Chapter 40: Finding Serena

Baird

Marcus’ face reddened. Everyone could hear the commander’s voice ringing through the phone well enough to know Marcus was getting reprimanded. The commander was covering for me. Would Marcus suspect that there was more to my relationship with the commander? Why else would he stand up for me without having been here himself?

Marcus lowered the phone and his eyes. “You are free to go.” His voice was light and disappointed. I certainly wasn’t going to explain myself. He was letting me go and that was all I needed.

I nodded to Marcus and raised my wrists in front of me. One of the guards unlocked them, and they fell to the ground. I gave Marcus a half-smile and sidled around him. I was out of there.

I wanted to go back home more than anything. I had the walk to think about Serena. I couldn’t wait to see her. I wanted to apologize about our argument. I never should have fought with her in the first place. When the rogues surrounded my group in the forest, she was the firs