“I don’t know.” Florian frowned.
“Where could their stronghold be?” Jude asked.
“The Valkyrie believe that the entrance is through a temple in one of their greatest cities. They suggested Carthage, Byblos, or Tyre, but it may be another entirely.”
“The Phoenicians built temples to their gods,” Cade said. “If we can determine which god they’re particularly obsessed with, that could give us a clue.”
Florian leaned forward. “That’s where I can help. One name kept appearing in the Rebel Gods’ book—the god Melqart. I didn’t know why the name kept appearing, but now that you mention this Valkyrie theory about temples and ancient cities, I believe that you will find the entrance to their stronghold through a Temple of Melqart.”
“How many temples were built to him?” I asked. “Didn’t the Phoenicians create a great sea-trading empire throughout the Mediterranean? There must be dozens of temples, maybe more.”
“None that survived,” Cade said. “Except for the one at Kart-hadasht.”
“Where’s that?” I asked, remembering his fondness for history.
“It’s located on the south coast of Tunisia, not very far from Carthage, the Phoenicians greatest port city. But Carthage was a human settlement. Thousands of years of habitation have occurred there since the Carthaginian Phoenicians built their temples. They’re long gone. But Kart-hadasht was the supernatural city that operated near there. It was on the same shipping line, which was vital to the Phoenicians, but protected from humans. The remains of the city are still there. I think.”
“You haven’t been?” I asked.
“No, but I have two friends who work in the area. Archaeologists.”
“Could they show us where it is?”
“I believe so.”
Excitement swelled in my chest like a balloon. “So this is our best bet. We go to Kart-hadasht and find the temple entrance to their stronghold.”
“I’m coming,” Ana said.
“Me too!” Caro added.
“You’re not getting rid of us.” Ali leaned forward.
Haris grinned.
I smiled at them. “Thanks, guys.”
Having friends—having backup—was awesome.
“Hold on,” Jude said. “This is just recon—not the big fight. You know as well as anyone that too many people on recon can blow our cover and lose the info we seek.”
“But it could become the big fight,” Caro said.
“What if Bree needs us?” Ali added.
“Bree is smart enough to bail if it’s about to become the big fight,” Cade said. “We follow protocol here at the Protectorate—you know that. It saves lives.”
Caro huffed, but nodded.
“We’ll perform recon,” Cade said, taking over as security expert. He looked at Jude. “It’s safe to assume that this can count as one of Bree’s training tests for the Protectorate?”
A small smile tugged at Jude’s mouth. “Bree must do this to keep her wings and her magic. If she can destroy a Rebel God stronghold, then yes, it will count as one of her tests to join the Protectorate.”
“Two tests,” Hedy said. “It’s really only fair. She’s proven much more than normal trainees.”
Jude gazed at me, eyes sparkling like stars. “Yes, she has.”
I shifted, both pleased and embarrassed. “Let’s just get through this first. Cade and I will go to Kart-hadasht.”
“And me,” Ana said. “You’re not leaving me behind this time. I’ve got your back.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed, genuinely wanting her to come along.
“That would work,” Cade said. “We should keep it small.
Caro frowned, then met my gaze. “We’ll be at the big fight.”
“Assuming I don’t fix this without a big fight,” I said.
She grinned. “I have faith in you, but that’s a tall order.”
“Yeah, don’t leave us out of the fun,” Ali said.
“Fine, I’ll try to save some demons for you.” Or whatever we’d face.
“In the event that we must return to the Rebel Gods’ stronghold in their halfway realm, you should create a portal at the entrance,” Jude said. “I can only imagine it won’t be easy to get through Kart-hadasht. Once you’ve found it, create the portal so that we can access it more easily.”
“How do we create a portal?” I asked. “Isn’t that difficult magic?”
“Very.” Hedy leaned forward. “But I’ve developed a spell that can create a temporary portal. It will appear in Edinburgh and connect us to wherever you deploy the spell. Only Protectorate members will be able to use it. But be sure not to deploy it within the halfway realm. It’s not strong enough to cross realms. Neither are our transport charms.”
“We can do that,” I said.
“That’s settled, then,” Cade said. “We should leave soon. I don’t know how long it will take to get to Kart-hadasht.
My stomach growled loudly. “I like that plan. Let’s get a bite to eat then get out of here.”
“Did someone say eat?” Hans bustled into the room. The skinny cook wore his white apron and chef’s hat, an affectation he wouldn’t let go of. “I heard from Mayhem that our fighters returned from the field and would appreciate a leg of ham.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t Mayhem who would appreciate a leg of ham?” Cade asked.
Hans chuckled. “I did think that was the case. So I made you sandwiches. And juice. Juice is good for the soul. And coffee. I thought you might need a pick-me-up. This will revive you.”
I wouldn’t hate a pick-me-up, that was for sure.
He laid a tray laden with sandwiches on the table.
Jude glared at him. “You know you’re not supposed to interrupt meetings, Hans.”
“Psst.” Hans waved a hand at her, clearly unconcerned. “I’m not interrupting. Just delivering sustenance.”
I eyed the peanut butter and jelly that I knew he’d made just for me. I grabbed one. “Thanks, Hans. You’re the best.”
He bowed, then hurried from the room. The first bite of PB&J was divine, reminding me how long it’d been since the breakfast porridge.
“Eat,” Jude said. “Then get cleaned up and come to the main entry hall before you go. I’ll be sure to get transportation charms for you so that you can get to Tunisia quickly. If you aren’t back in twenty-four hours, we’ll send backup. Agreed, Cade?”
“Agreed.”
I swallowed and nodded. It looked like the adventures would never stop. As long as I earned my wings, that was fine by me.
After a quick shower, I changed into my hot weather clothes and met Cade and Ana.
Cade held up a small black stone. “Jude delivered the transportation charms.”
“Great.” I smiled. “We’re headed to Carthage first?”
Cade shook his head. “To a desert settlement in southern Tunisia, where Doug and Veronica live. It’s the closest town to Kart-hadasht.”
“They’re the archaeologists?”
“Aye.” Cade held up a transport stone. “Ready?”
Ana and I nodded.