Page 50 of The Midnight Death Match

Silence follows, sharp and immediate.

But I don’t back down. I feel the strange pulse of my sword at my side again, warm and steady, as if answering me.

Harek studies me carefully. There’s pain in his eyes, but something else, too. Pride.

Fear.

The gathered rebels whisper among themselves, exchanging nervous glances. Even the most battle-worn among them hesitate.

One voice finally rises—a slender fae man with a scholar’s insignia etched into his shoulder guard. “Fighting them now would risk open war. Mirendel could fall before the Courts intervene. We aren’t ready.”

I step forward. “They’re inside our walls. The war’s already started. I’m not going to let them get the upper hand.”

More murmurs ripple through the group.

“If we wait any longer, we’re handing them my siblings and Harek’s parents. We’re handing them the city.”

Another scholar shakes her head. “But you’re still hunted. You’re the symbol they fear most.”

“Exactly,” I agree. “Which means I’ll draw them. I’ll pull them where we want them.”

The group quiets.

Einar gaze burns into me. He’s weighing my words but saying nothing, letting me stand on my own.

Lys steps forward. “And what would you have us do?”

He watches me with that same infuriating calm, but there’s curiosity beneath it now.

I meet his gaze. “We take the fight to them before they can poison people further. We hunt their infiltrators. Make it clear we aren’t prey waiting to be slaughtered. Draw them into the open.”

Several of the rebels stiffen at that.

“Risky,” someone mutters.

“Necessary.” I square my shoulders.

“You’d gamble your siblings’ lives on baiting them?” another rebel challenges.

I shake my head. “No. I’ll gamblemine.”

The room falls completely silent. Harek’s face drains of color.

Einar nods slowly. “It’s bold.” He turns to the others. “And it’s the only move left to us.”

Harek shakes his head, color returning to his cheeks. “You’d risk her? Some father you are!”

Einar’s eyes narrow and his brows furrow, but then his expression relaxes. “I’m going to riskmylife for hers, son.”

Harek jolts at the last word. Einar has never called him that before.

My father turns his attention to the rest of the group. “The two hunters band together while we still can. Our combined strength will beat either of us going in alone. This is a rare opportunity.”

His words steal my breath. Is he planning on sacrificing himself?

He’d better not. I won’t stand for it.

A few hesitant voices murmur agreement, growing in number and volume as the weight shifts in our favor.

---