Ash Princess (The Deviant Future #6) - Eve Langlais Page 0,3

pathetic nature of his own thoughts almost had him slapping himself. The woe-is-me party had to stop. Especially since it only proved his sister right. Her voice pitying when she’d said, “I want to live my own life. And it’s time you started yours.”

At times he wanted to scream and rage. The very fact she was right, and he didn’t want to accept it, only confirmed they required separation. No more sharing a house or a room. They now embarked on missions with other people, no more being a team.

It should have been enough.

Problem was, even though Cam didn’t see Casey every day anymore, he was still in the same city. Hearing her name. Aware she was somewhere nearby, meaning he fought the urge to check on her.

It was a hard habit to break. Cam had been taking care of Casey for as long as he could remember. When they were little and the people in the white coats would come and run their tests, he’d always volunteered first to try and spare her. When they escaped, he’d had to quickly learn how to fight the very land itself, not just the perils that tried to kill them but the chill at night that required them huddling for warmth.

They’d always been together. A duo. Inseparable until she met Roark and chose him over her very own brother.

Worst part was he couldn’t even hate the guy. Fucking asshole just had to be radioactive—a Wastelander term for fucking awesome.

These days, Casey was off doing her own thing and Cam was hanging around moping. Maybe he should head north like the fortune teller said and fulfill his destiny.

Upon entering the castle, a huge structure that was a mishmash of old and new, he wasn’t struck by the awe he’d experienced the first time he’d seen it. The biggest building he’d ever encountered, and most lavishly appointed, he remembered thinking how lucky people were to live inside it. Then he was given a room and realized that the large amount of space only served to make him feel more isolated and out of place.

Striding across the gleaming floor, he paused as he heard someone shouting for him.

“Cam, about fucking time. I’ve had people looking for you,” Titan hollered. A glance around showed the man beckoning.

Cam shoved his hands into his pockets and sauntered over. “Why are you looking for me? Need someone to kick your tin ass?”

“You wish,” Titan snorted. “It’s kingdom business. The king has called a meeting that starts in a few minutes. He wants us all there.”

Us being those he considered his advisors. Cam was pretty sure the only reason he sat with them was because Casey insisted.

Cam had no strategy to impart and freely admitted he wasn’t a leader but a doer. The guy who went in and handled the bad shit to save the day.

The so-called council chambers was a converted dining room. It held a table big enough to seat eight. For this meeting, it could have used more chairs. All the seats were filled, and a few of the people attending were left standing. Cam leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and took stock of the situation.

He noted most of the gang was here. Riella, the lady who could do magic with mechanical things, her belly round with Titan’s child. Titan, the Tin Man who acted as captain of the king’s guard. Axel was missing, probably busy with stuff at the new Haven Outpost. Gunner, his second, who happened to be in the city, was attending in his place. By Gunner’s side, his promised, Sofia, a woman who could heal with just a thought. And there was Anita, promoted from king’s personal guard to protector of the realm.

Against a wall leaned Wendall, a cartographer Roark had bribed away from Sapphire, and Pelof, the archivist. Cam didn’t recognize the scruffy man sitting at the end of the table.

Roark of course stood at the head of the table, Casey to his left, drumming her fingers impatiently, her gaze constantly roving over every inch of the room. Even in supposed safety, she remained on guard. Cam had taught her well.

Her eyes met his for a moment, and she gave a slight nod. A hello. He wanted to run over and squish her in a hug until her bones cracked and she screamed she was going to kill him.

The fact he couldn’t made his jaw tighten, but he still managed to return the smile. Mustn’t let her see how he mourned