Page 113 of Blood Feast

“I agree.” Lyros crossed his arms. “We can rely on Solia’s forces to give them a warm welcome.”

“We’ll be watching,” Lio warned.

Cassia gave the mortals a dignified nod. “As the queen’s sister, I give you my permission to leave our presence. Do not make me regret my kindness.”

They bolted for the exit. Knight snapped at their heels, chasing them. Mak and Lyros flanked the door, making the terrified mortals scramble between them to escape.

Lio made sure they passed through a wave of his mind magic on their way out. They didn’t feel a thing as he worked through their thoughts. He was careful, precise. With so much at stake, there was no room for error.

When he released their minds from his spell, he paused to consider the magnitude of the small act had just committed. He had rewritten a little piece of their lives. He acknowledged the gravity of it. But he did not regret it.

The four Hesperines waited, listening to the commotion down in the stables, then the pounding of hooves. At last the gatehouse shut with a final thud.

Cassia, Mak, and Lyros all burst out laughing.

“The looks on their faces!” Mak’s shoulders shook.

“Nice aim,” Lyros told him, grinning. “You tossed him between those swords like you were playing discus throw in the gymnasium.”

Mak drew nearer to Lyros. “Do I get extra points for human throwing?”

“You won that match, to be sure.” Lyros gave him a flirtatious salute to the victor. “And winner picks the prize, even when we’re Abroad.”

Cassia was smiling like a cat who had caught her mouse. She scratched Knight’s chin, praising him for his performance.

Lio smiled back at her.Have I mentioned that you’re beautiful when you threaten people?

A few times.

Allow me to mention it again, my fearsome Grace. I wonder how they would have reacted if you’d had your roses chase them out of the room?

Her momentary joy flickered out. He cursed inwardly. But no, he decided. He wouldn’t apologize for reminding her of her power.

“The keep is ours,” he said. “There are no mortals at risk anywhere near. We can disappear here without putting anyone at risk.”

Lyros righted one of the spilled mugs. “This will make an excellent base of operations while we continue searching for Miranda.”

“Yes.” Mak examined a bow the mortals had left behind. “We should cast thelemantic wards around the fort before we do anything else.”

Lyros nodded. “If the mortals carry tales and Gift Collectors come looking for us here, we need to be prepared.”

“They won’t carry any tales,” Lio said.

Cassia gave him a questioning look, her brow furrowed.

“I was gentle,” he assured her. “I simply made sure they are confused about a few key details. If anyone asks, they’ll recall us ambushing them not far southeast of Patria. If they mention that to any Hesperines, the Charge will look for us in within their own perimeter. And if Kallikrates raids any minds to find us, a false location is all he will see.”

Cassia looked stricken. “Lio. I’m sorry you had to do that.”

“I am not. If I must cost them a few thoughts so we can spare their lives, I will.”

“That was…” Lyros hesitated. “Necessary, I think. We can rely on their superstitions to make them obey our commands. But we can’t trust the Collector not to exploit them.”

Mak nodded. “The less they remember about us, the safer they are.”

But everyone’s amusement had died.

Lio looked at Cassia. “After we’ve veiled and warded the place, we can start looking for Lustra portals.”

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