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The others seemed to have completely adapted to her butchering of the sleep schedule, so she already knew Kalen and Mikel would be expecting to be with her tonight.

There would be time to freak out over Kalen later, and to soothe the ragged edges of Mikel’s rage that always built up after an hour of knowing that five creeps were watching her behind the mirrored glass.

For now, she padded over to Kilian, frowning at his black eye.

He opened his arms, his fresh, earthy scent wrapping around her as she curled into his lap.

She had no idea how he could always feel so soft when his body was as hard as granite, but she loved it.

Maybe it was the clothes he picked, but he was definitely her cosiest Alpha.

When he wrapped his arms around her and bundled her against his chest, it felt like she was being draped in a velvety blanket.

The others gathered around the centre of the room, finding their own seats or standing.

Mikel swept his assessing eyes over her and opened his mouth to speak, probably deeming her too comfortable and exhausted to launch into a recap of the night for everyone else.

She quickly spoke up before he could, because he didn’t always need to jump in for everyone else.

She detailed everything, even the odd feeling that had assaulted her before she picked the card.

When she was finished, they were silent, but the quiet didn’t last very long.

Elijah shifted his stance, his voice measured and thoughtful. “What about Bellamy and Sophia? They could also provide personal statements.”

Isobel lifted her head from Kilian’s chest, shocked at the suggestion.

“They’re not ours,” Oscar said immediately, leaning forward in his chair, eyes hard. “They’re not with us.”

Elijah met his gaze with a considering tilt of his head.

“They’re part of this. Sophia survived the worst of the Dahlia, and Bellamy’s been trailing Isobel like he’s Isobel, and she’s Gabriel—” He paused as several of them let out short, surprised laughs.

He blinked like he didn’t realise he had made a joke before continuing.

“The officials have been reckless in waving Sophia in front of the cameras while she literally wears the evidence of what they did to her. That could be a powerful weapon against them right now.”

Kalen was silent, but his posture changed—just slightly. He was uncomfortable putting anyone else in danger.

“I’m not saying we tell them to do this,” Elijah interjected, likely sensing their reservations through the bond. “But we should give them the opportunity.”

“Why the hell would they come with us?” Cian asked flatly. “They’re already terrified and traumatised.”

“They might.” Isobel’s voice was quiet. “Hasn’t Bellamy risen to the occasion every other time? When we had to get away from my da—from my father? When we needed to help Lily? ”

Mikel blew out a sharp breath. “I don’t know if I can protect this many people.”

A silence settled again, heavier this time.

“The place,” she whispered the words, aware they were trying to limit speaking about it. “The location … is it big enough?”

“I can’t say for certain,” Elijah flinched. “But maybe. We’ve refined the plan as much as possible. We have everything ready, but there are some things I won’t know until we get there. It’s a risk.”

“They deserve to be part of this.” Theodore shrugged lightly. “Look at what the officials did to them.”

“Uh.” Niko scrubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “The officials?”

“Yeah.” Moses slumped back in his chair, threading his hands through his messy dark hair. “I think the god-like bolt of lightning and the subsequent explosion might have been Iso?—”

“Are you trying to get smote?” Isobel grumbled, peering at him from her safe haven of Kilian’s arms.

Moses smirked at her. “Are we sure smote is the right term?”

“I have a direct line to the gods. Don’t challenge me.”

“Really?” Moses drawled. “The first time you prayed, they exploded a building and killed one of your best friends and traumatised the other one. The second time you prayed, they waited three weeks and made a piece of golden cardboard slightly warmer than it should have been. I’m not Elijah or anything, but I believe the evidence is there that your powers are deescalating at an alarming rate. ”

She pointed her finger at Moses. “Smite him.”

“Who are you talking to?” Kilian chuckled against her head.

“Whoever does the smiting.” She sniffed haughtily. “Galea, I think. Isn’t he the one you tattooed a lightning bolt for?” she asked Cian.

“It’s the symbol most associated with him,” Cian agreed.

“But not because he regularly throws out bolts of lightning or anything. It’s because people think our natural disasters are the result of him and his mate having arguments.

But honestly? Yeah, he makes the most sense.

I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that you prayed , and then … that happened. It seems insane.”

“More insane than ten mates?” she asked.

“When you look like you?” Cian smirked at her. “No, not really.”

“All right,” Kalen interrupted, “let’s try and stay on track for a minute. Isobel, can you text Bellamy and see if he can get somewhere private with Sophia?”

“Sure.” She pulled out her phone and tapped out a text to Bellamy.

Isobel: Where are you?

His response was fast .

Bellamy: The Rosales apartment in the human section. The officials are letting me sleep here.

Isobel: Can you take Sophia into the bathroom and turn the shower on? And then call me?

Bellamy: Hang on.

A minute later, her phone rang, and she answered on speaker. “Hey, I’m here with the guys.”

“Hey,” he said, voice quiet, the muffled sound of falling water almost washing away the word. “We’re both here. What’s up?”

Isobel locked eyes with Kalen, who nodded. “Not too many details,” he said quietly.

“Something is going to come out against Callum Rowe and the Stone Dahlia,” Isobel whispered into the phone. “I can’t really give you details but?—”

“Yes,” Bellamy interrupted, his voice gaining a little strength. “Whatever you’re about to ask, we’re in. Right?” He paused, perhaps checking in with Sophia, before reaffirming. “Right.”

“It’ll put you in danger,” Isobel warned. “Not just you. Maya and Luis too. We aren’t going to stick around Ironside, and you won’t be able to either.”

“You’re leaving?” Bellamy hissed. “When? How?”

“I can’t say much over the phone. I actually don’t even know how or where we’re going; only some of the guys were involved in planning. The fewer people who know, the better. You’ve seen the increase in the bugs, right? All over the Icon Cafe? It’s better if we don’t talk about details.”

“Can you take us with you?” he asked. “All four of us?”

She glanced between Kalen, Mikel, and Elijah, who all appeared unsure. Elijah winced, shrugging slightly.

“We can take you,” she said hesitantly. “I don’t know how comfortable it will be at our destination, though. That’s all I can promise.”

“Good enough for us.” He let out a short, soft, humourless chuff. “What do you need us to do?”

“We need written statements of what you’ve seen and experienced in the Stone Dahlia.

You need to sign them and include your full details on the back of the statement.

Don’t share them over any of the networks.

In fact, don’t even write them straight away.

Wait until the end of next week. We’ll leave on Thursday night. Bring them with you.”

“Shit, Carter.” He paused for a long moment, perhaps communicating silently with Sophia, before he spoke again. “We’ll do it.”