risky.” He seems to catch himself, his sharp tone. “I apologize, Veda, I’ve not slept in some time. I truly believe this weapon will help us win the war, and it’s almost ready.”
Something isn’t right, but it’s obvious I’m not going to get any clear answers from him while he’s in such a state.
“Go on … You had something to tell me?” he urges.
“Yes, of course, I’ve been communicating with Nico, and he—we believe—we’ve found a way to end the war.”
“End the war?” Brow furrowed, he stares across the cave at me.
“Sir—” Dorian steps in. “Things aren’t going well on either side. Lives lost … Destruction … Food scarcities … We must find a peaceful solution before all is lost.”
He’s already shaking his head before Dorian finished speaking. “No … We’re too far in now. The only way to end this is for one side to win. It was never going to end peacefully. Don’t you see? The Imperi and the Night cannot coexist. It’s one or the other, and I intend for it to be the Night that comes out victorious. But first we have to come together.”
Dorian and I make eye contact, and I can tell we’re thinking similar thoughts. There’s no sense in going into our plan.
The Sindaco is dead set on winning his war or taking everyone down with him as he tries.
And Raevald’s the same.
“You’re right, sir,” Dorian says. “I’m not sure what we were thinking. What can we do to help you prepare the weapon?”
“Thank you, but—” He’s heading for the door in a hurry. “Just keep the soldiers in good spirits. Keep going up, working to claim Imperi strongholds. Leave the weapon to me.”
Dorian salutes. “Yes, Sindaco.”
* * *
AS SECOND- AND third-in-command, Dorian and I agreed now was the time.
The Sindaco has mentally gone AWOL.
We have to move on without him.
Knowing the whole of the Night will be in the cavern having lunch, that’s where we head.
It’s loud, the raucous sounds of eating and chatter filling the space and echoing off the walls. But the farther I move into the cave, the quieter it becomes. Until I make my way to the platform where the Sindaco usually addresses us, Dorian at my side.
As next in command, we have every right to be here.
Gazing out over the battle-tired, confused crowd, I start. “I have something to say—it won’t take long.” I pause for breath, to construct my thoughts. I catch Dorian’s eyes. He nods. Then I find Imi and Bronwyn and Xavier not far away. “Please know I’m choosing my words carefully, that everything I’m about to say is fully thought out and of the utmost importance.” Again, I pause, take in all their faces, how they wait with bated breath hanging on my every syllable because I wouldn’t be standing up here if it wasn’t important. “The time has come to end this war. Fighting the Imperi will only get us so far. We’ve been battling for decades and where has that gotten us? What have we gained? A scrap of beach isn’t worth the lives lost.” Many are nodding in agreement. “The Night and the Imperi have been divided far too long. And if we stay divided, if we continue to fight, I fear this war will never end.” I gaze at as many eyes as I can focus on with my eyes misting over, a small knot of emotion taking hold of my throat. “We’ve all lost someone we love.” I motion to the island above. “They’ve all lost someone they love. The war must end. But to do that, I need your help. Your support. And mostly, your willingness to come together with your fellow Bellonians.” There’s a bit of mumbling among them as I’m sure they’re curious what I’m going to suggest. “You welcomed me as your Lunalette to bring peace. To bring revolution. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
The majority of my fellow Night family applaud and shout out “Huzzah!” and “Here, here!” and “We support you, Lunalette!” With that, I dive into deeper, darker waters, unsure of how they’ll accept the next part.
“Nico Denali, heir of Bellona, is our greatest ally right now.” As expected, they whisper and speculate, probably think I’ve gone completely mad. I raise my hand. “Hear me out, please. He wants to end this decades- long conflict just as I do. As it stands now, we’re getting nowhere except deeper and deeper into a hellish war with no end in sight.”
Still,