“Assume they aren’t until it’s confirmed that they are no longer under the Cartel’s influence. There are also messengers who are Theobroma-free, so don’t take any unnecessary risks. Contact them right before all hell breaks loose.”
Smiles all around. Although Zethan’s didn’t last.
“Zee, Bain will reach out to you,” Valek said. “He will know you are coming, and of all the masters, he can bypass anyone who is trying to snoop.”
“Just don’t be offended when he calls you ‘child,’” Leif said. “He calls everyone that, even the Keep’s bursar, and that man is only a few years younger than Bain.”
When they finished the meeting, Valek asked Teegan to stay. He uncovered the super messenger and handed it to the boy. “Time to contact the masters and let them in on our plans. Start with Bain, then Irys. If there’s enough power left, reach out for Zitora. If not, you’ll be close enough when you arrive near the garrison.”
“And I have a light touch,” Teegan bragged.
“There’s that.”
Then the boy sobered. “I don’t know Master Zitora. She might not let me in.”
A valid point. Valek considered. “She knows me.”
Teegan tapped on the glass. “We should do this together. We’ll have more power, and you can answer any of her questions that I don’t know.”
“Good idea.”
“Boy genius, remember?”
“How could I ever forget?” Valek’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
Teegan grinned. “Baby brain.”
He mock-growled at the boy but couldn’t keep a stern expression. Now that everyone had heard it, the phrase was quickly becoming the excuse for everything. Teegan grabbed his hand, and they contacted Bain, Irys and then Zitora. The magic in the messenger died before they finished their session with Zitora, but Teegan now had a connection to her.
Tired from the effort, Valek considered resting—perhaps Yelena needed a nap—but Ari and Janco entered the office soon after Teegan left. They stood in front of the desk.
“We’re not happy about you facing Owen alone,” Ari said.
“I don’t expect to go toe-to-toe with the man,” Valek said.
“What do you expect? ’Cause there are three of them and one of you,” Janco said.
“I expect to assassinate them. If I do it correctly, they will have no idea what hit them.”
Janco grinned. “Way to go, Boss.”
Ari elbowed him. “We still think you should take—”
“There’s no one to take. And you know it.” Valek understood their concern, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“Little Miss Assassin would have been perfect to act as your backup.” Janco’s expression turned somber.
“Don’t worry about her,” Valek said. “She’s more than capable of taking care of herself.”
He brightened a bit. “Yeah. I bet she’s driving Brunsie crazy.”
“Hanging out with Janco, she certainly had enough experience with the fine art of pestering someone to distraction,” Ari said.
“Hey!”
Valek studied his two friends as they bickered. They had saved his life, protected Yelena, and done so much for him over the years, including committing treason by being here instead of with the Commander in Ixia.
And now, he needed to ask them to do one more thing.
Interrupting them, Valek said, “When you breach the garrison, please keep an eye on the twins. They’re powerful, but they’re still young, and my mother would be upset if anything happened to them.” He already had more of an understanding of this parent-child bond, and his own baby wasn’t even born yet. Valek could only imagine how much worse it would be once the child joined the world and faced all the dangers and hazards associated with living.
“Will do, Boss,” Janco said. “I understand all about keeping mothers happy.”
“You do?” Ari asked with a doubtful tone.
“Yes. Just because I ignore it doesn’t mean I don’t understand it.”
*
After Valek ensured everyone understood what they needed to do, he planned to leave the next morning. Having the most experience with syringes, Devlen drew a vial of Valek’s blood, which Teegan preserved. Valek would find a safe place to hide it on his way to the castle. Each magician would decide where to hide his or her own blood. This ensured that the vials weren’t stored in one location and would protect them from being sabotaged by the Cartel.
When he joined Yelena in their room, the desire to lecture his wife about being extra careful and staying alive boiled up his throat with searing bubbles, but he kept it in check. She understood. And he was sure she was biting back on her worries as well.
Instead, they locked the door and spent the evening being together. When they’d exhausted their bodies, they lay intertwined and talked about everything but the upcoming Firestorm.
“If it’s a boy, we could name him Valek,” Yelena said.
“Then we’d both respond when you called,” he said. “No. Too confusing.”
“What do you suggest?”
He decided to have some fun. “Rock. That’s a strong name.”
“It’s also an inanimate object. Try again.”
“Steel. Another powerful name.”
“That’s not a name.”
“Storm?”