Chapter 23

Rafael was the first one through the trees. Prince Michael was right behind him.

“We got her.” Rafael said while holding his hand over his ear.

I went over to him and handed him the phone and porter while watching Michael go over to the man, he pulled his hand away and looked at his face, then used the port box and sent him to the cells.

Arius came through the trees. “There’s no one around.” Arius reported.

Emil was next, he stopped and gave me a quick once over, when he frowned.

I looked down to see the blood on my pants. “It’s not mine.” I said quickly, then forced my head to turn and look at Rafael. “He said the porters don’t work between realms, so where you come out isn’t where it’s programmed for.

“Really?” Michael took the porter band from Rafael. “Does it bring them out close to where they’re meant to be?”

I shrugged, “I asked him that, he didn’t answer but from his reaction, I think it does.”

Arius turned in a slow circle, “we’ll check the area, see what’s close by.”

Michael nodded, “I want to get this phone to Elder Arian and her team, I’ll be back with help.” He nodded to Rafael, then vanished.

I looked out in the direction they’d come in, “what’s out that way?”

Emil finally looked away from me to glance over his shoulder, “a road, no buildings.”

I watched the captain typing on his phone. “What realm are we in?” I shrugged, “if it doesn’t work realm to realm, then I know it’s not mine.”

Arius shook his head. “No. It’s the girls’ realm.” He looked at Emil, “I’m going to check out that way,” he pointed, “come with.”

Emil looked at me for a second, then turned to Rafael, “any way to tell if this area is on the glass tablet?”

Rafael looked up from his phone, “I’m asking now. Troy has brought Romulus to Michael’s office to see it on the map.” He motioned with his head toward the trees, “just scout our immediate area, backup is on the way.” He smirked at me, “and Autumn is bringing your gear.”

I blew out a breath of relief. “Good.”

~

I felt much better with my blades and a proper jacket on. I glanced down at my track pants, I wouldn’t win any fashion awards, but at least I could defend myself.

“There’s a factory over here.” Quinton’s voice came through the earpiece.

“Working or abandoned?” Michael asked.

“Looks like it’s still in use.” Emil’s voice made me pause in step.

I needed to focus and stop acting like some infatuated schoolgirl. Frowning, I glanced behind me to see Detrick and Gudrun right there. They were taking this whole guard the prince's mate thing very seriously.

“Rea, can you go over and see if there’s any of your green haze around them?” Daxx asked.

“On my way. It’s not my green haze, but I’ll look.” Reagan told her.

“Just hold there.” Troy said in a soft voice over the mic, “we’re not rushing into anything without information.”

“It’s really bugging me.” Autumn’s tone was louder than the rest, “what were they doing just standing outside the yard?”

I nodded but kept walking.

“You think this is a set-up?” Paisley sounded distracted.

“Alona, Crissy and I—with guards, are circling behind the factories to check out this side.” Kara told everyone.

“Eyes-wide.” Rafael said.

“I don’t know if it’s a set-up, but it’s bugging me.” Autumn continued.

I squatted down and looked out from the trees to see what was on the other side. I didn’t hear movement, but knew my guards were still right on my heel. “Is the commander keeping a watch around the yard perimeter?”

“He is.” Rafael answered.

“I have Elder Udela and Segos questioning them now.” Troy said in a hushed tone.

“Izzy will find out something.” Kara whispered. “There are people just standing behind the factory, behind a small shed.”

“More like lurking, trying not to be seen.” Alona added.

“Break time?” Bethany asked.

“I don’t think so.” Alona whispered. “A few of them are armed.”

“Which end of the building?” Victor’s question came across as more of an order.

“Furthest from where Kinsley landed.” Kara answered.

“Just keep watch.” Chase said in a hurry, “trying to get in and out in the middle of the day is going to be difficult.”

I stood up and stepped out of the trees, Detrick was right beside me. “There’s a field on this side, I can’t see any buildings.” I glanced to Gudrun as he stepped out, he nodded his agreement. “Do you want us to double back or go around the perimeter?”

“Stick to the trees.” Leone replied.

I nodded and motioned for the men to go back, Detrick stepped aside and motioned for me to lead. I blew out a quick breath and started walking. Is this how people I watched over felt? Like you had someone standing on the back of your shoes? I made a mental note to give them a bit more space from now on. If I ever got another post, that was.

“Just roads over here.” Leone said through the call. “We need to know what that factory is.”

“Already on it.” Arius informed him.

“Ira just messaged, Romulus confirms this area is one of the locations in the glass, or near here.” Rafael told everyone.

“It has to be the factory,” Daxx stated, “where that guy was trying to port to. Armed people don’t just hang out at factories.”

“Seems to be a normal factory on this side.” Quinton said quietly. “Few trucks being loaded, deliveries coming in.”

“Compost.” Arius said abruptly.

“Is that a new way of saying oh shit?” Chase asked.

Arius made an amused sound. “Could be, but no. It’s a compost plant.”

“That explains the smell.” Alona said. “Crissy is back here looking around for cattle.”

“No cattle.” Crissy stated, her voice sounding very nasal.

“They’re working out of a compost plant?” Paisley sounded confused.

“Website seems legit.” Paisley stated, “boasting the use of vermiculture.”

“Vermi what?” Daxx asked.

“Oh.” Paisley’s tone changed, “It’s a type of worm used to break it down, or something like that.”

“Worms and rotting waste. Lovely.” Alona didn’t sound amused.

“At least they’re being creative with their locations.” Bethany stated.

“I could use less creativity and more kicking ass.” Daxx replied.

We worked our way back through the trees until we met up with Leone, the kings, and Michael. Spreading out we moved through the trees in the direction Quinton and the others waited.

“I can knock them out with a few arrows.” Kara said.

“Hold on that for now.” Troy said as he walked past me, “we don’t want to alert anyone that we’re here.”

“Are we just going to sit here?” Quinton didn’t sound happy.

“We’ll have to wait until shift change.” Victor answered. “There are more than a dozen cars in the lot. We don’t know how many civilians are inside.”

“Not to mention the traffic to and from the factory.” Leone added in.

“We’ll leave two teams to watch,” Troy stopped and pulled out his phone, “one at the front and one behind.” He started typing something.

“I’ll go meet them at the yard and bring them to the front.” Rafael said.

“We have another fun place to go today.” Chase smirked as we cleared the trees and came up behind them.

“Yeah?” Autumn gave me a nod when she saw me, I felt better that she was still in her jogging outfit. “That place checked out?”

Troy nodded, but still used verbal confirmation for those that weren’t standing her with us. “It has.”

“Can’t wait.” Daxx smiled at him as she cleared the trees.

Emil turned and looked at me, again giving me a once over. “I’ll head around to the back, and keep watch until Rafael is back with the team.” He glanced at Troy to see him nod in reply.

I turned to Detrick and Gudrun and motioned with a jerk of my chin to go with him. They both followed him without question. I turned back to see Troy give me an amused look, but he made no comment.

Daxx put her hand over her mouth, “we’re going to need masks for this one.”

I had to agree with her. The smell the slight breeze was bringing to us was potent. I tried hard to not inhale through my nose.

“Arius and I will stay here and wait for Raf, if you guys want to go back.” Leone stated as he stepped out of the trees to stand with us.

Chase looked around and then pointed to Mac and Felix. “You two can stay with them.”

The men both nodded and went over to stand where they could keep an eye on the road leading to the factory.

“We’ll convene at the meeting room in the palace…”

“Can we just start calling it the war room or something?” Daxx interrupted Victor. “It’s bad enough we have two dining rooms to keep straight.”

“Summit room.” Crissy said excitedly, “we should call it the summit room. I like the sound of it.”

Chase grinned, “hence forth the old throne room shall be named the summit room.”

Daxx smirked at him. “That works.”

Someone cleared their throat through the mic. “We’ll convene at the summit room once the watch is in place here.” Victor stated, while looking around at the others.

Then Rafael turned and nodded to me. I took that as being dismissed. I opened the porter and pushed the button that would take me to the palace. I at least wanted to get changed before this meeting took place.