A growl rumbled from Sylas that startled Zayn, surprised me, and had Evira tensing.
Sylas Morgrave was known for his impeccable control.
Given the fact that he was the son of Morien, he’d had to go to great lengths to always present himself that way over the lasttwo decades. It had been imperative that he’d shown himself to be the antithesis to the likes of Morien.
But this crisis concerned his own son.
Having to compartmentalizethat—Winter being in danger and enduring possible damage and torment—was clearly a step too far.
Sylas grunted and stepped back from Ambrose.
He turned to Remnant as he gestured at Zayn and Evira. “Take them back to Loxley Academy. When you hear from us, move them to my home for debriefing. I can’t alert Velra, Lazriel, and Cassius until Winter is extracted and safe from harm. The fallout would be—”
“You know well that I understand. I will see to it.”
“What? No. We’re not leaving while Winter is still out there,” Evira protested.
“Sylas,” Zayn started, as he stroked Evira’s arm. “The four of us are a package deal now. We solidified things and you know better than anyone here what that means. There’s no way we’re being benched.”
“We came here via vampire speed courtesy of Remnant, not teleportation. Why do you believe that to be, when the more efficient method would have been the latter?”
Zayn frowned.
Evira eyed Sylas steadily. “Too many eruptions of extreme power set off alarm bells to the Guardian Movement. It could reveal that Winter’s been taken. Somebody who’s already on a load of watchlists.”
“Yes.” He gestured at Zayn. “Chaotic expulsions of your magical flame will register as unstable when you’re emotional, as is the case for many young magic-wielders with volatile temperaments. Something you and I will work on as we’ve discussed, but which hasn’t been achieved yet.” He told Evira, “A dragon heir unleashing her power who is being monitoredby House Vortimer agents is also an undue risk.” He pointed at me as he told them, “His power is controlled. He’s older, more learned, and that control is also partially inherent. Not to mention, his vibrational tracking is required. The two of you don’t need to be put in danger as well. It’s the definition of unnecessary risk.”
Ambrose added, “I can mask the expulsion of two powerful beings in Ketheron and Sylas, no more than that. And only for a time.”
“It’s what’s best for Winter. All right,” Evira acquiesced.
Zayn tugged at his hair. “Yeah, okay.”
Sylas nodded, then told Remnant. “Brief them as necessary. Especially the intricacies involving discretion.”
“Of course.” He went to Sylas and grasped his shoulder. “Message the instant you find him, Sylas. Do you hear me?”
“Absolutely.”
In the next moment, Remnant snatched up Zayn and Evira in a blur, then burst away with his Ancient vampiric speed.
“Resume,” Sylas told me. “Ketheron will give you a boost.”
I nodded and sank to my knees, pressing my palms to the dark sand.
Ketheron settled down at my side and reached out, grasping my shoulder carefully, while Sylas and Ambrose moved to a distance that wouldn’t impact my task.
“Maintain steady breathing when you feel the rush of power. Do not fear, Ruxnoth cannot interpret my magical signature due to my Polygenus Entity nature.”
“The moment you latch onto Winter, we’re moving in. You’ll need to come along so we don’t lose the tether should Ruxnoth attempt to move Winter again,” Sylas told me.
“Rules of engagement?”
“We need access to those necromancers. He can’t be terminated yet,” Ambrose said, which earned a snarl from Sylas, but no actual comment.
Beyond the issue of how to dispose of a True Celestial bearing warped power with an army of necromancers doing his bidding, Sylas also knew it had to be this way currently.
Despite his warranted distaste, which I most definitely shared.
