“Look around.” Reeve indicated the colorful alchemy lab. “You two aren’t the only ones in this city to possess rare magic.”
“He has a point,” Wynter said, shifting on the couch. “Speaking from experience, people go to great lengths to hoard—and hide—enchanted artifacts. It’s not a huge stretch to think your brother might have been able to source one of these talismans from a discreet collector, especially when he already knew what he was looking for.”
Viri didn’t want to agree, if only because she feared what it might mean. “For the sake of your argument, let’s assume Brae does have a talisman. He still doesn’t have the map.”
“No, but he’s seen it,” Reeve said. “It might have been years ago, but he’s always had near-perfect recollection, even after his Impartation. He could draw a replica in his sleep.”
“But it wouldn’t be magical.”
“It doesn’t need to be. The magical map shows the most direct route to Nevarnost Tower, one that changes as the forest moves. But I told you before, the end point we saw always remained the same. The trek would be a lot slower for someone who doesn’t know how to navigate the shifting Mistwood, but Brae would still be able to find his way there eventually.”
Viri’s pulse picked up speed as dread began to set in. It was impossible—surelyit was impossible—and yet…
“Let’s say I believe you, that Brae can get safely through the blackmist, and his childhood memory of a map he saw years ago is all he needs to find the tower,” Viri said, wishing she sounded cynical but instead swallowing against the dryness in her throat. “Let’s say he’s making his way to the Guardian as we speak. What happens when he gets there? He’ll get one magewish—how does he intend to use it?”
“I already told you.” Reeve held her eyes. “I said earlier that if we don’t stop him in time, everyone on the island will die.”
“You were talking about the sacrifice.”
“No, you just thought I was.”
Viri reeled backward, suddenly understanding. “So this is a backup, then?” She quickly corrected herself. “Or…if he’s already on his way to the Guardian, then the sacrifice is actually the backup, something he’s put in place in case he doesn’t reach the tower before Aurora arrives. Either way, he’ll use the magewish or the comet to destroy the obelisks and doom us all.”
Reeve said nothing, but Viri knew she must be right, her heart now pounding as she whispered, “We need to stop him.”
“I mentioned that before, too,” Reeve said dryly. “Numerous times.”
Viri hadalsomentioned it numerous times—hell, she’d been trying to stop her brother foryears—but now more than ever, urgency thrummed within her. If Braedan found the Guardian…if he was granted a magewish…
She forced herself to take a breath. Right now, the obelisks were still in place, the city was still protected, and that was allthat mattered. Worrying about the future wasn’t going to change it. She needed focus, not fear. That was the only way she would survive this.
“So what’s the plan, then?” Wynter asked, looking pale as she jumped up from the couch to join them, Jonas following behind her. She reluctantly handed Walnut back, and the bunny settled contentedly inside Jonas’s vest pocket once more.
“The plan is for Viri and me to go after Braedan,” Reeve said. “He’s had a solid head start, but he’ll have trouble navigating a path to the tower. If we get our hands on the map, we should be able to beat him to the Guardian.” To Viri, he added, “The map belongs to your family line, so the magic only works for someone with Solace blood. Aside from Brae, you’re the only one who can use it.”
“I know where he is, but you’re the only one who can find him.”Reeve’s earlier words returned to Viri, along with sudden clarity about why he’d sought her out in the first place. Heneededher. She wasn’t sure if that made her feel powerful…or disappointed.
“And how do you propose wefindthe map?” Viri asked.
For the first time that night—now morning—Reeve looked uncomfortable. “I was hoping you could tell me.”
Viri started. “How wouldIknow? I didn’t even know it existed until a few minutes ago.”
Reeve ran his fingers through his hair, the reason for his discomfort becoming clear as he answered, “It would have been left for you with your parents’ belongings. Just like your fillium.”
Viri’s stomach hollowed. She touched the golden cord around her wrist as she replied, “I wasn’t given this until I finished my hunter training. Nothing else came with it—definitely no map.And no talisman, either.” Which they would also need to survive the mist themselves.
“I didn’t say it was given to you—I said it wasleftfor you,” Reeve said. “You were young when your parents died. Someone would have taken possession of their things on your behalf—most likely the same person who kept your fillium from you.”
Viri turned to Wynter, both of them realizing at the same time.
“Mom,” Wynter breathed.
A flicker in Reeve’s silver eyes made Viri suspect he’d already known the answer and had just been waiting for them to figure it out.
“Sarielle gave me my fillium when the time came,” Viri confirmed aloud. “But she only kept it from me because I didn’t need it before then. If she has anything else in storage from my parents, I can just ask her, and she’ll hand it over.”
“That easy, huh?” Reeve’s skepticism was clear.
