Chapter 2

The march on House Pluto

My lieutenants: Cassius, Sevro, Pax, Tactus, and Quinn join me in the war room around a massive oak table. My slingBlade sigil hovers over all but three houses on the map.

"Never trusted Mustang," Tactus drawls. "I spent lots of time with highbrow Golds, could always tell when they were full of crap."

Sevro picks his teeth with a small bone. "You didn't like her because she cut down all your advances."

I stand and slam my fist against the table. The wood splinters under my strong Helldiver hands. "What's done is done!" Everyone's quiet, eyes focused. "We need to find Mustang and the Jackal before they can reach their army."

"She won't get through the mountain pass," Pax says, "unless she can dig through fifty metric tons of rock. We set charges and brought down the entire ridge."

"You boys and firecrackers," Quinn purrs. "Give me three killers and we'll bring back their hearts."

Dancer promised me justice for Eo's death, justice for the generations of Reds that died for a lie. Blood for blood was the Lamda way. But this isn't justice. "I want them alive."

"Alive or dead," Cassius says, "what difference does it make? The House Augustus is finished."

Tactus laughs. "Bellona and Augustus…a blood feud for the ages."

This bickering is pointless. We need to get to their army before they do. "Ready your men. Tonight we march for House Pluto."

Pax thumps his chest. "Pax au Telemanus. Pax au—"

"We know your name, ya big oaf," Quinn snaps.

Cassius and Pax fight for honor, Servo and Tactus for blood, and Quinn to gain favor with me. What do I fight for? The Sons of Ares? Eo's dream?

Cassius and his unit head out first to scout along the edge of the southern woods. Tactus and his men follow soon after, riding straight through the valley.

The rest of my army set out early the next morning. I'm flanked by Pax and Quinn, with Servo and the Howlers close by.

"What drives you, Reaper?" Quinn asks as she rides up alongside of me. Her golden hair is streaked red with forest berry. Her shimmering eyes peer out from her wolf cloak. "These games are just that. They will soon end. The upper crust of the ironGolds will be stumbling over each other to offer you an apprenticeship. That is all most want."

"The system is corrupt. We Golds are in more danger than you realize. I will not allow others to make decisions for me."

This game is like the Laurel. Everyone is motivated, believing that they have a chance. That they decide their own fate. The world I knew was so small…so uncomplicated.

"Rider from the east," someone yells out.

The rider and horse, both panting, stop just outside my protective circle of bodyguards. The rider has a swollen eye and blood runs from his shoulder. "Reaper," he says. "Cassius—"

An arrow ends the boy.