Before Galen can answer, Oz swipes a hand over his face, smearing the black even more. “The countdown begins. Two minutes until detonation.”
My stomach drops to my feet and I pull Henry into my lap on the sacks of flour as my knees give out. Two minutes until we’re certain of our fate. Once, I thought the soldiers from Earth II would be my saviors, but I should have known better. There is nothing good to come from the Earth II government. They’d spoiled this planet and their greed and corruption only worsened since they abandoned it. There are good people on Earth II, but unless these soldiers are stopped, they’ll destroy this planet again if given the chance. Wipe out the morts like they were nothing. I guess, to the powers that be on Earth II, the morts are nothing. Or rather, they’re something to be conquered. Exterminated.
Henry curls into me and I hold fast to him, murmuring nonsensical words of comfort. Galen wraps his arms around us both as though he could protect us by sheer will.
“If I go to The Eternals this solar, I’m glad to do it with the taste of you on my tongue.”
“I wish we had more time together. I wish I hadn’t wasted so much of it running away. If I could go back and change it, I would. You’re a good person. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me and Henry.”
He presses a finger to my babbling lips. “Hush, zelfyre. I don’t want to spend another moment with you speaking like you’ve done anything wrong. You fought to protect your mortling. This demands respect. I’m proud to have found such a fierce mate. I’d meet The Eternals a blessed man having known you.”
Tears choke the words off in my throat. “Galen, I—”
There is so much I want to say. So much I want to experience with him, but as I try to put it into words, emotion fills me, stealing my voice. Then, with a great shudder and a sonic boom, the world goes dark at exactly the two-minute mark.
Just like Oz said.
12
GALEN
The power has been out ever since the detonation of Oz’s weapon, and we’ve been fumbling around in the dark for at least half a solar. And though everyone is safe in the tunnels, I worry about what exists of our Facility above us. As time ticks on, dread fills me about Breccan’s, Draven’s, and Hadrian’s well-being. They left hours ago, armed to the teeth with weapons, to scout out the damages and to see if there were any remaining human men to take out.
But it’s been quiet.
Too quiet.
One of the lights in the room we’re in moves and bounces toward me. Henry is fast asleep, curled up against Stella beside me.
Calix.
“I am sending out another team,” he says with a resigned sigh. “I would like to be a part of this team, but I know Breccan would want me to stay at the center of command.”
“You need me to go out there?”
“Theron and Jareth are gathering their gear. I need Avrell because he’s our doctor, and Oz is working to restore the power. Sayer, Oz, and I can be the final team, if need be.”
Final team?
No rekking way.
“They’re still alive,” I growl, unable to keep my anger in check. “You’re speaking of our Commander as though he’s already left for The Eternals. And Draven? Have you met him? Nothing can kill that mort.”
Calix’s face, barely lit up, smirks. “I suppose you are right. Draven does have the thickest skull of anyone.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “They are alive. They have to be. It may just be they are in a bit of a pickle.”
“A bit of a what?”
He chuffs out a laugh. “I heard Molly use that phrase before, though I probably destroyed it. Do not tell Emery. They will both enjoy poking fun at me.”
A smile tugs at my lips as I try to imagine Stella joining in on their teasing. She’s not comfortable yet, but she will be one day. Stella has so much to offer and anyone who befriends her will be lucky to have her in their lives.
“I’ll go with Jareth and Theron. We’ll get them out of the pickle bit,” I assure him. “Perhaps I’ll be back before these two wake. If not, you’re going to have to answer to Stella. I hope you don’t like your sac.”
His brows furl. “Your mate would threaten my sac?”
My mate.
It sounds beyond amazing hearing it from someone else’s lips.
“My mate would do anything for the ones she loves,” I tell him as I slowly stand. “Anything.”
Calix grimaces and gives me a short nod of his nog. “Find our brothers and hurry back.”
I want to bend over to kiss Stella and Henry, but if I do, I may never leave. No, it must be done quickly and without much thought. I don’t ponder my decision. I just leave.