“Now I know why all the drops were so successful. You’re a strategist,” I complimented.
“Perhaps. It’s come in handy for us a time or two. It’ll help now.”
“This is good, Leif. A solid plan.” Ian’s face turned somber. “What happened after we escaped?”
Leif inhaled. “They brought me to Andras for questioning, but he didn't care. He was so excited, he laughed in my face, saying you all got rid of the weak link. They threw me in the dungeons and left me for a few days. Then a guard came.” He looked at Ian. “The one who approached us after the standoff with Andras and”—his eyes flicked to me with a depth of sadness in them—“and our queen fell.”
Ian frowned, nodding slowly. “Right, I remember.”
“His name is Valmik. He brought me food for about a week, and we talked. I told him my idea of the fake dark one marks, and he convinced one of the guards close to Casimir to let the guards handle turning people. There were a few who went beyond what was asked of them.” Leif sighed. “Sacrificed their lives, essentially, to prove we were serious. Then we pretended they’d infected me, and I was released. Other guards, loyal to you and your family, Lana, have been impersonating dark ones as well. I try to meet up with them once a week to gather any relevant information.”
I couldn’t help but shiver as my throat clogged with emotions thinking about those who gave up everything on a whim. On just a hope that this insane plan would work. We would honor them after we won this war. Leif pointed to a few numbers crossed out and changing along the bottom of the map. “This is the number of dark ones combined with guards loyal to Andras that Valmik and his crew believe are in play.”
“One hundred forty-two?” Lana said, eyebrows raised.
“Less than I thought,” Ian murmured.
“The number has gone down significantly in the past week or so. Andras recently sent a large number of them out of Ellevail, but we didn’t hear where they went.”
I frowned. “That’s never good.”
Leif shrugged. “The point is, if we start this fight, that’s how many we have to contend with, plus Andras and Casimir. You think we can?”
“Yes,” Ian said without hesitation. “I do.”
The way they were speaking brought me so much hope that we might actually succeed. A giddy feeling swirled in my chest. Light pooled at my fingertips in a sort of excited anticipation.
Leif shoved his chair back. “What in the Fates’ names is that?”
“Oh, right.” I smiled, waving my hand around as light formed in an arc above my head. “I have magic now.”
“Well then,” Leif said, laughing. “While you never needed magic to be a queen for me, it looks like we’ve got another ace up our sleeve to put you back in your palace, Your Majesty.”
I nodded, closing my eyes as his words and the knowledge of how much work he’d done truly hit me. “You’ve exponentially improved our odds of winning, Leif. I don’t know how to thank you for what you risked in our absence.”
He moved to kneel in front of me with a hand over his heart. “I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again. You see us, Lana, all of us. Not just the nobles, not just the wealthy, but you seeus. The lesser Fae. Being in your inner circle is a privilege I will never take for granted. I saw a small chance to make a difference, and I took it. But it was because you’ve given us direction and hope for what we could be under your reign.”
My heart burst, gratitude threatening to consume me on the spot. I swallowed, not even sure what to say as I let his words sink in. They were words Ian had said, and Kade. Storm and Corbin too. I let them soak into my soul, preparing me for therole I must play in this battle ahead. I would make a difference. But first, I needed to take back my home.
“If you ever call yourself lesser Fae again, I’ll punch you square in the jaw. My right hook has improved too. I might have learned some new moves while I’ve been gone,” I joked, tugging on Leif’s arm to stand. “But otherwise, you’re right. Let’s go destroy Andras and start building toward our future.”
Chapter 21
Lana
By the following morning, the network of whispers trickled throughout the city, and those willing to fight for the resistance filled Dukes Pub.
Carefully crafted movements by Tommy’s crew gained them safe passage through the streets, while the dark ones moved about unaware on their daily patrols.
After leaving Leif yesterday morning, we returned to wait for the army in Eomer Forest, where we spent the past few hours finalizing the details of our attack with Kade and the others. Our plans hinged on him being able to play the part of a dark one. He’d serve as the distraction so that a handful of the resistance could make their way to the city walls to open the front gates for our army. Leif would already be inside the palace rallying others loyal to our cause.
Then, we’d have to get through the palace gates before taking our shot at Andras.
I prayed to the Fates this worked, and we weren’t leading our people to certain death.
With our plans in place, Ian and I returned to Dukes Pub. Ian stood next to me on the bar top overlooking the tavern filled with Fae. We’d just revealed everything we knew to the rebelsgathered there. Mysthaven, dark ones, Thames—they needed to know all of it. The time had finally come to take action against those who’d done wrong by our world.
“Does everyone understand their assignment?” He folded his arms across his chest. “If there are questions or uncertainties, speak up now. Once this plan is in motion, we can’t stop it—there is no turning back.”
