Embers

I hugged Jack close as I ran through the darkness. The winding route through the trees was barely navigable by daylight and the night seemed thicker than normal. Jack gurgled in confusion and I tucked him tighter into his blanket.

"Shush baby." I whispered to my son. "We'll be there soon."

I padded around a bend in the vague path and caught a glance of the faint glow of candlelight flickering through blackout curtains . Muttering prayers, I found my way to the door and tapped my fist lightly on the door. There was no answer. I pushed through into the dimly lit room to see Leo sleeping on the spare bed, his face creased in concern and distress even in his sleep.

I set Jack down in the dip of my bed and ensured he was sleeping before crouching beside Leo. "Leo?" I cooed, shaking his shoulder. He muttered slightly in his sleep. I slapped his face. "Leo!"

He started and scrambled upright, looking at me wide eyed. His eyes lit up in recognisation and he sighed in relief. "Kat." He said. "What is it?"

"Don't freak." I told him. "I just thought that you'd like to know. Delia's hurt-"

"What?!?"

"I said 'don't freak'." I sighed. "It's nothing major. She broke her arm in a raid. Both her and the kids are fine."

Leo's face contorted in a distressed pain. "I need to be there for her." He sobbed to himself. "She's alone and in pain. Gods, she thinks I'm dead! I need to be there!"

"Leo, calm down-"

"Let me go back to Camp!" He pleaded. "Let me be there for her!"

"You'll put them in danger. If the Romans find out you're alive then they'll attack, and you won't be the only one they'll kill when they do."

"But-"

"It's safer for you and them if you stay here."

He slumped down against the bed, tears falling freely from his pained eyes. "I can't be here and know that they're so close." He choked. "I can't know that they're there and I can't do a single thing to help them."

I nodded, parring his shoulder awkwardly. "We'll move then. I have another safe house we can use in LA-"

"No." He gasped. "It's too close."

I pressed my lips together. There was one more option, and I had a feeling neither of us would like it. "China." I said. "We can go to China."

He nodded and sunk back into the bed. "Perfect." He shut his eyes and rolled away from me, making it clear that the conversation was over.

I walked back to Jack and lay down next to him, hugging him to my chest. "I'm sorry, buddy." I whispered to him. "But you're going to have to live with your dad for a while, okay? Just until we win this war. I promise." I kissed the top of his forehead and sunk against the mattress. I would call Nico in the morning to pick up Jack.

And then? Then I would leave for China.

Notes