Let The Wind Rise (Sky Fall, #3)(70)

“I have it under control,” Os says, backing away and blinking. “We have it under control.”

“That’s the lie we tell ourselves,” Aston says. He studies the nearest guardian and shakes his head. “You’ve all been training hard, I see.”

“We have,” Os agrees. “We’re trying to protect our people.”

“And who will protect them from you,” Aston asks, “when the need offers you anything you desire, so long as you surrender to the craving? What happens when you’re so empty and ruined that you’ll do anything for the rush of pain to pull you back together?”

“If that’s the price we have to pay to finish this, so be it!” Os snaps back. “Even you know we don’t stand a chance on our own—and they know it too, otherwise they wouldn’t have sent that.”

He points to the emergency signal in the center of the field—a thin, white funnel of speeding winds stretching to the highest point of the sky.

“I’d even wager that’s why they involved you in the first place,” Os adds, glaring at me. “Someone to do their dirty work.”

Aston shrugs. “That doesn’t mean it was wise to corrupt the entire force with a power you don’t understand. And every time you use it, you’re dragged further under.”

“Maybe not,” Solana mumbles, then shrinks slightly when all eyes focus on her. “I think . . . I found a safer way to channel the power.”

“Have you now?” Os asks. “Does that mean you’ve used the commands I taught you?”

“She did,” I answer for her. “And it really messed her up.”

“I’m fine,” Solana starts, then stops herself. “It’s been hard. And part of me wishes I’d never used it. But it’s a little better now that I figured out the trick. If I focus on the needs of others, instead of what I’m craving, the power doesn’t take over the same way. The hard part is letting go of the selfish thoughts and making sure I truly mean the sacrifice.”

“But you still have to ruin the wind, don’t you?” Arella asks.

“Not if I use winds that are already broken,” Solana tells her. “Raiden has shattered thousands of drafts—and I’m sure he’ll destroy hundreds more today. We can use those to fight against him. Give them back their meaning. Otherwise what will their fate be? To drift aimlessly with no value or purpose ever again? They may be damaged—but they’re not useless. So long as we make sure we’re working in harmony with their needs, I don’t see why it would be cruel to let them help us, whatever way they can.”

I hadn’t thought of it like that before.

I kept thinking of it like shielding ourselves behind dead bodies. Taking advantage of the violence of others in order to survive.

But the winds aren’t dead.

If she’s found a way to give them purpose—why not?

I feel even better when I see Audra nodding, like she agrees with Solana’s reasoning.

“So is this your plan, then?” Os asks me. “Put us on the front lines of your battle while tying our hands and limiting our power?”

“Thinking of others doesn’t tie your hands,” Solana insists. “And it definitely doesn’t limit your power. It made us stronger than even Raiden claimed to be.”

“And you can organize yourselves however you want,” I add. “You’re the experts on battle strategy. All I need is for you guys to keep the Stormers busy, so I can find Raiden and end this.”

“You’re going to end this?” Os asks. “You realize what that means?”

“Yeah, I’m going to kill Raiden,” I tell him.

Hopefully slowly and painfully.

It’s kind of amazing how little the idea shakes me. All I have to do is keep my mind focused on Gus.

“I’ll be helping,” Solana jumps in.

“As will I,” Audra adds.

“Only if I need it,” I correct.

“Oh, you’ll need it,” Os says. “Or is selflessness supposed to be the magical cure for your aversion to violence?”

“No, the magical cure is rage,” I tell him. “Raiden murdered Gus right in front of me. He tortured the girl I love. So yeah, I have absolutely zero doubt that the first chance I get, I’ll be ready to end him.”

I’m pretty proud of how confident I sound in my little speech. Until I realize I slipped the L word in there too.

The coward in me wants to put my head down—look anywhere but Audra’s face.

But the needy, desperate boy has to know what she thinks.

I steal a glance, and . . . she’s not looking at me.

But she’s blinking a lot.

Are those tears?

If they are—are they good tears?

Something hits my side, and I realize Solana elbowed me.

“Os asked you a question,” she says under her breath.

Right. I’m supposed to be focusing on battles and things.

“One more time?” I ask, losing what little credibility I might’ve gained.

Os sighs. “I asked if you have a preference on how we organize the ranks.”

“I do,” Aston jumps in, and once again I want to hug him. He knows everything about Raiden’s battle tactics and gets to work bossing everyone around, sending the guardians to different positions, and telling them how to prep for battle.