by Auryn Hadley
"What did ya see?"
"An army bowing to her, you on her left, me on her right, the Blades behind her. It came with the feeling that the emperor was scared."
"Fuck," Cyno whispered. "Ayati."
"Never really understood the iliran habit of thanking fate before," Blaec said. "Then she happened. She's right. I've been too human. I think the world is trying to tell me something."
"She's done with her bath," Cyno said softly.
"Eavesdropping?" Blaec called out.
"Yes," Sal yelled back. She set the brush down, tucked the towel tighter around her body, and walked into the main room. "I didn't want to come storming into some elite officer, and then I didn't want to interrupt a private conversation."
The men glanced at each other, sharing a knowing look.
"I'm headed out t'night, kitten," Cyno said, his eyes working hard to stay on her face.
"I heard. What's the mission?" She turned to Blaec for the answer.
"Purple-coated soldiers on the border, just an hour north of here. It shouldn't be an engagement, that's why I'm sending Cyno at night. I just want verification."
"And I'm not going?"
"No. I need my Second Officer to make a few pretties with the elites and to help keep the recruits in line. I fucking hate the layout of this place. We can't just separate them."
"So I'm playing politics instead of watching my partner's back?"
"It's part of the job, kitten," Cyno told her. "Yer good at it, too."
"I just hate wondering if you're ok."
Blaec chuckled. "I bet," he said, stepping back. "Just kiss her, man. I'll get the orders for you." He shook his head, chuckling, and walked into the office, pulling the door gently behind him.
"I do na want to cross the line," Cyno said softly.
Sal looked to the door, guiltily. "Don't give me time to think about it."
He grabbed her chin and turned her face back to his, then stepped close. Slowly he kissed her, sliding one arm around her back, refusing to let her go. His mouth was soft, tender, and Sal forgot any concerns she'd had. Her arms reached up and wrapped around his neck, pulling herself into his embrace, the towel slowly trying to work free. She moaned, and their tongues danced, the kiss begging her to make it so much more.
"Seriously," Blaec called from the door. "I said kiss her, not fuck her, Corporal."
Sal gasped and stepped back, but Cyno was grinning as he looked at her. He reached up and caressed her cheek before glancing over to Blaec.
"Learn how ta kiss a woman then, it is na somethan ya rush."
"Evidently not." Blaec walked back toward them, a blue envelope in his hand. "Give this to Nyurin. That's his name, right?"
"Yeh." Cyno nodded, tucking the envelope in his pocket as he turned back to Sal. "Keep an eye on Calon. Do na be alone with him. He does na smell right."
"I know."
"K. Then I need ta get the pikes ready. I'll stay through the thin' with the elites, then head out 'round sundown."
Cyno made his way to the door. He glanced back at her once then stepped through it, closing it tightly behind him.
"So," Blaec asked her softly, "you believe me now about being ok with this?"
"I'm trying," she said, looking up at him. "I don't get it, but I'm trying. Does this mean I need to be ok with sharing you?"
He laughed and shook his head. "No. Doesn't work like that. Usually our women are violently jealous. That's why I chose you for the spar today, you know. All those iliri know what you mean, standing there beside me."
"I don't."
"I know, love. You've got a couple of decades to make up for. It won't all come in a day." He tapped her head gently. "It's in here, though. Just do what feels right, and if you're wrong, I really will forgive you."
She cocked her head, thinking through his words. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I know I'm not perfect. I screwed up with you and let my pride make my decisions. When you started pushing? Started being everything I wish I was? Like back in those caves when you probably saved our lives but didn't give a shit about my human rank? Or this," Blaec gestured to the door. "You like him or you sure wouldn't kiss him like that, right?"
She chuckled and looked away.
"Right?"
"Yes. He's like a bad boy crush."
"Ok. But you're still pretty hot for him." Blaec tried but couldn't hide his smile. "My nose works almost as well as yours, you know. So, why are you fighting it?"
Sal let her head droop on her neck. "Because a human told me to."
"Right. I'd much rather you ended up in his bed, enjoyed yourself, and then told me it happened – the telling part is kinda important there, Sal – rather than make yourself miserable trying to deny your instincts. I'm going to try to do this right, but you have to, too."
"Are we really that primal?" she asked, changing the subject slightly. "All of you mention instincts at least once a day. Humans, they never talk about it."
"Mm," Blaec thought. "Yes and no. Humans have them too, but try to ignore them and claim they're above that, but see what happens when two men are chasing the same woman."
She nodded, understanding what he meant.
"Difference is that we have never been ashamed that we're predators. I think it's because we're accused of being beasts so much that we embraced it instead of shunning it." He shrugged. "You going to complain if it means you get your own little harem?"
Sal laughed and threw her towel at him. "No. But remember you told me to try the next time I stick my foot in so deep in it that I can't crawl out on my own" With that, she walked back into his room and rummaged for clothing.
"It's still hot, you know," Blaec told her. "Just go with the tank and those pants that are a size too big."
She leaned back, looking at him through the open door. "You've been paying a bit too much attention to what I wear."
"Nah, just what's inside it."
Sal laughed and put on the exact clothes he'd suggested. It was kinda like his reward, she decided. Never mind that she liked knowing that he looked, and anything to encourage that seemed like a good idea. She would never get used to being thought of as beautiful and often wondered if it was because she was the only iliri woman in the unit, but she wouldn't complain. Better to be beautiful because she had no competition than always thought of as too strange to be pretty.
"Ok, Major," she said, pulling on her boots, "You going to escort me down?"
"I am. I'll even buy you a drink in the mess."
"Drinks are free in the mess," she groaned.
"So I'm a cheap date." He passed her belt over with the daggers still attached. "And wear those. I don't trust Trax."
She buckled her weapons on then grabbed his hand. "So, does this mean I get a kiss from you too, before we have to go put on our public faces?"
He pulled her to him and leaned down for her neck, nipping it gently before kissing his way up to her mouth. When his lips touched hers, he pressed closer, holding her to him, her head tilted back by his extra height.
He broke the kiss and turned professional in the blink of an eye. "I need you to play bait, ok?"
"Hence the lack of clothes?" she teased.
"Well, that's part of it. Mingle with the elites, see who's friendly. They're all human, so listen to your nose more than your eyes."
She nodded.
"Devil Dogs are experts at putting on a good show. Pig learned it from his time with us. He knows, Sal. All of it. He's known for a while, but I don't know if his unit does."
She nodded again, accepting the orders. "Anything else I should know?"
He sighed deeply. "Two men were talking in the barn today. Said that Parliament is hoping we'll be wiped out in this mission. Said if we take heavy enough losses, they can just reassign the rest of the scrubbers."
"Any hint of who they were?"
Blaec shook his head. "Tilso tried to get eyes on them, but by the time he was out from under the damned horse, there
were a few groups, and they were all moving. He thinks it was Star Fall."
"Gotcha. You think they have orders to avoid making it easy on us?"
"Wouldn't shock me. I need to see who we can trust."
Sal nodded. "I'll do my best, sir."
"And officially, you were giving me a report on the trials and assisting with the intel on the border."
Sal grinned, "And borrowing your bath, since the ones here aren't segregated by gender and my quarters don't have one."
"I'm a good officer." Blaec laughed, kissing her neck again. "Have to make sure we maintain good hygiene and all."
"Yeah. Something like that," Sal agreed.
Together they made their way into the courtyard, Blaec moving away to greet the leaders of the new units. Men filled the area, many in the standard blue and gold, but others wore the specialized color of the elites. Sal noticed Devil Dog's grey, Star Fall's dusty brown, and more. A small group stood out in their Indigo uniforms, gold piping showing their allegiance to the Conglomerate. Sal watched the elites, taking in the way they moved, finding herself comparing them to her own abilities, when she caught a whiff of something familiar behind her. She turned, stepping lightly, to face the person moving into her space.
"Black Blades?" an iliri male asked. He kept his small ears partially back.
She nodded, noticing his strange features and how they mimicked her own. "Azure Silence, I assume?" She recognized his uniform.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. Sal fought the urge to growl and refused to break the look.
"I didn't know the Blades had an iliri." He smiled sardonically. "What do you do? Polish their... swords?"
Rage flared in her at the insult and her ears pressed tight against her head. He was testing her and Sal's instincts warned her that she dare not lose. She fought the urge to rip his throat out and kept her body relaxed, showing no sign of her inner desires. "If they beg enough," she said sweetly, intentionally keeping her hands clear of her blades.
Sal? she heard Cyno's voice in her head.
I fucking got this, she snapped back.
Yeh, but you're drawin' a crowd, he whispered in her mind. He's yers, kitten, but we got yer back.
"And what do you do?" she asked the iliri man, allowing her lip to curl. "Scrub their boots? Or do they trust you enough to give you the saddles?"
"Bitch!" the iliri spat at her, his own ears pinned.
She saw his chest tense and knew he was about to lunge. Sal exhaled, never dropping her eyes. When he leaned, his fist clenched, and stepped toward her, committing to his motion, she surged forward. Bearing her weight on her left leg, her right swept his ankles out from under him, and she reached for his throat. His neck slid into her hand, her thumb against his jugular, and she dropped her weight to the ground, taking him with her. The iliri's eyes widened as he felt himself falling, but he still refused to look away.
He hit the ground hard. Sal stared into his white eyes and snarled, knowing he had no choice but to submit. Finally his eyes closed, then he blinked again, before looking at the men around him.
She leaned forward without breaking her gaze and whispered, "Try that again, and I might put some effort into it. Don't fuck with me, and don't you dare challenge me again. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am." he whispered.
"It's sir," she snarled. "I'm a damned soldier. And all of the Blades are iliri."
Sal released the man when he nodded, letting him find his feet, and turned her back on him. Behind her, Cyno stood lazily, leaning against a wall with a smile playing on his lips. He didn't even try to hide the sharp points of his canines. To his right, Zep and Shift waited, their eyes locked on the elite soldiers across from them. Razor, Risk, and Arctic watched from the balcony above. At the edge of the crowd, Blaec waited calmly. She could only assume he'd arrived in time to witness the scene.
"I'm sorry, sir," she told him, speaking loud enough to be heard at that distance.
Blaec pushed forward, a scowl on his face. Locking eyes with her, he said clearly, "Luxx, that behavior is unacceptable."
Sal looked down, knowing the iliri from Azure Silence could see her submit. "Yes, sir."
He then turned to the iliri man only steps away and glared, his pale green eyes easily meeting the man's white. "And you. You are?"
"Specialist Reko Wyra, sir." The iliri refused to blink.
Blaec marched toward him, "And I am Major Blaec Doll, of the Black Blades. I highly suggest that you do not threaten my soldiers again." Sal could feel Blaec's presence, so strong, so in control, and so threatening as he forced the iliri to take a step back. "Am I understood?"
The soldier looked away. "Yes, sir. My apologies, sir."
Blaec's demeanor changed suddenly, yet still held an undertone of threat. He patted the man on the shoulder, and whispered in his ear. As close as she was, Sal could just make out the words. "She's mine."
The iliri nodded, casting a quick glance at her before looking away. Blaec turned, a polite smile on his face, and looked at the soldiers around him. His arms and legs folded, leaning against a wall, a dark-skinned man nodded at him. "Nice entrance, Doll."
"Drago Trax. Good to see you again. Sorry about that. My men are usually better mannered."
"Wyra started it. I thought about calling him off, but figured it might be nice to see what your new one can do. She's quick." The leader of Azure Silence sounded smug.
"Yeah, she was a good find," Blaec agreed. "Lemme buy you a drink, I hear the prices in the mess are great." Together the men walked away.
Ya good, Sal? Arctic asked in her mind.
Yep, she answered him. I think that's pretty well settled.
Arctic made his way toward the Azure Silence soldiers, introducing himself, and the tension between them broke. Cyno pulled himself away from the wall and headed toward Sal as the other Blades moved in to greet the new elites. They began to mingle, socializing in the casual way of soldiers. More units arrived and the courtyard became crowded, but no one was willing to leave, knowing that they would be receiving orders soon enough.
When all the horses were stabled and all the soldiers settled, LT returned. He climbed to the balcony and waited. With a whisper in their minds, the Black Blades called out as one. "Attention!"
Arctic finished, "Officer on deck!"
Movement stopped in a heartbeat as each soldier present snapped to attention. LT was barely able to hide his smile. It was one small way of showing the units before them that his men had been singled out.
"Men, I'm not about to try to give some pretty speech. The Conglomerate of Free Citizens has officially declared war on Terric. We know that the Emperor is attempting to bribe the governments of our neighbors. The reason is simple. They want to exterminate all iliri and conquer the continent." He paused, letting that sink in. "Before you think this doesn't apply to you, it has also been brought to our attention – by documents that were intercepted – that the Emperor considers most citizens of the CFC to be 'tainted'. Almost all of us can trace our lineage to an iliri somewhere. Some of us," he said, nodding to Specialist Wyra, "closer than others.
"History tells us that Terric has denied iliri within their borders for centuries. Anglia, the most powerful nation on this continent, has been isolated by their geography, and it, too, is free of iliri. Unav, Myrosica, Viraenova, and ourselves have been the main advocates of the iliri. Yes, many of you may think they are simply scrubbers, but our past has been intertwined for millennium. To the Emperor, this is all the excuse he needs to attempt to eradicate us.
"And yes, the rumors are true. The Black Blades are iliri, but we are fighting for the preservation of all of us. If Anglia joins Terric in this war, the Conglomerate will be crushed between them. Unav has already fallen but we hope that our presence, that of an elite group of iliri soldiers, may be enough to encourage the Unavi Rebels to join with us. Now that Escea has allied with the Empire, we need all the help we can get, regardless of our breeding.
"
Currently, there are three supply trains headed to Anglia. Together, they are carrying two thousand kilos of steel." He paused as the soldiers gasped. "That's enough to make fifteen hundred steel weapons, men. We do not know where the Emperor is able to obtain so much ore. What we do know is that these weapons are intended to secure the cooperation of Anglia and to gain the Emperor more military strength with which to crush us. We cannot let that happen. The future of the Conglomerate is in your hands now. I have given each of your commanders the necessary information. Please see them for your outfit's orders. Dismissed"
"Blades!" Arctic called out, summoning them to him, as the other elite officers did the same. I want everyone in LT's rooms, ten minutes.
They nodded and, as a unit, made their way to the officer's wing in silence.
Chapter 15
The Blades lounged on every surface of the commander's suite. Sal lay across the couch, her feet in the air behind her, swinging them as she thought. Blaec sat on the floor in front of her, and Cyno was across the small room, his back to a wall. Shift reclined across a chair, his feet kicked over the arm, and he punctuated his words with an arm in the air.
"There's three loads, at hundreds of kilos each. That means it will be broken down into smaller crates."
"So where are the loads coming through?" Zep asked.
Blaec sighed. "The intel from that Black Widow Sal got in Yager's puts two crossing the Siahie mountains in Unav. Scouts have started reporting heavily laden caravans making their way up the east side. One is actually coming through Escea into the CFC."
"So what's the plan?" Arctic asked.
"Azure's taking the Escean load. We have someone embedded with the train."
"Nice," Arctic said appreciatively. "Ok, so that'll be an easy hit, even for them. The others?"
"Sending the 112th Mounted and Star Fall together to hit the first Unavi load, and Devil Dogs will get the second."
"Why?" Sal asked. "The first load better guarded?"
The Blades all chuckled, and Blaec reached up to grab her hand. "No, love. The 112th are extremely specialized, and so is Star Fall. The Mounted won't fight on foot, and Star Fall is nothing but infiltrators. To make it work, I need them to work together."