Chapter 400 The Map

Chapter 400 The Map　　~ SASHA ~

Sasha watched him nervously, praying he wouldn't get angry when he was already so tense. She saw him visibly swallow whatever it was he'd been about to say. 

We're going to talk about this later, he muttered in her head.

Sasha sighed with relief and rubbed his arm, then turned back to the others.

"Okay, guys, so, here's how it works. When you step into the Gateway, you have to focus only on where you want to go. You can't let your mind wander, because the Gateway wants to take you where you want to be—if you start thinking about missing home, or you're worried about someone, you risk being dumped out in a place you can't get out of.

"Just to help you focus, I'm going to give each of you a description of a group of females and where they are in the compound. But you have to make it clear in your mind that if that group has moved from where I saw them, you want to be where they are—and where the humans can't find you. Don't forget that part! You aren't restricted by time. Maybe the Gateway opens to three days ago when they were alone, that's fine, it doesn't matter. You just need to get to them at a time when the humans can't see you and won't interfere. But when the Gateway opens, stay in the doorway of it—let yourself see them, and them see you, but don't step out because it will close and then you want to be able to get out—do you understand? No matter what, you can't actually step out of it. Because it doesn't open there naturally, you'll be stuck."

She took a deep breath, but they were all nodding. "So the first thing you tell them when you find them is that you were sent by Sasha, Alpha in Thana, and then you have to say, "The prophecy is coming true tomorrow. I'll be back to help you then." That's crucial!"

The males all nodded again, but Zev frowned. "What is this prophecy thing?"

"It's not a prophecy, it's just how we refer to it because the humans don't know I came through, and don't know the females are expecting to be saved this way. If you don't say that, they won't trust you…" Sasha trailed off, clawing a hand through her hair. "Honestly, they might not trust you anyway, but what choice do we have?"

Everyone's face got serious, but Kyelle looked sad and tense, her eyes kept flicking to Lhars next to her.

"Tell them that this was a test run to warn them. That they need to be ready. That after Nick returns tomorrow, we'll be back." She blew out a breath. "Then, when you've delivered the message, step back into the Gateway and tell it you want to see the safe place."

She hesitated then. "When the gateway leads you to the new place, you're just going to see it. I need you guys to see it. Let it open and show you—but don't step through. When it opened for me, it opened high in the air because I told it I just wanted to see it. But if I'd stepped out, I would have fallen to my death."

Beside her, Zev tensed again. She was going to have to do a lot of reassuring that night. She cleared her throat. Then, when you're certain you found it, come back. Please come back. We need you here to make all of this happen. We'll be working while you're gone to get everyone ready—and all day tomorrow. I'm afraid this is a night of no sleep for all of us. When you get into the gateway and you're coming home, make sure and tell it you have to be back before dawn? We can't risk Nick getting out there early, or… just we can't risk anything. Get back here while it's still dark, okay?"

When they'd asked their questions and everyone seemed to be clear on their jobs, Sasha assigned each of them a group of females to locate.

It was dangerous to have them all in there at the same time, but what else could they do? It was already after midnight, she was sure. They had to make sure these guys could do this without putting anyone else at risk. And they had to give everyone time to prepare.

"We'll use the time while Nick is gone to inform and organize everyone here, so even his guards are packed and prepared. Then we'll need to find a way to make sure he stays asleep when we all leave…" She looked at Zev who gave a dark smile.

"I can take care of that part."

Sasha gave him a warning look. "We need him alive. We need him to go back and tell the others that we've all gone. It makes it less likely that they'll come through here all guns blazing and kill what's left of the creatures.

"Sash, these people have no hearts, there's no point—"

"If I can save one of those males from getting hunted, I'm going to do it. We don't let Nick know, do you understand?!"

Zev growled but submitted, and the others did too when she turned to look at them.

She almost apologized for being so aggressive, but then she realized… none of them were mad.

They understood that she was leading. Sasha shook her head.

"Okay, so we need to get you guys out there. Kyelle, you come with us, I'll have you take a dry run to the safe place so you know where you're going when you have to help the females prepare, but you don't hang around in there. See the place, then get back, okay?"

Kyelle nodded, but her eyes were hollow, lines pinching at the sides.

Sasha sighed. "I know this sucks, being stuck here, but—"

"No, no!" Kyelle reassured her, though the smile she gave didn't reach her eyes. "I want to help the females. It's needed. Don't worry."

Sasha didn't miss that her eyes dropped, then slid to the side to look at Lhars, though.