Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,291

that didn't involve using the Resistance as sacrificial lambs.

"What about all the other Walkers? The ones that'll be left here," I asked.

"I don't know."

I bit my bottom lip. Madam B wasn't a mastermind. She wasn't equipped to lead a resistance or make grand plans for taking down an empire. She was a woman in love and looking out for herself.

"We need a distraction, Kemp," Jules said while standing. I always appreciated her ability to thread together a plan. I found myself leaning on the edge of my seat, clinging to her every word. "We need something on the complete opposite side of the Zone to draw the attention of the guards. Then the members of the Resistance need to help get Walkers through the tunnels and out of Galla."

"How many people live in the Zone?" I asked Louis, feeding off her feeble plan.

"A few hundred? Our numbers are dismal."

"So reach out to the Resistance. Let them know—"

"What is it with people jumping in and stealing my thunder!" Jules exclaimed with a joking smile. Everyone around us laughed. "Anyways. Tallis, reach out to the Resistance. Tell them the new plan. Each member will be assigned a street. Their job will be to get as many Walkers as they can out of here. Things will be utter chaos for a while."

"Where will they go?" Lowe asked.

"The deadlands," I whispered.

Everyone sat back in their seats while taking in the plan for tonight. Jade would kill Cavil. Kaye would poison the tower guards. I would get Cy and Mav out, and members of the Resistance would help Walkers in the Zone escape.

"We just need a distraction," Kemper said with a smile while looking at Louis. "Think we can handle that?"

"Oh. Absolutely," Louis replied with a sadistic grin that both terrified and comforted me. We had a plan. A real plan. I just hoped it worked.

Jules got me ready before leaving to go with Tallis. Her place in all of this was to help guide people through the underground tunnels. "You ready, Walker Queen?" she asked me with a fond smirk.

I looked down at the dress I wore with a smile and tried not to feel giddy. I needed to keep a level head and be flexible tonight. This was it, I'd finally have all my men back. "I think so!" I replied. The dress was sleek and, again, white. Unlike my other dresses, though, it had black leggings covered by thick tulle, a design that Jules proudly came up with. That way, when the time came, I could ditch the dress and run.

"You should design clothes," I told her. My time with Jules here was pleasant. She seemed happier when near Tallis, and having a purpose had brought her to this new state of awareness about herself. She was confident and didn't seem as dependent upon the approval or acceptance of others. Just then, Tallis walked into the small bathroom. He leaned against the door frame and stared at Jules.

"Agapimenos, you almost ready?" he asked.

"Almost," she replied while pulling a knife from a holster on her thigh. "I was thinking you should have this, just in case."

I looked down at the silver knife while cocking my eyebrow. It was beautiful and silver plated. Almost decorative. "Madam B gave it to me on my first mission. Figured it was good luck, and I could pass it along to you."

"There is no way I'm sneaking that inside," I replied while clutching my chest. They’d catch me for sure.

Jules didn't respond, she simply rolled her eyes and spun me around. I felt her hands in my hair as she rolled the knife up and twisted. "It's now in your hair. I hear these things are big drunk fests. With any luck, the guards will be too busy looking at your breasts to pay attention to the shiny thing in your hair."

We both exchanged small giggles before Tallis cleared his throat. "Come on, Agapimenos. Time to go." Jules stood after squeezing my shoulder.

"Be strong," she said. Tallis wrapped his arms around her middle and pulled her out of the doorway, but I could still see their shadows. I blushed when I heard her moan, and he kissed her down the hall. I was happy for them, Jules deserved a man like Tallis. She deserved love. Didn't we all?

Downstairs, Huxley was pacing the floor while Kemper and Louis wired something that looked like a bunch of household appliances woven together. "What's that?" I asked.

It was Jacob's mindspeak that answered.