Page 209 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

“Eighty-seven confirmed,” Raul replies grimly. “Near four hundred dead from our count so far, and over seven hundred still unaccounted for.”

The number settles heavily in my chest.

“And who’s in command right now?”

Raul exchanges a look with several of the others before shaking his head.

“The Commander is dead, and so is the new Second-in-Command. We’ve lost most of the squad leaders as well.”

Silence follows.

The reality of it hits harder than the numbers.

This was a fucking massacre.

“Prince Mikhail would’ve chosen you to replace him.” The voice comes from my left.

I glance over and recognise Antonov standing amongst the survivors, blood staining his uniform; he was one of Mikhail’s most trusted men.

Several others nod in agreement, but I don’t acknowledge it.

Instead, my gaze sweeps across the devastation surrounding us, over the wounded, the dead, and the exhausted faces looking back at me.

There’ll be time for that later.

Right now, they need direction.

“Those who are still able to work, step forward.”

People immediately begin moving.

“Aldona, find Leo and the others. They survived the plane crash, and they’ll need to be brought up to speed.” Heaven nods before moving off.

“Sienna, I’m not sure how obedient the drakaths are or what they’re capable of, but see if you can put them to work. We need shelter before nightfall: tents, windbreaks, anything that gets the injured out of the blizzard.”

“I can do that.”

“Good.”

My attention shifts to Royce.

“Alpha Royce, organise work crews and establish a defensive perimeter. I want patrols rotating constantly and a secure area for the wounded. Just in case something happens, I want to know about it before it reaches us.”

Royce nods immediately.

“Consider it done.”

“Ahren, Ares, I need two things. First, get word back home and let them know exactly what happened here. Then start searching for survivors. Cover as much ground as possible.”

Ahren grimaces. “So, we’re doing all the running around whilst everyone else gets to stand still?”

“You can teleport.” I remind him pointedly.

“Fair point,” he sighs, but the moment he turns, he’s serious, and I know he’ll get the job done.

Ares smirks. “Get moving, Rossi,” he mocks him making someone chuckle, lifting the tension ever so slightly.

“Antonov, how many healers do we have?” I ask.