Page 71 of Veiled Yearning

While we wait for Frederick to return, Larkin keeps going, keeping his voice calm and commanding. “As for the two-week deadline Nicolas mentioned, we’re still five days short of that. While we don’t know a location yet, Gavril has been searching through his visions, and Frederick is watching all the top Custodians. I’m confident we’ll find something solid to go on soon.”

“And if we don’t?” It’s Knight, voicing the same concern everyone has.

I turn toward Knight. “If we don’t find something in the next twenty-four hours, Chiara and I will turn our entire focus on enhancing my visions. It’s not ideal, because then we can’t make the weapons, or assist Frederick with his sight, but—”

Frederick comes back into the room, and everyone collectively holds their breath.

Then he smiles. “It was our escaped captive. He was only able to send me a quick message, but he’s with Nicolas. I was able to watch our spy, and I got the location.”

Larkin’s shoulders sag, and he exhales heavily. “Where?”

“A large farmhouse on the outskirts of Potsdam, in northern New York. Close to the Canadian border. And within the reach of the Veil.”

All my muscles unclench at once. A location. Finally.

As Chiara’s fingers tighten around mine, I ask, “And how many with him?”

Frederick’s gaze shifts to mine. “At least a dozen that I saw; perhaps more.” His jaw goes rigid, and he adds, “They’re all sequestered inside the house, working on various tasks for Nicolas. Rituals. Creating weapons—”

Chiara sucks in a sharp breath. “Imbuing them?”

“Not that I could tell. From the quick look I got, they were modifying existing weapons to make them more deadly. Combining flame-throwers and bayonets, explosives with…” he trails off, noticing Cait’s horrified expression.

I lift my chin at Frederick. “So they’re preparing for battle, as Nicolas said in my vision.”

He gives a quick nod in response. “It appears so.”

“And what of Nicolas?” Alex asks. “Where is he in all of this?”

“In the basement.” Frederick’s brows draw down in a deep V. “Hiding, as usual. I was only able to spot him because our spy was called down to see him as I was watching. But he’s definitely there.”

Lucas jumps in. “So we need to get to him before he has a chance to move again.”

“Yes,” Larkin agrees. His gaze sweeps across the room before he continues. “We need to make a move before Nicolas gets wind of anything happening. A Seer having a vision of us on the move, or one of their scouts noticing something amiss. Even with all of us shielded by talismans, there’s a good chance of the Custodians spotting us heading their way.”’

“They undoubtedly have Custodians watching us for any sign of movement,” David adds, frowning. “How will we stop them from warning Nicolas?”

Ethan speaks up from the loveseat over by the window. He’s been hesitant to get involved in all of this, so I’m a little surprised to hear him talk. “What if I teleport people closer? It might take a while, but we could keep the Custodians from seeing us that way.”

“It’s a good idea.” Frederick directs his answer to both Ethan and Ivy. “My concern is splitting you two up. We really need you together for healing. If Ethan is spending hours teleporting all of us, and something happens…”

“What about another spy?” Soft-spoken Grace is another unexpected addition to the conversation. “It worked the last time. Maybe we could misdirect Nicolas. Somehow.”

Larkin gives her an admiring look. “You might have something there, Grace. But maybe… we could send in one of our own as a spy. Allow them to be caught. Feed Nicolas the wrong information.”

“One of us would be captured by the Custodians?” Frederick’s expression goes pensive. “I suppose it might work. If we sent the right person. Someone Nicolas thinks he can motivate to give up the Sentinels.”

“Like a newer member?” Knight asks. “Someone who might have less loyalty to the Sentinels.”

I don’t miss the flash of fear in Knight’s eyes. He would volunteer for it, but a second captivity in such a short time would be incredibly difficult for him. But if I were captured… I could handle it. And if it means the threat to Chiara is ended…

“I could do it.” Looking between Frederick and Larkin, I explain, “Nicolas knows I’m close with Chiara. That I’ve been protecting her. If I agreed to turn over information in exchange for her safety, he might believe it.”

Larkin frowns. “Gavril. I’m not sure—”

“No!” Chiara smacks my shoulder, hard enough to bruise. Her beautiful features are twisted in fear and horror. “No, Gavril. No. I won’t allow it. No.”

Pitching my voice low, I reason, “Chiara, it could help us. I could convince Nicolas that we aren’t coming for another week. And then—”

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