“He was there when Lucifer took me,” Yilan piped up. “He had to have seen it happen—that was when the Fallen tried to seduce me, then threatened my Shadekin women if I didn’t give him what he wanted. If Hever knew how, he could have done something to help me—”
“Hever is adept at walking the line between light and dark,” Jann muttered, staring at Yilan over my shoulder. “He possesses a level of skill that I admire more every day. Be careful who you accuse of disloyalty, when theyhave not harmed you.”
Yilan stiffened, so I nudged Jann back and sent a jolt of caution through the bond to keep her quiet.
As I led her back around the fire to give us both some space, I questioned Jann on why he believed Hever should be trusted.
“Because, no matter how creepy he is, he’s never steered us wrong,” Jann said bluntly. “Even you consulted with him!”
“For battle, and in the fight against the Zaryndar. I’m not sure I’d trust him with mymate.”
“You don’t have to trust him at all,” Jann insisted. “I’ll find him and bring him in. I’ll handle him.”
I felt the tingle of suspicion in my mate, and shot her a glance to keep quiet.
“Do we even know if he’s here?” I asked Jann carefully.
“That spider is always around somewhere. I swear the man can move through air like the Fetch.”
Yilan and Diadre both tensed, but I squeezed Yilan’s hand to keep her silent. After a moment’s thought, I sighed. “Go ahead. But you don’t tell him we’re here yet. You just… see what he knows about Gall. Or what he advises.”
“Melek, he’s not going to believe I’m asking out of curiosity. Everyonethinksyou’re near—though they don’t know how close. They’re all just waiting for you to show yourself.”
“Let themthinkit,” I growled. “What I don’t want is anyoneknowing.”
Jann sighed. “Are you certain? There’s an argument for simply bringing the troops through and appearing—forcing them to fight. Leaving no time for the Fallen to rally defense and—”
“No,” I said through my teeth. “I’m not circling back to this, Jann. I’mnotkilling Gall.”
“Not even if it’s your only choice? Not even if it saves your mate’s life? Ormine?”
He’d walked away from me, towards Diadre, who watched him approach. When he reached the chair, he stood at her shoulder, taking her hand, and I saw the pain in him. The fear. The slump of carrying an unbearable weight. Jann still believed he was cursed. And, if Lucifer’s claim that Diadre was pregnant was true, he also carriedthat.
I looked down at Yilan, tried to imagineknowingI would be dead in years, possibly months—and leaving her unprotected.Here.God, the thought made my skin crawl.
But I already have a son. He’s been battered and deceived and…
I shook my head. To my surprise, Yilan nodded.
“I’m not killing my son,” I said firmly. “That’s the end of the discussion. If you think Hever has insight, find him and talk to him. But don’t lead him to me. Not yet. I’ll evaluate his suggestions, and our mates will use their skills to test them for truth.”
“But—”
“If Hever’s on our side, he’ll be patient and willing to wait to be involved. I’m not just handing him keys that could open us up to attack.”
Jann sighed, but then shrugged. “Well, then… I guess I have my orders.”
I growled. “Jann, it has never beenordersbetween us.”
Jann glanced at me, but didn’t respond as he offered his mate a hand and she stood—and swayed slightly. He pressed a hand to her lower back and leaned in, his eyes shadowed with concern. Diadre’s cheeks flushed, but she shrugged off the supporting hand.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep last night. I think weallneed rest,” Diadre murmured.
“Diadre, are you sure—” Yilan started gently.
Diadre waved her off. “We have to get back, and I’ve always struggled a little bit with theflying.”
Jann grinned as their eyes caught. “Notalways,”he drawled suggestively.
