House Tellier didn’t react at all to my hand on the fence, and I’d touched it for several seconds longer than Hazel had.
I stared at the fence.
Was that a fluke?
I cautiously placed my hand back on the fence.
No reaction.
Keeping my hand in place, I shuffled so I could face Hazel, Sarge, and Captain Reese.
“That’s interesting.” Hazel cocked her head to the left then to the right as Killian settled in behind her.
Captain Reese frowned. “Blood, you were the first task force member to set foot on House Tellier land when we arrested the Adept, weren’t you?”
“Yes,” I said. “I also questioned the Heir on the front porch before then.”
“And I was with you then. Which begs the question…” Considine slid into place behind me, resting his left hand on my hip as he placed his right hand on the fence, directly next to mine.
Nothing happened.
Captain Reese experimentally reached for the fence. The moment her fingertip brushed the wooden surface, a nail shot out of the fence, ricocheting off her hand. “Well. That’s a very clearget lostif I’ve ever seen one.” Captain Reese kept her voice mild, but her frown deepened with worry wrinkling around the corners of her eyes.
Considine was trapped for less than a week…even if the oracle is being held in better conditions, I can’t imagine how they must feel after being captive for months.
I stared at my hand resting on the fence, feeling the weight of each moment that House Tellier remained calm despite the contact.
I must do something.
Orrin experimentally set his hand on the fence, which snapped at him. “Testy,” He observed. “Or very particular.”
Keeping my hand on the fence, I awkwardly twisted to look back at Considine.
Do you think we could take them?
He read me like a book and immediately turned to scan the House. “House Tellier wizards aren’t combat trained, are they?”
“No,” I said.
“Then yes,” Considine said.
Sarge was already shaking his head. “No,” His musical voice was tired but firm. “No—I know what you’re thinking, Blood. It’s not happening.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
Jade
Hazel shifted in place. “What’s not happening?”
Captain Reese narrowed her eyes, which amplified the wolfish air to her. “These partners are considering launching an attack on the wizards of House Tellier with just the two of them.”
“Based on past experience, I don’t believe House Tellier will help them,” I argued. “The Heir has ordered the house to attack me before, and it never has.”
“We can wait until you’re rested,” Sarge argued.
“The oracle has been trapped in House Tellier for months, forced to give prophecies against their will. Who knows what the Telliers would do to them if we give them more time,” I argued.
