Page 57 of Scarlet Wars
The latter blinked before her brows drew together in confusion. “Okay, why is this such a big deal? We’re on the brink of war with humans. They’re the magi’s military force, aren’t they? It’s notthatweird they’d show up to check on the Collective closest to the bubble.”
I huffed out a breath that wasn’t quite a laugh. “The United Chiefswereour military force. But after they killed off the entire Board of Directors?—”
“You mean after the Board tried to use their Amplifier on me,” Emma cut in sharply.
I met her gaze and nodded once. “Yes. At Alliance. After they wiped the Board out of existence, they didn’t find us a new governing body. Didn’t even try. They simply seized ‘temporary’ control of the Magi World themselves and…never stepped down.”
Emma shrugged, still not seeing it. “Okay. So, they’re in charge of all of us. So what?”
James turned to face her fully. “Their control was never legitimate. It isn’t sanctioned by the Collectives, and it sure as hell isn’t backed by law. Which makes them afraid of anyone who can challenge them. Makes them nervous. Volatile. Dangerous.”
I stepped in. “And people like that don’t wait around to be threatened. They take the first shot. Theyhunt.”
Emma’s expression shifted. She stilled, her arms lowering to her sides as the weight of it landed. “You think they’re here for me?”
I hesitated, then glanced at James. He gave a small nod. “Yeah. If they found out about your translation, it’s not unlikely.”
Rachel’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, her translation?”
Shit. “He means how she survived the bubble,” I cut in quickly, hoping the First Offensive of this Collective wouldn’t press further.
A beat of silence passed between us.
Then Rachel exhaled loudly and closed her lids, pinching the bridge of her nose as if the stress physically hurt. “You know, I’m trying to remember a more peaceful time. Seems like that predates your arrival.”
I snorted. “You were bored anyway.”
She turned to me, the smile that followed careful but steady. “You might have a point.”
Emma’s jaw tensed, and her knuckles whitened around the edge of the table. She shot Rachel a look that could have frozen fire.
Was she…jealous?
Hell.
That did something to me I wasn’t very proud of.
Rachel’s focus lingered on me for a beat longer than necessary before she turned toward the door. “I’ll let them know you’re here.”
The door clicked shut behind her. The charged atmosphere in the room turned instantly into an almost living, breathing thing.
James started pacing the room, boots scuffing against the worn stone floor as Emma sat herself cross-legged on the edge of the table. Her fingers traced the faint lines of her Skindo-tattoo, while her face betrayed nothing but boredom.
I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, trying to look as relaxed as possible, though the itch between my shoulder blades screamed trouble incoming.
The door creaked back open again, and the High Chief stepped in, commanding the room instantly. Dressed in crisp black with the insignia of the United Chiefs gleaming on his shoulder, he carried the air of a middle-aged man who rarely heard the wordno, his long, slightly crooked nose sharpening his already severe profile.
The thin line of his mouth suggested restraint rather than warmth, a face shaped by hardship and worn into something refined and unforgiving. His gaze swept over the room, landing on me last, lingering long enough to feel like a warning.
“James Walker, Caden Colt, and Ms. Emma Thompson,” he said, sounding rather amused somehow. “After having heard somuch about you all, it is almost an honor to meet the three of you.”
Almost an honor. Asshole.
My eyes flicked to James, whose pacing stopped abruptly, and then to Emma, who was now watching the High Chief with veiled curiosity.
The man in charge of the entire Magi World strode to the table and took a seat across from Emma, while James and I instinctively moved to her sides. The shift wasn’t subtle, and the High Chief’s expression flickered with amusement, knowing exactly what he provoked.
His attention locked onto Emma, and every nerve in my body went on high alert.
