Mated To An Enemy

'No,' Ashleigh said firmly after Lily had explained her plan.

'Ashleigh,' Lily sighed.

'No,' Ashleigh repeated.

'Ashleigh, you know it is the right plan,' Lily replied.

'It's a dangerous plan!' Ashleigh growled.

"Is everything all right?" Fiona asked, seeing the tense look on Ashleigh's face.

Ashleigh took a deep breath.

"Sorry," she began. "Lily said she had an idea about how we might be able to save the Summer wolves."

Fiona immediately perked up.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It doesn't matter," Ashleigh replied. "It's not safe."

"More not safe than waiting to be overrun by hybrids and fae?" Fiona asked.

Ashleigh clenched her jaw and lowered her gaze.

'Tell her,' Lily whispered. 'You agreed to allow her to remain the acting Luna during this war. And you did that because you know she is better equipped to make the right decisions when it comes to protecting Summer."

Ashleigh took a deep breath, feeling a trace of bitterness at Lily's words.

'It is her decision to make,' Lily continued. 'Not yours.'

"I don't agree," Ashleigh growled aloud.

"With what?" Fiona asked. "What is it that the Great Mother of Winter suggests we do? Because I have no plans, no escapes, no way out."

Fiona looked at Ashleigh with hopelessness and desperation.

"There are more than three hundred lives inside the walls of this compound. Huddled together in corners, hallways… staring up at the sky and praying to a Goddess that can't hear them. Begging for mercy, for hope. I have none to give them."

Ashleigh swallowed as she listened to Fiona's words.

"If you have even a glimmer…." Fiona whispered, taking a shaky breath. "It is more than enough."

Ashleigh closed her eyes and licked her lips.

'Tell her…'

She took a deep breath and pushed out a heavy sigh.

"The way gate to Winter…." Ashleigh began, a sorrowful look in her eyes as she explained Lily's plan to Fiona.

***

Twenty minutes after the plan to secure and repair the towers was discussed, the teams were divided and sent to their respective starting points.

Nessa joined Fiona and the smaller team heading to Tower Two.

Ashleigh's team had two engineers and four guards to keep them safe. Ashleigh and two other soldiers would keep the monsters distracted while they repaired Tower One.

Each team had at least three radios.

"Ashleigh," Clara's voice came across the main channel. "Switch to channel two, please."

Ashleigh looked at the radio with suspicion. Clara was always full of chatter and commentary; it was slightly unnerving to hear a straightforward request.

"Switching to channel two, wait for confirmation of return before beginning to move," Ashleigh spoke into the radio. Then, after receiving the confirmation from the others, she did as Clara had asked. "Hey, Clara. Did you need something?"

The radio was silent.

"Clara? Come in, Clara?" Ashleigh called, checking to make sure she was on the correct channel.

"I'm here," Clara's voice spoke quietly through the radio.

Ashleigh waited, but that was all that was said.

"Clara… I'm not trying to be rude, but I'm kind of in the middle of something…."

"This isn't going to stop them," Clara said quietly. "Even if you and Fiona manage to get both towers back up and running, the sentry system keeps the monsters from tearing them down again… it's still just a band-aid on a massive wound."

Ashleigh closed her eyes, sighing as she turned away from the soldiers waiting for her command.

She licked her lips and took a deep breath.

"I know," she replied softly.

"Then why?" Clara asked. Her voice shook, and Ashleigh knew she was fighting back the tears. "Why take the risk?"

"To buy us time," Ashleigh replied.

"Time for what?" Clara asked. "Without the towers, we have less than an hour. With them… we still only gain another hour or two if we are really lucky. But either way, we can't reach anyone. We don't have the strength to fight them. When those gates fall, and they will, Summer is gone. We're all gone…. So why try to rush to your death…?"

Clara had held back her opinion when the teams gathered. Those going to Tower Two would likely not have to fight or even struggle to accomplish their mission. So, she kissed Nessa and demanded that she stay safe, but she held back from saying goodbye to Ashleigh.

Those going to Tower One had taken a moment to say their farewells.

Ashleigh cleared her throat and brought the radio to her lips.

"Clara…" she began. "I'm going to be just fine."

"You don't know that," Clara replied.

"I have to be," Ashleigh smiled.

"Why?"

"Because," Ashleigh said, "you're right. Those gates will come down, and when they do, Summer will fall."

Ashleigh paused, feeling Lily listening.

"But her people will be gone when that happens."

"What?" Clara gasped. "What do you mean?"

"I told you where the way gate is," Ashleigh said. "Rather than focusing on what is happening out here, I need you to focus on gathering everyone and taking them to the gate."

"We can't use the gate," Clara said. "Only…"

"I told you, Clara. I have to be fine at the end of this mission because three hundred wolves need me to give them a way to live."

They spoke a little longer, enough that it was clear Clara was feeling reassured.

'It is the right thing to do,' Lily whispered.

Ashleigh gritted her teeth.

'I want to save the people of Summer, and I am glad we have a way to do it,' she whispered back. 'But I will never agree that it is the right thing to do.'

'I understand,' Lily replied sadly.

***

Once the conversation with Clara was done, Ashleigh and the two soldiers standing beside her waited for the shielding at the gate to drop. On the other side, they could hear the growls, roars, and crashing of the monsters charging the gate.

Ashleigh closed her eyes, and deep inside, Lily focused on giving her the power she needed.

The soldiers watched as the spectral energy spread out over her body. Armor, a sword, wings. The Valkyrie. They had heard the rumors but were still awe-struck at the sight.

Ashleigh drew the sword as she took a deep breath, opening her eyes to reveal the bright white light of the moon shining from them as the shielding dropped and the gate opened.