I need to contact Ravi.
“Fine,” I make myself say. “You are in charge.” I hang up.
“What did she say?” Gianna asks, but I have no words.
“Leigh,” Bennett snaps. “We need to talk.”
“Bennett, not now.”
My pulsing strides thunder as I race up the stairs to Wilder’s room.
I glare at Brigid.Is there anyone I can trust to tell me the fucking truth anymore?
“You knew Stellan was working with the wolves, yet you still supported his plan?” I ask.
Her face is ashen after hearing from Ry about the wolves betraying and capturing Stellan. “We thought . . . we wanted to believe that after everything we’ve endured since the First War, our luck was finally changing. We wanted to believe that the wolves would be allies.”
“Are you really that naïve?” I scoff. “Aurora is too valuable. It has the Corona’s richest resources. The wolves wouldn’t give it up.”
Brigid’s eyes dart away from mine. The wolves are just outside the city, and they have Queen Jorina as a hostage. If we survive this, I will do whatever it takes to ensure Corona bolsters its borders.
“Do you know what Zeus promised Stellan to get his enclave?” I ask her. “Do you know anything about his plans from here?” When she doesn’t answer, I grab her arm, my grip firm but not painful. “Come on, Brigid, talk to me. You’ll be doing Stellan a disservice if you don’t tell me what you know.”
Brigid swallows hard, her hands trembling. “Stellan met with Zeus months ago. They struck a deal to make a free state for all Nebula in exchange for his allegiance.”
My stomach churns. Prince Zeus used Stellan’s fight for freedom against him. But why target Stellan specifically? There are bigger players Zeus could have approached. But then it hits me—Stellan isn’t a politician. He’s an orator.
The pieces start to fall into place. The wolves used him as a mouthpiece to sow discord and division within our country, ensuring we were vulnerable before their attack.
“Stellan is a good person, and he is smart. He thought the wolves were the answer to gaining our independence,” Brigid says. “Please, Wilder. We need to get him back. I’m afraid of what they might do to him.”
I clench my jaw.
“We will figure something out,” I promise after a few moments. “But you’re going to help me.”
Brigid nods. “What are you thinking?”
“We need to know where Stellan got his information about the Council,” I say. “Do you know who his source is?”
Brigid’s eyes glint. I hold my breath as she points. “Him.”
I follow her gaze. “Bennett?” But even as I scoff, I realize it makes perfect sense. His family has been in politics for ages. He dated Leigh. He worked with the Magician as part of Eos. He’s slimy as sin.
“Yes,” Brigid says. “I recognize him from the news. Stellan was so pleased when he told us he had the queen’s ex-boyfriend on his payroll.”
My jaw hardens. “Is that so?”
Bennett locks eyes with me. He slowly backs away. I smile because there’s nowhere for him to run in this city. At least, not where I won’t find him.
“Yes,” Brigid says.
“Then, if he enjoys talking so much, we get him to continue doing just that,” I say, stepping around Brigid. Bennett turns on his heel and runs.
Let the hunt begin.
It’s easier saidthan done to slip back into the Nest undetected, but I do. I’ve been gone a handful of days, and no one notices or talks to me. I am nothing but a memory, but that’s about to change.
With purposeful strides, I head for Vyvyan’s chambers. If my instincts about her attacker are correct, I could leverage my way back into living here.
