I slid forward, moving much faster than out last ‘conversation’, but this time, I materialized Ebonsoul. The look on Carlos’ face let me know he just wasn’t ready and never would be. I placed the blade of Ebonsoul gently against his neck. Peaches gave off a low growl.
“Do you know why it won’t happen again?” I asked, applying pressure to the blade as I spoke into his ear.
Carlos froze, realizing that any sudden movement could instantly make him a head shorter.
“No, sir,” Carlos managed to whisper. “I don’t.”
“Because next time, if there is a next time, I won’t be warning you,” I said. “I’ll be ending you.”
I reabsorbed Ebonsoul and stepped back.
“What the hell are you?” Carlos asked, rubbing his neck. “You’re like them, some kind of freak.”
“Step aside before I stop feeling cordial.”
Carlos moved quickly to the side and opened the door. His actions showed respect, but his eyes radiated hatred. I’d have to watch him during the op. The last thing I wanted was to be shot by a stray round or blown up by a misplaced explosive. This time he remained outside.
“I’d say that your social skills need some polish,” Monty said as we moved inside. “But that would require you to possess social skills.”
“I have plenty of social skills,” I said as I headed down the corridor. “He called me a freak. I’m not a freak.”
“Not at all, you’re just abnormal.”
I glanced at Monty, but he had a straight face and I left the comment alone. I didn’t want to go into what I could or could not do in front of Douglas. I knew Rott wouldn’t be here. He would be with Magnus arranging to be his driver for the night, but if I knew Shadow Company, the entire trailer was equipped with listening devices.
“You’re early, good,” Douglas said when we entered the situation room. He pointed to the conference table. “Here are your kits.”
I saw the long case and imagined it was the rifle I was supposed to use.
“Open it,” Douglas said. “Wouldn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
I opened the case and saw my old rifle. Memories flooded me as I ran a finger along the barrel.
“My rifle. You kept it?”
“Once Shadow Company, always Shadow Company,” Douglas said. “You never really leave.”
I ran a cursory check of the equipment. Someone had been keeping it in working order and giving it regular maintenance. Part of me was surprised, but it made sense. Douglas was arrogant enough to believe that one day, I would come back, because I couldn’t function without Shadow Company indefinitely.
“It’s been maintained.”
“Expensive piece of hardware,” Douglas said with a curt nod. “Nothing wrong with the rifle. It’s the operator”—he gave me a pointed look—“that concerns me. Ammunition is next to it.”
Beside the rifle was a small, clear case with five rounds of ammunition. The case was covered in black wisps of energy. Next to that was a smaller version of the main map with locations circled in red. Sitting next to the map were a pair of high-frequency burst comms—one each for Monty and me.
“The comms are on a scrambled frequency,” Douglas said, tapping the comm in his ear. “We go in radio silent until Rott shows up, and then I will coordinate, understood?”
“You weren’t kidding about only making a handful,” I said, taking the small ammo case and the rifle. “Five rounds?”
“You only need one,” Douglas said with a growl. “I didn’t prep anything for you, mage. Figured you have your own weaponry.”
“I do,” Monty said, looking over the table at the combat armor. “Is that for us?”
“Experimental armor,” Douglas said tapping his chest. “Lightweight and designed to stop almost anything short of a rocket. There’s a set there for each of you.”
“My clothing is more than adequate,” Monty said, feeling the material of the combat armor. “Is this runed?”
“Enhanced,” Douglas corrected. “We fight fire with fire. Strong?”
“No, thanks,” I said, tapping my jacket. “I’m good.”
“Your choice. One more thing,” Douglas said. “Feelds will be your spotter. I don’t want a repeat of last time. Any objections?”
“Has she done this before?” I asked, knowing objections would be futile. I was pretty sure her job was to put a round in my head a second after I took down Magnus. “Is she a shooter?”
“She’s one of the best. She’ll make sure the shot is clean.”
“I’m sure she will,” I said. “Doesn’t seem like I have a choice.”
“You don’t.”
Monty stared at Douglas. I could tell he was trying to figure him out.
“Why are you part of this operation?” Monty asked. “Why are you helping Rott? Do you bear the dragons that much hatred?”
“I don’t care about dragons,” Douglas said, surprising me. “I care that the power structure of my city has been skewed for too long. No one group should wield that much power unchecked.”
“You feel causing their implosion will restore balance?”
“Or wipe them out completely,” Douglas said. “Either works in my book.”
“The vacuum left by their elimination would be filled by another,” Monty said. “Someone else will step in to take control.”
“Not if we stop them,” Douglas replied. “This plane belongs to humans. Only humans. Anything else needs to go or needs to be removed.”
“Things are never that simple,” Monty said. “There are beings on this plane beyond your understanding.”
“If they aren’t human, they’re not welcome. We start the cleansing tonight. You can use one of the rooms off the corridor to get situated. We leave in two. Any more questions?”
We were about to leave the situation room when I turned and faced Douglas again.
“You said if they aren’t human then they need to go, right?”
“That’s what I said,” Douglas replied, gruffly. “What of it?”
“That apply to Rott, or does he get a pass?” I asked. “I’m just curious if your cleansing applies to him, too.”
I saw a brief flash of anger, which he quickly masked.
“Rott is serving our cause,”
