Page 83 of Deck of Scarlets
Watching Cillian protect Emilia, not just physically but verbally in front of members of the Order, pulled at something deep within.
Putting my pride aside, I tried again. I’m sorry.
Josh’s eyebrows rose, and then he cleared his throat, stealing a quick glance in my direction. Forgiven. But don’t ever lock me out again.
Relief coursed through my body. Noted. So, about the other Orders?
His laugh echoed inside my head. We’ll do a crash course soon. Right now, pay attention, especially to Emilia.
Confused, I hadn’t realized she’d moved to the center of the room. She used the space to circle inside, staring at every single one of us. “We can’t pretend anymore that the streets are any safer than they were a few years ago. Something has shifted, something we’ve never dealt with before. I think it would be wise to have stronger patrols, and requesting help from other—”
Dean Poverly stood, interrupting her suggestion. “Calling other Orders to assist is unnecessary.”
“Then what do you suggest? We leave the younger generation of The Order, along with every innocent human on campus, open for slaughter?” growled Cillian.
Fear spiked my heart. You were right. He could break our necks using only two fingers.
I told you so. Josh then added, Cillian has a point.
Then why doesn’t Dean Poverly let more patrols have access?
Because he has too much pride. It’ll show everyone that he doesn’t have control over New York City. They could replace him.
Captain Harrison pulled a piece of paper from inside his collar. “We have the authority from the Spades to overtake this jurisdiction.”
All the professors’ eyes widened in shock. Dean Poverly snatched the paper from Captain Harrison, reading vigorously several times before letting the paper fall to the floor. “It’s true.”
Thatcher snagged it before anyone could get their hands on it and read it herself. I watched her mouth whisper the words she read until her fingers crinkled the paper. “They move in tomorrow. We must provide housing for the patrols.”
Chloe gasped quietly beside me, then whispered to mostly herself. “This is serious if the Spades are involved.”
Before I could even ask Josh, he’d already infiltrated my mind. The Spades are the highest council to exist in our world. Only a select few make it to that status. If they got word of what’s happening over here, that would mean everyone across the board knows.
Emilia looked taken aback. “I didn’t hear of this. Were you holding back for shock factor, Captain?”
He smirked, gesturing to Thatcher to return the note. “I always have a surprise hand up my sleeve.”
Cillian didn’t look amused.
Looks like Cillian isn’t happy being left out of the loop. In fact, Emilia’s face said it all—pure rage.
I’m surprised he didn’t tell them. They’re the highest-ranking members in their fleet.
How many fleets are there?
Seven.
Captain Harrison made his way over to the front door, tossing out his final words. “The Spades know what’s coming. Be prepared to send your trainees into battle.” He left the command hanging in the air, with Emilia and Cillian not too far behind, anger rolling off their backs.
Chills ran up my spine, and nobody spoke for several minutes. Nobody could even look at one another. If what Captain Harrison said was true, the idea of joining those well-trained fleets in an all-out blood bath, my mind began to spiral. I built a tiny wall in my mind just to hide behind in order to figure out what this all meant without having my fears displayed front and center.
Regardless of my chosen fate, I couldn’t, wouldn’t participate. Being responsible not only for myself but other lives too, even strangers’, was too much to think about. I knew what I saw that day outside the cathedral, there was no denying the presence of demons any longer.
But I wasn’t strong enough to fight them, even mentally.
I could use a stiff drink right about now.
“We’ll start fresh on Monday,” announced Thatcher before storming out of the house.