lead this one,"—he tapped on a line— "and Malik will lead the other. It may be dangerous, so only those with proficient abilities will go with them."

"And me," I pointed out.

He pursed his lips, clearly not happy, but willing to let me join. He was worried, I knew that. My body was not in the best condition to be traveling, yet alone off searching for abandoned ruins of the Garden where potential threats could be wandering. I was grateful to have someone as concerned as he next to my side.

Sana jotted down notes quickly in a handheld leather notebook, eyes flying across the pages of translations I dug up late into the night. They contained vague locations but held great clues as to what to look for. They caught my eye and smiled sheepishly as if feeling guilty for being excited. Sana had been searching for the cure the longest; I could not imagine how it must feel to finally have a lead after all that time.

Sana will be joining Malik's group—more like I assigned them to the head warrior. I noticed a spark when they spoke their greetings to one another, and under my watchful gaze, gently nudged the two in the right direction. Sana's pale skin took on a lovely flush when he met Malik's eyes. Malik gave them a warm smile before returning to study the map, long braided hair falling over his muscled shoulder, gold jewelry pronounced against his dark skin.