Page 35 of A Touch of Madness

I fix her with a cold stare, but she doesn’t flinch. Dorian, to his credit, speaks up before I can respond. “Enough. This isn’t the time to argue about Sylvie’s capabilities—or Lucian’s motives. If we’re serious about this ambush, we need a strategy that doesn’t rely on untested power or a young girl who has enough on her plate.”

“And what would you suggest?” Tobias sneers. “Continue to cower in the shadows while Solstice grows stronger?”

Dorian’s calm breaks, his voice hardening. “I suggest we stop pretending this is as simple as ‘storming the gates.’ If it were, why didn’t we do it years ago? If we want to take them down, we need to dismantle them piece by piece. Target their allies, cut off their resources, weaken their magic. An ambush might feel satisfying to you, Viago, but it’s a fool’s errand if we don’t lay the groundwork first.”

For the first time, Viago’s smirk falters. “And how long would this ‘groundwork’ take? Months? Years? By then, we’ll be dead.”

“Then maybe we’re not ready,” I say, my voice low but firm. The room falls silent, every pair of eyes on me. “If we can’t guarantee victory, we’re walking into a massacre.”

“And if we do nothing, we’re already lifeless,” Viago snaps, his voice rising. “This isn’t a debate, Lucian. You’ll either stand with me, or you’ll stand in my way, and I think I’ve made your lingering debt abundantly clear.”

Before the meeting spirals further, Sylvie appears, and all eyes snap to her standing in the entryway. She steps into the room, her face set with determination, though the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes betrays her nerves.

“I was told you needed me, Lucian. Someone came to the apothecary. What’s going on?” she asks, her voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

I should’ve known Viago would do anything to get her here. To try and force her into something she doesn’t need to be part of.

Viago’s smirk returns, sharper now. “Perfect timing,” he says smoothly. “We were just discussing how you might help us, Sylvie.”

Before anyone else can speak, I step toward Sylvie and lower my voice. “Come here, love.”

I don’t miss the way Viago’s eyes light up when he hears my term of endearment.

Sylvie hesitates for a moment but then follows me to the edge of the room, away from the others’ prying eyes and ears. The tension between us is palpable, and I keep my voice low enough that only she can hear.

“Sylvie, you need to know what’s happening here,” I begin, my tone urgent. “Viago is trying to use you. He thinks your abilities are the key to taking down Solstice, and he’s not going to care what it costs you in the process.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, a flicker of defiance behind them. “And you don’t think I should be part of it?”

“I don’t,” I say bluntly. “You don’t understand how dangerous this is, or perhaps you do, but even so. They’re asking you to walk into the heart of the most fortified stronghold we’ve ever faced. Their magic is ancient, layered, and deadly. If something goes wrong?—”

She cuts me off. “Why do you always assume things will go wrong?” she asks. “I’ve been dragged into this world, Lucian. I’ve already lost so much. If I can do something to help, I want to. I need to. You can’t just decide for me.”

Her words hit harder than I’d like to admit, but I force myself to meet her gaze. “You’re right. I cannot decide for you. But I can make sure you understand what you’re stepping into. Viago doesn’t care about your well-being, Sylvie. To him, you’re a means to an end. If things go sideways, he won’t think twice about leaving you behind.”

“And you?” she asks, her voice softer now. “What about you, Lucian? Are you going to leave me behind if things go sideways?”

The question makes my chest tighten. “Never,” I say without hesitation. “If you choose to do this, I’ll be there. Every step of the way. Alongside you. But I need you to be certain you even want to hear what the factions have to say, Sylvie. This isn’t just about taking down Solstice. It’s about your life. Your future.”

Her shoulders square, and she nods. “I am certain. I need to hear what they have to say.”

For a moment, I search her face for any sign of doubt, but all I see is resolve. With a heavy sigh, I step back. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean you’re doing it.”

She nods again, and together, we rejoin the group as Viago gestures for Sylvie to join us fully.

“Let’s continue this discussion in private,” he suggests, his tone taking on an air of false camaraderie. “We have maps to review and plans to finalize.”

We move into a dimly lit backroom, where a massive table dominates the space. Its surface is covered with detailed maps of Blackthorn Woods and the surrounding area. Candles flicker along the edges, casting shifting shadows over the plans. The woods look as foreboding on paper as they feel in reality, a labyrinth of winding paths and cursed ground.

Viago spreads his hands over the maps with a flourish. “This is their stronghold,” he says, pointing to a dense area deep within the woods of Blackthorne. “The wards begin here and grow more complex the closer you get to the center. They’ve had decades to fortify their defenses.”

“Most of these wards are designed to mislead or confuse intruders,” Dorian adds, tracing a path with his finger. “But some are lethal. Traps, curses, enchantments designed to kill on sight."

“That’s where Sylvie comes in,” Viago says, looking at her pointedly. “You’ve already proven you can sense and disrupt their magic. With you leading us, we can navigate these defenses and reach the stronghold.”

Sylvie hesitates, her brow furrowing as she studies the maps. “I don’t know if I can handle all of this. What if I make a mistake?”

“Should you decide to do this, you won’t be alone,” I say firmly, stepping closer to her, not wanting her to be swayed either way but also needing her to know I’m here. “I will be with you every step of the way.”

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