The group always says I’m ‘too soft’ for this world. And I’m starting to think they’re right.

I ran to keep up with River and Ronan, who dove straight into chaos by running into the building with nothing but two small handguns.

Declan gave me a gun too before we left the warehouse, saying he knew I wouldn’t use it, but just in case I needed to.

We all knew how to work guns, but I was thankful that I was put with the best gun-mans in the group.

I nearly tripped over the guards’ body as we entered the building, tall dark looming walls with hallways on either side of an elevator door.

Guards were on alert instantly, guns out and ready. “Hands up!” One yelled. “Get on the ground!”

I started to comply, us clearly outnumbered, but Ronan yanked me back up by the sleeve, grabbed the gun from my belt, and shoved it into my hands before he and River started shooting, Ronan taking left, River taking right.

I covered my ears and kept my head down, praying some soldier didn’t get a lucky shot and hit one of us.

Shot after shot after shot for a few seconds before silence. The room stank of gunpowder and blood. Ronan grabbed my wrist and dragged me along to the elevator.

“Declan said to use the stairs.” I said quickly, stumbling to follow him and River—neither of them  seeming any bit shaken up.

“Yeah well, Declan’s not here.” Ronan grinned.

“I thought we were going to confirm Thornblade’s location before just going to his office.” I stuttered, I always slip up my words when I’m nervous.

River looked at Ronan then nodded, walking over to a guard that had been hiding behind a plant on the side, shaking with fear.

They were tiny, probably only a bit older than Tessa. 

Then River pulled out his gun and put it to the kids’ head.

“Where’s Thornblade?” River asked, his voice cold, almost unrecognizable.

The kid babbled something before giving up and muttering “Office.”

My heart was pounding already, but seeing that little kid scared for their life? I couldn’t handle it.

River stepped into the elevator, Ronan following and pulling me along. Leaving the kid behind.

Part of me hoped River would stop the door from closing and we’d use the stairs and not risk some guards on another floor needing the elevator.

Ronan seemed to read my thoughts as the door closed and River clicked the button to the top floor, eyeing the security camera in the corner before smashing it with the iron knuckles clutched in his fist.

“Guards can’t use the elevator.” Ronan explained, his hand still gripping the fabric of my sleeve. “Only Thornblade, doctors, scientists, and whoever else who’s official but not military.”

I nodded, that easing my nerves slightly.

We’d get to Thornblade’s office long before Declan, Skylar, and Eliot would.

We just had to hope Thornblade was alone in his office.

“What about that kid?” I asked them. “We can’t just leave them there.”

River took a deep breath. “There are a bunch of kids that Thornblade uses as weapons. That one has two options. Leave, become a rogue and eventually get hunted down till they’re dead. Or stay in the military until their inevitable death by battle or punishment.”

My stomach dropped, how could anyone be so cruel to kids just trying to survive?

Ronan’s eyes got darker after hearing that, his head lowered, hand gripping tighter to my sleeve like it was keeping him tethered to the world. Like he’d snap if he let go.

Declan was worried this would happen. The memories become too much for Ronan, he dissociates or has a flashback, then we have to cover for him until he comes back to his senses.

Dec called him a liability. That’s a strong word to use on one of our strongest members. In that way, he might have been right, but I was the liability in probably every other way.

“Ro?” I asked him, nudging him slightly with my elbow. His head snapped up, eyes dark but grin sharp.

“You’re so worried, doc.” He teased. “Don’t be so tense, we’ll be outta here quick enough for you to reorganize the bookshelf or whatever.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course he noticed my constant need for tidiness. Sometimes I’ll get in a loop for hours, organizing or cleaning something over and over until I’m sure it’s perfect.

Just to have Ronan barrel in and mess it up the moment I’m done.

Sometimes it takes everything in me not to slap him upside the head. Skylar doesn’t hold back, she just does it.

She was more casual with Ronan than I was though.

The moment the elevator screen flashed to say we were at our stop, my heart started pounding again. I’d gotten a brief moment of almost-safety the ride up. Now it was time to get the job done.

I hated that our job was murdering.

“Remember, the moment you get a opening, take the shot. We want to be back before Tessa’s hungry for lunch.” River murmured right the elevator stopped.

The way he said this so casually—that we’ll go home and eat lunch with Declan’s sister after murdering so many people—it made me sick.

I forced my hands steady on the gun. I knew Ronan or River would get to him before I even had a chance to lift the weapon, but I needed to be ready to not let everyone down. 

Unfortunately like most of our plans, things went sideways instantly.

The moment the elevator doors opened we were met with probably at least a dozen guards, each with weapons drawn pointed right at us.

“Shit.” Ronan muttered, hand tight on his own gun.

“Drop the weapons.” One barked. My gun clattered to the floor. Ronan and River didn’t move.

“Drop the weapons, Holders.” The guard repeated, two others seeming to get ready to fire if they didn’t comply.

“Hold fire.” I heard a man’s voice say behind the soldiers. “I want to get a look at the prizes before they’re obliterated for their crimes.”

Ronan tensed the moment he heard his voice, I kicked him with my boot to keep him present.

The figure came into view, a guy not more than a few years older than me. Dark eyes, daring smile, angled jaw. He walked in with confidence like he was unaware he could be shot at any second.

“Ah—Fire, Sun, and traitor.” He glared at each of us, pointing us out like we were candies in a storefront.

“Sir, they’re still armed.” One soldier warned, but the boy didn’t seem to care, even as River raised his gun.

“Noctis wouldn’t kill me. He knows where his loyalties lie. He has no right to kill me after arranging the kidnapping of Thornblade’s greatest accomplishment.”

“Who are you?” Ronan spat, his hands shaking on his gun.

The boy laughed. “Alastor Davian, second in command to Thornblade’s military.” He stuck his gloved hand out like he expected us to shake his hand. Ronan grabbed it and tried to yank Alastor forward, he met Ronan with a taser to the gut, the electricity biting into his skin before I could even blink.

“Ronan!” I dropped to the ground next to him.

“Careful, little flame. I don’t want to have to injure you before you’re reunited with your rightful holder.” Alastor said smugly, slipping the taser back into his pocket.

River pulled the trigger, two guards went down, the others instantly on alert, waiting for commands. 

Ten more shots and they were all down. Alastor in the middle like he wasn’t even phased by loosing his soldiers.

Ronans body was still convulsing slightly under mine, his legs beneath him, palms flat against the floor of the elevator.

“Where’s the rest of you?” Alastor asked impatiently, like we were wasting his time.

“Dunno.” Ronan said with gritted teeth. “I’ll whisper you a secret if you come closer.” He looked up at Alastor with a wicked grin.

“Seen that trick, Kane.” Alastor smirked. “There’s nothing you know that I don’t. I’m your replacement.” 

“Then why does Thornblade want me?”

Alastor crouched down to Ronans level, tilting his chin up so their eyes could meet. I felt a sense of dread and jealousy run through my stomach. “Remember when you’d lead raids into rogues’ homes?” Alastor recalled. “Finding their location, shooting them and all the people with them down within seconds?”

Ronan glared, attempting to get his face away but Alastor held tighter. 

“Thornblade needs you to do that. He has plans. Things are coming. If you escape out of here alive somehow—you’ll be like all the rogues you’ve killed.” Alastor fished something metal out of his pocket then put it in Ronans palm. It was a chain with probably at least fifty dog-tags. 

I swear I could hear Ronan’s breath stop.

“You can’t make me do that.” Ronan said angerly, forcing himself up. “You can’t pull me back there, you can’t make me to anything!” He spat, stepping back till he hit the elevator wall.

Alastor rose with a pitying expression.

“So emotional for someone with a heart as dark as yours.” Alastor tisked. “Too bad you don’t have a choice.”

Thornblade stepped into view, his dark curls slicked back like always, he had the same dark curls and eyes Skylar had, but his skin was much lighter, and eyes much much colder.

Ronan raised his gun without a second thought. His hands were shaking.

He pulled the trigger.

Alastor’s eyes widened, like he didn’t think Ronan would do that.

River grabbed Ronans wrist, pulling him out of the elevator cart. Thornblade fell with a deafening sound. Alastor was calling on his radio for medics and guards immediately, looking pointedly at me as I followed Ronan and River.

Then someone grabbed my wrist yanking me back. I felt the unmistakable weight of a gun barrel against the side of my head. 

“Stop!” Alastor snapped at them, Ronan and River both turning to see me being held hostage.

Ronan’s eyes flickered to mine, guilt and terror crashing over him.

“You leave, your healer gets shot.” Alastor said coldly. “Call the rest of your group in here and we’ll get you guys where you belong.”

Ronan reached for his radio, River yanked Ronans hand away. “They’re just going to kill us all.” River snapped at Ronan.

Ronan turned to look at me, eyes glossing. 

“Go, Ronan.” I told him.