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Grey raised an eyebrow, his eyes crinkling with amusement at the corners. “Mmhmm, we met while you were over there clutching your pillow like it was going to make an escape.”

She was going to give him so much shit the next time they were alone. She rubbed the back of her neck. When had it gotten so hot in here? She glanced at Asher, giving him a shaky laugh. It was so bizarre seeing the two of them together.

Two worlds colliding.

Lore said quietly, “I have a lot to update you on. Grey brought grave news from Duskmere.”

Asher frowned. “I think I know it. That’s why we were on our way back. To tell you.” He sighed. “I ran into a friend while we were in the mountains. He’d just traveled from Wyndlin and he—he was part of the troop that—” Asher looked ill, not wanting to finish his sentence. “He was in the troop that was in charge of rounding them up.”

“Did he say why Wyndlin wanted them?” Grey was suddenly in Asher’s face, no longer hanging by the door.

But Asher didn’t back away. He took Grey’s aggression in stride, no doubt realizing that no matter what, emotions were going to run high.

“No, I’m sorry. My friend wasn’t briefed on that. Apparently, nobody low-ranking knows. The information has been kept between the officers and some of the royalty. They’ve tried to keep it hush-hush.”

Grey looked ill.

Lore walked up to him, placing her hand in his. “We’re going to save them, Grey. We’re going to save them all.”

***

The Exile was empty of patrons. Even Flix wasn’t in his usual booth or perched at the bar. Gryph must have cleared the place out.

Lore locked the door behind her just before seeing a rush of sparkles. Lore pounced, pulling Isla into a tight hug. “I’m so happy to see you safe,” Lore breathed into Isla, not letting her go just yet.

“You weren’t really worried about me, were you?”

“I might’ve been.” Lore pulled back from their embrace with a shrug.

“If everyone is done with the reunions, Isla just told me some disturbing news and I think we need to come up with a plan,” Finndryl said from where he sat at a table beside Gryph.

Lore gave him a soft smile. She searched his eyes for any of the warmth that had been there just that morning when it had been only the two of them in this very room. She found none. Any kindness he’d shown her over the last two weeks had dissipated with Asher’s return.

The dismissal stung.

She took her place beside Asher. Isla had filled Finndryl and Gryph in while Asher and Grey had been upstairs.

“So, you know that Grey and I must return to Wyndlin to rescue those who were taken. We’ll leave in the morning.” Lore looked at where Gryph sat between the twins, the giant with kind eyes. “I’m sorry to leave so suddenly. About the kitchens—”

“Don’t worry about it, love. I’ve always known your stay here was temporary. I’ve already talked to Flix’s oldest two kids. They are more than willing to cook for the Exile. Gods know they can use the work.”

Lore nodded.That’s good.Flix may have a sickness that meant he couldn’t provide for his family, but Gryph did what he could to help. “Right. Well, we haven’t much time to come up with a plan to somehow rescue—”

“You don’t really think that we would let you do this alone?” Finndryl spoke up, his voice laced with ice.

“We could never—”

Finn cut her off. “Grey has barely regained his strength.”

“But Isla only just returned—”

“I love helping my dad out with the Exile, but he’s a big boy. He doesn’t need his kids babysitting him all the time,” Isla said, giving her father a light cuff on the shoulder.

“I didn’t raise my kids to ignore those in need. Anything you need from here—food, supplies, anything—just take it.”

Lore’s eyes stung with tears. She’d hoped, but she couldn’t have asked. “I don’t know how or when I can repay you—”

“Little one, you’ve brought life back into this tavern. My business is booming. How could I repay you for that? The supplies are nothing at all. No, don’t protest, I won’t hear another word.”