Annihilation - Book Three

Chapter 17

We are once again a small group uniting against a large force, and this time around, everyone seems more optimistic. The sense of dread hasn't had a chance to loom over us yet, though I can see the hesitation on Verando's face as we prepare our packs and chart our course. 

 I keep my commentary on the matter to myself. I know he's doing the mental math, wondering who we will lose, but for now, I want to be blissfully ignorant while I ride the high that our companions are on. We've come together to conquer the last leg of this journey, to finish what we started. 

"So this is what you want?" Adriam does my job for me; he's addressing my warlord. I should have known there was too much happiness going around. "You're going to take this hodgepodge of misfits, storm the castle, and then what? Do you want to show me that you'll die trying? Is this punishment for calling you out when you act like a child?"

Verando has a patient look on his face, concealing his concerns. "If you listened to the speech, I haven't thought that far ahead. I just had to get the pack out of here before our friend's boss showed up and captured the lot of them." He raises a brow at Tomas, who waves him off. "Adam, you know I make it up as I go; this shouldn't be all that surprising to you. "

"She weren't be looking for me, I can assure you that. Contract to hire, I only meet with her when I have what she wants." Glancing the man up and down, Tomas clicks his tongue with a grin. "I s'pose I do have what she wants now, aye?"

Adriam stares blankly at us all, "And you trust him?" The disbelief rings clear in his voice. 

"If we have something he wants, we have no reason not to trust him. I'd say he's about as loyal as a house cat, but he couldn't even capture Tonic. I'm not all that concerned. Plus, he's cute in a gross, grunge sort of way." Haryek muses, tapping his chin lightly with his index finger as his eyes coast over our Irish companion. 

The scowl Tomas responds with is comical, it's not the well-oiled machine that is the lycan army but would they follow our leader now anyways? 

It's Verando who keeps calm, refusing to give in to the concerns of our experienced combat medic. "We don't need the army; they are a major risk, and I've always faired better on my own for things like this. It was often what Kato used me for, I'm imagining it'll be just like that. The more of them get bitten, the more wolves there are to fight. Besides, we have Nic and Penelope. I think they've more than proved their ability to be useful."

 Penelope does a mock, sarcastic bow and puts her arm around me. 

"Just try not to slow us down with your achy body, alright?" She says with a wink. 

I shrug her off, not impressed with the attempt. "Just keep your hands to yourself." I spit.

All this time, I was expecting to be brushed off and toted along like a child instead of an equal, but I've realized I'm not his servant anymore. While I still enjoy the role, I will be the king of a growing society. 

I'm the new Lord of Magic, an accomplished leader in combat, I have fought in a war and won. I'm valuable, and he's finally seeing that value. In truth, I'm finally seeing it as well. I try to keep the grin off my face, my musings interrupted by him and Adriam locked in a staredown. 

While our French friend has been more than happy to help us when it suits him, the idea of sending a small force to take down a person who is killing hundreds of wolves doesn't sit with him, and frankly, it doesn't sit with me either outside of the pride of my new found value. But, what other options do we have?

 Victor is silent, knowing his place. 

Sometimes, I ponder why no one questions Adriam and Victor on their relationship for the majority of the time, it seems that Adriam is the mouthpiece and Victor gets very little say in what goes on. As I mull it over in my mind, I suppose it's why Adriam prefers me to remain silent while Verando does what he needs to do; it's the same expectations he puts on Victor.