I turned to Calyx. “Outposts. How many are nearby, and which is the closest to us?”
Calyx gave a lazy shrug, his eyes studying his blade. “We’re currently about half a day’s walk from Ashmere Basin. Which means…” He threw a thumb over his shoulder and pointed behind him. “…we’ve got three outposts nearby. All mid-sized or larger. If Lucifer hasn’t abandoned them, then they’ll have rations, weapons, all the fun stuff.”
I considered his response and eyed his damaged wing. “Can you fly?”
He shrugged, then shook it out. “I’ve had worse.”
“Good,” I said, taking him at his word. “Because you’re going to take me to the closest outpost.”
“Is that so?” Calyx asked.
I shared a glance with Levi, whose eyes glinted as he smiled. He likely knew exactly what I was thinking because we’d donethis before. Hit-and-run tactics were my favourite. I loved bleeding Lucifer’s supplies dry. After all, his dragon had stripped us of ours. It seemed only fair to return the favour.
“Map it out,” I said. “Everything you know. All three outposts, and I’ll choose the best one. Then you and I will go scout it out.”
“And me,” Rathiel said, his tone firm.
I hesitated, then shook my head. “No, Rath. You’re staying here. With the others.” He took a step toward me, his expression instantly darkening. I lifted a hand, halting him. “Please. Someone has to be here in case there’s another attack.”
“Oh, ouch,” Eliza grumbled. “And here I thought Levi and I were quite capable of taking care of ourselves.”
I gave her a sympathetic smile. “You’re the most capable siren I’ve ever met. But Levi looks dead on his feet, and you have an injured arm. Calyx and I are simply going to scout the outpost. We’ll be there and back before anyone notices our presence. That doesn’t take three people, especially now that I can fly again. But if Lucifer sendsanotherof those dragons, you’re going to need as much backup as possible. I won’t risk losing anyone else.”
Eliza sighed, but she nodded. “I get it.”
Unfortunately, one member of our group most definitely didnotget it. Rathiel stared at me, anger and hurt simmering in his eyes. “You’re going to trusthimto watch your back?”
“Dick,” Calyx muttered.
Rathiel ignored him, his gaze locked on me.
“I’m trusting myself,” I told Rathiel. “Calyx is just the guide.”
“And if he hands you over to the soldiers manning the outpost?”
“Oh, feeling the love here tonight,” Calyx commented. “Why not just drive that dagger deeper into my back, brother?”
“Shut up,” Rathiel growled. “Lily?—”
“Rathiel, I need you here. Alright? I need you to trust that I can do this.”
His eyes searched mine, his lips a grim line. Finally, he said, “Take Mephisar with you.”
“No,” I said. “If there’s a watchtower or anything like it, they’ll spot him immediately. This mission requires stealth. All we’re going to do is scout it out, get a feel for numbers, and come back. Okay?”
He was silent for a long beat. Then finally, he gave a tight nod. Not agreement, but acceptance. Without a doubt, I knew I’d have to answer for this later, when we were alone. But for now, we all had jobs to do.
Chapter Nine
LILY
“Ready?”Calyx asked a few moments after he and I finished gearing up with what little we had left.
Sliding my new dragon bone sword—for which, I still needed to come up with a name—into my empty scabbard, I glanced up at Calyx and took stock of his wing. As though sensing my inspection, he stretched it out, then shook himself from head to toe.
“I’m good to go if you are,” he said.
“I am.”
