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“I’m sure you’ll have your own conditions,” I snapped. “Making us pretend you weren’t involved in the abduction, for one.”
Cael shrugged but stayed quiet, pressing the quill between his fingers.
I looked between Cael and Graham, needing to convince them both. “If I testify, you protect us—me, my father, Cait, and Lachlan. None of us may be executed or imprisoned. You’ll peacefully banish us and I swear you’ll never have to see me again.”
Graham leaned in closer. “What else?”
“You follow my plan to get Dunn back.”
“What exactly is your plan?” asked Cael.
I smiled. “We arrange a prisoner exchange: Keane for Dominic Dunn.”
“Keane will not be set free,” said Cael.
“I wasn’t done,” I said. “We put Keane on the radio and lure them back with theproposalof a hostage exchange. Vaughn’s loyalty to Keane could very easily make him agree to it. Then, when they arrive, you arrest them all and take back every stolen weapon, ensuring that those men never hurt another soul again.”
Cael’s eyes gleamed.
I continued carefully. “Of course, we will need resources from the arsenal first. They have the deadliest weapons on that boat I’ve ever seen—guns that can shoot a hundred bullets in a matter of seconds. We’ll have to outgun them if we stand a chance of taking them by force. But the moment wedo, we return every last weapon to the hoard, locking it up permanently.”
Graham studied my face. “You’d betray Keane?”
I looked down. “I’m afraid he’s too brutal to be called a friend.” My words sent a twinge through me. I still felt intensely guilty about abandoning Keane, and though we didn’t see eye to eye, I did consider him a friend. But, as Cait had been trying to get me to understand, heroism was at least halfway terrible. I couldn’t earn safety for my father and friends without a cost.
“One last thing,” I said. “I will participate in the hostage exchange disguised as an Enforcer. I insist on personally supervising it, as well as the subsequent return of the weapons to the arsenal. I won’t leave until I see for myself that Dunn and the weapons are secure.”
“That’s an absurd and unlikely condition,” said Cael. “And I told you I refuse to take any more weapons out.”
“It’s not a perfect plan,” said Graham, “but if we can successfully secure the stolen weapons and Dunn, I support it.”
“I do admit there’s one part that spoke to me,” said Cael. “What was it you said? About banishment?”
“That you’ll never have to see me again,” I said.
“Yes. That.” Cael sighed. “Music to my ears.”
“So?” I asked. “Do you agree to it if I swear to confess?”
“I’ll think about it.” Cael looked at his watch. “But for now, I’m off. They’re holding a press conference about Cardiff Pearce. I need to make sure there aren’t already suspicions of foul play.”
“I should go too,” said Graham, starting to stand.
“No,” said Cael. “You know too much and you’re not a good enough liar.”
He frowned. “Won’t people wonder why I’m not there?”
“Your father never went to press conferences. He always sent the First Immortal to speak for him. If you want to look like a king, let me do the talking.”
“Very well,” Graham said, settling back into the couch. “But once I’m king, I’ll rule differently than my father did.”
“Fine,” said Cael. “But for now, it’s best not to disrupt expectations.” He sauntered away, taking the exit back to the staircase.
The heavy door closed, leaving Graham and me alone in the underground.
We sat in silence for a few moments before Graham finally spoke.
“Why are you suddenly so willing to take the fall?” he asked.
