Gaige let out a frustrated groan, rubbing a hand along his jaw. “We have no way of keeping beasts out of Hireath. This place is a sanctuary for them as much as it is for us.”
“We’ll figure out a way to strategize in secret when we return from Cruor.” Kost adjusted his glasses before folding his arms across his chest. “Any more advantages and we won’t be facing a war. We’ll be facing certain death.”
“He’s right.” I sighed, glancing down at Leena. I’d only just got back. Spending my nights away from her had been hard. Not as bad as those nights where the line between reality and fantasy had blurred, and the ghosts of those my curse had killed haunted my dreams. But unpleasant nonetheless. Still, time was not on our side. We had to decipher the last of Yazmin’s spell in order to stop it, and we had to move Cruor here. Delicately, I brushed a stray lock of hair behind Leena’s ear. “Looks like that welcome you promised will have to wait.”
“I’m coming with you.” She tipped her head to plant a kiss on my fingers. “I can help Gaige and Kost search for information while you and Oz prepare the assassins to move to Hireath.”
“What about me? I’m not entirely useless.” Calem let out an indignant huff.
“Only mostly.” Oz chuckled. “You can carry our bags.”
“I’m not a damn pack mule.”
A bemused smile tugged at my lips. “It’s either that or you stay here. Take your pick.”
“You can’t be serious.” Murder flashed through his eyes. “If you think I’m hauling anyone else’s belongings, you’re out of your mind.”
“That so?” I asked.
Low curses slipped through his bared teeth, and he balled his fists.
“Enough.” Kaori swatted the back of his head so fast I barely caught it. Calem jerked forward and swung his bewildered gaze toward her. “They’re baiting you.”
He blinked. “I know that.”
“Besides,” she folded her arms across her chest, “your inner beastwouldmake a good pack mule. If you could control yourself for a change.”
Calem’s jaw dropped at the same time Oz let out a rumbling laugh. Leena inhaled sharply, barely muffling her own giggle with her hand.
“Now that everyone has a role…” Gaige muttered as he turned to Leena. His hand absently traced his citrine Charmer’s symbol. “Have Reine’s powers been restored yet?”
Leena frowned. “We drained her when she had to carry three of us from Silvis’s Ruins to Cruor. It’ll be a while yet before she can teleport more than a few feet. Why?”
He sighed. “I’m thinking in terms of transportation. We can use some of our beasts to move the assassins faster. We don’t know when Yazmin will strike again.”
Leena rubbed her chin, considering his words. “Even if Reine was fully recovered, she could only carry a few people at once. She’d expend her power before we moved even a quarter of the assassins.”
My mind raced as I pictured the faces of my brethren back at Cruor. “Not all of us are fighters. If we can protect those who have little skill in battle, that would be best. The rest can travel through the Kitska Forest on foot.”
“What about a flying beast?” Oz asked.
“I only have Onyx,” Leena said as she peered at each one of her fellow Council members. They all shook their heads and grimaced. Leena had told me once just how rare flying beasts were. Hard to track, hard to tame. There just weren’t that many of them. At least not in Lendria, and few Charmers ever ventured outside our country’s borders.
“The alternative is a Telesávra,” Raven said slowly, as if mulling over each word. She folded her arms across her chest. “You won’t be able to move everyone, but it’s better than nothing. I have an extra one that hasn’t bonded to me yet that Leena can have.”
“Raven…” Leena’s voice was soft.
“It’s necessary. We need to unite our forces.” She didn’t look at Leena, but there was something behind that hardened, faraway stare. Something beyond just blanket loyalty. “If you must, think of it as a show of gratitude for giving me something to do with the Charmers.”
Leena smiled. “Of course. Training.”
“Yes.” Raven’s stance softened. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Ozias gave her a wide grin. “Tell the Charmers they’re welcome to join our new recruits for drills when we get back. Your hand-to-hand combat is great, but mine is better.”
She scowled before brushing him off. “In your dreams. But it might be helpful for Charmers to see how easy it is for me to hand you your ass.”
My brows arched as Ozias let out a soft chuckle. He and Raven had spent time together while Leena recovered from Yazmin’s attack, but the extent of their friendship was still a surprise. Ozias could barely talk to some of our brethren outside of training, let alone banter with them. Seeing him bond with Raven so quickly reminded me of when he’d met Leena. She’d been alone and he’d been there, and in a way, Raven had been, too.
