Jasper watched her go, then stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice. “Look, this isn’t just about now. Ivan... he’s part of alot of bad memories for Syrena. And having Elira here with him—it’s killing her.”
Phoenix gave a tight smile. “I know. I get it. We’ll get her back. Whatever it takes.”
“I know,” Jasper said. He touched Phoenix’s arm—a brief gesture of solidarity—then turned and followed Syrena.
They bid us goodbye—Jasper watching her carefully as they climbed into the waiting carriages, flanked by guards.
The rest of us stayed behind, the weight of unspoken plans settling over our shoulders.
“Now what?”
“Now we need information.” Phoenix said. He looked around the city with a faraway look in his eyes.
“Should we even be here?” I muttered to Phoenix. “Announcing ourselves like this—we’re practically inviting them to take us.”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The tension in his jaw said enough.
Lacey emerged from below deck, moving with her usual quiet confidence. I hadn’t expected her to join us—but I was glad she had.
She handed cloaks to Caelen, Phoenix, and me.
“Use these,” she said. “They’re woven with a glamour. Should change your faces just enough.”
I took mine, running the fabric through my fingers. It felt like normal wool—rough, slightly damp from sea spray. My shoulder protested the motion, but I ignored it. No time for pain now.
The others followed. When I looked up, it was like staring at strangers. I blinked.
“Nice work,” I said.
What surprised me was when she pulled out her own cloak and swung it over her shoulders.
I hesitated. “Where are you going?”
“With you,” she said.
“And why?”
She met my eyes. “Because Maddie is somewhere in Duskfall. Because I want to find Elira. And because I am a godsdamn knight of Shadowmere, which means I outrank you. How’s that?”
She stepped forward like she expected a fight—but I just nodded.
I lifted my hands. “Okay. Sounds fair.”
Caelen raised a brow. “Since when does she outrankus?”
“Since she showed up,” I muttered.
Lacey blinked. “Oh. Right. Glad we got that sorted.”
Phoenix suppressed a small smile. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s go find our lion and see what he knows.”
“You grew up here, yes?” Caelen asked Phoenix as we headed into the town.
“My family still probably lives here.” He replied.
He didn’t look at us. His jaw twitched—barely—but I saw it.
“You don’t know?”
