Allied (Ruined #3)(24)

“Cas doesn’t make unilateral decisions the way his father does,” Franco said. “It’s not the same.”

“Sure, but you can’t guarantee that will be the case for the next monarch. Or the one after that. This is bigger than just me and Cas. It’s about the future of both our people.”

Franco tapped his fingers on the table, like he was considering it. Cas caught Galo’s eye. Galo tilted his head with a small shrug. He could see Em’s point.

“Give us some time to think it over,” Cas said to Em. “Can you come back after we’ve had time to discuss?”

“I don’t know if I can get away again without Olivia getting suspicious,” Em said. “We were hoping you could send a messenger. Someone you trust not to just carry messages, but deal with us and make smaller decisions. And to be clear, it will be incredibly dangerous. I’ll do my best to protect whomever you send, but I can’t always control Olivia. They’ll need to do their best to avoid her.”

“Not a great pitch,” Franco said, scrunching up his face.

“I know. But if we’re going to communicate about negotiations and my plan to stop Olivia, we need a way to talk to each other.”

“What is your plan to stop Olivia?” Julieta asked.

“I don’t have one yet,” Em said quietly.

“Great,” Violet muttered.

“We can send a messenger,” Cas said, shooting Violet a look. “But it has to be a volunteer. I don’t feel right assigning this to someone. It would have to be a person we trust, who isn’t scared of the Ruined.”

Cas’s eyes flicked to Galo. He saw the idea occur to Cas at the same time it occurred to him. Cas discreetly shook his head.

“I was thinking we go to the soldiers first, maybe General Amaro might have some thoughts?” Cas said quickly.

Galo didn’t hear Danna’s reply. It was an insane mission. The chances of getting someone to volunteer were slim at best. Everyone knew Olivia killed any human who came near her, so why would someone volunteer to do it willingly?

“I’ll do it,” Galo said.

Every head turned to him. Em blinked in surprise.

“I’ll do it,” he said again.

“No, you can’t . . .” Cas’s voice trailed off, like he couldn’t think of why Galo couldn’t.

“It should be me,” Galo said. “I already know some of the Ruined. I know Olivia. Some of the soldiers have only seen her from a distance. They won’t even know who to avoid.” He said the words partly to convince himself. He needed something to make himself useful, a way to prove he was actually good at something besides wielding a sword. This was the perfect opportunity.

“That’s a good point,” Em said to Cas. “And Aren already knows Galo. Aren is always wary of new humans. He’ll appreciate having someone he already knows he can trust.”

Galo tried not to make a face. While he had warmed up to Em, the same couldn’t be said of Aren. He’d been cold and reserved on the Lera guard, and then cocky and annoying in Vallos.

Cas cracked his knuckles as he considered. He clearly didn’t want to let Galo go, and he had the power to order him to stay.

“You’re sure you want to go?” he asked Galo quietly.

“Yes.”

“Then you should go.” Cas let out a sigh, but he smiled at Galo. “Get ready to leave in a few days. Pack light. You’ll have to go on foot part of the way.”

“I’ll draw you a map of where you can wait for us,” Em said. “It’s a little ways outside of town. Me or Aren will check the spot every evening, to see if you’ve arrived.”

He tried not to grimace. Aren was the best choice, in terms of protecting him. In fact, if he wanted to stay safe in Westhaven, he probably shouldn’t leave Aren’s side. That was unfortunate.

It occurred to him suddenly that he hadn’t asked how long his trips to Westhaven would be. He didn’t even know how long he would be traveling back and forth. It could be months.

I’m worried you’re going to leave. Mateo’s voice drifted through his mind, and he suddenly realized he hadn’t kept his promise.

Everyone was getting up, leaving Cas and Em alone, and he quickly got to his feet.

“Galo,” Em said. He turned to face her. “Thank you. Really.”

He nodded, and realized there was a bigger reason to do this, more important than him wanting to prove something. The Ruined needed help, and he’d never done anything to help them.

He turned and walked out of the room, down the stairs, and to the guards’ quarters. He knocked on Mateo’s door, and his roommate, Lawrence, opened the door.

“He’s on shift,” Lawrence said before he could get a word out. “But it should be almost over.” He grabbed his jacket off his bed. “You can wait if you want. I was headed out.”

“Thanks,” Galo said, stepping inside. Lawrence walked out, pulling the door closed behind him.

Galo sat on Mateo’s bed, rehearsing what he was going to say.

They need my help!

There’s no one else!

I don’t have anything to do anyway!

Mateo really wouldn’t appreciate that last one. It was Galo’s own fault that he had nothing to do and was free to run around with the Ruined.