Whispers of the Skyborne (Devices of War Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

information,” she barked.
    Kenta flinched, but turned toward her.
    Hitoshi raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips rising slightly. “My love?”
    She’d give him his “my love” back later. “We sent out a message on the other network.”
    “You did what?” Hitoshi asked.
    “Who did?” Kenta demanded.
    “Do you think you are the only ones capable of such things?” Chie asked. “I know the El’Asim spy.”
    “The El’A—what?” Kenta blinked.
    “ He has a way of getting messages to the El’Asim that Ino Nami doesn’t know about.”
    “Can it be traced?” Hitoshi asked quietly.
    “If Ino Nami doesn’t even know about it yet? No.”
    “Well, then.” Hitoshi straightened his shoulders. “What message did you send, my love?”
    “I told Synn that Oki was going to be executed tomorrow. He is coming himself to Ino City to talk to his mother and, hopefully, barter for Oki’s life.”
    Kenta bowed his head. “And how likely will that work?”
    “Not very. But I sent another message.”
    “What was that?”
    “We need to evacuate the tainted—”
    “Chie,” Hitoshi said in frustration, pushing away from her. “Not this again. The blood wars are ended.”
    “They are not,” she said firmly. “I have experienced the meetings. I’ve heard what they say. I’ve heard Ino Nami. Trust me, my love. Oki will be the first tainted—”
    “Tainted,” Kenta said with a chuckle of derision, his gaze seeking Hitoshi. “Oki. What has your woman been listening to?”
    “Ino Nami,” Chie said, frustrated anger curling in her chest. Tears welled in her eyes from the force of it. She didn’t handle anger well. She didn’t know how to channel it or use it. It just made her look weak. She swallowed hard, pushing the tears back. She had to make them listen. “Ino Nami will make it public tomorrow. She deems all her offspring except Makoto to be tainteds. Oki will be the first. After that, Ino Nami will purge her city.”
    Kenta opened his mouth to nay-say her, then closed his lips, dropping his gaze in thought. “Mass murder. That’s what you’re talking about.”
    “That’s what I’m saying she will do.”
    “We’re in the middle of a storm,” Hitoshi said. “If it still blows tomorrow?”
    “Then when she purges the city,” Kenta finished quietly, “hundreds of people will die.”
    Chie breathed a sigh of relief. Finally. Someone listened.
    “She killed Synn’s people,” Hitoshi whispered, looking at his military leader.
    Kenta nodded slowly. “No one says that out loud.”
    “But we all know it.”
    Relief released the last of Chie’s pent-up worry. They really had listened.
    “What did Synn say?” Kenta asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
    “To gather everyone at the dock,” Chie said. “I’ve passed the information along as best I could. People are packing. They’re starting to draw attention, though. Oshiro Kota noticed.”
    “Then Ino Nami will be informed soon.” Kenta’s jaw jutted to the side as he paused for thought. “We know her messenger.”
    Hitoshi nodded. “We do. I will send someone after him. Make sure he doesn’t get his message to Ino Nami.”
    “Excellent.”
    The sound of cannon repercussion sounded faintly.
    “Are we under attack?” Hitoshi asked.
    The alarm sounded for general quarters.
    Kenta narrowed his eyes then smiled. “We are. Ino Nami. So this is the reason we breached in the middle of a storm.”
    Chie shook her head. “Oki breached us to send a message to Synn.”
    “No.” Kenta flexed his hands. “Ino Nami has been in control of her city. Trust me. Oki was not the one who breached us.” He chucked his chin at Hitoshi as another repercussion sounded over the blaring siren. “She’s drawing the El’Asim out.”
    “Perfect cover for him to come into Ino City, then,” Hitoshi said.
    “Indeed.”
    Hitoshi leaned down and pressed a kiss onto the top of Chie’s head. “Make sure you’re at the docks in time. None of