He stood and gazed at us. I marveled at the situation. The Sitian Council had appointed Valek, who had once been the most feared man in Sitia, to lead them. And he’d accepted it without a moment’s hesitation. If he pulled this off, he would save both Sitia and Ixia. And if he failed... I clamped down on that line of thought and listened to my husband with pride swelling in my chest.
“We’re going to form four teams,” Valek said. He held an open notebook. “The first team is assigned to the Krystal garrison and includes Ari, Janco, Zohav and Zethan, as well as Councilors Krystal, Stormdance and Bloodgood. Second team is stationed at the Featherstone garrison and includes Leif, Mara and Esau, plus Councilors Featherstone, Cowan and Jewelrose. The third team consists of Opal, Devlen, Teegan and Reema, and Councilors Moon, Cloud Mist and Sandseed. They are assigned to the Moon garrison.” He looked at me. “The Citadel team will include Yelena, Fisk and Heli, plus Councilors Zaltana and Greenblade.”
Valek then explained what he needed all of us to do. “Timing is vital. You must strike at the exact same time on day twenty of the hot season. I want to attack before they march to the Ixian border.”
Silence once again dominated the room. I calculated. That was twenty-eight days away. If the spores did their job, then there would be just enough time for the effects of the Theobroma to wear off. Conversations started as people discussed logistics. Most wanted to leave soon so they could be in position well before the date. I considered my part of the plan to breach the Citadel and realized there was one name Valek hadn’t included in any of his teams.
I pulled my husband into the room we shared with Leif, Mara and Esau for a private chat. As soon as he closed the door, I asked, “What are you going to be doing?”
“I’m going after Owen.”
No surprise. “By yourself?”
“No, love. I’ll have help.”
“Who? There’s no one left!”
“Not in Sitia,” he agreed.
Oh. “You still have loyal people in Ixia.”
“That’s the hope. It’s been a while, though. The Commander might have gained their trust.” He reached up and rubbed my forehead with a thumb, smoothing my crinkled brow. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll be in familiar territory, and Owen doesn’t know I have magic.”
“He might be stronger than you.”
“That’s possible.” Valek grinned. “But I have better aim.”
“That cocky attitude is going to get you into trouble.”
“Get me? I think it’s safe to say it’s already gotten me into trouble more times than I can count.”
“Don’t look so proud of that.” I swatted him lightly on the arm.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close. His touch sent spikes of heat through my body.
“Do I need to apologize?” he asked in a husky whisper.
I glanced at the door. There were twenty-four others in the house.
“It locks, and this will be our last chance for a while.”
He had me at it locks.
*
The next day, I sorted through my saddle bags. Each of the garrison teams would be armed with one storm orb, and the Citadel team would take the other two. My team would remain at the farmhouse longer than the others, since we were only a few days south of our destination. My knapsack was a complete mess, so I dumped the contents onto the bed. Weapons, vials, darts and travel clothes in desperate need of a wash tumbled out, along with the box Zitora had given me for Opal.
I’d completely forgotten about it. Picking it up, I searched for her. She sat with her family in the living area. When I caught her attention, I gestured for her to join me in the kitchen.
“That girl is going to be the death of me,” Opal said.
“Valek is quite impressed with her.” I set a pot full of water near the fire. With so many people in the farmhouse, we kept the hearth burning so there was enough hot food for everyone.
“Reema’s proved herself, but I worry she’s too confident.”
Laughing, I put a tea bag into a mug. “That’s always my concern with Valek.” I considered. “But it’s that confidence that makes them so successful.”
“I know. Did you want something?”
I’d forgotten again. Was this another symptom of baby brain? Pulling the box from my pocket, I handed it to Opal. “Zitora said you’d know what to do with this.”
Opal stared at the box in shock.
Not the reaction I’d expected. “What’s wrong?”
“This is...” Her hand tightened around it.
“It’s locked, but you shouldn’t have a problem with that.” And if she did, there were at least seven of us who could open it in no time. Eight, if I included Reema, who I suspected probably had lock-picking skills by now.
“That’s not it.” She drew in a deep breath. Her brow creased as if she was conflicted. “I need to talk to Devlen.”
“I’m sorry, Opal, I didn’t mean—”
“Not your fault. You didn’t know.”
I waited.
She pressed it to her chest. “There’s a syringe full of my blood inside the box.”
Of all the things that could have been inside, I’d never thought that would be it. “That’s...well, kinda gross, but...why is it significant?”