Her decision became clear, the opportunity like kismet—being called to duty felt right. Her path made sense now. She’d right this wrong for Dade and herself. Fix the mess of the world before she left it, even the score if she could.
Dade must be avenged. It was a fitting sacrifice to honor him. Her decision was made before she could fully recognize it. Retribution must be dealt to his family and to the govies. Everyone must pay. It didn’t matter if they were manipulating Lasair to attack, as Dade had warned. They would all die today.
Her life was forfeit with the attempt, and that was okay. She accepted it. She’d eventually join Dade in the ever after, regardless. First, she had work to do. They killed him, as much as if they’d used their hands. The govies were in the Solizen pockets. If the govies acted against Dade, then his family knew and had something to do with it. The govies and the Croix family would regret that.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Arden slapped a charge stick to the end of her blast-phaser. It wasn’t like the small phasers that she normally carried. This phaser was three feet long, and she’d wear it strapped over her shoulder. This one meant business. Once she made sure it was in working order, she began to strip it apart to clean each piece. Arden lined up the components beside her along with the smaller weapons and knives she needed to sharpen.
They’d gathered in a staging area, an abandoned gym in an older part of the city conveniently located in the center of three bolt-holes they’d use to infiltrate Above for this mission. It was a larger group than they’d ever assembled in one place. There were at least a hundred members of several gangs coexisting together. Normally they wouldn’t even consider it, as it was far too dangerous to congregate in a group so large, let alone to act as a unit. The other gangs and Lasair didn’t necessarily get along. But that didn’t matter anymore because they’d come together for a greater purpose. They were going to show the Solizen that they may have locked up Undercity, but the people were rising up to demand freedom. And, yes, there was also a more selfish motive: at the end of the day, it opened up the doors for someone else to rule the city. Then it would be each gang for itself.
Moving a group this size took a massive amount of coordination. Thankfully, that task didn’t fall to her. Niall hadn’t protested when she’d glared and said that she was there to fight, not to play babysitter. He’d left her alone after that. Then she’d volunteered for the most dangerous job, to infiltrate with the first group, the sweeping team. They’d secure the location for the rest of the gang to come in after.
She surreptitiously studied the faces of those around her. She didn’t recognize many of them. Arden had good recall and had met most of their gang, except for some of the runners or newer members. Which meant that Niall had recruited.
They were clearly trained. The way they put together and inspected their weapons with military precision spoke of experience. These guys seemed shady, as most pay-for-play mercenaries were. Without any ties or affiliation, they couldn’t be trusted.
Some of them were from rival gangs. Those faces she recognized. They huddled in groups, giving a wide berth to the rest of the room. Lasair didn’t work well with others. Who knew what sorts of deals Niall had brokered behind the gang’s backs, a frightening revelation because every deal had a bite.
Arden figured she wouldn’t be around to see it implode, so she pushed that concern from her mind.
As she continued to clean and go over her equipment, she watched them. It was important to identify those who might stab her in the back if given a chance—all of them probably. Her gaze wandered while her hands remained busy at her task.
Tension was like static in the air. It felt like a crackling energy. The jovial bickering that usually amped them into action was lacking. The mood was somber and angry. The tide had changed. Undercity had joined together to create mutiny. It wasn’t for Arden to say whether that was good or not. She honestly didn’t know, nor did she care. She couldn’t consider a future she probably wouldn’t see.
For a moment, she allowed herself to feel the pain creep past the wall she’d constructed around it. It splintered her soul, harsh with jagged edges that cut deep. Arden couldn’t help but suck in a breath, cut again by the fact that both Colin and Dade—even Niall—were gone, lost to this insanity they’d created. She was alone. Everyone she loved and trusted had left her, either from this world or into the drugs and revenge that fed their life.
She felt tears prick the back of her eyes, and blinked them away. Not here. She could not be vulnerable today. Today was for strength and revenge. It was the only way. Arden concentrated on her task. Closing her eyes, finding her center, and then letting out a long, slow exhale.
She timed her breaths with the movement of her rag across the surface of the metal. It was a task she enjoyed. A centering, so that when she was in the thick of it, she felt as if she had some control. Her breathing slowed, making her focus on just this moment and not on what was to come. Making sure she was free of any negative thinking, taking pride in making her work as efficient as possible. Her skill and attention to detail would keep her alive long enough to get the job done. She wanted retribution, and she couldn’t rely on anyone else to give it to her.
Someone stepped into her peripheral vision. Waiting to be acknowledged. Arden glanced up enough to see skintight black pants. She knew who it was before she looked up into Mariah’s face.
Mariah didn’t appear to be much better than Arden felt. Her expression was pinched, her skin pulled taut around her eyes. Her hair was tied back, and she wore no makeup. She seemed tired, as if she hadn’t been sleeping well.
“Can I talk to you?” she asked.
Arden didn’t want to talk, but she found herself nodding. They hadn’t spoken since the rescue, partly because Mariah had been recovering, and partly because Arden still felt guilty for not stopping her capture. Arden found herself avoiding direct eye contact with Mariah even now.
Mariah took a seat next to her. She didn’t say anything for long enough that Arden finished cleaning the phaser she held, before looking up at her, questioningly. That seemed to be Mariah’s cue to speak. She rubbed her palms on the knees of her pants, flexing her fingers before she began. “I know you’re avoiding me.”
“I’m not,” Arden automatically denied.
Mariah blew a breath while slapping her hands onto her legs and rubbing them. She glanced away. “Right.”