Page 394 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

But beneath it, there’s something worryingly resigned.

‘When did Blaire tell you this?’ Lee asks.

‘When I came back down. She asked if I was OK and…’ Riley shrugs. ‘It doesn’t matter. I know now that there’s nothing I can do to reverse it. She said the only control I’ll ever have comes from accepting what I am and learning to transform deliberately.’

‘That is true, and I would have told you the same had you asked.’

‘I didn’t want to insult you.’

‘Not to be indelicate—’ Lachlan begins.

‘No, absolutely not!’ Kade barks. ‘This is nothing to do with you.’

‘It’s fine,’ Riley says. ‘Go right on blundering ahead, Tanner.’

‘No, I just.’ Lachlan blinks, oddly stripped. ‘If you want to change, why don’t you? You’re a shapeshifter, right?’

‘Nothing gets by you, does it.’

‘I’m not being mean, or I’m not trying to be. Just that you have this power, and it seems like you could—’

‘I’d have to embrace what I am, let it take control.’ Riley gives a hollow smile. ‘I’ve spent my whole life locking it up, hiding from the moon, chaining myself to the walls just so I don’t hurt anyone or God forbid make them want something they never would otherwise.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Be glad for your own ignorance. I don’t need the book anymore but thank you for telling her to let me see it.’

Gently, Lachlan says, ‘I didn’t.’

Riley seems done with the conversation. ‘Cole. Pull every utility plan for the Penhalyx Estate and compare the underground feeds against current power draw.’

Lachlan doesn’t press his point.

He leans into the plan instead.

‘All right, if we do this then we do it right. Recon first,’ Lachlan says, speaking to Lee. ‘You need to confirm the sub-level integrity and identify heat signatures.’

‘I’m not exactly a rookie,’ she tells him, patting his shoulder.

‘We’ll prep thoroughly,’ Riley goes on, looking at the revolving Tower schematic. ‘The attack will be substantial. Kade, you should practise your Vox. We need to know it can work, at least.’

‘On who? None of us are human.’

Lachlan glances towards the doors. ‘I might have an idea.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

‘I understand.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes.’

‘Silly, are you positive?’

‘No, I changed my mind.’

‘Very funny.’