Page 82 of Stormvein (The Veinbound Trilogy #2)

Chapter Thirty-Six

ELLIE

The body adapts faster than the heart. That is how survival works.

Reflections on Captivity — Sacha Torran’s Journals

I watch while Sacha paces the room, silently working through every angle of what we learned from Lisandra. The decision to go after Sereven directly rather than waiting for him to attack Stonehaven feels surreal, but I understand the logic behind it.

“I need to speak to Varam.” Sacha’s voice is loud in the quiet of the room. I’m not entirely sure he’s aware he’s spoken out loud. Before I can say anything, he’s already at the door, instructing the guard outside to find his second-in-command immediately.

Closing the door, he resumes his pacing, but there’s something different about it now. More purpose, and less agitation.

“What if this is exactly what Sereven wanted? What if Lisandra’s confession was meant to drive us into making a rash decision?” The words spill out before I can stop them.

Sacha considers this, then shakes his head. “That might be true, but her fear was real enough. Sometimes the only way forward is through.”

I can’t argue with his reasoning, but my stomach ties itself up in knots while we wait for Varam to arrive. When he does, Mira is with him.

“We need to discuss our next move.” Sacha stops pacing and turns to face them both. “Based on what Lisandra told us about Sereven’s tactics, we believe he’ll be directing the attack on Stonehaven from Thornspire Keep. Not from the front lines.”

“You’re certain you can trust her information?” Mira asks.

“As certain as we can be. It fits his pattern. Stay back, coordinate, and use others to take the risks.”

“We need to take advantage of that information,” Varam says after a moment’s thought.

“Yes. A small team could reach Thornspire before he expects us. We could strike directly at the command rather than facing his full force.”

“When do we leave?”

“Tonight.” Sacha’s voice is steady. “We need to move fast.”

“I’ll go and prepare.” Varam turns toward the door.

“No.”

That one word stops him mid-step, tension tightening his spine. He turns back to face Sacha slowly. “What do you mean … no ?”

“I need you to stay here.”

Varam’s expression shifts from confusion to anger. “Why?”

“Because Authority forces are three days away from Stonehaven. We have innocents here who need to be evacuated. I want you to make sure they get to safety.”

“Others can manage that. You need me with you.”

“No. I need you here more.” Sacha’s tone makes it clear this is not a discussion. “Lisandra’s betrayal has shown us how deep Authority influence may have reached. You and Mira are the only ones I know with absolute certainty are loyal.”

A muscle ticks in Varam’s jaw as he stares at Sacha. Sacha doesn’t speak, just stands there holding his gaze.

“You’re asking me to stand aside while you walk into something that could be your death again.” Varam’s voice carries an edge I haven’t heard before.

“I’m asking you to do what needs to be done here.”

“What needs to be done is making sure you don’t get yourself killed after we’ve got you back.” The words come out harsh. “Do you have any idea what it was like for us, thinking you were dead? Thinking that we failed you when you needed us most?”

Sacha goes still. When he speaks, his voice is quiet. “And do you have any idea what it was like, being trapped while everyone I was supposed to protect died because I couldn’t reach them?”

The silence stretches between them, then Varam spins and slams one fist down onto the table.

“This is madness! Sneaking into Thornspire with a handful of fighters? Sereven will have guards, weapons … that crystal?—”

“Which is precisely why a large force would fail. This requires stealth, not numbers.”

“We saw what the crystal did to you at River Crossing.” Mira finally speaks. “And then at Blackstone Ridge. This is a suicide mission.”

Sacha turns to her. “Not if we strike fast, before he can use it.”

“And if he’s expecting that? He’ll be prepared for retaliation.”

“You need someone you can trust at your back,” Varam adds.

“I do, which is why you have to stay here. There is no one else I can trust to make sure everyone gets to safety.”

“Sacha—” The fact that Varam has resorted to his given name says everything.

“I need fighters. Four of the best among those who can move silently, fight when needed, and will follow my orders without question.”

Varam glares at him.

“If you don’t choose them, I will.”

There’s a moment of silence, then Varam blows out a heavy breath. “Fine. But you’ll take Mira as well.”

Sacha nods. “Agreed.”

I glance at Mira. Her face gives nothing away, but her stance shifts slightly, almost as though she’s already preparing for the mission ahead.

“Tarn and Jaret, for certain.” There’s resignation in Varam’s voice. “Arem and Kiran. They were all at Glassfall Gap.”

“They’ve proved they can work well together under pressure,” Mira says.

“The plan for evacuating Stonehaven is in progress. Whiterock is still standing, and hasn’t been taken over by the Authority.” Varam still sounds angry.

“What about Lockgap?”

Varam makes a sound between frustration and acknowledgement. “It’s at least a day’s walk from here, with children. We’d be moving slowly, an easy target if any Authority patrols see us.”

“Whiterock won’t hold everyone. You’ll need to split them into two groups. Send some to Whiterock, the rest to Lockgap.”

“The question is how we divide them without leaving either group vulnerable.”

“Each group will need experienced fighters. You’ll also need to separate the Veinwardens between them.”

“And if one group gets caught? We lose half our remaining strength.”

Sacha is quiet for a moment. When he next speaks, his voice is soft but firm. “Losing half is better than losing everyone if Stonehaven falls.”

The bluntness of his words makes my chest tighten.

I haven’t been a part of Stonehaven for long, weeks at most, but the thought of it falling to the Authority feels like a personal loss.

For the first time, I truly understand what we’re risking.

Not just our lives in this desperate gambit, but the last true sanctuary for those who refuse to surrender to the Authority’s rule.

“Families with young children should go to Whiterock. It’s closer, and safer for them,” Sacha continues. “Anyone who can move quickly can make the longer journey to Lockgap.”

The children who play in these corridors, the elders who remember what Meridian was before the purges, the fighters who’ve bled to keep this place free. All of it could be lost because we’re choosing offense over defense.

Varam nods. “I’ll speak to Stonehaven’s leaders, then arrange to have a group ready to leave at sunset with you.”

“Good.” Sacha’s tone makes it clear the discussion is over.

Varam touches his fist to his chest, then moves toward the door, Mira beside him. Before he opens it, he stops and looks back. “This is a mistake.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. But we have no other option.”

When the door closes behind Varam and Mira, I let out a slow breath.

“He doesn’t like the idea of not being there. Not after what happened at River Crossing.”

“I know. But Thornspire presents an opportunity we can’t ignore.”

“Yes, but?—”

“He’s more useful here.” He reaches out and takes my hand. “Are you having second thoughts? If you are, I understand. You can stay here and help Varam.”

“No, not about going.” I look up at him. “But about you facing Sereven again? Always.”

His thumb traces across my knuckles, a small gesture that somehow steadies the anxiety building inside me. “We’ll be careful.”

“How long will it take us to get there?”

“If we ride hard, we’ll reach Thornspire before dawn.”

I try to ignore the growing apprehension inside me. I can’t stop thinking about how much of a disaster Ashenvale was, and that was a city full of people, which made it easier to blend in. It’s also different from the desperate rescue at Glassfall Gap. This is walking directly into danger.

Sunset arrives too quickly, and I find myself following Sacha through Stonehaven’s passages toward the hidden entrance. The fortress is quieter than usual, as though it’s holding its breath, waiting to see what comes next.

The winding tunnels feel different tonight. Maybe it’s the knowledge that we might not return that makes every detail stand out more sharply. The glow of lightstones set into the walls, the cool air flowing from unseen vents, and the occasional sound of water trickling from somewhere.

Sacha walks ahead of me, his movements fluid and graceful.

I find myself watching the way shadows seem to caress him as he passes, like old friends welcoming him home.

Years imprisoned, and he still survived.

Waited. Planned. The same mind that lived through decades of isolation now leads what remains of a resistance against an empire that would see him dead.

After everything we’ve been through together, there’s still so much of him I don’t fully understand.

Yet I’ve given him something I’ve never given anyone. My complete trust.

What does it say about me that I’d follow this man into danger, that I’d give up my life for him, without any hesitation? When did that happen?

Varam is waiting at the entrance with a group of six people.

“Six?” Sacha’s gaze scans the group.

“Four as requested, and two extra as messengers. We need someone to carry word back when you reach Thornspire.”

Sacha doesn’t argue. “Does everyone understand what we’re doing? We move in, locate Sereven, and if possible, eliminate him. No unnecessary engagement. Strike swift and withdraw.”

The idea of deliberately infiltrating an Authority outpost sends a cold shiver down my spine, but it’s our best chance to stop the attack on Stonehaven, and maybe get some answers.

“Questions?”

Silence greets his words. These are seasoned fighters who understand their duty.

Varam steps forward. His eyes meet Sacha’s. “See that you return.”