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“Gods,” I cried, forcing my eyes closed, imagining Cassial in a state of pain and weakness as Duwar ravaged through his body.

“They will not help us anymore than they have,” Rafaela said, looking away from Duncan.

“That’s right. Their meddling is over.”

“What… what has changed?” I asked, bile stinging the back of my throat, tears pricking in my eyes. Not from sadness, but fury.

“Cassial is desperate because he is growing weak. And now we are ready to face him.” Duncan rolled his shoulders back, lips drawn in regret. “I wish I told you earlier, but it was imperative to our plans that Gyah went ahead.”

“We should be with her,” I snapped, feeling a distance growing between us. “That was not your decision to make, Duncan.”

Duncan sighed. “I am sorry.”

“Are you?”

He straightened, something clicking in his gaze. “Gyah has left to head straight to Wychwood and warn those gathering for battle not to attack.Iam heading straight to Cassial too. If you really wish to meet up with her, to stop Gyah or help her, you can do so by getting to Wychwood.”

“What about you?” I said, desperately needing him, whilst wanting distance at the same time.

“I must go to Cassial, that is what the Creator has asked of me.”

Erix tore his hand out of mine and began to pace, the pent-up emotion becoming too much for him to control. I could see from the darkening of his eyes that the berserker was close to the surface. “The fate of Wychwood and all its peoples falls on Althea’s shoulders until we can get to her. She will do anything to save them – even if that means complying with Cassial and his needs. If harnessing Duwar for Cassial’s gain serves to protect Wychwood, she will do it.”

“Well fuck those plans! You’ve just sent an Eldrae into the midst of this fucked-up war we still know little about. Gyah’s presence will not only inform Cassial that we all have survived his attempts to banish us. But any hope that he’ll spare Althea will cease the moment our secret is revealed.” I could’ve laughed at how ridiculous this all was. If I didn’t laugh, I’d scream or cry.

“Gyah willnotrisk Althea,” Rafaela said. “That is why Seraphine is with her.”

“An Asp may shed its skin, but beneath it is still an Asp,” I muttered the very sentiment Seraphine had shared. I’d placed my trust in someone who had her own motives. But why? What game was Seraphine playing keeping information about Cassial’s intentions to use Althea?

“Then we follow after them,” Erix said, nodding to himself, mind whirling. “How long ago did they leave?”

“Hours,” Rafaela answered. “Gyah has flown back to Durmain. It’s quicker travel than a ship. It is important she informs as many nobles and military leaders in Wychwood as she can of Cassial’s plans, so they can react in the right way.”

“And do we know where Althea is being held?” I asked. “That’s where Gyah will go next.”

There was no hesitation as Rafaela answered. “Seraphine knew, but the information was not shared. Even that was not something Duncan was privy to. When I asked, Seraphine said we would figure it out.”

The web of knots that were Seraphine’s motives were becoming more tangled by the moment.

“She is stalling us,” I said. “Because she knew we would follow after her.”

A thought came to my mind, thick and fast.

Jesibel could find out where Cassial was. If I connected with her through my dreams, Jesibel could walk into Althea’s mind and discover more information. I hated to ask Jesibel to do anything; I wanted her to experience nothing but peace. But if she didn’t help, there would be no peace left for anyone.

“Seraphine is giving herself more time,” I said louder, wanting everyone to hear. “She has a plan, to further yours, I just don’t know what it is yet.”

“I can find out Althea’s location,” Erix added quickly before I could offer the same, pressing fingers to his temple. “Communication with the gryvern has been difficult at this distance, but if we leave for Durmain and I can reach one, then I may be able to locate Cassial. But for that, we need to go – now.”

I expected Rafaela or Duncan to refuse again. Their silence suggested they expected this response. I kept communing with Jesibel in my back pocket. Sleep would be impossible for me, I knew that. But Durmain was a long way away, I had the time to try.

“Then the rest of us must prepare to leave immediately.” I studied the Nephilim carefully, watching to see how they would react. “If we have any hope of stopping Cassial, we do it together. No more secrets.” If I had nails left, they would’ve bitten into the skin of my palm. I fisted my hands so tightly, I felt my heartbeat within them. “Seraphine has a plan; I have to believe she does.”

Seraphine had so much to lose. The new world meant a lot to her, more than I could even imagine. She wouldn’t commit deceptions and betrayals if it wasn’t for a good reason. There was no way she would just stand by and let Gyah go in alone, putting not only her, but everyone else under threat.

I had to believe that.

“If what we believe about the fey army is correct,” I said, skin itching at the possibility of war. “Then Cassial is playing with them. They think we are all dead, and Althea is the last member of a court’s family surviving. It is in their blood to protect that.”