Page 33 of Duskbound (Esprithean Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Vexa caught my eye as she adjusted Draug's saddle straps, giving me a slight nod. Even Effie shot me a meaningful look, though uncertainty flickered across her features. It was the day of the deadline. The day the Spectres would make the journey to the rip.

I still had nothing to show Urkin. But today, I was going to find it.

I busied myself with Tryggar's tack, trying to focus on the familiar motions instead of the guilt churning in my stomach. From a crack in the wood of the next stall, I could hear Aether's low voice as he helped Lael prepare Nyx.

"You'll stay in your spectre form as long as you can," he said, hoisting the saddle onto the charcoal Vordr. "It's the most assured way not to be seen. Do you understand?"

"I know," Lael urged, bouncing slightly on his feet. "Rethlyn's already told us. You don't need to worry—I've gotten really good at it."

"This isn't training anymore, Lael." Aether's voice dropped lower, meant only for the boy. "The Guard won't hesitate if they spot you. They won't see a sixteen-year-old boy?— "

"I understand." Some of Lael's enthusiasm dimmed.

Something passed across Aether's face—pain, maybe, or regret as he straightened the collar of Lael's leathers. "And I don't care what happens over there. If something goes wrong, if one of the others engages—I'm ordering you right now. Don't fight. Don't even think about it. Just run. Get back across the rip as fast as you can."

"But what if someone needs help? What if?—"

"No." Aether's tone left no room for argument. "Promise me, Lael."

The boy nodded, serious for once, and Aether gave his shoulder a few firm pats before turning away. My eye caught a glint of reflected light at his back. A solid gold longsword was sheathed down his spine, the hilt crafted with intricate patterns similar to those I’d seen on Vexa’s creations. It was beautiful, and it fit him perfectly.

He ran a hand through his dark hair as he walked toward Nihr, and I couldn't help but notice how the movement pulled his leather uniform taut across his shoulders, how his shadows were already flickering around him. It was rare to see him show any kind of emotion. It made him seem more dangerous for some reason. When his golden eyes caught mine staring, I quickly returned my attention to Tryggar's saddle straps.

I ignored the stress slithering over my shoulders and hopped down from my stool, turning the corner into Lael's stall. He managed a warm smile despite the heaviness that had settled over him.

"I know you're not coming with us," he whispered, eyes fixed on adjusting Nyx's straps.

I shifted uncomfortably. "No, I'm not. There's something else I have to do." I watched him fiddle with the buckle for a moment before adding, "I wish none of you were going. This seems reckless and unnecessary. If I can find the answers I'm looking for?— "

"Have you told Urkin this?"

I walked next to him, helping to tighten the strap of his saddle bag. "Obviously not. He won't listen to me. You know that."

He was silent for a few moments, seemingly deep in thought.

"I won't tell anyone." Lael nudged me, but not with the playful energy I'd come to expect. This was more solemn.

"I appreciate that."

He nodded and looked down at his boots. "I'm worried about you," he said finally.

I turned fully towards him. "Don't worry about me. Focus on the mission to Sídhe. And do exactly what Aether told you."

"Don't engage. Run. I got it." He took a deep breath, and for a second, I caught a flash of fear cross his face before that boyish grin returned.

"You don't have to go, you know," I said quietly. "None of you do. You could all just tell Urkin no."

"I know you don't want—" Lael hesitated, “well, I know you're trying to figure out a better way to end all of this. I hope you do, Fia. Really, I do. But the rest of us need to be ready in case you don't..." He trailed off, giving me an apologetic look.

The words hit me like a physical blow. He was right. If I failed, if this lead turned out to be nothing more than Aether suggested, then I'd have to face the reality of what was coming. War. More deaths, more destruction. Everything suddenly felt very real, very heavy.

Movement across the lawn caught my attention. Urkin approached the stables, flanked by two Sentinels, his stride carrying that familiar rigid authority.

Lael and I stood quickly, brushing hay from our leathers. I pulled him into a quick hug before he could move away. "Be safe," I whispered.

"You too," he replied.

I returned to Tryggar, anxiety coiling in my stomach. He nudged me gently, his dark eyes carrying an understanding that made my throat tight. He knew something was different about today.

Around us, the other Spectres were mounting their Vordr. Lael settled onto Nyx, his earlier fear carefully masked. Rethlyn and Mira shared Raskr's broad back, while Vexa helped Theron adjust his position on Draug. And then there was Aether, already astride Nihr, his golden eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made guilt churn through me. I shot him a dismissive scowl, though my heart thundered in my chest.

Urkin's boots crunched against the gravel as he approached. "Recruits, this will be your first mission to Sídhe." His eyes fell on me, his lip curling slightly. "Well, for most of you."

"Learn what you can, and report back here," he continued. "I want updates on the state of the Guard's positioning, and any changes made to their strongholds. Especially in regard to the arcanite towers."

The sound of boots hitting ground drew my attention. Aether had dismounted Nihr, his movements controlled but carrying an edge I rarely saw in him. "That wasn't the agreement."

"The agreement changes as I see fit." Urkin's voice carried a warning.

"They're not ready for that kind of infiltration." Aether closed the distance between them, his shadows deepening. "The towers are heavily guarded. If we're caught?—"

"Then you better not get caught," Urkin cut him off. "Or have you forgotten what's at stake here, Second?"

"I haven't forgotten anything." Aether's voice dropped dangerously low. "But sending untrained recruits into Sídhe strongholds is not the right move. You know this."

The air seemed to grow heavier as the two men faced each other. Even the Vordr had gone still, watching the exchange with unusual interest .

"Your concern is noted," Urkin said finally, though his tone suggested it was anything but. "Now get them in position. We've wasted enough time."

"Sir—"

"That's an order." Urkin's eyes narrowed. "Unless you'd like to explain to the Council why we've delayed gathering intelligence yet again?"

Something dark flashed across Aether's face, but he held his tongue.

Urkin turned away from him, making his way toward me. As he neared Tryggar, he lowered his voice so only I could hear. "If you pull anything, if you try to return to the enemy, you'll be damning us all."

"You're damning us all with this mission, sir," I whispered back, refusing to meet his gaze. "They've only been training for a week, and now you want to dangle them like carrots in front of the Sídhe Guard."

"This is war," he said coldly. "I shouldn't have to remind you of that." He turned and strode away, his guards falling into step behind him.

Vexa and Aether shared a quick, tense conversation before she turned to address the group. "Form up," she called out. "We fly in pairs. Stay above cloud cover unless ordered otherwise."

One by one, the Vordr took to the launch platform. I watched as Lael guided Nyx into position, his earlier reluctance carefully masked behind concentration. Rethlyn and Mira followed on Raskr, then Vexa with Theron on Draug. Each pair rose into the gray sky until they were little more than shadows against the clouds.

I waited until last, checking my saddle bag one final time. The memoir was secure, along with the map and Raven's compact. Tryggar shifted beneath me, sensing my anxiety. His wing brushed against my leg—a gesture that felt almost like reassurance .

"Ready?" I whispered to him, though the question was more for myself.

Just as we moved toward the platform, I caught Aether's gaze. He sat atop Nihr, his expression unreadable, but something in those golden eyes made my breath hitch.

I forced myself to look away, urging Tryggar forward until his wings snapped open and launched us into flight. We needed altitude before I could break from the group. Everything depended on timing this perfectly.

The wind whipped stronger as we climbed, carrying us above the fortress walls, past the twisted spires of Ravenfell. Ahead, I could see the others—my friends, though I still felt strange thinking of them that way—arranged in their careful formation. Somewhere beyond them lay Sídhe.

My chest tightened at the thought of what waited there. Raine. Briar. Nazul and Draven. People I'd trained with, shared meals and jokes and dreams with—now potentially facing off against these recruits I'd grown to care for. Facing off against Vexa. Effie. Rethlyn. And Aether… My heart sank.

Laryk...

I pushed that thought away before it could take root, before the ache that accompanied it could make me turn around. What I was about to do was risky—possibly suicidal if Valkan caught me in his territory. But if there was even a chance the siphon was real, I had to try.

Until then, I'd just have to believe that everything would turn out okay. That the Spectres wouldn't be seen. That no harm would come to any of them—on either side.

We broke through the cloud cover, and for a moment, everything was gray mist and silence. Then we emerged into clearer air, and I allowed myself one last look before I turned Tryggar toward Draxon.