Zane echoed it at the same instant, his face hard. Cas said nothing, but his silence roared with disapproval.
“You know it makes the most sense.” Seri met my gaze.
“I know you’reour beloved.” My voice dropped to that dangerous register that usually made people step back. “And that if something happens to you while we’re chasing her fang-rotted army—”
“Then you’ll trust me to survive it,” she interrupted, steel beneath her softness. “You know I can do this.”
The memory flashed through me. Seri, standing in the yard under the moon, her eyes closed as the air had shimmered around her, the very night holding its breath. None of us had been prepared for just how powerful she truly was. She’d glowed not just with light, but with a magic so strong and vast, it had taken my breath away. It was like watching the stars rearrange themselves. Beautiful. Terrifying. Untouchable.
And yet…
“You’re asking us to let you walk into the shadows,” Cas growled, “and not follow you.”
“I’m notaskingthat.” There was no defiance in her tone, just certainty. “I’mtellingyou that. It’s what needs to be done. Trust me to do it just as I trust you to hold the line wherever she attacks.”
“If she can destroy the Gravewrought’s hearts, it levels the field.” Foster glanced between us as he weighed in. “You won’t getoverwhelmed by unkillable monsters and can just focus on the super rogues.”
“It’s a solid strategy,” King Julian added. “Arabesque and her rogues won’t expect a strike at their heart. Literally.”
Zane’s face had gone tight, his knuckles white where he gripped the back of a chair, but after a long moment, he gave a short, sharp nod.
“Good call on Brumous, moonbeam. Zaddy’s good boy won’t let anything touch you.”
At the sound of his name, the dire wolf pressed closer to Seri’s side, his blue eyes shining with what could only be described as determination. The wolf’s connection to Seri ran soul-deep; he’d die a hundred deaths before letting her come to harm.
She smiled a little as I met her gaze again. My pulse hammered in my ears like thunder, but I forced myself to think past the urge to shield her from all danger. She wasn’t a fighter, but she wasn’t harmless, either. Power lived in her, in her words, in her hands, in that steady, unflinching heart.
And I trusted her like I trusted the ocean to meet the shore.
“Then we do this,” I said finally. “We wait for the attack. The moment we know where she’s landing, we move. The three of us will focus on the Gravewrought, coordinating with Seri, who’s with Brummy at the farm.”
“And both King Lucian and I will prepare for war on the full moon,” King Julian wrapped up the plan. “I’ll have Angelo della Morte and his team here with me, and I know your father has his own ways to deal with a Dark witch.”
“Remind Angelo to bring his grenade launcher,” Zane smirked.
“As if I have to.” The wolf king rolled his eyes.
“I’d recommend capturing Arabesque if possible.” Kaori settled back in her chair. “If you cut the head off of the snake, the body still writhes. One of her rivals or supporters in her so-called witch mafia won’t hesitate to take her place, then you’ll be fighting this war again in a few years.”
“Agreed.” King Julian nodded. “If at all possible, contain her, but don’t risk your life to do it. We can suss out her followers one by one after this is over and dig her poison vines out by the roots.”
For a long moment, silence stretched, filled only with the hum of electronics and the enormity of what we were about to attempt. Then King Julian narrowed his eyes, breaking the quiet.
“You realize Arabesque won’t leave her stronghold unguarded. If the Gravewrought hearts are that vital, she’ll have traps. Wards. Maybe even guards.”
“That’s why Foster’s going with me.” Seri said it like it answered everything. And it did.
“What? Did you just volunteer me, Little Boss?” Foster’s eyes widened as he stared at her. “Listen, I still ain’t over thelasttime you shadow walked my ass.”
“Savedit, more like, Fossykins,” Zane cackled.
“While it burned with Devil’s Breath,” I smirked.
Foster ignored us as he locked eyes with Seri.
“Foster? Will you go with me? Guard my back while I help end this?”
“You ain’t leaving without me.” Slamming back into his chair with a huff, he crossed his arms and didn’t break eye contact with her. “AndI’lltake care of the hearts while you guardmyback. No need for your little hands to get bloody when a butcher’s around.”
