Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2312

"Andrew, the military is in full-blown panic right now."

Sheena was crunching sunflower seeds, spitting the shells right onto the dirt outside Andrew's shabby little house.

She cracked another one and said lazily, "Aren't you worried the military is going to embarrass themselves? What if Ezekiel really takes over Martial Tower?"

Andrew glanced down at the shells scattered at his doorstep. With one kick, he sent them flying back toward Sheena before replying calmly, "And how is that my problem? I'm no longer part of the military. Besides, with all the talent they've got, you think one rookie from Sorya can mess things up?"

Sheena snorted and spat another shell at him. "That's not a great attitude. With Conrad sitting out, there's basically no one in the military who can match Ezekiel. The only one with a shot is Philip's student, that stone-faced major named Luna Phelan. She might face him, but winning? Not likely."

Andrew's face darkened. "Sheena, that's enough. You're making such a mess in front of my house. How am I supposed to have visitors?"

Sheena laughed. "Sorry about that, but that's just how I am. I can't control my mouth. No worries, though, I'll get someone to clean it up for you later. But honestly, with this dump of yours, who are you expecting to see anyway? What blind fool would actually come visit you?"

From inside the house, Aspen had had enough. She stormed out, broom in hand, and swept a pile of dust straight toward Sheena.

Sheena jumped aside, surprised. "You've got some nerve! How dare you act so brazenly? Believe it or not, I could have you violated and killed right here."

Aspen sneered. "Being an elder and stooping this low? I'm embarrassed for you. Fine, go ahead, your family rules the place. Kill me if you want. But if something were to happen to me and I couldn't give the Lloyd family any children, well, you can't blame anyone for that. Patriarch Donovan would stand up for me, wouldn't he?"

"Why not take care of our men, like Natasha and I do with Andrew? Wouldn't life be better that way? Instead of running around like a gossip, stirring up trouble, and making everyone hate you? Aren't you afraid no one will ever marry you?"

Sheena's face went cold. "Andrew, your woman's fiercer than you are! You came back to Chetvine knowing you couldn't win against me, so you dragged this sly little fox along to disgust me, didn't you?"

Andrew had already set up a little stool outside, shelling sunflower seeds while watching the show. With a grin, he replied, "Sheena, Aspen's your sister-in-law. She doesn't know any better.

"But to be fair, she isn't wrong. Look at me, I've already brought back girlfriends… More than one, too! When are you going to sort yourself out? Or are you planning to let Patriarch Donovan worry about arranging a marriage for you?"