Page 69 of Blood Feast

Solia waved in Lio and Lyros’s direction. “We know you’re there.”

“Open up,” Tendo demanded.

“We signaled Nodora’s ship, too,” Solia warned. “Our reinforcements are already on the way.”

Lio stood within arm’s reach of them across the invisible layer of spells. “I don’t want to involve them.”

Lyros dragged his hands through his hair. “I know. If we implicate them, the consequences—”

He didn’t have time to finish before their Trial sisters levitated over the cliff and landed on the edge.

Nodora’s magic probed their veils. “We’re here to help. We’re your Trial circle. We take care of each other, even when one of us does something colossally stupid.”

“Especially then,” Kia agreed.

Xandra put her hands on her hips. “This is no time for idiotic, noble notions of keeping us out of this to protect us.”

Solia’s aura burned with outrage. “My sister has been arrested. Don’t even think about trying to rescue her without me.”

“Face it,” said Tendo. “You need us. Especially me. After all, I’m the one who saved your soft hides the last time Cassia was a wanted criminal.”

Lio and Lyros looked at each other.

“If any of them had been arrested,” said Lio, “you and I would beat down their doors to help, even if it got all of us exiled under the midnight sun.”

Lyros shook his head at Lio. “When did you become the person encouraging us all into a life of crime, instead of being the first one to confess our mischief to the elders?”

“The first time someone threatened a hair on my Grace’s head.”

“I know the feeling. But it goes against my grain as a Steward to make everyone else complicit in our crimes, and Mak would agree.”

“They’re making this choice. As much as I want to protect them, I have no right to tell them they can’t take action to protect Mak and Cassia.”

Lyros sighed. “You’re right. It’s a gift that they’re willing to take this risk, and we shouldn’t dishonor that.”

Lio nodded. He and Lyros lowered their veils.

“It’s about time!” Solia huffed.

Knight leapt to Lio’s side. He hugged the dog’s shaggy neck, looking down to meet his earnest eyes. “It’s a good thing you’re the only people in Orthros with a liegehound who can track us through our veils.”

“I can make sure no one else finds us.” Nodora beckoned them toward the cliff. “Hurry. My ship is waiting below.”

It was an excellent plan. The ocean was rife with its own natural magical forces that few could control. It’s powerful arcane currents would help disguise their spells and auras, especially with help from Nodora’s water magic.

They stepped down to her ship, gathering under an awning bolted to the deck where there were warmth spells for the mortals. Nodora blew a few notes on her flute. The waves stirred around them, and her floating residence eased into motion. Thelarge, graceful vessel sped away from the lights of Selas and out onto the dark Sea of Komne.

Lio reached for Cassia through their Union to see how she was feeling. There was a resigned confidence in her, and he hated it. He would not let her be the martyr tonight.

You’re one to talk,she said.You’ve attempting to martyr yourself for me on numerous occasions.

That was different.

How so, pray tell?

That was me. Given the chance, I will always march to the gallows in your place.

Don’t you dare.

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