“You can trust us,” I say. “We helped before, and we want to help again.”
Ri clicks her tongue and waves for us to join them at the table.
“This is Gwen.” She waves at the girl who greeted us. “She’s one of my apprentices, and one of our spies.”
“Nice to meet you Gwen,” I say.
She greets me in the official Ezkai matter.
“It’s been a while, dear,” Jax purrs to her. Oh, so they know each other. Of course. What did I expect? “Where have you been?”
Before Gwen can answer, Ri says, “Spying for me, handsome. Don’t pry further if you don’t wanna lose your privileges.”
Jax lifts his palms in defense and flashes Ri his most dazzling smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
I hate that smile.
I can’t help myself. I roll my eyes.
“What is this place?” I ask Vera.
This looks like much more than a basement.
“Part of historical catacomb network that stretches all throughout Jaakii,” Vera says. “It was built to help evacuate fae out of the city in case of war against Wetra or Emera, but it’snot been used. Well, Order of Ezkai use parts of it for their operations.”
Interesting. Never before have I heard anyone at the Order mention it before.
Vera looks at Ri. “Want to brief us on the situation?”
“Sure,” the old Caetra says. “There’s a shipment of twenty adolescents making landfall tomorrow night. This one’s from Wetra, the kids?—”
I cut her off. “What? Caligos are trafficking kids from Wetra?”
I can’t believe this fucking shit.
Ri and Vera exchange a glance.
Ri nods. “Yes, Ezkai Phoenix. It’s not as common as trafficking Ekiosh children, but it happens. They bring bodies from Emera, too.”
I blink, staring at her.
“There’s a market for human and dwarven…folk,” Vera says carefully. “Some Caligos run brothels, ones that are operating outside the law, that cater to fae with…specific tastes. Humans and dwarven are more expensive than fae.”
All I see is red. It takes me a moment to calm the rage that has surged to the surface.
“I see.” I choke the words out.
My stomach lurches at the thought of young humans and dwarves, so far away from home, drugged out of their damn minds, being abused against their will.
“Gwen found out that they’ll be bringing the kids from the harbor to the new location,” Ri continues. “After the recent raids to their safe houses, they started rotating them each time so we wouldn’t know where to look for the kids.”
“I noticed,” Vera says, thoughtfully. “You have information on this new location?”
“Yes,” Ri says and pulls out Jaakii’s map. She lays it down on the table so all of us can see. “It’s going to be tricky this time around, Vera.” She taps a finger at Kozem. “This warehouse is in a highly dangerous part of Kozem. Not sure how can we go in and out without being noticed. Especially when Caligos will be expecting a potential ambush from Savage King.”
I lean closer to the map to inspect the location Ri is pointing at. My heart sinks immediately. I straighten my back.
No way.
