Fury and Flame | 3

7 | 4

R I L E Y

"I have news," Benton said, sliding onto the bench opposite me. Finn put down his fork and knife, but Jaxon and I continued eating as if nothing had happened.

"Does it have anything to do with your mysterious disappearance after the battle?" Arlo asked, mouth full.

Giving him a flat look, the assassin said, "I was just getting to that." His voice dropped. "I was speaking with the government officials here about something I saw in the Imperium soldier's minds. Apparently, Orion wants us just occupied enough here to leave America open to attack. He sent his children, as he calls them, to destroy our largest military stronghold in Washington D.C. If they succeed, it will significantly cripple us."

"And what did they say when you told them?" Jaxon asked, having finally ceased eating.

"They need us to intercept them—not all of us, because there will inevitably be another attack. Specifically either Delphinium or me was requested to go, since we were his children ourselves. They were unwilling as we were; they could be swayed—"

"Speak of the devil," Arlo said, nodding to the entrance of the mess hall, where Delphinium was making her way to us. As she came to stand behind me, I gave her a once-over, taking in her pink-dusted cheeks and lips stained redder than usual. My smirk grew.

She was visibly wary about our gazes on her. "What is it?"

"You were ordered to go with a few of our other teammates to intercept Orion's children in America," Benton answered smoothly. He wore his usual superior air, but I knew he'd sacrificed himself to stay here and fight in another attack while she went to a significantly less dangerous situation, if the children of Orion were truly as disloyal as he claimed. I raised an eyebrow, wondering at his uncharacteristic selflessness.

"I'm going alone?" She asked, not seeming alarmed about that prospect.

"No, we need others that are good with diplomacy." Benton leaned to see past Arlo. "Finn?"

But Finn shook his head. "If it's alright, I would prefer to stay here." His light eyes then flicked to Arlo and they shared a quiet glance.

"You should go with her," Kane murmured from beside me.

My face screwed in annoyance. "If that's a politely-put insult to my fighting ability, I'll have you know—"

"It wasn't." He rolled his eyes. "You're good at convincing people to do things."

"You mean manipulation," Benton said, a smirk playing on his face. "You're right, Kane. We all know how good she is at it."

Jaxon narrowed his eyes at the assassin like he was trying to explode his head with his gaze alone. "You're provoking others now, of all times?"

Benton was unperturbed. "I suppose we have that in common."

"As dramatic as it is, your manhood-measuring contest is getting predictable," I drawled to them, making them both deliver me dirty looks. But I ignored them, glancing down at Gigi, who was quietly eating her food.

      As bad as the things she did were, she had changed. I should know how terrible decisions weren't always irreversible. And her closest friend had just been torn apart before her eyes. She deserved a rest from fighting, maybe more than the rest of us.

      "Gigi, you should come with us," I said loudly. She only looked up in surprise, clearly not expecting me to say anything to her. There was a moment in which we all watched for her reaction. Then she gave a nod, the dark waves of her hair falling over her shoulders.