huddle to sit heavily on the bench of one of the machines, then stared at his feet. “I’m relieved, honestly. I’ve been hoping Emil would simply tell me I couldn’t go. This way, even he doesn’t have to be the heavy. Alex is.” Lifting his gaze to the others, he added, “I want to do what I can to protect Annika and Mackie. I won’t hesitate to kill if necessary. I’m just not cut out to go marching into battle. Sorry.”
Benin went over and, sitting beside Jase, put his arm around his shoulder. “It’s okay, Jase. We all know how brave you are.”
“Sure,” Quinn agreed. “The others weren’t here for it, but Demi and I remember how you stuck by Emil’s side when he was neutralizing that chemical bomb.”
Jase swiped at a trickle of tears. “That was easy. I wasn’t going to let Emil do it alone. And it’s one more reason why I don’t want to fight. I would be so worried about him that I’d never be able to keep my mind on my own danger.”
“Okay, so maybe you’re right,” Damien conceded. “Although I’ve been in plenty of scrapes in my life, none have involved guns or any kind of life-and-death situation. As mad as I am about Logan and Shawn and the others, I’m not sure if I’m cut out for killing people. That’s not what all soldiers do, though, is it?”
“He has a point.” Alun once again inserted himself into a conversation that didn’t quite seem to include him. Still, he was the oldest of them all, if one counted years of living, and he’d seen more horror than any of them—of that, he was sure. He felt he had something worthwhile to contribute to their obvious dilemma.
“In my day, the young boys who served stayed behind in camp, watching the supplies. It was an important job.”
“And not necessarily a safe one,” Quinn observed. “At least, according to Shakespeare’s Henry V. Even if we concede the point that we’re not fit for the assault, it doesn’t mean the only alternative is to stay here. We could remain with whatever vehicles they arrive in and form a defense.”
Damien nodded. “That makes sense. I’m betting the final leg of the journey will be made via helicopter. Will has been giving me flying lessons since we took down Bran. I don’t have an official license or anything, but I’m pretty good at it, if push comes to shove.”
Jase smiled. “I like that idea. We protect our transportation and make sure our men have a secure exit once they rescue Dafydd and the others. I’m totally down with that plan.”
Quinn looked around the room, his gaze stopping on Alun. “I think we all are in this room. It’s Alex we have to persuade.”
“You’re in the best position,” Alun said, staring at the boy, even though he was uncomfortable with the attention. “I mean, like, you know him best and have the opportunity to sway his mind.” He didn’t add exactly how Quinn could accomplish it. He figured the boy understood. Even the aliens were vulnerable to manipulation with the right pleasurable techniques. Alun had managed to get something he wanted a time or two by swallowing his pride and giving his master extra attention.
Quinn frowned, however. “I don’t use sex to get what I want from Alex, if that’s what you mean. I’ll confront him head on with this. Our relationship is based on honesty.”
“And how has that been working for you lately?” Alun nearly covered his mouth. He was shocked at his own words. “I’m sorry. It was horrid of me to say such a thing. I don’t have any experience with real relationships.”
“It’s okay, Alun.” Demi, of all people, came over to rub a hand on Alun’s back. “We know how rough you had it in Dracul’s castle. We don’t blame you for using whatever weapons you had to in order to survive. We know you’re worried about Merlin, too.”
He hung his head, his emotions in a jumble. “I am, yes. I’m also not used to standing up for myself, but I have to now.” He lifted his chin and looked at each boy in turn. “I’m not a warrior, that’s for certain. I have no more power here than I did back in Wales, either. Alex and the others don’t give a fig about what I want. But I’m not staying behind while my son is out there, in trouble. Nor do I trust that anyone will