“We have tried,” said Heath. “Several times.”
Danni moved to the head of the table. “We’ve made three attempts to catch a commander. But they’re heavily guarded. State militia are quick to destroy anyone they believe is at risk of revealing too much information. They’ve killed their own people to keep them silent.”
“There must be an opportunity to take a commander,” said Juniper, not convinced by this argument.
“Nothing that has worked,” said Danni. “When their personal guard is not with them, they have members of staff only too happy to stand in the way of a pulse laser.”
Juniper slumped back in her seat. “You’ve not tried to get anyone working on the inside?”
“Is that an offer?” Danni’s eyebrows quirked up. “Do you think the State will take you under their wing and share their information with you?”
Juniper snorted. “Not a chance. They’d shoot me on sight.”
“Juniper isn’t right for undercover work.” Arlo was almost out of his seat, his fingertips pressed against the desk.
“I’m not?” She didn’t want the job but wasn’t impressed by his macho display. Danni could try to intimidate her, but it wouldn’t work. Well, most of the time it wouldn’t.
“You don’t think your girl can handle herself?” asked one of the new guys, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Shut it, Ranger.” Arlo glowered at him, then looked at Juniper. “You’re good in my workshop. You’re great with the explosives. Undercover work is too risky for a dragon hybrid.”
“How do I know until I’ve tried?”
Ranger snorted a laugh. “She’s got the balls to do it.”
Danni’s lips thinned, but a smile played across them. “That’s for me to decide. But, I agree, attempting to send somebody in undercover is far too dangerous. If they were to realize there was a dragon hybrid working in their midst, they wouldn’t hesitate in removing you.”
Juniper frowned, and her fingers played over the dragon scales on her arms. “It was just a suggestion. A shortcut to try to get some answers. And, I didn’t actually volunteer.”
“I appreciate the suggestion,” said Danni. “But, for now, we’re focusing on disturbing their communications. If we can get more people to join us, more people to understand that what the State are doing is a lie, it will destabilize them. That is an opportunity for us.”
“I’ve been watching the State ever since they came into the Badlands,” said Juniper. “If it’s any help, I can share the data I’ve got.”
“It could well be useful.” Danni looked around the table, and everybody nodded. “What have you got?”
Suddenly feeling self-conscious under everyone’s scrutiny, Juniper yanked a data chip from her pocket and handed it to Arlo. “There are all sorts of things on there. It’s a secure data chip so won’t damage your system.”
Arlo inserted the data chip and opened the first file.
A murmur ran around the group as a series of maps and photographs of State commanders came into view.
“I recognize that one.” Heath jabbed a finger at the picture of a blonde-haired woman with cheekbones that could cut through steel. “Her name’s Clarice. We met when we infiltrated a State-run facility. Honor used to work with her. Clarice escaped when we tried to take her down. Honor has a personal grudge against that commander.”
“How long have you been collecting these images?” Danni’s intelligent gaze was focused on the data as it flashed past.
“Almost a year,” said Juniper. “At first, I was recording the information to make sense of what the State wanted. When I realized they wanted to kill off the dragon hybrids, I catalogued stuff to use to get an advantage over them.”
Arlo nodded. “You had a good setup in the Badlands when we first met you.”
“It wasn’t perfect, but I’d tapped into some of their communication channels. It gave me a heads up on when they were coming into the Badlands.”
“You were in the Badlands on your own all this time?” Jude looked at her from across the table. She’d only seen him a couple of times before she’d left the base. He was taller and leaner than Arlo, and his dark hair was longer.
“That’s right. But dragon hybrids help each other. And I’ve got my own set of skills if I ever get stuck.”
The room fell silent as everyone looked at her.
“Care to explain what those skills are?” asked Danni.
Juniper looked down at her hands and twisted her fingers together. She was always wary of revealing her abilities. It made some people steer clear of her. She licked her lips and glanced at Arlo. “I can influence people.”
The silence in the room thickened.
“When you say influence, you mean you can make them think things?” asked Heath. “Similar to the hypnotic suggestions used by the State?”
“Not really like that.” Sweat broke out along her hairline. What if they didn’t accept her when they found out what her ability was? She’d be out on her own again. And this time, she had nowhere to go.
“Is it more than that?” asked Jude.
Juniper nodded. “I can get them to do things as well.”
Ranger let out a whistle. “Holy shit! That’s incredible.” He glanced at the guy sitting next to him. “Have you ever come across anything like this, Brett?”
Brett shook his head, caution on his face. “It’s new to me, and I’ve seen plenty of freaky shit out there.”
“It’s not freaky.” Arlo’s eyes narrowed.
Juniper shrugged. “It sort of is.”
“We know about the fire-breathing and the ice-breathing dragon hybrids,” said Heath. “And Clarissa’s seer abilities. I’ve read about this ability. I assumed it died out with the dragons. That’s a powerful ability to have.”
“It’s not perfect.” Juniper risked a glance at Heath, expecting to see concern in his eyes. All she saw was interest. He didn’t seem to mind that she had this ability. “It can be hit and miss. It works better if I’m touching someone.”
“What sort of thing can you get people to do?” asked Lincoln. “Can you get Brett to strip naked and run around the room?”
Juniper’s nose wrinkled. “I could give it a go. Not sure he’d thank me for it.”
Brett shook his head. “Definitely don’t try that on me.”
She focused back on Danni, who was staring at her with interest. Well, if she was going to get kicked out, she might as well go out with a bang. Shutting out all other distractions, she continued to stare at Danni. She knew her influence was working when Danni’s jaw went slack and her arms fell to her sides.
Jump on the table and spin in a circle. Juniper kept repeating this thought in her head, concentrating solely on Danni.
Danni’s movements were jerky as she scrambled onto the table on her hands and knees.
Heath jumped to his feet as he stared at Danni. “Everything okay, boss?”
Danni opened her mouth, but no words came out. The look in her eye was so shocked that it made Juniper smile. Never underestimate a dragon hybrid.
Danni spun in an awkward circle several times, her arms flailing around as she tried to grab onto something and stop herself.
“You’re making her do this?” Arlo’s tone was one of surprise.
“I wanted to show you what I could do,” said Juniper, a painful ache developing behind her eyes. It happened every time she used her abilities. Her weaker human side struggled with the dragon abilities.
“Maybe it’s time for you to stop.” Heath gestured to Danni. “She’s not going to be too impressed with you.”
Juniper took a deep breath and drew back her focus from Danni.
A startled gasp came out of Danni before she jumped off the table.
The tension in the room shot up as everyone waited to see what Danni would say next.
“That was... interesting.” Slowly, Danni brushed down her jumpsuit. Her head raised, and her gaze met Juniper’s.
Su
ddenly, Juniper didn’t feel quite so clever. She’d gone too far. Danni would throw her out on her ass. After all, how could you have someone around who could manipulate your behavior?
A smile spread across Danni’s face. “That’s quite some ability you have. What do you normally use it for?”
Juniper opened her mouth. That was not the reaction she’d expected. “I’ve used it on State guards when they were causing a problem in the Badlands and obtained intel about militia movements when they were hunting dragon hybrids.”
“Can you use this skill on anyone?” asked Heath.
“I think so,” said Juniper. “Why do you ask?”
Heath tapped his fingers on top of the table. “You could coordinate with people when in battle. For example, move your fighters to block an attack.”
“You want Juniper to use her abilities to move us around like we’re her playthings?” asked Ranger. “I’m not sure about that. She’s not battle trained. She could walk me through a minefield.”
“Juniper knows how to fight,” said Arlo.
“It would give us an advantage,” said Heath. “Juniper could oversee an attack and direct us to the best location.”
“It’s possible,” said Juniper. “I’ve never manipulated more than a couple of people at a time, though.” And when she had, she had a killer headache for days afterwards.
“It’s something to consider,” said Danni. “And seeing what you just did to me, you have strong abilities.”
Juniper swiped a hand across her nose and saw a smear of red on the back. She shoved her hand under the table.
Arlo grabbed her wrist and stared at the blood. “Do you often get nosebleeds?”
She shrugged off his comment. “It’s nothing, just a side effect. It happens because I’m not a pure dragon. It never lasts for long.”
“It happens every time you use your abilities?”
“Not every time.” She got a throbbing head, but her nose only bled about half the time.
Arlo dropped his hold on her wrist, his expression cautious.
“If you’re willing,” said Danni, “we would welcome your abilities.”
“I’ll help,” said Juniper.
“I’m not so sure about that.” Arlo’s gaze was still on the blood on Juniper’s hand. “If she gets injured every time she uses her abilities, it’s not safe.”
“I don’t get injured,” said Juniper sharply. “It’s nothing.”
“It definitely is something,” said Arlo. “Don’t go getting yourself hurt.”
“I can handle it.”
“You shouldn’t need to,” grumbled Arlo.
“But I want to,” said Juniper.
“And your help is welcome,” said Danni.
“You can join us for this next mission,” said Heath. “We’re going to need all the help we can get to blow this target.”
“I’m in,” she said. She heard Arlo grumbling as he slouched back in his seat. She didn’t care that he wasn’t happy with her being involved. If working with the Ember brothers meant she brought the State to their knees, then so be it. She could handle a few nosebleeds and headaches. There was no way she would sit this one out because Arlo was being overly cautious.
To hell with the nosebleeds. She wanted the State gone.
Chapter 5
Arlo dumped his backpack on the workbench. He flipped over each bomb in turn, checking the wiring and the detonation switch. He was still pissed at Juniper for being so eager to offer herself as a sacrifice at yesterday’s briefing meeting. She didn’t seem to care about the fact she got injured every time she used her dragon hybrid abilities.
He knew she’d experienced more than a nose bleed as well. Her forehead had been tense and her eyes tight for the rest of the afternoon, as if she’d been fighting a migraine.
“Is something vexing you?” Mary worked quietly alongside Arlo as they packed up the supplies, ready for their mission later that day.
“It’s nothing.”
“From the way you’re slamming those bombs about, it had better be something,” said Mary. “If you blow this room up with me inside, you’ll need a damn good excuse.”
He placed the bomb down as carefully as possible and let out a long breath. “I thought Juniper would want more time to settle in here.”
“She doesn’t strike me as the type of young woman who sits around and gossips over coffee.”
“She’s not. That’s the last thing Juniper would want to do,” said Arlo. “But she’s only just got here. I don’t want it to get too much and for her to change her mind about being here.”
“Juniper can make her own mind up about that sort of thing,” said Mary. “Don’t underestimate her. She’s seen a lot, been through a lot.”
“I never do,” said Arlo. “What she can do is amazing. She showed us her abilities yesterday.”
“Her mind manipulation.” Mary grinned at him. “You’re lucky. She keeps that hidden from people.”
“She never showed it to me before,” said Arlo. “In fact, Juniper didn’t mention what ability she had the first time we met.”
“She does that for a reason,” said Mary. “Using our abilities is tiring and comes with side effects. Usually, it’s aches and pains or bruising. My throat always feels tender if I go too crazy with my fire abilities.”
“Juniper’s nose started bleeding after her demonstration. I said she shouldn’t use her ability.”
“I can imagine Juniper’s response to that.”
“She insisted she help on the next mission.” Arlo grimaced and grabbed another bomb.
“That was her choice. Nobody is forcing her.”
Arlo huffed to himself. “Of course, it was her choice.” He hated the thought that Juniper would come to any harm on this mission. She was so quick to put herself in the middle of danger. It was like she had nothing to live for.
Mary patted the back of his hand. “You let Juniper decide what she wants to do. She’s a smart young woman. She’ll make the right choice.”
“I know she will,” said Arlo. It still stung that he didn’t have any say over what Juniper did.
Mary gave him a hug, and he leaned into it. She was good to have around. She always had sensible advice and helped calm him down.
But this world was fucked up, and the people he cared about kept getting hurt. He’d lost his parents, his sister, his best friend. He didn’t want anything bad to happen to Juniper.
Mary set to work on bagging the bombs, just as Juniper arrived in the workshop. Arlo’s dark mood returned. She looked too small in her borrowed black fatigues. Her face was scrubbed clean of makeup and her hair tied in a knot on top of her head.
She gave him a cautious look as she walked in as if sensing all was not right between them. “I thought you might need a hand today.”
“That’s good of you,” said Mary, giving Juniper a smile. “How are you settling in?”
“Nothing’s changed much since the last time,” said Juniper. “Although the security is tighter on the doors. I tried to get outside for some fresh air and was told I couldn’t go out without a pass.”
“Don’t take it personally,” said Mary. “We’ve had a couple of near misses with the State getting too close for comfort. We need to make sure we can account for everyone’s movements, make sure no one reveals this location. I definitely don’t want to leave this place.”
“No one does,” said Arlo sharply. “That’s why you have to stay inside.”
“I understand that,” said Juniper slowly. “But it’s not like I was going to go outside and cause any problems.”
“The guys on the doors don’t know that,” said Arlo. “And you’ve left before.”
“As you keep reminding me.”
Arlo’s shoulders tightened. He did keep digging at her about the last time she left. But why not? He thought they were friends, and she’d disappeared without saying a word. He had a right to be mad.
Mary cleared her throat. “I’ll g
o and get us some coffee. It might make certain people a bit happier.” She hurried out of the room, giving Juniper a discreet wink as she did so.
Arlo looked at the mess of the workshop. He felt so tense, as if he would snap at any moment. Why was his mood so low? What was wrong with him? Ever since Juniper had arrived, he’d felt on edge. Maybe he was coming down with something.
Juniper’s fingers traced down Arlo’s arm. He’d been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn’t heard her get close.
“You know why I want to help.” Her voice was low. “I’ve seen what the State do firsthand. If I can use my abilities to help you succeed in destroying them, then that’s what I’m going to do.”
“At what cost?” Arlo turned and faced Juniper. Up close, he could see the red flecks in her eyes. Her skin was clean and unlined, other than a slight worry line that sat in between her eyebrows.
“Whatever it takes,” said Juniper. “We have to get rid of the State. We have to bring back the dragons. We can’t let the rest of the population suffer under their rule.”
“Even if that means you die?”
Juniper let out a shuddering breath. “I guess so. One death to save many is worth it, don’t you think?”
Arlo scrubbed his hand across his face. “I don’t know anymore. I used to think that. If that one death messes with the rest of your life, is that right?”
“Yes, it is,” said Juniper.
His thoughts flashed to the death of his best friend, Iain Chambers. He’d died protecting the rest of the squad he was a part of. He’d sacrificed himself so they could succeed in their mission and bring down a powerful enemy. Arlo still hadn’t forgiven him for doing that. Damn, he still hadn’t forgiven himself for being too slow to stop Iain.
“I’ve been watching you.” The words came out before he had a chance to stop them.
Juniper’s eyebrows rose. “Watching me?”
“I mean, keeping track of what’s going on in the Badlands. Since you left, I worried about you.”
“You’ve been keeping track of me?” A half smile lingered on Juniper’s lips.
Arlo shrugged. “I needed to make sure everything was okay. With you. With the Badlands.”
Arlo Page 5