Ezkai Xander pauses for a beat before continuing. “Yes, General. We would need to send a Spy Unit to search the area and find the exact location. We need your approval before that.”
I click my tongue, trying my best to hide my annoyance. Thousands of highly trained Ezkai and that’s all they’ve got in all this time?
“Show me the approximate location,” I tell him.
Ezkai Xander points at the southwest of Ekios. “One of our port cities, Vaskor. She was transported here.”
I eye the second-largest city in Ekios on the stone map. Then, I glance over my shoulder at Jax. “Is one of the secret Talbot estates there?”
“Yes, outskirts of the city,” Jax replies smoothly.
Ezkai Xander blinks in surprise. Noire’s eyebrows rise all the way to his bold hairline. Only Fern, Bjorn, and Emil aren’t surprised Jax would know something even my Ezkai don’t.
“We have no information on Talbot estates—” Ezkai Xander starts.
I lift my palm to silence him. “That’s because it’s not one of their officially registered properties. We’ve got the exact location, no need to waste more time sending spies to search the port city.”
Ezkai Xander looks at Jax with narrowed eyes but nods. “Yes, General. We’re ready to launch a targeted spy operation to retrieve Vera D’Argent at your word.”
A secret spy operation to extract Vera from the enemy is a smart way to go about this. But it’s not the only way. And I’m not sure it’s most effective for the future.
I glance at Noire. “The journal I retrieved from Daegel’s estate, the one that has logs of Caligos movements. Can we use it against them?”
Noire’s thoughtful as he answers. “It only outlines operations from other Caligos families, not theirs, as it was intendedas blackmail material. However…because you’re the one who retrieved it, we could use it in court, together with your testimony. Nobody would question the legitimacy of your word, General.”
“And how about…using Jax’s testimony on the late Ezkai General’s assassination in court against them?”
Phoenix—Jax’s voice rises to the front of my mind. I throw him a sharp glance. He says nothing else.
Noire looks at Jax, then back at me. “It would be a hard case to make, but could potentially work. What are you thinking, General?”
I nod, mulling over my alternative plan for a moment longer. Everyone waits patiently for me to speak. Unease coils inside my stomach. It takes me a minute to realize it’s notmyfeeling.
I lift my chin, and as I say the next words, I meet everyone’s eyes. “The longer we continue this charade, entertaining Caligos attacks silently, the longer they’ll continue it. The more their power and influence grows within their ranks, andmygovernment. It has to stop. Everyone has to see there are consequences to those who affiliate with Caligos. The Talbots can be the ones to set an example. What I propose is gathering a small unit of loyal soldiers and officially arresting Reizei Talbot at his secret estate and bringing him for trial. We have three separate charges we could use to sentence him.”
The silence that falls in the room is deafening. Jax’s anxiety tickles the back of my throat. But he manages to restrain himself and not say anything.
Noire is the first to break the silence. “That is a fair statement, General. You’re not wrong, favor is on our side. Yet, it’s a grand gesture. And a bold one.”
I nod. “I understand.”
“With all due respect, I must advocate against it, General,” Ezkai Xander says hesitantly. “We have no clue how otherCaligos families will react to Talbot’s arrest. Besides, chances of the trial going in our favor are slim with so many Caligos supporters in House Dzuni. But more dangerous than Caligos supporters are those who fear them.”
“You’re right, Ezkai Xander. It’s a huge risk we’d be taking,” I say. “But if we don’t do it now, they’ll never stop. They’ve proven they’re capable of the worst. They’ve assassinated the last Ezkai General—the most powerful man in history to date—in broad daylight. In front of House Dzuni. Who says it’s not the fate I’ll meet tomorrow?” I pause and take a deep breath. “Last time, we managed to prevent them from winning the trials. Barely. Next time, you may not be so lucky.”
Phoenix—Jax tries speaking to me again through our bond.
Over my shoulder I tell him, “Speak.”
Jax clears his throat. “General, if I may offer an outsider opinion, I must side with Ezkai Xander on this one. I’m much less concerned about Caligos reaction and more concerned about your safety. Going to an open arrest, even with a small loyal unit, poses huge risk to your safety, which is my sole concern as your Blood Sentineal.”
“The Blood Sentineal is right, General,” Ezkai Xander says. “The arrest itself can turn violent, and with you there?—”
I raise my palm again, getting impatient. “I understand. But my life’s at risk every day whether I go to an arrest or I remain locked in my castle.”
“You’re right, General.” Noire speaks up again. I blink at him, surprised. “Unfortunately, there’s no scenario in which you’re safe as the ruler of this country. And continuing to be passive may be more dangerous considering the circumstances. You’re correct that we have the best chance ever to put the Talbots behind bars. If you intend to act, General…we must do it swiftly.”
I nod, thankful that my Taaslord is on my side.
