LERRIN

They made it to the cave he'd intended to take her to, but his mind was still reeling. He still fought the urge to return to Asta and bite out her throat. Or maybe that was too good for her. Maybe he'd disembowel the traitor, let her die slowly and in pain.

He nodded to himself grimly as Suhle tugged him toward the cave where they could be out of sight just in case anyone happened into the area. But Lerrin could feel that they were alone, and Suhle agreed. And her hearing was even better than his.

As soon as they were out of the open, he turned with a question in his eyes, and when she smiled, he pulled her into his chest. She came willingly, resting her temple on his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I cannot imagine leaving you,

" he said hoarsely.

"I have to. I know that. And I will. But you must know, Suhle, that if there were anything less important, I would not do it. I cannot… I do not wish to be separated from you at all.

"

"I pray it will be only a short time,

" she whispered.

He sighed. They both knew with what was coming there was every chance one of them could end up dead, or a prisoner, or… he turned his mind from those thoughts. They would not help.

"I have to return to the Security Council soon. Tell me what you wish to tell me,

" he said quietly. The memory of Asta bloomed in his head and his jaw clenched with the urge to go after her.

Suhle stroked his back.

"I know it smells bad, and this will taste bitter in your mouth, but… if you reveal to this faction that you know of them, if they are warned before you leave, then any of them who have not been identified will use your absence against you. You know it true, Lerrin. You could return to your own revolution.

"

He stiffened under her hands.

She was right. But he wanted to fight it anyway.

"How can I leave a known traitor in charge while I am absent?

" he growled.

"If they believe one of their leaders is in charge, they'll feel comfortable—more comfortable, in fact. They will relax because you're gone. They'll be waiting to make sure that you're doing what they want from you. Their security will mean that they will feel less… urgent.

"

"Or they will use my absence anyway, and I will have left them the vehicle to do it.

"

"I will follow Asta this morning. I will listen. If they plan a revolt in your absence, I will tell you before you leave. I promise it, Lerrin. But they have always discussed letting you lead them until they're returning to the Tree City. They wish to create a new society when that occurs. That is when it will be right to remove Asta, and take the others by surprise at the same time.

"

He shuddered. He could see the wisdom in the plan, but it went against everything in him to leave the people—especially those who'd held their honor—in the hands of these evil doers.

"Asta may not be the villain you believe her to be, Lerrin,

" Suhle said quietly.

"I had planned to find out more before I brought her to you. But with you leaving… Just… the time to gather information and think is needed. I imagine they will meet a great deal with you out of the encampment. I can look into it while you're gone.

"

"No, you can't,

" Lerrin sighed.

"Because I need your help.

"

She went still, waiting to hear his thoughts.

"Suhle,

" he whispered,

"I can see the truth. I couldn't sleep last night for seeing it—even more than the truth you've brought me. My people are falling apart from the inside. Their goals are not honorable. I'm not sure when they changed—this isn't the tribe I grew up in.

"Last night while you slept I thought all of it through and now… now I better understand Reth. I still cannot stand the male—but I see that… I see why he should stay in the Tree City.

"

Suhle froze, startled. Lerrin swallowed hard and held her close.

"I need to speak with him. Do you think you can sneak into the Tree City? Get close to him?

"

Every muscle in her went rigid and he opened his mouth to retract the request. She was terrified. He couldn't put her in a place of that kind of fear. But before he could find the words, she whispered,

"I am certain I can. At least close enough to get a message to a family member who will get it to Reth directly. But if I can take it myself, I will.

"

"No, no. I don't want you in his hands, Suhle. He is killing prisoners, I refuse to take that risk with you.

"

"He would not kill me when he heard the message I brought,

" she said, squeezing him.

"He wants this with you, Lerrin. I'm certain of it. It is his way. That memory you shared with me… it proves it.

"

Lerrin growled, but didn't contradict her.

"Then… then I have to ask you to go. Today. You must beat us there. I am… Suhle I am going to betray my own people by doing this. It is not an honorable thing to do—

"

"There is nothing more honorable than turning from hate, Lerrin,

" she whispered. To his surprise, she lifted her chin and pulled him down into a soft, lingering kiss. Then she spoke against his lips.

"You were blinded by hate and pain. But now… now you see. And you are willing to turn away from the dark. That is the most honorable thing an Anima can do. I knew you were good, Lerrin. I knew it.

"

Lerrin sighed, but lapped up her attention. When they finally broke the kiss, neither of them spoke immediately. But he was desperately aware that he couldn't disappear for lengthy periods today without it being noticed. So he began to outline the vague plan.

****

WANT A PAPERBACK???

There is an extra FIFTY chapters available through the privilege system! Support Reth & Elia in the new Win-Win event (which will earn readers refunds on coins! Last month you got 12% refunds!) by buying ANY privilege tier and unlocking the chapters in those tiers every day as they become available. (You can follow our progress in the

"Explore

" tab of the app. Just hit the

"Win-Win

" ranking which is the bottom icon on the lefthand menu!)

AND, if you buy the TOP TIER in this book (and

/or in QUEEN OF BEASTS) you will gain an entry into the drawing for a Paperback copy (only 12 in existence!) at the end of August! (You will need to comment on the most-recently released top-tier chapter at some point during the month to enter, or join my discord and join the private author chat for Ruler-Level Privilege tiers by downloading discord app, click the plus sign in the left hand menu, then enter these letters: 92g42X4nRv