“It’s fine,” I told her. “We’ll deal with it later.”
She squeezed my hand, and bustled off. I sourly poked at my bacon and wondered how long the fae had left. If we didn’t unite the Crystals of Harmony in time, the portal to Edinmyre would close, and the fae would lose their connection to their homeland forever. Then our magic would be gone, and each of us would turn to dust.
But we might not get that far, because by that time, we might be in another conflict with the witches. If failing to unite the Crystals didn’t drive us all to extinction, my cousin would. He just didn’t know when not to poke the bear.
Finlay ducked in, sliding across from me. His tone was urgent. “The revolution is moving tonight. Be ready— we’ll be in the clocktower once midnight falls.”
He left at once, quickly as he came. I didn’t have the slightest clue what we were doing, but I knew it was for the best I didn’t— didn’t want one of us giving up any information if we got caught.
The revolution had been lying low since we’d freed the human slaves, but now was a time for action. The hanging of three witches couldn’t go ignored.
At midnight, I entered the middle of the clocktower. Dozens of revolutionaries were gathered around Professor Mara, who appeared quite worn.
Finlay was at the head of the group. I noticed Amantha was absent— which meant what we were about to do was so dangerous, Finlay hadn’t told her about it, because he didn’t want her involved.
That alone worried me.
Finlay strode to the center of the clocktower and said, “Thank you all for coming. I won’t judge you if any fae decides to back out tonight. But I’ll be damn proud of the fae who’ll be willing to put their lives on the line for the risk we’re about to take.”
“Fin, what are we doing?” Dorina asked. All eyes looked to him.
Finlay swallowed. “The monarchy cannot stand without the support of the nobles. We’re going after the Circle. They’re gathering tonight.”
A shocked murmur ran throughout the group. I came forward. “We can’t harm the Sacred Gathering. That’s an offense against the gods,” I insisted.
“The Circle isn’t meeting at the Sacred Gathering. Not tonight. They’re congregating at Ceradyn Hall,” Finlay told me.
Ceradyn Hall was a government building near the palace where most official business for the country was done. It was also a secondary meeting place for the Circle. The Circle only gathered at Cerdyn Hall when they were doing unverified royal business— as in, they wanted to discuss things without the king and queen being present at the Sacred Gathering. As Malovia’s parliament, they had the right, but this showed there were fractures in the monarchy. They had business they didn’t want the king and queen to know about.
“If they’re gathering at Ceradyn Hall, they’re already wavering between supporting Elijah or overturning him,” I insisted. “It would be easier, and safer, to infiltrate the government, and get the Circle members to turn on them one by one.”
“We don’t have that kind of time,” Finlay said calmly. “Elijah’s actions are going to lead us into another war. What happened last night proves it. He’stryingto provoke the witches. If we’re in a massive conflict with another supernatural race, the Circle will be forced to back him no matter what he does, to keep the country together during a time of war. If Elijah’s dealing with a crisis here back at home, he won’t have the means to do another foolhardy task like he tried today. How long before Elijah provokes the Miriamic Coven again? A month? Weeks, perhaps? Quicker than the time it would take to turn the Circle to our cause, and you know it.”
Yes, Finlay was right. I hated to admit it. But neither did I want the Circle’s blood on my hands.
“They’re having a meeting this late? It’s nearly one in the morning,” Dorina asked.
“It’s an emergency meeting. Private,” Professor Mara informed me. “They’re hoping by doing this so late, the king and queen won’t catch on.”
“Is Lady Magdalina there?” I asked.
“The Circle didn’t invite her. They suspect her of treason already, just don’t have the evidence to put her under in court,” Finlay said. “We found out about this by spying on Lord Radcliffe.”
“If they don’t trust her, why is she still on the Circle? Can’t they vote her off?” Dorina asked.
“It’s not simple to get rid of a Circle member,” I explained. “They’re lifelong positions established by the king. To impeach one requires an examination, and a trail by jury, which takes time and requires evidence. I’m sure they don’t have anything on her.”
“Which is why Circle members are usually assassinated if someone wants them gone,” Finlay added. “But no one has the balls to try anything like that with Lady Magdalina.”
“So what’s the plan?” Phillip looked ready to do anything— like taking down the Circle one by one was his idea of a good time.
“Gunpowder,” Finlay responded. “We place kegs underneath Ceradyn Hall, then set them off with our illusion magic once the time is right. The building will crumble to pieces and kill them all. It’s late, so no one else is there but the Circle and their guards. No innocent people have to get hurt.”
“Finlay, this is a risk,” I told him steadily.
“Everything we do is a risk,” he insisted.
“You’re talking about murdering all the members of the Circle. This is a huge risk.”
