“Is it possible she’d simply be on the battlefield?” Calem asked.
“No.” Gaige folded his arms across his chest. “My guess is she’ll have convinced Varek of her need to remain behind while summoning Ocnolog. She won’t risk injury or interruption for a spell as great as this.”
“We need a distraction,” Noc said. “Something to pull Varek’s attention away from his city and force his troops to look outward.”
“An enemy army ought to do that,” Isla mused. All our gazes rounded on her, and she shrugged. “I know you want to get there sooner rather than later, but what if you wait until we make our stand? If he thinks we’re going to attack through the front door, he’ll be less likely to guard the back.”
Running a thick hand over his shorn hair, Oz glanced at her. Then Gaige. “Can we make it there in time? Before Yazmin can raise Ocnolog?”
“It’ll be tight, but it’s doable.” A muscle twitched in Gaige’s brow. “Celeste died during midday, according to legend, so I imagine Yazmin will try the spell around the same time. If we can get there the night before or even the morning of, we’ll have a small window of opportunity.”
Tension knotted in Noc’s shoulders, and he grimaced. “I don’t like it. Too many things could go wrong. But, we can’t push our forces any faster. They need to be alert and rested when the time comes.”
“Agreed,” Madeline said. “So, who goes with Leena, then?”
“I will.” Raven’s answer was swift, harsh. Anger flashed through her yellow eyes. “Yazmin needs to pay.”
Gaige shook his head. “I understand your desire to go, but I think you should stay.”
“And why is that?” She nearly chomped his head off with her curt reply, but Gaige didn’t shrink away.
“For the same reason I won’t be going,” Noc said, voice soft.
My breath hitched, and I clenched my jaw tight. We hadn’t discussed it, but somehow I’d known we’d be separated during this war. The very thought put me on edge. How could I not fight beside myanam-cara? What if something happened to him? What if I didn’t get to say goodbye?
No.My fingers curled toward my palms, and I rested my hands on my knees. I wouldn’t think of goodbyes. We’d survive this. We had to.
He pinned Raven with a gaze full of emotion and understanding. “There’s nothing I want more than to be by Leena’s side. But I can’t, because I’m expected to lead these forces. They need to see me. They need to know that I’m willing to risk everything, because that’s what they’re doing—risking everything.
“And while Leena would normally be expected to do the same, she’s the only one who can take people into Wilheim. Someone has to inspire the Charmers in the same way she would. Someone who’s been training with them. Supporting them. They need to see you on the battlefield, Raven. Perhaps more so than my men need to see me, as it’s been centuries since Charmers took up arms.”
Silence filled the space around us. Raven held his gaze the whole time, never blinking, until she deflated with a sigh. Oz, who’d taken a seat beside her, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She leaned into his touch for a moment before pulling away.
“Fine. Then the question still stands—who goes?” she asked.
“I’ll send my finest swordsman with you. He’ll have knowledge of the castle’s layout, which will be helpful,” said Madeline.
“The bulk will likely come from Cruor,” Noc said, tilting his chin toward Oz. “Emelia, Iov, a few others.”
“They’ll go without question.” Oz braced his forearms on the table and clasped his hands together. “What about us?”
“You should stay for the same reason Raven is. The new recruits trust you.” Kost brushed his hands along his vest and then righted his glasses. “I’ll go. I’m already familiar with the process.”
“I’ll join,” Kaori said. Gaige opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off with a frosty glare. “I have no reason to stay behind, and we should send at least a few of our own. We might have the skill set to aid the Charmers imprisoned there.”
“I agree,” I said, and Raven nodded along with me. Gaige let out an agitated huff, but didn’t fight us further on the matter.
“Well, fuck it. I’m in then.” Cradling the back of his head with his hands, Calem smirked. “Sounds like fun.”
“I’d offer my men, but I’m not sure that would be wise,” Isla said. She pushed her blond hair over her shoulder and leaned back into her chair. “They don’t know you well enough to implicitly follow your orders.”
“That won’t be necessary. We can fill the remaining spots from our respective troops.” Noc reached for my hand and gripped it tight. “We’ll leave at first light. Make sure everyone is rested and ready to go.”
Chairs scraped along the uneven floorboards as we all stood. Gaige straightened the collar of his tunic, then tilted his head in our direction. “I need to gather the Kitska beasts. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
During our journey to Midnight Jester, Gaige had revealed where he’d disappeared to—and the beasts he’d encountered. He’d summoned a few of them while we’d traveled, and the Gigloam he’d named Boo never left his side. The beast’s presence had startled everyone at first, but he’d quickly won over almost every assassin with his insatiable curiosity and love of chasing shadow blades. Once we’d arrived, he hung back, hiding in the safety of the trees bordering the black market tavern.
“Be safe,” I said. Gaige waved me off with a smile as he maneuvered effortlessly around tables before strolling out the door. Kost’s eyes trailed his movements, lingering a fraction too long on the exit. When he caught me looking, the tips of his ears turned red, and he left with a mumbled excuse of checking on the assassins. Calem and Oz followed quickly after him to do the same.
