“Yes,” Mirae said. “From Ireland.”
Zara let out a short breath. “That’s not a quick trip.”
“No,” Mirae agreed. “But it’s one you’re going to have to make if you want to expose London for what it really is.”
Mirae leaned back against the table, arms loosely folded. “Before you decide who goes where though,” she said, “I have a suggestion to make.”
Zara glanced up. “I’m listening.”
“Start with acquiring the healing serum,” Mirae replied. “You’ll need it in hand before you cross the water again. My people can get you access to a small cache just outside the city. It’s a quiet site, lightly staffed. You take what you can carry without drawing attention.”
Zara exchanged a look with Sera.
“If you find ferals without the serum, you’re stuck. If you have it, you can stabilize them immediately and decide who can travel,” Mirae continued.
Sera nodded slowly. “That makes sense.”
“And you’re certain it works,” Zara said.
Mirae met her eyes. “I wouldn’t suggest this if it didn’t.”
I leaned forward. “How recognizable should the wolves we’re talking about be?”
“Recognizable enough,” Mirae said. “Names London knows. People who were publicly declared feral to the whole city. If they come back lucid, it’s harder to pretend that ferality was inevitable.”
Zara rubbed her jaw. “We’ll need to be selective.”
“You should be,” Mirae agreed. “Not everyone will survive transport. Not everyone will recover enough. You bring back the ones who can speak for themselves.”
Sera crossed her arms. “And while we’re doing that, you want Tamsin’s pack here.”
Mirae didn’t say anything for a moment. She just traced the rim of her cup with one finger, eyes unfocused like she was rearranging pieces on a board only she could see.
“There’s something else,” she said finally.
Zara looked up. “What is it?”
Mirae’s gaze slid to me and stayed there. “Marcus Ashcroft.”
I pulled in a breath. The room went even quieter. Everyone was listening now.
“You can collect proof,” Mirae went on. “Names, faces, statements. You can bring wolves back from Ireland who can speak for themselves.” She paused. “But as long as Ashcroft is still in power, London will figure out a way to absorb or deflect the damage.”
I let that sit for a second before responding. “You think we can get close to him.”
“I know you can,” Mirae said. “Not by charging at him. By following him. Learning his habits…”
Zara frowned. “Following how? He’s not exactly wandering around the city all by his lonesome.”
“No,” Mirae agreed. “He moves carefully. Predictably, if you know what to look for. Estates, inspections, private dinners with people, important galas.” She tipped her head. “He likes to see things with his own eyes.”
My brows knit together, and I cleared my throat. “Including the labs, presumably.”
“Especially the labs,” Mirae said. “He visits fairly regularly to keep an eye on things.”
I glanced at Sera, then back to Mirae. “You’re suggesting we tail him.”
“Yes,” she said, as if it were obvious. “Learn his routines.Learn who clears the way for him. Learn where he feels untouchable.”
