Chapter 38

Chapter 38

“I’m not doing that.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Darius’s shoulders dropped.

He turned, and stomped off. My pulse raced. A fight between Ronan and Caius was my chance. Caius would never report me plea for help to Ronan now.

Seraphine waved me over. “Let’s move.”

She took me to the drone unit. It was a big room full of screens and humming drones.

An undead engineer who Seraphine introduced as Lewis was the instructor.

“So this is Lila. Show her how to work the controls.”

You better do some good teaching, make sure she's comfortable.

Then she left.

Lewis pursed his lips as he peered at me. “Let’s see if you can handle it.”

He handed me a slick controller. The buttons glowed green. I gripped it with my sweaty palms. The screen lit up, showing a drone flying over the mansion.

"Steer here. Aim there. Fire!"

My first try was awful.

I'm not sure I'll be good at this.

What do you think.

I guess you just need to keep trying till your perfect.

The drone wobbled, almost hitting a wall. My face got hot and my teeth clenched.

“Let me try again,” I said.

"You can do it. Slow down. Pay attention.”

You don't need to be in a hurry.

Just focus and you'll get it right.

I nodded, breathing shallow. The drone steadied, gliding smoothly through the air.

My fingers moved slowly as I took aim at a target. I hit the target, making a red dot explode on the screen.

“Not bad, human. Just keep doing that."

And your good to go.

Alright thanks.

I kept going, sweeping through the air, hitting targets.

"You can either take spy missions or shooting missions."

A plan hit me. The drone could find Caius’s room.

I hit one more target and handled the controller well enough for Lewis to walk away to attend to something else. Then I tilted the controller, taking through the mansion.

I swept through the general's wings. With shaky hands, I checked several doors and corridors.

I found a big Oak door with two guards outside. I checked the make on it. That was for General Darius.

I kept searching until I found Caius' room in the same wing. Then I saved the path in my head.

Now that I know I can always come here or assume I came for practice without any suspicion.

After another hour of spying and shooting, Lewis came over. “You've covered the basics.

You can now Come back tomorrow.”

“Is that okay by you?.

“Yes it is, sure I will.

“I really enjoyed my time with you.

I powered down the drone. My hands were shaking. I was getting close to carrying out my plan.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, handing the controller back.

I stepped out and hurried down the path I had committed to memory.

The halls in the generals' wing were dimly lit by yellow bulbs. Guards were everywhere, glaring at me with their glowing eyes. I moved on confidently like I had legitimate business around here.

I followed the same path I took with the drone until Caius’s door came into view.

My chest heaved and I swallowed. This was the moment of truth.

My only chance, I shouldn't mess up this time around.

I stopped, my breath stuck in my throat.

Was this a good idea? I can just go back and come back later or the next day.

I was so confused at this point.

Caius could rat me out to Ronan and ruin everything.

There's a high chance  of betrayal.

Yes, they were on bad terms this was my chance to do things right.

But what could be the reason for the argument.

What could have caused it.

But who said he couldn't use me to mend fences with Ronan. I thought of Mara again. It had been so long since I saw her, heard from her.

I don't even know how she's fairing.

But I guess she can be doing fine.

I had no choice. With a sigh, I approached Caius' door. Two undead guards stepped out of the shadows.

“What are you doing?” One asked.

Your not supposedbto be here.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

I'm Looking for General Caius."I said plainly.

I didn't have to show any form of weakness or get intimidated by their stature.

"Do you have an invitation?"

"I want to. . ."

"Do you have an invitation?'

"No." I replied.

The guard's eyes narrowed. “Then leave. Right now."

You should be in the castle and not here trying to sneak your way to General Cauis room with no invitation.

My stomach twisted. I would have to give this another shot later.

This is so unbelievable I was so close to doing this right.

“Okay,” I said. Just as I walked away, the door creaked behind me.

"Wait."

I turned and saw Caius standing there.

"What a surprise? What do you want?” he asked.

"I need you to see something," I replied.

I walked closer to him.

I didn't want to talk about needing help right away, in case the guards were loyal to the Zombie King and not to Caius.

They may be together who knows.

“Come in." He stepped aside, waving me in.

I followed him inside ensuring no one saw me or us.

I stood in Caius’s room with a pounding heart. The air between us is tension-charged.

His undead eyes stared at me. This was the moment I had been waiting for finally.

I pulled the letter from my sleeve, and my fingers shook as I held it out.

Caius grabbed it and spread it out.

Why the rush I thought.

His lips pressed into a thin line as he scanned the page. My stomach twisted with raw fear.

Would he help me?

Or would he tell Ronan?

I was so scared. My heart beats so fast, a lot of things were going through my mind.

I was sweating profusely.