“I don’t like this idea,” Sabina said, her hands curling in her skirts. “There has to be a better way.”
Surprised, Lanias couldn’t help laughing.
“You’re laughing.” Oye slapped her hand on the table. “It’s not funny.”
“But it is,” she said, wiping a tear from her eyes. “I know you all care for me, but sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of this.” She stood meeting the eyes of everyone in the room. “I am notthe type to put my life on the line for nothing. Trust me, like you’ve trusted me in the past.”
“I’m sorry, I have never trusted you,” Castian said. “Ow!”
He rubbed where Oye subtly elbowed him in the gut.
“So, what’s the plan?” Malcolm asked.
“They want the key magic that rests inside me,” she said, placing a hand on her chest. “Why not give it to them. I could lure them with my magic, then we can place a barrier so that no civilians are there. From there we can have what should be a final conflict, and I can use this magic to send them back and lock them away wherever they hail from.”
Tiller’s brow creased. “It’s simple, but how can we fight a Being that is purported to be godlike?”
“If it’s weapons you need, I can make them,” Dmitri said, stepping forward he pulled his short blade out and laid it on the table.
Malcolm immediately recognized the purple glow; he looked up at Alek. “That’s why you wanted the deal with the mines.”
Alek offered him a slow smile. “It was beneficial for both of us.”
“Then we have weapons, and a plan of action. The only thing is when?” Raijin said, bringing everyone’s focus to him. “If we move too quickly things could go south, we need a clearer time frame. We don’t know if they have someone watching. Someone could alert them to our sudden activity.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if Madame Lanias returned to the Shade,” Eliza suggested, her expression thoughtful. “The news of her death shook the foundation of the Being world. If she returns it would draw attention, letting them know she was here sooner or later. We can put eyes on her, to ensure she’s safe until they move to attack. Then we can lock them within a barrier we create.”
“I like it, it ruthlessly uses me as bait. I knew I was somewhere in you my dear,” Lanias crooned at Eliza, who flushed in embarrassment.
“Are you sure you’re okay with doing this Lanias?” Sabina asked her sister. “Because I’m not, I don’t want to see you in danger again.”
“Like you said, I have the right to pick where I’ll be. And I am not the type to be on the sidelines. I brought this on us so it’s only right that I put my neck out there.” She stood up. “And to be honest, love, where else would I be? But in the center of the drama.”
Sabina couldn’t help shaking her head at her sister’s foolishness. “You’re joking even at a time like this.”
“It’s during these tough times, when you should laugh the most,” Lanias said before she made her way to the exit. “I hope my return will cause a stir as Eliza predicts, let’s just hope everything goes according to plan,” she said, walking out with her newly claimed sons and Alek by her side.
“Wait.”
Lanis paused a few steps away from the door, to find Sabina running toward her.
Looking at her sister open curiously, she asked, “Is there something you forgot?”
Sabina shook her head before she reached out and grabbed her hand. “I want you to know, no matter who your parents were, you’ll always be my sister. No matter what.”
Taken aback, Lanias accused, “You heard the conversation and what I said then.”
“Yes,” Sabina answered, she glanced at Alek before leaning in and lifting her hand to whisper. “I’m happy for you.” She drew back and smiled. “It looks like you weren’t meant for normal, even when it comes to falling in love. You seem so happy.”
Lanias’ eyes widened as she felt heat suffuse her cheeks, as she looked at Alek. Abruptly she averted her gaze trying not to get lost in his eyes when he looked at her. “Mm, I am,” she said and was surprised once again that she truly meant it.
Sabina’s nose scrunched up as she grinned. “But you owe me a wedding.”
“Don’t you owe me one first?” Lanias argued. “You just took his ring and moved in.”
“Honestly, none of us have had a wedding,” Oye said, stepping out of the meeting room, with Eliza. She snorted. “Though we’ve been a bit too busy to focus on festivities.”
“Then, when this is all over, we should have one big celebration together,” Sabina proposed, ignoring the face Lanias made at her words. “It could be our way of celebrating a new start.”
