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A buzzing sounded in Evander’s ears.

“Wait.”Shaw’s knuckles whitened on the edge of the desk.“Isn’t that the lecture hall where we fought Musgrave?!”She shot a stunned look at Evander.

Leon straightened, his expression growing animated.“That’s why Musgrave was there this morning.I must have caught him when he was exiting the facility!”

Viggo’s face hardened.“We need to go there right now.While there is still a chance Solomon and the missing thralls are alive.”

The Brute’s words jolted Evander out of his daze.He gathered his composure with some difficulty and levelled a frown at his lover.“I understand your feelings on this, but we cannot just go in blindly.We’ll be risking the lives of those who make up the rescue mission.”

Viggo looked like he wanted to protest.He hesitated and clenched his jaw.

“What do you suggest?”he asked brusquely.

Evander studied the map intently, his mind racing.“We’ll have to move quickly, but not recklessly.If Musgrave or his master catch wind of our plans, they could accelerate whatever they’re doing—or worse, move the captives elsewhere.”

“Or kill them,” Viggo added darkly.

Evander nodded gravely.

“This facility was clearly designed with defensive measures in mind.”He traced the concentric rings of the underground chambers.“And if they’re using thralls as conduits for magical energy, disrupting the process could be catastrophic for the captives.”

Viggo went as still as stone.

“Dammit.I didn’t think of that,” he confessed hoarsely.

Evander’s chest tightened at his pale complexion.He wanted nothing more than to take the Brute’s hand right now.His nails dug into his palms.

Winterbourne was right.There’s a risk my judgment may be compromised because of our relationship.But why is it that I find myself not caring about any of that right now?!

“How do we get in?”Shaw asked, distracting him from his turbulent thoughts.“There’s a chance Musgrave will have a brigade of shadow creatures watching that lecture hall.”

“You could use the sewers,” a voice suggested.

They looked around.

Inkwell swallowed nervously at their stares.He came over and pointed at a small notation in the corner of the map.“For example, this tunnel.It’s at the correct depth and is connected to the old Roman sewers that run beneath that part of London.”He traced several other notations with his finger.“These probably indicate passages that lead elsewhere in the city.”

Richfield blinked.“He’s right.”

Evander’s mouth went dry.“That makes sense considering the age of the Institute and the academy that preceded it.”He met Viggo’s gaze, his pulse racing.“This could work to our advantage.They wouldn’t expect an attack from below.”

“I know those sewers,” the Brute said grimly.“Nightshadehas used them before.”

“Then we have our way in.”Evander straightened, a plan forming in his mind.“We’ll need a coordinated approach—one team to secure the Institute aboveground and prevent reinforcements from joining the fight, another to infiltrate the facility from below.”

“I’ll lead the underground team,” Viggo declared adamantly.

“We’ll assign Met mages to go with you along with a group of officers,” Evander said firmly.

“I should join Viggo,” Leon suggested.“MyNullification Magiccould prove crucial if we encounter magical barriers or traps.”

Surprise jolted Evander.Leon’s proposal made tactical sense.He met Viggo’s gaze.

“It’s your call.”

The Brute hesitated, a muscle twitching in his jawline.

“I would appreciate that,” he told Leon gruffly.