Chapter 45: Where Strategy Stops

Slowing her pace as they neared the elevator, Rachel’s chest tightened, the air in her lungs feeling heavier with every step; she had to laugh at herself for being more nervous about meeting her parents than jumping into an alien world to fight unknown monsters.

Her mind drifted in other directions to keep her ears from going completely stiff as they entered the elevator, remaining as relaxed as possible since Scarlet looked nervous enough for them both with her fidgeting fingers; Rachel didn’t miss the black-haired girl checking herself to make sure nothing was out of place.

She was thankful Mateo didn’t ask her any questions while continuing to receive updates and listen to radio chatter regarding the movements of various military bodies around them to maintain situational awareness.

His men were more focused on the crowds, as well; they may have looked somewhat friendly and disinterested in the people they passed, but their wandering gazes took in everything as a potential threat.

Of course, when they all carried powerful military armaments, it was no surprise that their guard was up, considering one mistake could have a kid running by and snatching a real grenade as a joke—the prankster influencers earlier didn’t help the mood.

On the other hand, she was learning a wealth of information from the disgruntled hospital staff and gangsters occupying the cafeteria when it came to the hood queen; her thoughts shifted to a conversation two nurses were having in private on the second floor while taking a short break.

"Can she be any more of a bitch?! Who charges people for healing things when she can literally do it with a wave of her hand?"

"Exactly. Does she expect insurance to pop up and toss cash in her face? Did you hear what Greg said?"

"What—was it about the college athlete that wanted his leg healed?"

"Yeah, apparently she can cure tendon damage, which is...yeah, a miracle—but when he said he didn’t have any cash on him, she said she accepts Cash Me and other payment apps. Like, really? You could change so many people’s lives, but it’s still all about the money."

Rachel suppressed a hum, drawing in her lips while her eyes subconsciously drifted in the unicorn’s direction. Their complaints were only half right, which was interesting; the Mexican gangster had her own system, and the more she learned, the more Rachel could see angles she could take that might open up some promising possibilities.

Zoe had been the one to get her on the idea that it was never a bad idea to have, as she put it, a pocket healer. Honestly, she mainly wanted the benefits of pushing herself to the limits without the consequences: endless workouts and fights with someone who could restore her in a second to continue the grind.

Flexing her fingers, Rachel’s head tilted a bit to bring her arm into her peripheral vision; perhaps if she worked out enough, she could get some more bulk in certain areas. Time would tell, but that would come when the seed she’d planted in the wolf boy brought her fruit.

Anthony was still talking to his fiancé, and, naturally, after the obvious questions and answers, the young woman had zeroed in on how Anthony spoke about his time with Rachel; strangely, her cadence was more geared toward curiosity than jealousy or being defensive.

It was funny to hear Anthony stumble around his words on how to describe her because Amelia was ruthless when honing in on specific phrases or expressions her man made when going through their short time together after The Oscillation, which helped lighten Rachel’s pounding heart.

Watching the number slowly change as they rose, Rachel puffed out a long breath of air, hearing reports of Selvaria having to return to the ocean to refuel on seawater since it was more effective than normal water; the girl had wanted to show off to her mother and gotten a bit carried away. They’d make their way to the hospital once she’d lazed about in the waves for a time.

So many pieces on the board, and General Dallas is taking note of every action I take... The fact he’s personally sending people and taking time out of his busy schedule to sink resources into the mythickin and legendkin of Miami, combined with the comment made by the legend of Saint Barbara, means something big is happening behind the scenes, and we’re being screened to be a part of it.

The door opened, and Rachel pushed ahead, turning left to reach the rooms they’d been given by the hospital, away from the general public; her parents had only been told she was en route to meet them, not when she’d arrive, leaving her mother anxious and pacing.

I can’t tell Mom everything, and Mateo has more than likely been told to keep a close watch on what I say and do. I have to be careful with how I proceed, and the horrible developments happening in Miami Beach could become a factor moving forward...

The goddesses’ intentions were still a mystery, and General Dallas’ objective intrigued her, but the Scarlet Hand’s agenda was clear as day: they wanted a fight—and she’d never been one to back down from a challenge.

She grimaced at the thought that it was really only a combination of unlikely events that had drawn the general’s eye in the first place. If any number of those things fell apart, so could her connection to this bigger game.

After her transformation, Rachel didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with her life, but, at the very least, going down this path would provide her with some measure of control, and that was everything to her. She just had to make her parents understand her decisions.

Just before turning down the hallway leading to a dead-end, where the four rooms had been given to them, she looked up at Mateo with a sad smile. "I figure you’ve been told to see what actions I take, so I might as well ask up front... What can I tell my parents, and what is considered off-limits by the military?"

Scarlet’s fingers tightened against her elbow while glancing between them, each of Mateo’s men spreading a little to keep an eye on blind spots as the officer studied her.

"Hmm. So far as I’ve been told, only detailed information on the Scarlet Hand, Scarlet herself, and the subject regarding your...divine sponsor are to be handled sensitively—as with the specifics as to who you’re in contact with."

In other words, only give them the needed information on Scarlet, Twilight, or the cult, and don’t mention anything about the general or gods. Got it.

Placing a hand against her breast, she streamed out the last bit of stress she could before nodding and taking them around the corner. Scarlet remained partly behind her, not wanting to draw attention to herself, but her mother totally snatched her the moment they locked eyes.

Will she even recogn—

"Sung! W-Why did this..."

Rachel almost tripped onto her face as her mother lurched forward, tears coming on with the emotion filling her breast upon seeing the look in her mom’s muddy-brown irises.