“That only gives us a short time to come up with a plan,” Kieran sighed, glancing at Orin. “We will need a few people who have been in the city and potentially the palace.”
Orin thrummed his fingers against the rock, considering our options. “We’ve made plans on shorter notice before. I don’t think that would be an issue. However, that only gives about five or six rebels, excluding us, who know the palaceandthe city. Do you know where the execution will take place?”
“No,” Sybil murmured, giving her head a small shake, cringing slightly. “But I believe I know where they are being held in the dungeons. Ambrose made me?—”
Sybil stopped short, her face losing its color. “It’s where Ambrose made you interrogate them,” Kieran finished for her. “It’s okay, Sybil. We know he uses the bargain for that.”
“That’s not the point,” Sybil breathed out, her brows pinching together. “I’m still doing what he is telling me to do.”
Kieran studied her, his face hardening. “Are you wanting to do this because you can’t fight against the bargain and you feel guilty, or are you doing this because you want to save those prisoners?”
I could feel the pressure in the air grow thicker from his question, setting me on edge. I straightened on the rock, my legs tensing, ready to move if needed.
Sybil looked up at Kieran, blinking, regret rippling across her face. “Can’t both be true? Why does it have to be one or the other?”
“Because one makes you desperate, and that desperation will lead to mistakes and my people getting hurt. The other will ensure you have a cool head if you take part in this mission,” Kieran said coolly.
“If?” Sybil echoed, with a tremble in her voice. “What do you mean,if?”
“Mate or not, I am still the leader of this rebellion, Sybil. I will allow you to help plan missions. I will even take your opinions into account; however, if I believe that you are unable to complete a mission, Iwillleave you out of it.”
Sybil jumped up from Kieran’s lap, her body shaking with anger. “I will be a part of this mission whether or not you like it, Kieran.”
“No, you will not. Missions like this are dangerous, even more so since we will be doing this publicly. I?—”
“Why can’t we get them outbeforethe execution?” Sybil interrupted. “We have access to the passages. We can use those to free them before the execution even happens.”
“It’s not that simple,” I cut in, treading carefully. “We already used the passages to get Ezra out. Because of that, they have doubled the number of guards stationed throughout the palace.”
“Not to mention whatever is going on with Ambrose,” Daelan chimed.
Kieran’s gaze cut to Daelan with a menacing glint. “What does that mean?”
“It means that Ambrose has been acting odd lately. His mind is taking him elsewhere, and he is becoming more violent. Eventoday with Sybil. There’s something going on with him that he’s hiding.”
Kieran frowned and slowly turned to Sybil. The red in his eyes seemed darker, erring toward something dangerous. “What did the bastard do to you?”
Sybil swallowed hard, grabbing the hem of her shirt. I’ve seen her do that when her nerves were becoming too much, so I answered for her. “Ambrose used his magic against her after the meeting today. She spoke out of turn, which angered him.”
In his quiet fury, Kieran seemed to grow taller, the air heavier. “This is why you will stay away from the missions,” Kieran stated, his voice signaling the end of the discussion. He looked away from her, opening his mouth to move on when the shadows rippled around Sybil’s feet. Her shadow creature came into view beside her leg, stretching as if it had just awoken.
“No, I refuse to let that be it,” Sybil seethed. The shadow cat stared up at Kieran, daring him to make a move.
Kieran growled at the creature but looked at Sybil, taking in the flare of her nostrils and the way she raised her chin to stare him down, though he towered over her. “You are too close to this, and it’s making you not see things clearly. This would make you dangerous to your team if you were to join. Therefore, I am telling you that you will sit this one out. We are all aware of how important it is to save innocent lives, but I will not allow your emotional state to jeopardize the safety of my people and you. You are my mate, Sybil. Your safety is more important to me than your need to help in missions.”
“Fuck you,” Sybil spat, causing mine and Kieran’s eyes to widen in shock. “This is bullshit, and you know it, Kieran. Samian, tell him.” Sybil looked at me, her eyes full of pleading. I opened my mouth to respond, but then shut it. “Samian,” she breathed, her voice breaking. “Tell him he is wrong.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and cringed. I understood her need to be a part of this. Each of us had our roles. We knew and played them well. However, she was forced into this world and pushed into a corner with no way out. But as my mate, as Kieran’s mate, our need to protect her from danger was fierce, even if it was directed toward Sybil herself.
As much as I hated my next words, I forced them out. “I agree with Kieran,” I said quietly, my chest aching when her shoulders dropped. “Kieran has been the leader of this rebellion since it started. He has led countless missions, most of which were successful. If he believes it's safer for you to sit this mission out, then I agree with him.”
Sybil stood there, stunned, as if her mind couldn’t understand what was happening. Regret instantly coursed through me, creating a deep ache in my chest. Finally, she looked around the group, only to find the others in agreement with Kieran. “You’re pushing me to the side because I’m being too emotional?”
“No,” Kieran snapped. “I’m having you sit thisonemission out because you are not thinking clearly. You’re being reckless and not listening. We have been doing this for a long time, Sybil. Since before you were born. You should be heeding our counsel, not arguing with us because we disagreed with your timeline and plan.”
“Take me back,” Sybil whispered furiously, her face turning toward me, though she kept her eyes on the ground.
“Sybil,” Kieran sighed, reaching his hand to hers.
