End Times, Surviving with My Beastly Army novel Chapter 365

Chapter 365 A Gamble Worth Taking

It was better that Robin laid out her terms upfront. The directness actually took the pressure off.

Finished

“We understand.” Willow said, meeting her gaze with absolute sincerity. “After Mom died, Theo and I didn’t have a home anymore. We’re only here because we had nowhere else to go. But if you can cure my brother, we’ll follow whoever we need to follow.”

Robin studied her with mild surprise. “You’re saying you want to come with us?”

Willow nodded without hesitation.

Robin’s eyes glinted with something playful. “You realize we’re technically members of Tyrant Base too, right There’s only one base commander here, and you’re telling me you’d follow me instead. If Rolf found

out about that…”

“He won’t.”

Willow didn’t let her finish. She looked Robin dead in the eye, and there was something deeper behind the words. “Or maybe I should say, he’s not going to get the chance to find out. Am I right?”

The statement landed like a stone dropped into still water. It wasn’t just Robin. Everyone turned to stare at the siblings.

Robin’s voice cooled a few degrees. “Do you have any idea what you’re saying?”

“I do. I know exactly what I’m saying.” Willow’s fingers twisted into the hem of her shirt, but her voice held steady. “People as strong as you would never be content to stay in a place like this forever.

“Besides, I can tell. You’re not happy with Rolf. I didn’t know any of you before today, but I do know that his people raided Ravenholt High once. They came back badly hurt that time, which means those students hit them hard.

“And now, those same students walked in here with you. I don’t believe for a second that they’re cowards. I’ve seen their eyes. Every now and then, there’s real hatred in them.” She paused. “So I’m guessing you didn’t come here just to settle down. You’ve got another reason. Am I wrong?”

Every point was sharp, logical, grounded in observation.

(*

Robin couldn’t help but smile. “I knew you were smarter than you let on.”

She’d suspected as much already, but hearing Robin confirm it without a single denial sent a jolt of excitement through Willow’s chest.

The Newton siblings had a roof over their heads at Tyrant Base, technically. But the reality was that life inside these walls wasn’t much better than life outside them. There was something Willow had never told anyone. Not a soul. Not even Theobold.

Rolf had approached her in private once. He’d proposed a deal. Give herself to him, and in return, he’d give her his protection.

The apocalypse had stripped away every pretense of decency, Rolf wore a friendly face for the world, but

11:41 am

ppp.

Chapter Sof

Ph Worth Taking

Finished

behind it. he was the most calculating person she’d ever met. When she’d refused, he hadn’t pushed. He’d even told her he’d never force her.

But after that, every single person in the base seemed to think they could walk all over the Newton siblings. That wasn’t a coincidence. Rolf was pulling strings from the shadows.

He knew they had nowhere else to go, and he used the harassment to send a message. This was his territory. Without his protection, he didn’t need to lift a finger himself. There were a hundred ways to make their lives miserable, and every last one of them was already in motion.

Willow had kept all of it locked inside. If Theobold ever found out, the kid would blame himself for dragging her down and do something reckless. She couldn’t risk that.

Laying her cards on the table now was a gamble. She was betting on instinct, betting she hadn’t misjudged these people.

This time, the bet paid off.

“So as long as you can cure my brother,” Willow said, her voice ringing with conviction, “I’ll do whatever you need.”

“I do love dealing with smart people. Saves so much time.” Robin tilted her head. “But don’t get ahead of yourself. Your brother might not have ordinary ichthyosis. I’m starting to think this could actually be an ability.”

She looked between them. “Think carefully. Besides the scales on his skin, has there been anything else? Any other symptoms?”

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