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“So, you want to go to the Caspagir capital and see if you can pull out any information before we try to return home?” Eno asked.
“I think we can’t act without knowing how the board is set. If the Empire has in fact taken the Godstone, we need to know where they are taking it and how they are transporting it. If we are to take it back, it will be far easier to steal it in transit than when they’ve got it deep with their own territory.”
“We also need to know if we have anything resembling an army.” Caelan twisted to look over his shoulder at Eno. “I want revenge as much as anyone, but we cannot take on all of the Empire on our own.”
“I’m willing to try,” Eno growled.
Caelan snorted and flopped back on the sofa. “We need you for more than one suicide mission.”
“There’s got to be someone left,” Drayce said, his voice shaking slightly.
“I’m sure there is,” Eno replied.
Rayne shoved a hand through his hair, pushing it from his eyes. “He’s right. The only thing is, they’ve likely been forced to go underground if the Empire is occupying the city.”
Eno nodded and walked over to the sofa to sit next to Caelan. “We’ll need to get them word that Caelan is still alive. It’ll give them hope.”
“And we need a full accounting of their numbers if we’re going to organize any kind of counterstrike.”
“But how are we getting to Sirelis from here? We’re not going to walk, are we?” Drayce asked.
Rayne opened his mouth to reply, but the words were stopped in his throat by a brisk knock on the exterior door. For a heartbeat, they all just stared at each other in shock. But Rayne’s brain kicked in again with the next beat. Wordlessly, he pointed at Caelan and Drayce to hide in the bedroom while he answered the door.
Caelan nodded and leaped over the back of the couch, landing with only a whisper of noise. Drayce darted after him, a pistol already in his hand, thumb resting near the safety. Eno moved in front of the bedroom and nodded to Rayne. It was all the more imperative now to keep Caelan safe.
But truly, no one should know they were in the town. The only person who would know anything was Andy, and he’d never given their names. Had she recognized Caelan? Had one of them said something she’d heard that he overlooked?
He carefully slid a small dagger from its sheath on his hip and held it down at his side as he unlocked the door. He peeked out and was immediately greeted by Andy’s smiling face and bright orange hair. Releasing a sigh of relief, he shoved the knife into its sheath before she could see it as he opened the door farther.
“Hey, y’all,” she greeted sweetly. “I hate to bother you, but I stopped by the diner and grabbed you some dinner. They’re closing up in the next few minutes, and I didn’t want you to miss out on a meal after your long day.”
Now that she mentioned it, Rayne picked up on the delicious smells that were now assaulting his nose. Hot roasted meat and spices. His stomach growled and Rayne felt himself blush.
“Thank you. That was incredibly thoughtful of you.”
“Fries! Fries! Did she bring fries?” Drayce’s shouts of excitement could be heard throughout the small apartment and she laughed.
“Yes, I made sure to get some of Henry’s famous fries for y’all.”
Rayne took a step out of the doorway and motioned for the woman to enter. He ignored the raised eyebrow from Eno. Yes, she could be a spy and dangerous, but there was something about Andy that rang genuine and true. He was inclined to trust her.
Andy stepped into the apartment carrying two large brown paper bags with handles. She seemed to hesitate, but then Eno was still looking fierce and unwelcoming. Luckily Drayce fixed that with his usual eager charm as he rushed out from the bedroom and nearly tackled the poor woman. She just laughed and handed over the bags rather than risk Drayce climbing all over her like an oversized puppy.
“Andy Guilder, may I introduce you to my friends, Drayce, Eno, and…Cael?” Rayne stammered. He’d not thought ahead of what he was saying, hadn’t planned on a fake name for Caelan now that he was in hiding and presumed dead.
She gave a wave to Eno and Drayce but bowed her head to Cael. “It’s a pleasure, y’all. And I’m real sorry about what happened to your mother, Your Highness. She always struck me as an amazing lady.”
“Whoa. You recognize me?” Caelan gasped, taking a step closer to her.
“Well, yeah. Of course. Well, I mean,” she paused, a blush stealing across her ruddy cheeks. “I’m a devotee to all things related to the royal families in the world. But Prince Caelan, you’re my favorite. I’d recognize you anywhere.”
