Relentless

Chapter 49

I don't question why he wants me to lead the way back to our camp. I simply compiled. We both seem to be pretending that it is because I can see best at night & he wanted me as his navigator but I know better. I know that he just wants to hide his face at least for as long as he can. I don't know what I'd find if I looked at it. Grief? Pain? Tears? Honestly, I don't care. The silence is nice and I know he only has a few more minutes to be himself before he has to steal his emotions in front of the others.

I notice that Rosalind hasn't left my side. She told me that she would never leave me alone again. She walks next to me in silence. I answer her concerned look with a smile. After all, we can't exactly have a conversation around others.

When we returned to camp, the rest of the group was deep into their conversation. Not deep enough that they don't notice us, but they know better than to fall silent on our account.

"Yeah, Lydia is pretty paranoid, but I mean, can you blame her? I heard that her own sister betrayed her."

"I know, talk about low." I said without hiding the resentment from my voice. I realize I made a mistake when everyone's eyes turned to me. I am standing behind my seat and Ashton rises with an ugly glare.

Well, too late to take it back now. So I decided to match her glare. I'm not scared of her anymore.

"'Low?' Let's talk about low! It's your fault I joined them."

"Don't blame me! I never wanted you to become a monster!"

"Don't you remember?"

"Remember what? Oh, knock it off, Ashton!"

"That's another thing! Don't you think I haven't noticed!"

"Noticed what?"

"That you selectively call me by my full name. You only call me Ash when I'm on your good side and you call me by my full name when you are chastising me!"

"I-um..."

"Well?!"

"On a lesser note, can we get on with our plan?" Katrina asked sarcastically.

"This is entertaining and all but Katrina is right. If this is going to happen in two days, we need specifics." Kane added.

"And if you can't give specifics, at least as much information as you've got."

"Okay," feud quickly forgotten, I sat down and Peter sat beside me as I explained all I knew.

"Rosalind knows that they are in the plains. She isn't sure how many guards there will be. My mother and father were moved there with two guards each and with the Oblivian Major General, but she isn't sure how many reinforcements have arrived afterward. Um, I think that's it. It isn't much, I know." I turned my attention to Rosalind. "Is there anything else you would like to add?"

"Um... well, I did get a look at their compound. Of course, when you're dealing with the Oblivian you can't exactly trust your eyes."

"And why is that?"

"Because they are masters of Illusion. At least, their emperor is. I don't know how much power the rest of them possess."

"What did she say?" Katrina asked patiently.

"Um, well, I guess this may prove more difficult than we first expected."

I explained what Rosalind had said about the Oblivian and what she could recall about the compound even if it isn't accurate. We spend the rest of the night formulating a plan and discussing countermeasures against their powers.