As I walked, something shifted in my pocket. I frowned and reached inside, pulling out an envelope. It was heavy and lumpy, like it held more than a simple letter. On the front, in loopy, stylized script it said:
For Treasure Banes' Eyes Only
Do Not Open Where Others Can See
Maximus and Delilah were several steps ahead of me. Once we found the others again, I’d have to hide the contents from four pairs of eyes instead of two.
I slowed my steps, carefully broke the wax seal, and pulled out the letter. It’d felt thick, but it was the same length as the address on the envelope.
How do you defeat an evil mage?
Meet me in the study.
A shiver ran down my spine. We’d had this conversation at the dinner table a few days ago. Was this a message from Wilde? Had he sent us something to use against the Lord of Grimnight?
The envelope still had a small lump, stuck in the corner. I shook it until two items fell into my palm, then stared at them in confusion.How will these help me defeat an evil mage?
“Trey,” Delilah called, keeping her voice low so we didn’t attract another patrol.
I stuffed the envelope and its contents hurriedly into my pocket. She eyed me curiously, but didn’t ask. As we walked, I pressed my hand firmly against my leg, making sure I still had everything.
Princess Delilah Narrates Again
Late Afternoon
Approaching the Lord of Grimnight’s Evil Lair
Hoping Wilde Hasn’t Betrayed Them
Delilah chewed her lip, staring up at city hall. It looked nicer than the first time they’d stormed the lair. The sun’s return to the Grimnight Forest made the white exterior shine brighter. The trees that once surrounded it, sprouting from the heart of the curse, had been chopped down and hauled away. Several unprocessed logs were piled off to one side, their projects postponed as the minions prepared for battle.
“Someone’s been renovating,” Angelica muttered under her breath.
Fitz held his finger to his lips to silence her. Five seconds later, a patrol passed their hiding spot. This time it was a pair of lacertians, marching quietly as their yellow eyes scanned the shadows. They paused and signed something to each other, having a rapid-fire conversation with their clawed fingers.
Delilah held her breath and shrank back further into the shadows.
The lacertians finished their conversation and continued their patrol, never spotting their prey.
Delilah trusted the minions not to hurt them, but she didn’t trust the others not to hurt the minions. Angelica’s belt held her rapier and a dagger and she’d tied up her beautiful golden hair in a tight bun to keep it out ofher face. Fitz had a full quiver strapped to his back and a bow in one hand. Every time a minion passed, he tensed and tightened his grip on the bow.
Maximus didn’t carry a weapon, but his hands were large and strong. Delilah thought of how they matched the bruises around Wilde’s neck. Somehow, she had to keep them separated without disrupting the plan.
She wished Wilde hadtoldher the plan. The only plan she knew was Fitz’s, and she hoped they didn’t cancel each other out.
Once the lacertians were out of sight, Fitz turned to the group and whispered, “Everyone know their roles?”
“About that.” Trey took a deep breath and said in a rush, “I’m going off on my own.”
Fitz’s brow furrowed. “That’s not the plan. We’re supposed to—”
“Plans change. There’s something I need to do.”
Maximus frowned and shook his head sharply. “Don’t trust him.”
“You shouldn’t trustme. That’s why I’m not joining you. Wilde might be able to … track me somehow. I don’t know. It’ll be better for your plan if I don’t hang around.”
Delilah’s heart sank at Trey’s uncertainty. She wanted to tell him more about Wilde, why he was doing all this, but she’d lost any chance to do that now.
