Page 144 of Scarlet Wars
“Rachel.” Caden’s countenance hardened, every syllable clipped. “There’s a military drone following us and blowing everything we touch intofucking pieces.I don’t care what piece of paper they’re waving around, it’s pretty damn clear the US is aiming to kill us.”
Before Rachel could bite back, I jumped in. “What if it’s not the US?”
“What do you mean?” Sean asked.
I looked up at Caden. “The US military crossed into Canada, moved toward the Metasphere, and tried toarrestme. If they wanted me dead, why take the risk and send soldiers in with rifles? Why not just use drones from the start?”
Caden shrugged, water still dripping from his hair. “Hell if I know.”
“It doesn’t make sense.” I shook my head, frustration bleeding into the words. “Say it is the US military. Say they’ve got a kill order with my name on it. You’re telling me they’d sendone drone? Why not twenty? Why not make sure the job’s done?”
Caden went still, something hard flickering in his expression. “Makes sense,” he muttered, “but if it’s not them…then who?”
I cleared my throat. “There are others who might want me dead.”
Rachel’s voice came again, quieter now but edged with realization. “You’re thinking of the first warrant.”
“The what?” Sean asked.
Caden’s brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face.
“Rachel and I found out the presidential warrant was signedaftermy parents’ deaths,” I said, the words heavy in my mouth. “After I killed those humans on US soil. Which means there were two warrants. The first one branded me a terrorist…”
“And gave the kill order for your parents,” Rachel finished softly.
“Exactly.” I swallowed hard, the motion painful. “Maybe that same first warrant had a kill order for me too, not just my parents. The longer I think about this, the more it fits. The US bubbled in the whole country and cut off all magic, including mine. So why the hell would they brand me a terrorist for using translation Icouldn’t even access? It doesn’t make sense.”
Caden nodded slowly, the muscles in his jaw ticking as understanding began to take shape. “Which means someone else started this. Someone powerful enough to make it look official.”
“Doesn’t mean it wasn’t the US,” Sean countered. “Didn’t ye tell me it washumanmilitary that showed up at their door?”
I nodded. “Yeah. But that doesn’t prove anything. They could’ve been mercenaries dressed as military.”
“So let me get this straight.” Sean’s tone had shifted slightly. “Someone we don’t know brands ye a terrorist, sends ten people—mercenaries, maybe—to yer parents’ house. They kill yer parents. Ye kill them before they kill ye. And only then does the President get involved because someone with magic killed ten humans on his soil.”
“Yes,” I said quietly.
“The President issues a warrant for your arrest,” Sean went on, “and when ye flee the country, he sends the military into Canada to come after ye.”
“Yes,” I repeated, my response flat, and hollow.
“But since then,” Sean continued, “Caden’s blown up a US Coast Guard patrol boat, and we’ve killed more than a few humans in order to protect you. That’s enough for any President to order retribution.”
I lifted my head, meeting Caden’s eyes before turning back to the phone. “So he sendsonedrone?” The disbelief cracked through my words. “Just one? To do what, scare us?”
Sean hesitated. I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. “Yeah…” he said finally, slower this time. “Does seem unlikely.”
A low exhale hissed through the line. “Which means this drone probably isn’t US military.”
“Exactly.” I glanced at Caden, the air between us charged with the same grim realization. “It’s not the people luring me to New York either, since they’re practically paving the road for that crossing. The only ones left are the ones who wanted mefrom the start.”
“Whoever those might be,” Caden finished.
We locked eyes, one long, silent exchange that said more than either of us could voice.
“Let me verify our theory,” Rachel said, her tone brisk but tight. “If we’re right… If it’s true, there’s an illegal drone firing atCanadians from US territory. Pretty sure the Americans won’t be happy to hear that. We’ll call you back.”
“Okay,” I whispered, still staring at Caden.
