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Alex’s relief grew at the thought of their Stealth and Subterfuge teacher being with them on the mission, his expertise increasing their odds of success significantly—even if those odds were still alarmingly low.

“You still don’t have a way togetin,” Darrius said, his voice full of concern. With Lena Morrow nullifying his gift of wisdom, Alex realised his confidence must still be in tatters. But at least he was no longer point-blank saying she shouldn’tgo. Not that she would have listened. While she valued his opinion and guidance, the lives of her three best friends were at stake. Nothing would keep her from trying to save them.Nothing.

“As Hunter said, our only option is to use theValispath,” she replied.

“But asyousaid, as soon as anyone other than you three gets close, Aven will know,” Declan returned, clearly frustrated that he would have to remain behind.

Alex sent him a compassionate look, but there was nothing that could be done about it. No one could go with them unless their mind was protected—and that meant Meyarins as well.

“I have an idea, but we have to go to Draekora first for it to work,” Alex said, feeling the pressure of the clock beating in time with her strained pulse.

Intrigued eyes turned her way, but she wasn’t willing to verbalise her plan just yet. Mostly because the very idea of it was turning her stomach.

Pushing down her trepidation, Alex looked at Mayra and said, “As soon as Fletcher has stabilised Soraya, can you bring him up to Draekora? I’m going to… need his help.”

Mayra’s eyes flashed at whatever note she heard in Alex’s voice, but she nodded her agreement.

“While we’re gone, you’ll need to raise the alarm,” Alex continued, looking between Darrius and Karter. “Make sure everyone is preparing for—for—”

For the end.

Because Alex knew that was what they were facing.

Her aim was to get her friends to safety, but after that, the time would be at hand to confront Aven once and for all.

“We’ll contact the allied armies,” Karter promised with a brusque nod. “You just focus on the rescue, then we’ll deal with the rest once you’re all back safe again.”

‘Safe’ wasn’t something any of them would be, even if they managed to pull off their coming mission. No one was safe— and they wouldn’t be, not until Aven was defeated. If that was even possible anymore.

‘Screw the prophecy,’ Niyx had told her. ‘Forget what it said—both versions of it. You go and make your own destiny.’

Bolstered by the memory, Alex rose to her feet. “We need to go.”

“Wait—Alex—”

With a groan, she turned to Darrius, but before she could again argue that time was of the essence, the look on his face caused her to pause.

“There’s still that—that last thing you need to know.”

Alex had never seen him look at her as he now was. Apology, regret, despair, compassion—she couldn’t get a read on his expression, but it was enough to send a shiver of apprehension down her spine.

He moved until he was right in front of her, his face pale. He was hesitant, alarmingly so. Until finally, he spoke.

“Two weeks ago, Sir Camden came to me. He said—He said—” Darrius shut his eyes tightly before reopening them to hold her own. “I’m so sorry, Alex.”

Alex had no idea what he was apologising for, no idea what the animated suit of armour might have told him. And yet, dread clenched at her insides as she asked, “Sorry for what?”

Darrius’s throat bobbed. “Two weeks ago, your parents left the Library in search of you. Sir Camden tried to warn them not to go, but they hadn’t heard from you, and they were worried.”

Alex’s body stilled.

“The timing was… not good. They walked out just as a small group of Meyarins attacked the campus. But there were also others amongst them, one of whom was Marcus Sparker.”

Jordan’s dad—who was a strong mind reader.

No.

“There was nothing to keep Marcus from discovering who they were—and who they were to you,” Darrius whispered.