“Very good description. Chaos didn’t cut the head off that particular snake, but he came very close. Gilroy will be disappointed that he didn’t get his chance at him. He hated the son of a bitch.” He paused. “And Gilroy just called, and he’s heard from Vogel. Jubaldar is a madhouse with no one in charge. He and Novak are going to take advantage by hitting the castle in the next thirty minutes. I’m going to take half the men we have here and join them.”

She straightened. “Great. I’ll be with you as soon as I get Sasha settled.”

“No, you will not. We don’t need you. I’ve put Gilroy in command of the rest of the team we’re leaving here and told him to keep you and Sasha with him until we wrap it up.” He touched the cut on her head. “You’ve both seen enough action today.”

“Bullshit. I’m okay. You don’t know what you’ll find over there. You might need—”

He interrupted. “From the damage report after the drone attacks, you might just be standing around.” His glance shifted to Sasha. “And do you think she’d let you leave without her? She’s gone through hell today.”

Yes, she had. And Korgan was right, Sasha wouldn’t be left behind. But Alisa didn’t like the idea that she wasn’t needed. The knowledge made her feel flat and purposeless after all that had gone before.

Then the realization hit her. Of course she wasn’t needed. Not thirty minutes from now at Jubaldar. Not tomorrow or the next day. Not next month. It was over. Sasha was safe. Masenak and Reardon were dead. Everything that Korgan had promised, all the revenge and justice he’d been working toward all these years, had now been accomplished. Everything they’d done together, been together, was at an end. He would be leaving and going on to some other project just as she’d known he would.

He was looking at her inquiringly. “Alisa?”

“You’re right. You don’t need me.” She forced a smile. “It was foolish to think you would. Besides, I need to be with Sasha for a while after this. She seems tough, but sometimes the nightmares attack when you least expect them. They did with me.”

“Did they?” He reached out and gently touched her cheek. “Then it’s good she has you standing by her.” His hand dropped away and he muttered a curse. “I should get out of here, but I have a feeling that I’ve done something that’s going to cause me trouble down the line.”

“You haven’t done anything, and you should get out of here.” The smile never left her face. “So I’ll make the first move.” She was walking toward where Sasha was now examining Nightshade. “See you later, Korgan. Be safe.”