Fury and Flame | 3

7 | 3

J A K E

After another battle in the morning—which we'd won—we set up camp a few miles from the battlefield, deeper into Romania than before. The encampment was on a hill, providing a view in every direction—perfect for spotting Imperium's next attack.

There would be another. They'd attacked us three times in a week, but not with the full might of their army. No, the enhanced soldiers hadn't even made an appearance yet. Nor had Orion's unknown weapon. I had an inkling of Orion's war strategy, but wouldn't be sure of it until he struck again.

My eyes shuttered against the golden-orange rays of the sun, only a small distance separating it from the earth. Normally, I would have refrained from fighting in such a war, especially because it included being ordered around by army sergeants and risking my life for others. But it could only have one victor, and I needed it to be us. There would be no world left for me to conquer if Imperium had control over it.

I just needed to wait until the war was won. When it was over, I would return to New York and retrieve what was mine. I would finally pull the last stone holding up Adiago Hundsen's empire.

I just needed to hold out until then.

Turning my back on the gold-cast world, I went to the tent I was sharing with Jaxon and Kane. Needless to say, it was not enjoyable. At night, I stayed awake and jotted down war strategies while the two brutes snored together on the ground. I'd been seriously considering smothering them to death for some peace and quiet.

The lines of tents—varying in size and height—were calm, but only because the soldiers had begun to eat their dinner in the largest tent of all: the mess hall.

When I stepped under the flap of the beige tent, only Jaxon was inside. As usual, he was tinkering with something small, hands working almost of their own accord.

He looked up. "Ah, perfect timing." He held the thing out to me. "I fixed this for Delphinium and I need you to take it to her."

I looked at it with distain. It was a necklace with two rings on it, apparently with a new clasp. "I'm not your errand boy. Do it yourself."

Rolling his eyes, he pushed himself up. "Some of us are normal functioning humans and aren't able to run on fumes like you. A man's got to eat. Especially before Kane and Arlo take all the food."

He shoved the necklace into my hand before I could resist again. "Although I am a wonderful person to be around, I assume she'd like it to be you at the moment." Raising an eyebrow at my expression, he said, "It won't kill you to talk to her, you know."

I narrowed my eyes, not wanting to think further about that statement.

Brushing past me, Jaxon went out the exit. "She was going to get herself fixed up in a medical tent." When I glowered at his back and considered freezing his insides, he threw over his shoulder, "You don't even get it. But you'll thank me later."

I should have smothered him in his sleep.

Because of the chaos of war and the uncertainty of our group, I had barely seen the assassin for the past few days.

Good.

Curling my fist around the cool metal, I told myself I would throw it at her and get out. It would be a different sort of escape.

      As I dreaded, all the medical tents were abandoned. After all, everyone was taking advantage of the first meal we'd had for a day. Well, everyone but the assassin, who was covered in blood and gore that I assumed mostly wasn't her own. But from the stiff, jerky movements she made, I wondered if I'd guessed wrong.