Page 113 of Twist of Fate

“Well,” Asterius muttered once the doors closed behind them. “That went exactly as expected.”

Connal ignored him. Luke was still in the human realm, and Gomez would need to know why he had gone alone.

The corridor shifted ahead, leading them toward Gomez, who was pacing fast enough to wear a path into the floor. He spun when they approached and immediately searched the space behind them.

“Where’s Luke?”

“He has gone to stop the exchange,” Connal said.

Gomez stared at him. “What exchange? We went from a weird thumb drive to an exchange while I wasn’t looking?”

“The drive was not the system itself,” Asterius explained. “It contained proof that a tracking system exists.”

“Hello! Vague fae answer is vague! What kind of system?”

“One capable of tracking magic,” Tyson said. “Luke’s employer is arranging its sale.”

Gomez’s eyes widened. “Wait. Tracking magic how? Objects? Spells? People?”

“Individual magical anomalies and their precise locations,” Connal said.

Gomez looked between the three of them, then focused on Connal. “Okay. Let me make sure I understand. Luke can approach the system because he’s human.”

“Yes,” Connal said.

“But if you go anywhere near it, you’ll light up the tracker.”

“That is what we believe.”

“And now you’re standing here looking like a sad panda because Luke went after the system without you.”

Connal stiffened.

Gomez’s expression softened with understanding. “Oh, you giant bonehead. He didn’t leave because he wanted to play hero, and he didn’t leave you behind. He went alone because that thing tracks magic.” He poked a finger into Connal’s chest. “You’re basically a walking magical beacon. Luke took you out of the equation because he was trying to protect you and preserve the only advantage he had.”

Connal released a slow breath. His fear remained, but the hurt beneath it loosened.

Gomez watched his expression change and nodded. “Good. Now that we’ve established you’re both idiots, what’s the plan?”

Asterius made a quiet sound of agreement.

“We prepare,” Connal said. “Tyson is positioning human eyes around the building. I will assemble a team ready to reach Luke if the situation changes.”

“And until then?”

Connal met Gomez’s gaze. “We trust him.”

Gomez grimaced. “I hate that plan.”

“So do I.”

“But it’s the right one.”

“Yes.”

Tyson turned toward the branching corridor. “Then we need the armory.”

Asterius motioned for him to lead the way. “At last. Something more useful than standing here discussing our feelings.”