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How did Maev not think that guy was insufferable?

I glanced back at Brekt, who was facing Maev, wondering what he would do. This was his enemy, according to everything he’d known growing up, but after telling him about my journey, would he be willing to hear her out?

Brekt lowered his hood, and Maev’s attention flickered over his Aspis tattoos, including the one visible on his neck that disappeared under his shirt. She dropped her device, and it crashed at my feet.

Brekt bent down to retrieve it, and flipped it over a few times, confused. When he couldn’t figure out what it was, he returned it to her shaking hands.

“Say something, Maev.” I looked between the two. Would I have to pull Brekt away?

He surprised me with a small smile. “I’m sorry for how we first met.

As much as Liv is possessed by the magic, I carry the beast. It’s not easy to control at times.

I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for Liv.

I can tell she thinks of you as a real friend.

And I’ve only seen her that way with one other. ”

A pang shot through me.

“As I told Liv before,” Brekt continued. “My team will do their best to locate your brother. I’m sorry I don’t have any better news than that.”

Maev nodded, her eyes darting to me, then back to Brekt.

But she wasn’t seeing Brekt. She was facing the Guard, Erebrekt of the North—part of Shadow and Blood .

That’s who she knew. I went to her, standing between her and Brekt, grabbing her device and putting it on the table. “Now. This is the situation, Maev.”

Her entire frame shook.

I had been right. She was terrified. I glanced back, trying to see what she saw.

Brekt was tall and heavily built, unlike the men here.

That was the difference between him and the man who had just left.

Brekt’s muscles were developed from combat, from fighting for his life and surviving North Aspis.

They were tight to his large body, and every inch of him was deadly.

The man who had left was bulky, likely from working out and never using his body the way a warrior would.

Brekt was also covered in tattoos, representing Maev’s enemy. He was the Aspis—he didn’t often come off as approachable.

I faced Maev. “The first batch of crystals are being sent to a hospital here. I want to leave instructions for the Elder of Mechanists so he will send more to the places that need it.”

“More crystals will be in your rooms tonight,” she whispered.

“Brekt and I want to see your friend, Cal, and pick his brain,” I said.

“Cal?” She removed the goggles, which had left dents in her forehead, and set them on her desk.

“Cal,” I said, unable to contain my smile. “He had those scrolls you mentioned. Right?”

That snapped her out of it. It was the reason she had brought me home with her.

“Blessed Rem, I completely forgot. I’ve been preoccupied with preparing our airship.

” She leaned over her desk and pulled out several glowing crystals.

“My professor has given us the airship I’ve been using to test my inventions.

I was updating it and other inventions earlier today.

And I’ve been testing old prototypes of my tracker, trying to get this one up to standard. Like the one the Interrogator stole.”

Maev squeaked when Brekt moved, folding his arms across his chest.

“Is this one working?” I asked to distract her.

“Not at all.” She spun on her chair. “I can take you to Cal now. And we can see what he says about the Ikhor. I’ll come back later to finish my work. I promise, only a few more days.” Maev didn’t move, however. She was watching the man over my shoulder.

He pinned her with his obsidian glare. “Just so we are clear, I am not okay with Liv being used in anyone’s plan to battle the Guardians. I am here because she asked me to be.”

Maev swallowed her fear and got to her feet, removing her apron. “I never wanted war. And Cal doesn’t believe either side is right. So she is safe with us.”

“I was told your brother was sent to bring Liv to your Elders. You’re telling me you didn’t agree with him?” Brekt didn’t move.

The Guard of the Aspis was glaring down the Aethar, assessing the threat.

Maev was taller than me, and still, Brekt towered over her.

But she didn’t back away. “I can’t speak for him.

You are clearly aware of what my brother’s job entailed.

He was—no is—part of the aerial division that protects our borders.

But he’s also Liv’s friend. He decided to save her with his own life. ”

“Brekt knows Ollo is someone I care for, and he is going to make sure we find him.” My tone dared him to argue. “But he’s also used to everyone being an enemy. Might take him some time to warm up.”

“Liv’s goal is to get rid of the magic,” Brekt said. “If she is on a mission to find the gods, then so am I.”

“Okay.” Maev grabbed a bag from her desk and threw it over her shoulders. “Let’s go ask Cal. He will pass out when we tell him who we’ve brought to visit.”