The Emerald Virgin (Gem Apocalypse Book 1) by Ravyn Rayne Page B
Authors: Ravyn Rayne
word had traveled about the planned attack on the palace. Aria hoped it had only gone as far as the rebel camps.
"Have you ever fired a weapon?" Rhys asked.
"You mean a gun?" Aria shook her head. "I'm a quick study."
"I'm sure you are, Aria," Rhys said. "We're low in ammo, and until we can scavenge for more, we're going to carefully divvy up the weapons to those that can make the most impact with them."
"Am I supposed to go in unarmed and hope not to get caught?" Aria asked. She didn't lie. She wasn't crazy about this plan of Rhys's. Aria knew he thought it up quick. No one expected to have the prince of Brayleigh in the rebel camp last night.
"I'll give you a knife. Two if you can handle one with each hand."
Aria could learn. "No problem." How hard could it be? "What about James? Are you trusting him with a knife too?" she asked. Aria knew he made a spear. Was he going to shove that into the car on the drive to the palace?
"Sure. If he can shoot, I'd give him a gun, but it might mean killing his own father or brothers. Would he do it?"
Aria didn't know. If it came down to them or her, so far he's chosen her. Though she wasn't sure how much control Gideon truly had over his son. Would James's loyalty change face with two options standing before him?
"I'm not sure he knows how to shoot," Aria said. "Save the bullets." It's both an excuse and a truthful answer. "How are we getting inside the palace? There's a wall around the stone building. We can't just walk up and get buzzed inside."
"James provided us with detailed sketches of the tunnel system and where it leads in to the palace. My men are packing what they need to get us inside. They won't see us coming."
* * * * *
In and out in under ten minutes. That would be an ideal situation, but let's face it, taking out every guard or having them turn to the rebel side wasn't going to happen in ten minutes. Rhys happened to be an idealist not a realist. Perhaps his optimism had been what helped him acquire such a large army for the mission. It was all or nothing. They go in strong.
They were in the tunnel, the dark damp disgusting smelling passageway that led in through a back entrance near the kitchen. It made sense. Trash must be taken out somewhere. The tunnels were almost wide enough to drive through. Some used to call it a subway system, but the tracks had all been scavenged and sold for scrap metal. The stations were destroyed in the war and what was left had been built over by King Gideon.
Aria gripped the handle of the blade in her right hand. A spare knife stayed in a sheath, stuffed into her boots.
James left the spear behind when presented with a knife and a dagger.
Aria didn't blame him, she'd have rocked that dagger if Rhys had given it to her. Was she jealous? Absolutely!
A team headed in first, disarming guards as they followed behind. They had all been required to memorize the map. Aria wondered how many times James came down here, to the abandoned tunnels. How else had he known it existed and where it led? One day she'd ask him, when their lives weren't in imminent danger.
"Remember, we stick together," Rhys said. He'd already given them orders. Though he seemed to find it necessary to remind them of their responsibilities.
Aria had no desire to split up from the group or run. At least among the rebels, she felt useful and protected.
James slipped in front of her. She knew he tried to protect her and if she didn't feel she needed protecting she would have been offended. His father scared the crap out of her and if James could diffuse a heated situation, good. No doubt, it would get heated, because they were taking the palace.
Not a single guard changed sides. Could they really have expected them to so easily? Aria watched in horror as gunfire erupted all around them. Standing against the wall, she covered her ears. James shielded her, his body covered hers, protecting Aria. They wouldn't shoot their own prince, would they? Did they
"Have you ever fired a weapon?" Rhys asked.
"You mean a gun?" Aria shook her head. "I'm a quick study."
"I'm sure you are, Aria," Rhys said. "We're low in ammo, and until we can scavenge for more, we're going to carefully divvy up the weapons to those that can make the most impact with them."
"Am I supposed to go in unarmed and hope not to get caught?" Aria asked. She didn't lie. She wasn't crazy about this plan of Rhys's. Aria knew he thought it up quick. No one expected to have the prince of Brayleigh in the rebel camp last night.
"I'll give you a knife. Two if you can handle one with each hand."
Aria could learn. "No problem." How hard could it be? "What about James? Are you trusting him with a knife too?" she asked. Aria knew he made a spear. Was he going to shove that into the car on the drive to the palace?
"Sure. If he can shoot, I'd give him a gun, but it might mean killing his own father or brothers. Would he do it?"
Aria didn't know. If it came down to them or her, so far he's chosen her. Though she wasn't sure how much control Gideon truly had over his son. Would James's loyalty change face with two options standing before him?
"I'm not sure he knows how to shoot," Aria said. "Save the bullets." It's both an excuse and a truthful answer. "How are we getting inside the palace? There's a wall around the stone building. We can't just walk up and get buzzed inside."
"James provided us with detailed sketches of the tunnel system and where it leads in to the palace. My men are packing what they need to get us inside. They won't see us coming."
* * * * *
In and out in under ten minutes. That would be an ideal situation, but let's face it, taking out every guard or having them turn to the rebel side wasn't going to happen in ten minutes. Rhys happened to be an idealist not a realist. Perhaps his optimism had been what helped him acquire such a large army for the mission. It was all or nothing. They go in strong.
They were in the tunnel, the dark damp disgusting smelling passageway that led in through a back entrance near the kitchen. It made sense. Trash must be taken out somewhere. The tunnels were almost wide enough to drive through. Some used to call it a subway system, but the tracks had all been scavenged and sold for scrap metal. The stations were destroyed in the war and what was left had been built over by King Gideon.
Aria gripped the handle of the blade in her right hand. A spare knife stayed in a sheath, stuffed into her boots.
James left the spear behind when presented with a knife and a dagger.
Aria didn't blame him, she'd have rocked that dagger if Rhys had given it to her. Was she jealous? Absolutely!
A team headed in first, disarming guards as they followed behind. They had all been required to memorize the map. Aria wondered how many times James came down here, to the abandoned tunnels. How else had he known it existed and where it led? One day she'd ask him, when their lives weren't in imminent danger.
"Remember, we stick together," Rhys said. He'd already given them orders. Though he seemed to find it necessary to remind them of their responsibilities.
Aria had no desire to split up from the group or run. At least among the rebels, she felt useful and protected.
James slipped in front of her. She knew he tried to protect her and if she didn't feel she needed protecting she would have been offended. His father scared the crap out of her and if James could diffuse a heated situation, good. No doubt, it would get heated, because they were taking the palace.
Not a single guard changed sides. Could they really have expected them to so easily? Aria watched in horror as gunfire erupted all around them. Standing against the wall, she covered her ears. James shielded her, his body covered hers, protecting Aria. They wouldn't shoot their own prince, would they? Did they