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“Living magic?” I echoed.

“He kept writing about killing living magic.” Malakai shrugged. “Said he had to extract the source.”

The room was silent, everyone at a loss for what it meant. I took in all these pieces and continued to sort them in my mind. From how Kakias’s power in my arm had felt alive against my Angelblood, to how the piece we’d cut out now retained that sentience in its vial. There was an answer here; my shard necklace heated with assurance.

“Regardless of the Angels, there is still a very real threat assaulting our mountains,” Lyria said, returning us to the problem we could do something about in this moment. “We need a strategy of how we’re going to survive a larger attack.” She turned to me. “I want you on the front line with me, Revered.”

“Oh, for Damien’s sake,” Tolek muttered. We both shot him narrowed stares, and he shook his head, knowing it was inevitable. “You two will be my death, I’m sure of it.”

He may want to protect me, but when we locked eyes, his nod said he understood there was no way I wouldn’t be in the heart of battle. And I knew he loved that determination, even if it scared him. He’d never try to stifle it.

Still, I turned back to Lyria. “With all due respect, Commander, I can’t be on the front line.”

Her brows shot up. “Why?”

“Because where I am, Kakias will go. It is better for me to lure her away from our troops so she won’t endanger anyone else.”

“Now to that, I will argue,” Tolek blurted. “No way in the Spirit-guarded-Realm are you going after her alone.”

I turned to him with a smirk. “Like I’d ever go alone.” I tossed him a wink and faced his sister again. “If Kakias dies, her army loses their motivation. This ends. We have a much better chance of that if she can’t hide behind them.”

Lyria’s chocolate eyes glimmered with the hope in my voice—with the dream of this war ending before it became as tragic as the last.

“I can offer a small host to accompany you,” she said.

“Not warriors whose absence will weaken the line,” I argued. “It’s going to come down to me and her.”

She nodded, her gaze saying a reassured thank you. I briefly wondered about the pressure on the young Master’s shoulders. She commanded an army of warriors centuries older than her, to the dismay of some of those soldiers. We knew that would be the case, much like my appointment to Revered had been challenged, but Lyria had a mind for battle, and was chosen by Danya herself before her death. She was sharp-witted and well-trained, keen instincts helping her choose which route any given scenario called for.

“My brother will attend you, obviously.”

“You can bet Damien’s cock I will,” Tolek chimed in. A devilish smile lifted his lips, the thought of the adventure heating the air between us.

“I don’t think the Angel likes when you say such things,” I teased. The back of my neck prickled.

Tolek clasped his hands behind his back. “I don’t much like things he says, either.”

“Yes, yes, the Angels are frustrating.” Lyria waved a hand at her brother, turning back to me. “Who else?”

“I’m going,” Barrett asserted. His fingers curled around the arm of his chair. “If you’re after my mother, I will be there.”

Beside him, Dax looked conflicted. Torn between his position as general and the man he loved. He met Lyria’s eyes, a silent question there. She nodded.

“I’m with you, too, Ophelia.”

I smiled at the two Engrossians I had never imagined would stand beside us a year ago, now friends I cherished dearly. “I’d be proud to have you both.”

“Go to my family’s manor in Thorentil,” Ricordan offered, arms crossed. “It’s abandoned and so far enough on the edge of the city, you should be able to get in without trouble, but the estate will be a good location to lure the queen.”

“Thank you.” I nodded at the Mindshaper, my heart pounding at the fact that we were truly doing this. Devising a plan. Trapping a queen.

“And Cypherion?” Lyria asked. “He’s in your guard, as well?”

“Actually,” I said, looking at Cyph. “I have something else I need him to do.”

Auburn brows pulled together. “What?” Confusion peaked Cyph’s voice.

Vale and I exchanged a quick glance, her head tilted. “Ophelia…”