“Correct.”
Those were, after all, the two features that House Kore celebrated most. The entrance to its otherworldly gardens and its extensive collections.
“But we already knew that,” said Enrique.
“Also correct,” said Séverin. “But the half of the police force assigned to the library are carrying blanks in their rifles.”
Enrique lifted an eyebrow. “And the half at the greenhouse?”
“Fully loaded.”
“According to the catalogue coin, the Horus Eye is in the library, though,” said Laila. “Why guard the greenhouse?”
“A mystery that only access to the greenhouse can solve. Tristan?”
Tristan had been oddly silent until now. When he looked at Séverin, his eyes were rimmed red. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“I can handle that,” he said. “With the help of my good friend, the ancient and honorable botanist, Mr. Ching.”
Enrique groaned. “Ugh. It’sChang. Wait, why am I even correcting this?”
“What about the rifles?” asked Hypnos.
Zofia waved her hand. “My designs are superior.”
“Also, how are we gettingout?” asked Enrique.
“I can help with that,” said Hypnos. “I can invoke Order rule to ensure the matriarch must place something in her most well-protected vaults. She won’t be able to tell what it is, and it can be anything you need. Getaway clothes, et cetera.”
“Fine. But what about weapons?” asked Enrique. “We can’t just stroll in armed to the teeth.”
“True,” said Zofia, frowning.
“I don’t know how you’ll get around that,” sighed Hypnos. “First, the matriarch of House Kore has to throw the party to keep up appearances, but she isn’t taking any chances on security after the theft of her Ring. Second, the entrances will all have verit stone, so weapons will be useless. Third, the Sphinxes will be present.”
At this, Laila grinned.
She winked. “Trust in cake.”
Séverin nodded, knowing exactly what Laila had been working on to bypass House Kore’s security.
But Hypnos looked horrified. “Have a care for my figure,ma chère.”
It was a silly throwaway comment that had nothing to do with Laila’s plans. And maybe because of that, it stole a laugh out of Séverin. Behind Hypnos, Tristan looked stricken.
Séverin’s flash of humor crumpled.
He’d promised Tristan the Order would not touch them.
Now look at them… Hypnos reaching for a cookie from the plate of treats Laila had made. Hypnos grinning with his two asymmetrical dimples, a smile that Séverin remembered since their childhood. Hypnos sitting among them… making them laugh even as Séverin wore that oath tattoo like a dagger pressed to the heart.
Hypnos took a bite of cookie and nodded approvingly at Laila. “Good plan! Now we can all—”
Cold washed over Séverin. “There is no ‘we.’”
The four members of his team exchanged glances of confusion.
He would have to be clearer. “Hypnos,” he said. “You’re employing our services for shared gain. You’re not one of us.”
