Chapter 26: The Sacrifice.

Lydia returned to the room, breaking the silence with a weary sigh. Her face was etched with concern, as if the weight of what she was about to say troubled her deeply. “The meeting’s set for tomorrow night,” she began, her voice carrying a somber note. “But there’s a problem. The only way I can get you in there… is if they think you have something to trade. And by trade, I mean…”

Ava’s eyes narrowed. “You mean girls, don’t you?”

Lydia’s gaze dropped for a moment, her face shadowed with regret. “Unfortunately, yes. I wish there was another way, but this is how things work here. Big Bob and his men will only allow outsiders in if they see potential profit.” Her words fell heavily, as if she despised herself for even suggesting it.

Ava took a steadying breath, her mind racing, and then glanced at Talon. “Looks like Callie is about to get some undercover work under her belt.”

Talon’s reaction was immediate, an instinctive wall going up. “No. No way. I’m not dragging her into this just so I can see my mother.” His tone was sharp, but Ava could sense the deeper guilt woven into his words. “Ava, she’s not like us.”

Ava placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. “Why don’t we give her the choice? She’s tougher than you think, Talon. She deserves to decide.”

For a moment, Talon’s gaze drifted to the floor, his jaw set tight. He’d spent years carrying the weight of his past, feeling like each decision he made somehow drew him closer to—or further from—who he wanted to be. And now, involving Callie in this risk… the thought unsettled him. But he knew Ava was right—Callie had a right to choose her own path, just as he had.

Lydia’s gaze softened as she looked at Talon, sympathy filling her eyes. “I’m sorry. I wish it could be different, but this is the only way to get you in without them surrounding the place. If you try any other approach, they’ll flood the room with their people. You’ll never get a private word with Selene.”

He swallowed, a look of resignation hardening in his eyes as he nodded. “Thank you, Lydia. You don’t know what this means to me—to help her, to finally do something right.” His voice was quiet, carrying an unspoken promise to himself and his mother.

Lydia gave him a faint smile, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “I’ll get things ready on my end. For now, follow the girls—they’ll see you out safely. No one will mess with you while you’re with them.”

A short while later, Ava and Talon pulled back into their makeshift camp, the headlights of their bikes casting long shadows over the familiar figure of Lucas, who was perched on the edge of the jeep, a book open in his lap. As they approached, he closed the book and stood, a curious smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Ava, Talon. I take it the trip was… interesting?” Lucas said, sensing the tension between them.

Ava wasted no time. “Lucas, we need to talk. Where’s Callie?”

Lucas gestured toward the nearby woods. “She’s down by the river, setting up traps for fish. Said she’d be back in a bit.”

Ava nodded, following the direction he pointed, the forest quiet as she made her way toward the river. She spotted Callie kneeling by the water’s edge, her hands steady as she worked the trap, her face serene under the fading light.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Hey, Callie,” Ava greeted, moving closer.

Callie looked up, her face lighting up with a warm smile. “Hey, Ava! How did it go?”

Ava lowered herself to sit beside her, choosing her words carefully. “It was… eventful.” She paused, glancing at Callie’s open, curious face. “Actually, we need your help with something. It’s important.”

The look in Callie’s eyes shifted, a mix of intrigue and worry. “What is it?” she asked, sensing the gravity in Ava’s tone.

Ava took a deep breath, explaining the situation—how they needed her to pose as a girl “for trade” to gain access to Selene. Callie’s cheeks flushed a deep shade of red, her expression a mixture of shock and embarrassment.

“I… I don’t know if I can do that,” Callie stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve… I’ve never even kissed a boy before.”

Ava’s face softened, and she slipped an arm around Callie’s shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Hey, don’t worry. I didn’t kiss my first boy until I was a full Sentinel. We all start somewhere.”

Callie’s wide eyes met Ava’s, a shy smile breaking through her uncertainty. “Really? I thought… I thought Sentinels had to be all, you know, experienced.”

Ava chuckled, nudging her playfully. “Oh, please. If that were true, I’d have failed out of training.” She paused, giving Callie a reassuring look. “You don’t need to worry about doing anything, Callie. All you have to do is stand there, and if anyone so much as lays a hand on you, I’ll make sure they regret it.” She gave Callie a wink. “Besides, it’s probably why you haven’t noticed that young ADF lad who can’t seem to take his eyes off you.”

Callie’s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson, and she ducked her head, clearly flustered. “He’s just… he’s just a friend,” she muttered, her voice small.

Ava burst into laughter, her amusement ringing through the quiet of the woods. “Oh, Callie, you’re adorable. You’ve got to give the poor boy a chance! I swear, Jess would be having a field day if she were here. She’d probably have you both dancing by the fire in no time.”

Callie managed a small laugh, the tension easing from her shoulders as she met Ava’s playful grin. “Maybe… maybe I’ll think about it. I just—thank you, Ava. This… this whole thing is terrifying.”

Ava gave her another squeeze. “You’re stronger than you think, Callie. And no one’s going to make you do anything you’re not comfortable with. We’re in this together.”

Callie nodded, her expression softening as a bit of confidence shone through her shy smile. She let out a shaky breath, her nerves calmed by Ava’s words. “Alright… I’ll do it. For you and Talon.”

After Ava headed back to camp, Callie remained by the river a moment longer, gazing out over the water, the dim light catching the ripples and casting soft reflections. She hugged her knees, staring down at her hands as her resolve settled within her. The idea of stepping into such a role frightened her deeply, but Ava’s reassurance warmed her like a shield. For the first time, Callie felt not just the weight of expectation, but the pride and strength in standing beside Ava and Talon in their mission. And despite her shyness, there was a flicker of excitement—she wanted to prove her courage to them, and to herself.

---

Back at camp, Lucas watched as Ava and Callie returned, his sharp eyes picking up on the shift in Callie’s demeanor. Sensing the tension still simmering within Talon, he moved to his friend’s side.

“Talon,” Lucas began, his voice light but sincere. “Anything I can do to help?”

Talon gave a weary sigh, though a faint smile crossed his face. “You’ve already gotten me this far, bookworm. Your job’s done.”

Lucas chuckled, clapping Talon on the back. “You know where to find me if you need more wisdom. Or, you know, another book.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group gathered around the campfire, its warm light flickering over their faces. The quiet was filled with an unspoken understanding of what lay ahead, yet beneath the tension, there was a bond of mutual trust and purpose. They sat in silence, their shadows cast long against the trees, each one quietly preparing for the danger to come.

Ava glanced around at them, a small sense of pride stirring in her chest. They were more than a team now, bound by a loyalty that went beyond any single mission. This fire, this night—they would remember it, no matter what tomorrow brought. And for Talon, it was a small solace to know they would face this together, a family forged through hardship and sacrifice.