Declan scoffs. "Like what? A hacker or some shit?"
"Something like that," I say. "He's discreet. Expensive. But he delivers."
Callum's eyes narrow. "Can we trust him?"
I meet his gaze without hesitation.
"I do. I'll pay his fee myself."
Silence fills the room.
Callum looks at Declan. Declan looks at Keira.
"Look," I say, breaking the quiet, "I know trust is thin right now, but if we're going to stop this, Cormac, the Morrígans, whatever's coming, we need every edge we can get."
The words hang in the air, heavy and fragile.
Then Keira speaks.
"He's right. I trust Octavian," she says softly, looking at me.
"I mean, if he's paying for it..." Declan says, trailing off.
"Alright," Callum says finally. "Reach out to him. Keira, give him whatever information he needs. Let's see what your guy finds."
"Okay," I say, feeling relieved that I can do this. "I'll call him right away."
Callum sighs and checks his watch.
"Shit, it's almost 4 a.m. None of us have slept. Keira, after everything, you should go home. Get some rest."
She nods, turning off the iPad. "Yeah. Okay."
Callum turns to me.
"Here's your first trust assignment," he says. "Don't let her leave under any circumstances. Not until we know who this Cormac is and where to find him. Understood?"
"Of course," I reply, starting to stand.
"Hold on, one more second," Lyra says, putting the finishing touches on my arm.
"Declan, you and Lyra should head home too. Take a few men for patrol. Play it safe," Callum says.
"Okay, that should be good," Lyra says, standing.
"Thanks," I say, moving my arm and shoulder. "It feels better already."
That's not one hundred percent true, but I know it will be.
I stand because I want to go. All I want is to be alone with Keira.
To prove to her that what I said was real.
"I'll need a car," I say to Callum. "The one I was using, I didn't drive it back from the hotel."
Callum nods and looks at Declan, then back at me.
"I'll get you one," he says. "And we'll send someone to pick up the other."
