Eacus’ brows snapped together. “He killed her daughter during one of their little wars.”
Minos rubbed at his jaw. “The only thing that would explain why the lamiae and the hounds attacked as a unit is if she’d become his ally.”
Ajax twisted his mouth. “People have partnered with those they loathe in the past, knowing there’s strength in numbers.”
A grunt of agreement came from Talon.
“True,” Eacus granted, not seeming pleased to do so. “I wouldn’t have believed that Scylla would do it, but …” He trailed off with a sigh.
“When the Watchers were freed from Tartarus by a traitor we still haven’t identified, I’d expected an attack on Deimos,” said Eacus. “I’d thought they’d scuttle back to Theseus, who’d then use them against us. But the Watchers weren’t part of the attack just now.”
“The Watchers would be in no state to go into battle,” Rhad maintained. “Not after having been held at Tartarus for so long. Several months of recovery time would be needed.”
“Then we should retaliate before they are fully recovered,” declared Eacus. “They are an army that none of us would want to face again.”
Minos held up a hand. “It would be a mistake for us to launch an attack on Scylla or Theseus. It would give them what they want.”
“What they want?” echoed Rhad, frowning.
“Think about it,” said Minos. “They could have waited. Could have surprised us with an army of larger numbers that included the Watchers. They didn’t.”
Rhad gave a slow nod, frowning pensively. “They aim to goad us into taking the war to them so that Deimos suffers no damage. It is the city they covet.”
“Yes. The wisest thing for us to do is batten the hatches and prepare for another attack,” Minos announced. “Letting ourselves be drawn out of the city, leaving it vulnerable to an invasion, would be a mistake.”
The other Sovereigns murmured their agreement.
Talon caught Minos’ eye and tipped his chin toward the fortress, one brow inching up in question.
Minos squinted, clearly confused, and tracked the Cardinal’s gaze. “What on Earth …?”
The two Sovereigns turned their gazes toward the fortress.
“Where did the crack come from?” demanded Eacus.
Ajax’s brow creased. “You didn’t feel anything hit the building?”
“Nothing,” replied Eacus.
Feeling my own brow pinch, I looked at Khalida. “Has it ever suffered any damage before?”
“No,” she replied. “And it shouldn’t do. It’s protected by the Sovereigns’ power.”
My scalp prickled. “So, what, a chink in its structure means there’s a chink in their power bank, so to speak?”
Her mouth tightened. “I don’t know. But I sure hope not. They’re not the most likeable of people, but the half-bloods in the Dark Lands are far worse. If they manage to take Deimos, we’re screwed, Anara. Seriously screwed. They’d allow no one here to leave. Not one single person. They might even kill us all.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Something cold and wet nuzzled my cheek the next morning, cutting into my sleep. I shifted my face away, ignoring the sensation. But then a tongue started lapping at my nose.
“Valor,” I griped. There was only one Laelap who thought it fair to give me such a wake-up call.
As Chief no longer monitored me like I was a potential threat, his pack mates sometimes paid me visits. Except for the pups—Chief kept them away from me and most others.
I groaned as the dog nudged my shoulder with his muzzle. “It’s not time for me to—”
The morning bell rang outside.
