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I don’t look forward to facing him again. The memory of his face, part human and part creature, is enough to make me break out in goose bumps. “He’s a walking weapon and his senses are better than ours. It will be very difficult to ambush him.”

“Maybe for other champions,” Vesper says slowly. “But you’re able to move our group through shadows, which means there will be no scent marker to give us away if we time it properly.”

“Do you know where the Pentacles party is being held?” I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, considering all they seem to know.

“No.” Vesper shrugs. “But I know their district as well as the others, so by the time we arrive, I should be able to pinpoint several options for the ambush. We can plan further at the party itself. It will also give us a good opportunity to see how the alliances may have shifted.”

Cato nods slowly. “Not a detailed plan, but a flexible one. It’ll work.” He grins. “If we get a system down, we’ll be able to take out any of the remaining champions without issue.”

“Not Death or the Tower,” I mutter. I don’t mean to say it, to dampen the hope we’re all feeling right now, but they almost killed Cato last night. In fact … I turn to Vesper. “You said it wasn’t your luck that made Death miss his strike last night. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” They nod slowly. “I was focused on the Tower. I thought he would be the one to attack. It was a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for. We got out alive.” Cato runs a hand over his head. “Last night was a close call, and as much as I want to say being well rested would make a difference, they’re forces of nature.” He doesn’t quite shudder, but the feeling is there all the same. “We should avoid them. When they inevitably make it into the Cinque, we’ll deal with them then.”

When they inevitably …

I shake my head, hard. “No way. That’s not going to happen. Death needs to die.” But not before he gives me whatever answers he has. Except … will he give me the answers I’m seeking? Before the Trials, I naively assumed I would corner him and he would tell me the truth. In hindsight, that “plan” was muddier than the Saevus River. Each night increases the chance that he’ll die before I can talk to him further—or he’ll survive to become Cinque again. That would mean more opportunity to get answers, but the cost is too high. Being in the Cinque with him, knowing my mother’s blood stains his hands … “I won’t be part of a Cinque that includes him.”

Vesper and Cato exchange a look. It’s Vesper who speaks. “Death knows Star’s powers too well to fall victim to her. If we take down the Chariot, there are very few people left on the board who can remove Death. The Tower may be the only one, and they’re in an alliance. As long as they don’t add anyone to their number, we can pick off the stragglers—and the Chariot—and let them cut their way through the remaining champions. That means all five of us ascend.”

“Not him.”

“Why not?” Cato frowns. “Death is fearsome in combat, but he’s one of the least monstrous members of the current Cinque—what’s left of them. He minds his business and doesn’t terrorize the population the way the Chariot and Judgment did.”

Vesper nods slowly. “He holds no love for the Minor Court, but he’s willing to compromise on his votes from time to time in order to serve the greater good. I can’t say the same for the Star.”

How can I make them see my point of view without telling them exactly what he took from me? I worry my bottom lip. I might trust these two enough to form an alliance, but that doesn’t mean I trust them. The entire city believes my mother went mad and committed treason. Priestess seems to believe otherwise, but she’s also biased when it comes to the Moon. I want to believe her because I want to believe my mother wasn’t turned into a monster by the very god I’m championing. “He’s not to be trusted.”

“Well, yeah. No shit. I’m not saying we should trust him, though. Only that there are worse options.”

I suspect I’m not being reasonable right now, but I don’t give a fuck. “Not him,” I repeat.

“Then who?” Vesper counters. They don’t raise their voice, don’t let their tone get sharp. They simply watch me with an intent expression. “Who else would you choose to be Cinque alongside us?”

“The High Priestess,” I name randomly. I’ve only seen her in passing since the Trials started. Surely she’s not that bad.

Cato shakes his head. “She’s allied with the Star, and they’re both too slick—they’re just as bad as the Minor Court. No offense, Vesper.”

“None taken. The Star has been a strong ally to the Cups Court for most of her time in the Cinque. I would like to see her gone as well.” Vesper still hasn’t looked away from me. “But I agree with Cato; the High Priestess will be a thorn every time we turn around for the next twenty-two years. More of a thorn than Death.”

I clench my fists and fight down a scream. “If we’re considering Death, then why not the Chariot? He’s a monster, but he’s a known one.”

“Absolutely fucking not,” Cato snaps. “I already said he has to die.”

“And I said that Death has to die.”

“You haven’t given a single damn explanation on why it’s worth the risk to hunt him. You just say ‘not him’ and glare at us.” He drops his arms. “Vesper agrees with me.”

I’m afraid he might be right, but I refuse to back down. “Yeah, well, you haven’t given us a good reason to kill the Chariot, either.”

“He’s a monster.”

“So is Death.”

“That’s enough,” Vesper cuts in mildly. “The plan tonight is to hunt the Fool, so it’s a moot point who else might make it into the Cinque. We have to survive the next fight—and the rest of the Trials. It’s all well and good to have preferences, but this choice is ultimately beyond our control unless we want to add two people to this alliance. Even if we did, we haven’t made a good enough accounting of ourselves to attract another champion. Arguing about things beyond our control is a waste of time and energy.” They pause. “Do you agree?”

“Fine,” Cato snaps.