With a nod, my mind flashes back to the transport bus. “He has the tattoo on his chest. He’s how we’ll find Sky.” My eyes fix on de Vaux, refusing to blink. “Get him for me, or is all your big talk just bullshit? Are you really unable to do anything more than the rest of us?”
A sharp intake of breath causes his chest to inflate. It’s obvious that his failure to rescue Sky from Voss has bruised his ego, and an Elite’s pride is a weapon I know exactly how to wield.
“I can do anything I please,” he retorts, his voice dropping into a dangerous purr. “If it pleased me to have this man called London brought directly to my feet, then I would make that so.”
Bingo.
“Right. I’ll believe that when I see it.”
Shaking his head, his lip curls in disdain. “I realize you are trying to goad me, little one. You are not nearly as sophisticated in the art of manipulation as you think. However, the architectural layout of this building istrès imbécile. To extract your Englishman from the solitary wing this exact second would tip my hand to Voss before we are fully prepared to depart.”
The sinking feeling in my stomach starts to drop, but François holds up a mocking hand before I can protest.
“I cannot bring him to this cell now,” he continues, his eyes turning a flat, light-extinguishing black. “But when we make our exit, I shall liberate himen route. It is highly inefficient, but since I am apparently committed to this… rescue, I shall embrace the chaos.”
A massive sigh of relief leaves me. “Thank you. But we need to go as soon as possible. Sky might be sold to someone else at any moment.”
“Do not worry,ma petite. I have everything in hand.” His gaze turns coldly toward the cot where Taliesin is gently pressing a damp cloth to Imran’s lips. “I am sure you will welcome your return to the tedious position of gang foreman, Wolf. Enjoy your small power while Aurora and I run free under the stars.”
Uh, no.“Tally is coming with us,” I say, stepping firmly between him and the doorway. “No arguments. I’m not leaving him.”
His jaw clenches, a muscle leaping in his cheek. “Your demands are becoming tiresome. He is not necessary. You wished for the rescue of your sparrow; I am giving you that. Be grateful.”
“Grateful? Sometimes you sound so much like your father it’s uncanny. You don’t think we’ll need someone with local knowledge, Frank? Someone who knows the terrain? What about boats? Can you sail? Tally can. This is his homeland. We need him.” Knowing absolutely nothing about Taliesin’s sailing ability doesn’t stop me; François doesn’t need to know the truth.
Tally’s voice cracks the silence, sounding battered but determined. “She’s right. Don’t want to bust your bubble,péter plus haut que son cul, but two Southern Elites and an erratic British dude aren’t going to go unnoticed in my city. You’ll get jumped within ten minutes. You need me.”
François looks at him with pure, unadulterated disdain. “That is highly unlikely.”
“Stop being such an ass. Yes, I’m sure you can zap people with your brain, but what about food? Money? A boat? Or does your magic give you wings? Are you just going to fly us to whatever island Sky is on?”
For the first time, François actually looks… disappointed. “I do not fly.”
Something stirs deep in my marrow at the mention of flight. If I get outside, beyond the reach of the Null-Wards, will my own magic finally ignite? Wings and fire sound like the perfect escape. If I turn out to be a dragon like Cosmo, I’ll burn Frank’s arrogance to a crisp.
“Taliesin comes with us, François. That is non-negotiable," I say, stepping directly into his space.
Eyes raised to the ceiling, de Vaux looks deeply pained before his gaze slides to Tally. He studies him with clinical detachment until a slow smirk spreads across his face.
“You are remarkably persistent, Aurora,” he murmurs. “But very well. If having your Wolf beside you is the only way you will walk through those gates without clawing my eyes out, then he may come.”
The sudden concession catches me off guard, making me blink. “You’re serious?”
“I am many things,ma petite, but I am rarely a liar when it comes to your heart’s desires.” Moving closer, his voice drops to a silken whisper that brushes the shell of my ear. “I want you to come with me willingly. I have no interest in dragging a screaming girl through the woods. If his presence provides you comfort, then I shall endure it.”
He glances back at Tally, his eyes flashing black. “Besides, a successful escape may require someone to stay behind and draw the fire. If the guards catch up, I’m sure he will be happy to play the martyr for you one last time.”
A low, rough growl leaves Tally’s throat, and François turns back to him, entirely unfazed. “Two hours to settle your affairs, Wolf. I suggest you use them wisely.”
A surge of triumph hits me, but I keep my face like ice.
Grimmer than before, Tally’s expression doesn’t match my mood. “If I’m leaving, I need to speak to Clay and Layla first. I can’t leave the block vulnerable without a plan, and then, fuck, what about Imran?” He winces as he moves, clutching his throat.
Fuck, François really fucked him up again.
“You have to heal Tally,” I demand, looking at François.
A deep, martyred sigh is my only response. “Endless demands. I will be glad when this evening is done.” François beckons to the cot. “Step forward, Wolf.”
