Page 187 of Phoenix Rise

Matt and Talakai followed us, with Maddy behind them. As Lucas and I wove through the busy street, I scouted ahead using Trix’s eyes, avoiding the busy clusters of mercenaries as much as possible. Lucas didn’t speak, but the energy coming off him set my teeth on edge. It danced red lightning along my nerves. Through him, Nikolai was very much a part of us.

He needed to be if my plan was to work.

The street traffic changed as we moved out of the business district and into the residential area. Eventually, the houses were replaced by farms on each side, most of which seemed to be Trantil breeding operations.

The road traffic became a problem—mercenaries crowded together, leading overloaded Trantils to the castle. The local residents were making themselves scarce—now, Lucas and I stood out.

So we pulled into a tighter group behind a cluster of trees, and Maddy covered us all. I kept Trix trotting along the verge of the road, ducking in and out of the shadows, showing me any possible snags.

There were a few. Spots where the traffic slowed to a crawl. The Trantils were temperamental—tired, stressed, and overworked. We edged past two incidents where the packs had come unglued due to bucking and rearing animals.

Then we rounded a curve and saw the castle. We moved to the side of the road and stopped while we gaped up at it. Mercenaries filtered in through a large door at the base of the structure. The guards conducted only cursory inspections—the emphasis seemed to be on expediency.

But we were in trouble. Energy surged, as though something had awakened and become aware.

Aware of me.

I swallowed. “Does anyone else feel that?”

“Feel what?” Maddy asked.

“Someone can sense Anna,” Matt growled, having picked up on my thoughts.We need to rethink this.

“If we stop now, Galeran will get away, and Sebastian will die,” I said. “There is no turning back.”

“Galeran coming looking for you might accelerate things.” Talakai’s concern surged through the link, warring with his strategic appreciation.

Matt, on the other hand, was just worried.

“No way he knows what he is sensing,” I said. “This might be our only chance to get this guy. We can’t stop now.”

Brave words, but my heart pounded.

Your plan might get you killed,Matt argued.

The Dragon rumbled a growl.Tyrez’s is flawed, and he knows it. Using Nikolai’s energy to distract Galeran—long enough for the strike force to get to him—is risky as well.

I agreed with Talakai.

Galeran will be gone the instant he suspects there is trouble. He will not risk himself.Talakai’s mindvoice was firm.Anna’s plan has merit.

I believed it was the only way. But even the best-laid plans changed, and we weren’t even in the castle yet.

Lucas cleared his throat. “Nikolai says it is time to finish this.” His eyes gleamed, and when I met them, my mind filled with black fog and red lightning.

Incoherent angry mumbling surged along the link, in which Aussie slang predominated.

Will. You. Stop.Talakai’s mindvoice thundered.

I nodded to Lucas. “I agree with Nikolai.” My gaze slid to Maddy. “Can you keep us covered if we sneak in on the tail end of those wagons?”

She examined the guards, the gate, and the wagons before nodding.

I carefully removed Sebastian’s horn from my sword harness and handed it to Matt. “Once we’re in, you and Maddy find Sebastian. Lucas, Talakai, and I have a monster to catch.”

“No, Angel.” Matt’s hands tightened on the bound horn, and his voice reflected the depth of his concern. “We need to stay together.”

“I need you to get Sebastian someplace safe. Strap the horn to him—it will give him energy. If I manage to get Galeran away from Isobel and the gate, we can call in the cavalry.”

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