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Collin walked in next. There was no longer any disdain in his face when he looked at me, but there was none of his boldness either. After weeks of being ill, his blond hair was less vibrant and his complexion had lost its warmth, his skin sunken around his eyes and cheeks. It was as if wherever he walked he brought the gloom of an overcast sky and damp weather with him.

He took his seat without so much as a glance at Killian. He even opted for Tarvelle’s old chair so he didn’t have to sit next to anyone.

I would make sure to ask Rheih how her elixir was working the next time I saw her.

I felt Riven’s shadows before he walked into the room. They stretched toward the table, seeking me out and curling around my legs. Riven’s jaw pulsed and his brow trembled as he fought the urge to pull them back into the dark circle that shrouded his feet.

I dropped my arm and let one of the tendrils weave through my fingers. It was as warm as a summer pond. Riven’s shoulders relaxed by a fraction and he took his regular seat beside me.

“Shall we begin?” Killian asked the group as Gerarda stalked in and sat beside Syrra, who had claimed her seat without making a sound.

I pointed to Vrail’s empty chair.

“Vrail thought her time was better spent learning everything she could about the consequences of breaking the seals.” Killian fixed the collar of his red jacket. “I will brief her later.”

I shrugged. Vrail had already done the hard part of convincing me the seals were worth pursuing. Now it was time to return to her books.

I pulled a folded piece of parchment out from my vest and placed it on the table. Gerarda’s eyes widened as she saw the map Riven had given me for the first time. I pulled two faelights over the crinkled paper and let the light reveal the symbols that marked each viable portal across Elverath.

I turned to Gerarda. “Would you like to brief everyone on the seals?”

She stood, sharp and straight just as she had as Dagger. “There are five seals that have been draining the magic out of the mainland.” She pointed to the Cliffs of Elandorr first. “Each one is located on a part of Elverath that is separated by water. This creates a barrier that has allowed the siphons to drain the continent of its magic and contain it in each of these five locations.”

She moved her hand to Volcar and then to the island in the middle of the Pool of Elvera. She frowned as her fingers lingered over the Fractured Isles but then she finally marked the last location. The Order.

Riven crossed his arms. “Those locations are not small. How can we find each seal if it’s glamoured?”

Gerarda’s eyes narrowed but she answered the question like a dutiful soldier. “Knowing that the seals exist should help us break any glamour once Keera gets close enough. As for precise locations, that is a challenge. But Vrail hypothesized that each seal would be located at the shortest line from where the spell was initially cast.” She placed her finger over the Ruins of Faevra in the east. “Her hypothesis was correct when it came to the first seal. We suspect it will continue to be correct for the others.”

I nodded. Vrail had proven herself more than enough for me to trust her best estimate.

Nikolai stuffed a loaf into his mouth. “So which seal is next?”

I knew Gerarda’s answer before she even said it. “The Order.”

I glanced at Riven, both of us wary of the hope in Gerarda’s eyes.

Riven lifted his chin. “Even with a small team traveling by portal, Damien has too many swords at his command to make the journey a safe one.”

“Whoever expects safety is a fool.” Gerarda emphasized her point by tossing her blade into the air and catching it in the holster attached to her forearm. “And we won’t be traveling by portal.”

Riven’s eyes widened.

Gerarda traced the tip of her finger along the southern shores of Elverath. “It’s better to sail.”

“Is it?” Riven’s tone was unconvinced.

Killian stood, reaching across the table to place tiny little shields around the capital. “Damien has patrols stationed along all the major roads in the east. He has battalions in every village. In the cities, his men number in the thousands.” There were so many shields on the map that it was clear none of the portals were viable.

I pointed to a blackened symbol inked beside the small illustration of the Order. “And we are certain this portal is closed.”

Syrra nodded. “It was one of the first to fade.”

“Nothing is ever easy.” I sighed. “I agree that the sea is the safest course.”

Gerarda rolled her eyes. “It’s the only course. We can’t shuffle hundreds of Shades through a portal.”

No one in the room spoke. Gerarda’s gaze shifted from face to face but her determination only grew. My heart raced against my ribs. I knew it would be kinder to tell her the truth, to let her process it on her own instead of reaching the shores full of hope only to be pierced by the arrows of eight hundred fifty-two ghosts. But I also knew Gerarda, and she wouldn’t believe it until she saw it for herself.