“That all happened fast,” Ana mutters and Sammi nods.
“I’ve never heard of anything like it here. People are furious but terrified. There are still a lot of people with a lot to lose, but there are even more of us with nothing left to lose.”
“We have tons to lose,” Ethan interjects. “Our freedom, for instance.”
“What are you talking about, Sammi?” I ask, bringing two fingers to the bridge of my nose.
“I spoke to Ceyda last night and she will help.”
“The help of an old whore is hardly—”
“You don’t understand. Ceyda knows everyone, she’s basically the unspoken queen of the debaucherous side of Tekir. We need people to help. People with nothing to lose by going after The Watch? Well, now we have it.”
I watch the woman levelly for a moment before turning my attention to Ethan, who's looking at her with a look that makes me wonder what he’d like to say to her right now. Turning to Ana, I see her watching me, a serene expression still on her face. Her eyes speak volumes though, and the familiar fire of her spirit shines through and I know her answer. Ethan’s eyes look to me pleading and I know he wants me to say we’re leaving, Sammi included. He can’t be a part of this fight, not with his leg, but I won’t give myself cause for regret because he’s injured.
Ana gives the briefest of nods.
A good bloodbath is exactly what I need right now. Fuck running. It’s time to fight.
“If Ceyda can get us more men, then we’re in.”
∞∞∞
We spend the rest of the morning talking amongst ourselves, deciding the best plan to approach this so Sammi can go back to Ceyda with more details. I can tell Ethan is pissed but has wisely stayed silent. There’s something more going on between him and Sammi, but I have no time for that shit. They can sort it out when this is over.
The streets outside are silent, people in their homes hiding out from The Watch. Brutus stands at the window watching.
“We should break out the prisoners,” Ana says. “You said it went well last time, and there are a lot of people who would love to see those fuckers come down.”
“This time I don’t have guards to let us in,” I point out.
“There probably would just be a couple Watch members on duty then. We can take them out easy.”
“We? Not fucking happening. No way are you coming.”
Ana stands, glaring at me.
“Why not?” Ethan asks and I want to fucking throttle him. “She’s as good a fighter as any of us, may as well let her help.”
“Yeah, Ax. May as well let me help,” she says with a small smirk, crossing her arms. I give her a level look before turning to Ethan.
“She’s pregnant,” I reply, and Ethan shuts his mouth immediately. He blinks a few times before nodding and turning to Ana.
“I agree with Ax.”
She turns her glare to Ethan and then back to me.
“I’m not a delicate flower, I can still fight!”
“I have an idea,” Sammi interjects and I turn to her practically growling. “What if Ana and I tell Tahar and The Watch we saw Ethan somewhere outside of town. We can get them exactly where we want them and have time to get the other prisoners out with less resistance.”
“No fucking way,” I reply immediately, shaking my head.
“It’s a good idea, Ax,” Emilio replies with a wave of his hand. “You know enough of strategy to know we have a much higher chance of success if we can pick the spot we attack. Lot more variables in town.”
I gnash my teeth together, my mind running through all the options. And all the ways that could go wrong.
“Ax?” Ana says, breaking me from my thoughts. “I need to do something. I know you’re worried, but you know I’ll never be the woman to sit around and wait for you. Let me and Sammi help.”