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CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN

Ryker

“If we use our lightning, they’ll know we’re there,” Ellery said.

“It can wait until we’re closing in on them,” I replied. “We can also open portals to take the money and move on as swiftly as possible.”

“Having fewer numbers means we’ll be more vulnerable,” Ianto said.

I didn’t bother to tell the giant he couldn’t be in on this. We’d need him here to watch over the encampment if something went wrong; Ianto was commanding and strong enough to move them.

He’d stay once I mentioned the children but wouldn’t like it. However, someone who knew the location of the other camp had to remain, and he was the best immortal for the job.

Ellery’s eyes fell to the map as she studied the layout.

“Scarlet and I were successful in our robberies because there were only two of us, and we hunted in places that were vulnerable to attack. From what Tucker says, this is an extremely weak area, but what do we do about the fact the duke might recognize that and prepare for us.”

“We’ll send someone ahead of time to keep an eye on things and make sure the guards aren’t establishing themselves on the hillside before we get there,” I said.

“I’ll go,” Tucker offered. “There’s a woman in town who I became acquainted with the last time I was there. It won’t seem odd if I return.”

“Is Val from Seacrest?” Scarlet asked. “Maybe she could help.”

“No, she’s from White Pool,” I answered.

“The villagers are on our side; I gathered that much from my last visit,” Tucker said. “They’ll watch for us too… if we ask them.”

“We can’t risk revealing too much,” I said. “Even if they hate my father and the aristocracy, that reward will be too tempting for some.”

Ellery sat back. “I agree.”

“So do I,” Ianto said.

“As much as you’re not going to like this, you’ll have to sit this out.” I might as well rip this bandage off now.

Ianto frowned as he crossed his arms over his massive chest. “I can help.”

“You’ll be more help by staying here and watching over the children.

If something goes wrong, you’ll have to move them to the other camp.

If they discover this camp, we’ll lose some; there’s far too many of us now for that not to happen, but if you keep the children together and move them somewhere safer, we’ll get them through this. ”

I’d known mentioning the children would take some of the fight from him, and I wasn’t disappointed. Ianto scowled at me, but his shoulders slumped a little and his arms fell to his sides.

“Fine, I’ll stay, but if something goes wrong, I’m coming for you,” Ianto promised.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“So, this is the plan then?” Luna asked.

I looked at the men and women gathered around the table. I’d prefer for the plan to be living the rest of our lives in peace and security, but that wasn’t to be.

When my gaze fell on Ellery, she smiled and took my hand. I didn’t want her there, but I wouldn’t stop it; it would be impossible to do so, and as much as I hated it, we needed her.

I smiled back as I squeezed her hand. “This is the plan.”