‘Why Terry?’ said Fae at once. ‘I can do it.’
I shook my head. ‘Terry will be harder to capture. His rubbery frame means he can escape easily.’
Fae crossed her arms, looking sullen. It seemed she didn’t like the idea of Terry doing a more important job than her. The truth was, I couldn’t afford to lose Fae. Out of the group, she was the most likely to inflict the most damage. Although the rest of them had Powers, they were not for fighting. True, Dagon was strong after a lifetime fishing at sea, but his Power of water breathing would not come in handy during a conflict, unless the Realm had a secret swimming pool the public didn’t know about.
‘We need more Mages with attacking abilities,’ I said.
‘Attacking?’ Mr. Greenwood repeated. ‘You’re not planning on … killing people, are you?’
I frowned. ‘No, Mr. Greenwood, I don’t wish to kill anybody who does not deserve it.’
‘And how do you determine if they deserve it or not?’ he asked.
‘If they try to stop me from bringing down the Realm,’ I said.
Mr. Greenwood raised his eyebrows. ‘That seems a bit harsh. They’re just doing their jobs-’
‘They took your son!’ I said, raising my voice. ‘Do you know what they do to humans there? I am going to destroy the entire Human-Registration sector, and obliterate all recorded humans on their damn list. If we destroy the Realm, we destroy the slave market. So are you with me?’
No one spoke, or even moved a muscle.
‘Well?’ I pressed, feeling my own anger rising.
Slowly, Fae raised her hand, and I felt overwhelming affection for her. Next was Dagon. The rest followed suit.
‘Good,’ I said, sitting back down. ‘Now we focus our energies on recruiting more Mages.’
‘Where do we go?’ asked Dagon.
I had one person in mind who could help us by providing transport. Flying transport. Camryn Dreghorn.
It would be quicker to go alone, but I needed at least one other person to protect me.
‘I am going to Frost Arch with Fae,’ I said to them. ‘Dagon, you will take the others to Concord City. It’s likely we will beat you there on Hawthorne and Shadow.’
‘But why can’t I go with you?’ asked Dagon.
‘It will be faster if just Fae and I go,’ I said. ‘There is a girl in Frost Arch who may be able to help us. She breeds Pegasi, which we will be able to ride into battle. We will have an advantage if we can attack by air.’
‘Pegasi?’ said Gregory. ‘I thought they were a myth.’
I shook my head. ‘They exist, and they can be vicious animals when untrained. But with them, we will be able to attack form the air. I will go to Frost Arch and ask my friend if she will join us. It’s a long shot, but it’s worth it.’
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Avalon’s Army
JACK GREENWOOD
Jack spotted Kenneth Redding from a mile away. His thick, black, bottle-brush moustache and floppy hair were far too noticeable.
He hadn’t expected to see him here in Concord City, let alone at the next Howl meeting. But there he was, along with Penny, Tom, Elise, Bran, and Robert, the members of H.E.L.E.N.A.
Jack stood beside Xara and R?ven in the crowded living room of Cecilia’s house during the next meeting. He was the tallest person in the room and saw over everyone’s heads quite easily, which was how he had spotted the H.E.L.E.N.A members upon their entry with Cecilia.
Jack decided to wait until they had been introduced to the room at large, as was done with all new recruits, before making his way towards them.
Xara and R?ven, by far two of the shortest in the room, stood side by side, blinking in unison. They seemed to have formed an odd friendship over the last few days; a friendship where neither spoke, and only looked at each other. It unnerved Jack.
R?ven, with her blue-black, concave hairstyle and black clothing was an image of dark beauty, like a crow.
Xara, who had stark white hair and red eyes, was often seen wearing the blood-red cloak usually donned by Realm officials. She, too, would be pretty if she held any personality whatsoever.
Perhaps that was why R?ven liked Xara; because she showed no emotion, even when R?ven was talking.
Next to one another, they reminded him of a pack of playing cards; red and black.
Jack sorely missed normal, clumsy, outspoken, and hotheaded Avalon. The very thought made him sick to his stomach, so he tried very hard not to think of her. The way her eyes lit up when he told a joke, or that crease in her brow when she frowned...