Cass’s eyebrows shot up.
Scarlett grimaced. “I was wondering if you might know anyone.”
Cass’s surprise melted into a serpentine grin. “I happen to know a hydra and a dire wolf who’d love some work. A few others come to mind. Want me to make some calls?”
For the first time that day, a genuine smile tugged at Scarlett’s lips. “Yes, please.”
“Any issues if I head up the team?” asked Cass.
“You’d do that? It’ll be dangerous.” Scarlett vividly recalled the helplessness of seeing her friend drop to the floor.
Cass scoffed, looking unconcerned. “First of all, yes. This is completely aligned with my values. I also had my ass handed to me at the National Theater, and I want to redeem myself.”
Scarlett shook her head, frowning. “I don’t think you let me down.”
Cass looked up at her earnestly. “Ithink I did though. And to me, that’s more important.”
“Okay, then. I’d be grateful if you headed up the team.”
“Great. It’s a plan,” said Cass.
Scarlett shivered even though it wasn’t cold. This wild plan was all her idea, and it was really happening. Soon. Taking control like this was heady, exciting, and scary as hell. She just hoped she could pull it all off in the end.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-THREE
The rest of the day was a fever dream of preparations, phone calls, and emails. Scarlett heard from the family lawyer, who was optimistic that the uniqueness of Brayden’s case had its advantages, but he saw no path to getting him released before his trial, which would be weeks away, if not months.
“When can I talk to him?” she asked after the lawyer had finished.
“I’m sorry, Lady Heroux. They were very adamant I’m to be his only point of contact,” he said apologetically. “Is there a message you’d like me to pass on?”
Scarlett debated asking him to tell Brayden she loved him but decided against it. “Just tell him I’m doing everything I can to get him out and that I miss him.”
By dinnertime, Scarlett had given several interviews to the papers. TheSoleil Timeshad confirmed the interview would be on the front page tomorrow alongside a feature about the attack. Cass had lined up several candidates interested in helping with a break-in, and she and Scarlett had outlined a timeline and a plan for the night of the gala. Elestine had called back to say they were on for the 7 a.m. meeting.
Scarlett was relieved by all the progress but exhausted to hercore. In an attempt to boost her energy, she ate her first meal of the day with Beni, Cass, and Tyler—fries and a chicken burger from a nearby burger joint Tyler had found.
Beni bit into his burger with enthusiasm, making the corners of Scarlett’s eyes crinkle with amusement as she chewed.
“It’s interesting there’s disagreement about whether or not the evidence against Sigur Viður is legit,” said Tyler after Scarlett had told them more than an NDA could cover. She needed to share the burden with someone, and she trusted them.
“Right. The Soleil Bureau claims to have more evidence, but they say the information is too sensitive to share publicly, because it could expose undercover agents. It’s so fishy. The Ceruleans think the evidence is a ploy to get us to go to war against magic, and the Goldenrods think we should mindlessly trust the bureau for national security reasons.” The fries tasted so good. She reached for her chicken burger. The food was helping push back a low headache that had been irritating her all afternoon.
“Did you know some people can hack into the bureau’s systems?” Tyler’s eyes sparkled. He looked around nonchalantly, then he pointed to his chest as he mouthed, “Me.”
The corners of Scarlett’s lips turned up as hope lifted her heart. “Could you actually?”
“That’s next-level hacking.” Beni sounded awestruck.
Tyler glanced from Beni back to Scarlett as he chewed and swallowed, looking like an eager deviant. “Yes, it’s more difficult, and yes, I could easily tell you where those emails really came from.”
“No way.” Beni’s delight mirrored Tyler’s.
“How?” asked Scarlett. She was excited too, but also worried about the legality and whether this would hinder their already laid plans for the break-in. Were two huge risks at once really a good idea?
“Last I checked, the bureau has terrible cybersecurity. I could hack into their system tonight, if you’d like,” said Tyler with a relaxed shrug, as if it were as easy as buying the fast food he’d picked up for their dinner.
