Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Valor assumed it was the first real breath of liberty the Blacks and the Browns had felt in years.
“And as for funding, there will be no more outside investors, no more strings, no more corporate donors with blood-soaked hands and secret agendas. The Order is funding this initiative entirely. That means we’re beholden to no one flag. Our allegiance is to discipline and honor.”
Corvo’s jaw flexed and Spector gave a single, approving nod.
“And if you’re wondering how the order can fund all of this,” she swept her hand over the room. “Well, thanks to all of your joint efforts, Lee Woyashi was found guilty by the tribunal and turned over to federal authorities…after the Order seized his assets of one hundred and seventy million dollars.”
Jo smirked along with a few others.
“Our first mission is already active. The White Ravens. Only god knows what they’ve been through, so their hostility seems more than warranted.”
Virginia called out from across the room, “I’ve triangulated the flight path they took. We’ll have a perimeter grid of where and when they land within the hour.”
Jo looked at the Blacks and the Browns.
“This isn’t a hunt. Your approach will be non-hostile. No intimidation tactics, no excessive force. They’re not our enemies… They’re survivors, just like the six of you.”
Jo motioned for him and Zorion to step forward.
“What can you tell us?” she asked.
Valor steepled his hands in front of him as he recalled the Whites’ combat tactics.
“They moved in sync. Their escape was too clean for improvisation. It was as if they’d been planning it for a while.”
Mirage leaned into Grace’s side, but Valor never saw the man’s lips move. A second later, Mirage asked.
“Can you tell us anything of their capabilities, Valor?”
He shook his head. “Only that they were young, fast, strong. They fought as if specifically trained in hand-to-hand combat. They fought to evade, not kill.”
“And you couldn’t best them?” Ex asked, his voice laced with a hint of disbelief.
“Not without hurting one of them,” Zorion answered.
Jo nodded. “That’s right. And they had strict orders to use defensive measures only.”
“And no one here has any information on that vaulted wing behind the director’s office?” Spector asked, reclining in his chair with his boots propped up on the table.
“Everyone here was kept in the dark as you were, Spector,” Jo said. “However, I’m nothing if not through. All personnel in this building were recruited by me. They’ve been interviewed, interrogated, and given polygraphs. The only ones who knew anything about the White Sector 30 either fled during the raid or were killed in it. Glitch has scoured the database and found no record of it.”
“The Whites have no reason to trust us,” Corvo said what they were all probably thinking. “So why in the hell do you think they’d want to join us?”
“We have to give them a reason to stop running. No one wants to be looking over their shoulders for the rest of their lives.”
Jo looked over the vast warehouse.
“But we’re not ready to move yet. Not as we should be. Departments are still setting up. Weapons are still inbound. Equipment, armor, field tech, none of it is operational. So, I’m giving this recommendation to the six of you.” Jo stared at them. “Take a short hiatus. Rest, live, go axe throwing, whatever the hell it is you do for fun.”
Valor liked the sound of that. He wondered if Jo would let them go back to that cabin she owned.
“In the meantime, I’ll take the lead with Virginia, Marcus, Glitch, and the others. We’ll try to track the Whites.”
Her voice softened. “I don’t want any of you to live with war every day.”
She closed a leather file case and took a deep breath.
“That’s all I have for now. If any of you have questions, concerns, needs…please speak freely.”
Grace leaned into Mirage again—lips close to his ear but not moving.
Valor frowned. What the fuckin’ fuck? He could not figure Grace out.
Mirage seemed to speak for both of them.
“We’re in, Jo. We signed up for the Ravens to help and save lives. And if that’s what you’re offering us…then you have our loyalty.”
Ex pulled back his hood, revealing handsome, sharp features and haunting gray eyes.
“If this is real, Jo. I’m in.”
Everyone nodded.
Meridian stepped forward and time slowed as the atmosphere shifted to a somber mood.
He pulled back the midnight hood of his calf-length cashmere trench.
Mouths dropped open.
His onyx eyes burned beneath long black lashes, almost hypnotic in their depth. Oil black hair was slicked back and curled at the ends. He had smooth, tawny skin, kissed by shadows, and a firm jaw edged with stubble.
He parted his full lips as if he was on the verge of saying something dangerous but never spoke.
He moved toward Jo, walking as if time owed him something.
As if he lived for dramatic effect, Meridian casually pulled an obsidian cigarette case from his inside jacket pocket. He put a black cigarette with a gold filter between his lips and lit it with a monogrammed Zippo.