Page 71 of Night Fae

"Then whatever's happening there is central to everything," Knox concluded.

Daniel turned to Caelen. "How quickly can we get there?"

Before Caelen could answer, Zev cut in. "We're not all going."

"What?" Daniel protested.

"The Night Court is hunting humans from Earth," Zev pointed out, his gaze flickering to Malik. "We'd be delivering exactly what they want right to them."

"So we just abandon Leon?" Daniel demanded.

"No." Zev spoke without feeling. "We send those best equipped for the mission. Not those most likely to be captured."

Tension crackled between them, and Malik found himself placing a hand on Zev's arm. The fae warrior stiffened but didn't pull away.

"Zev's right," Knox said before Daniel could argue further. "We need to be strategic."

"I'll go," Caelen said. "I've ventured into the Fields before and survived. I know its dangers better than most."

"Oh?" Zev asked. "Was that before or after you were possessed?"

Caelen didn't dignify the question with a response. Only with a cold glare.

"I'll accompany you," Knox said. "I'm not afraid of the Fields."

"I'm going too," Daniel spoke up. "Leon is my friend."

Caelen shot him a sharp look. "No, you won't. None of you humans are coming." He raised his voice a little when it looked like Daniel wanted to protest. "You don't have any protection against the magic of that place."

"Neither does Leon," Daniel said. "But he's going."

Caelen remained firm. "Leon is working with the enemy."

As much as Caelen tried to be in charge, though, it was obvious he'd met his match in Daniel, as Daniel stood up to him easily. "Look," he said, jutting his chin. "You can try to leave me behind, but I'll just follow you, and then I'll belessprotected as I'll have to try to hide from your guards."

Caelen regarded his mate. "Do I have to lock you in a room before I go?"

Daniel smirked. "How confident are you that you can keep me confined?"

After a moment, the Shadow King sighed in defeat.

Daniel's grin widened. "That's what I thought."

"I'll go as well." Zev's voice cut through the tension between Daniel and Caelen. All eyes turned to him.

Knox frowned. "Are you sure that's wise? The Night Court?—"

"Won't know what's coming," Zev finished darkly. "They'll regret running into me again."

Caelen regarded him with cool assessment. "You think you can manage that?"

"I know it." Zev's expression remained impassive, but his fingers tightened imperceptibly on the back of Malik's chair. "Whatever they're planning at the Fields, I intend to stop it."

Malik twisted in his seat to look up at Zev, his heart stuttering at the determination etched into those perfect features. "But what if they capture you again?"

Determination flickered in Zev's violet eyes. "They won't."

It almost sounded like he meant he wouldn't be taken alive. Malik fought the urge to reach for Zev's hand and tell him not to go.