I feel guilty about my own weakness as Adonis and Dorian leap off the back of the truck, already in motion to set up a perimeter. Niyah leaps down without any help, landing lightly on her feet.
I scowl at her as she winks at me, then disappears into the night. “Where is she going?”
“On ahead to scout out the area. Normally Bastien sends Adonis, but she said she needed to stretch her legs.” Gorgan shrugs. I must have missed that interaction sometime during the broken sleep I managed to snatch.
After two days mentally turned inward, it is a relief to be able to stand again, to stretch and feel my muscles pull taut. I tried to remember all of the lessons Kyan taught me. Close off my mind. Focus on my thoughts. Trust myself. And above all… don’t lose control.
That last one is easier said than done.
Only one mile now separates us from the largest, most highly guarded enemy base known to us. If this doesn’t go precisely to plan, none of us will survive the day. And even then, I’m not entirely sure we can pull this off.
Gorgan remains at my side as I fight to steady myself. Pins and needles jab viciously at my legs, making it hard to remain upright on the ice-crusted snow. I squint into the dark, barely able to make out Bastien’s silhouette as Niyah runs back into view. They speak in hushed tones.
I grit my teeth as she attempts to give him a kiss, but he steps back out of her embrace. He says something curt to her and I can see her fists clench at her sides as she follows him toward us, hanging back a few steps. Adonis and Dorian approach from either side of me, weapons at the ready but lowered for safety. They nod toward Bastien, and I know no one has discovered our approach.
My breath puffs in the air before me in steady, fast pants. My heart hammers in my chest so loudly I’m surprised no one else can hear it. Normally I’m calm before a battle, but not tonight. Maybe that’s because tonight we aren’t trying to take prisoners. We’re taking a really big ship.
Bastien slips past Niyah and comes to stand beside me. Although he doesn’t turn to look at me, having him near helps calm my nerves. I can do this. We can do this.
I know he will not leave my side. He will protect me until death, if that is required of him, but I’ll never let that happen.
“Alpha team take the southern route.” He motions to Adonis and Dorian and two other men whom I’ve refrained from speaking to. They aren’t like the others. I’ve never once seen them crack a smile or laugh. They are hard-core. “I will lead Illyria to the northern entrance. Gorgan and Niyah will follow along the eastern ridge and wait for our signal. All radios are to remain silent unless there is an emergency. Stick together and watch your back. We don’t want to alert the entire base to our presence.”
I nod along with the men, feeling nervous pressure billow in my stomach. This is it. The moment of truth. Either I’m about to pull off the biggest heist this world has ever seen or we’re going to fail epically.
Niyah shoots me a vicious glare over her shoulder before she grabs Gorgan’s arm and pulls him after her. Adonis and Dorian head up their team, leaving Bastien and me alone. Bastien pounds on the truck bed one time, the sound muffled by the blankets, and the motor turns over. With the headlights off, the truck pulls away, leaving us behind.
“I thought he was staying.” I stare at the taillights as the truck slows to slide around a corner, disappearing into the forest.
“The extraction point for the men is a few miles south of here.”
“A few miles.” I gasp, turning to look toward the direction Gorgan went. “If Drakon’s men discover us, they’ll never make it.”
“They know,” he whispers. I turn back to see his shoulders slumped and his face lined with concern. “These men volunteered for the mission, Illyria. They knew the risks.”
“But it’s suicide.” I protest, starting to go after Gorgan. I can’t let him do this. Not for me. Not for anyone.
Bastien takes hold of my arm and pulls me back. “They have faith in you. So do I.”
“But what if everyone is wrong? What if—”
He cuts me off with a kiss. My eyes widen in shock as he presses his hand against my back, holding me close. His eyes are closed, his hand firm against my spine. I sink into his embrace, placing my hands upon his arms as he shifts to envelop me in his embrace.
A moment later, he breaks off and steps back. “What was that for?” I ask, breathless.
“Seemed like a good way to shut you up.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “And that’s the Bastien I used to know.”
He smiles, lighting up his laser so I can see him better. From the corner of my eye, I think I see movement in the trees, but when I look it is gone. “He’s still in there, somewhere.” Glancing to the sky, Bastien’s smile wanes. “We’ve only got a thirty-minute window. We need to move.”