Page 134 of Vicious Princess
“Sit and give us a full brief,” Ezkai Xander says, pointing at a chair next to the sofa.
I settle on it and give them an in-depth report on everything that happened, from the moment we set foot into the warehouse with Roman, up until the moment I was taken to Gloria’s office.
“Gloria Esclar just let you walk away?” Ezkai Xander’s eyebrows are all the way at his hairline.
“She didn’t just let me walk away,” I say. “I signed a contract she gave me, which is not something they take lightly. I’m sure you’re aware.”
Ezkai Xander nods.
“Foolish.” Ezkai Gavriel spits the word. “These contracts are how Caligos successfully enslave thousands of clueless fae, and you just signed it as if it were nothing.”
I bristle. “I didn’t just sign it as if it werenothing, Ezkai Gavriel. I signed it because it was the only way for me to leave her office and come here to informyouof the identity of the person running the establishment you’ve been trying to take down. Everything I did from the start was to aid the success of this damn mission. So, please, don’t patronize me.”
Ezkai Cassandra tries hard to stifle a smile, but she can’t help it. Ezkai Gavriel shoots her a glare, and she pretends to cough and turns her back to us.
“Recklessness is not a good quality for an Ezkai, Cadet Wildarrow,” Ezkai Gavriel says. “Just something to keep in mind.”
“Understood, sir.”
Ezkai August and Ezkai Xander exchange an amused glance.
“Thank you, Cadet Wildarrow. You brought us a very important piece of information,” Ezkai Xander says.
“She did more than that.” Daegel’s voice comes from behind me. A shiver runs down my spine. I can’t help the way my body reacts to his presence. “She gathered information in less than a day that your fully trained Ezkai unit couldn’t gather in weeks, then handed it to you on a silver platter.”
Ezkai Xander doesn’t look pleased to see Daegel here. Neither does Ezkai Gavriel. Roman widens his eyes at me, clearly picking up on the tension between the soldiers. I shrug.
“I’d be quick about it if I were you. The Executioner Unit wants her,” Daegel adds. “And I have direct orders to have her at any cost.”
“We’ll see about that,” Ezkai Xander says with a smirk. “Good for you to join us, Ezkai Daegel. Even if a day late.”
Daegel pushes off the wall he was leaning against and enters the living room. All eyes are on him, because his presence commands it.
“Yes, my apologies. I was pulled into a last-minute highly important mission by the Ezkai General himself. I got here as quickly as I could,” Daegel says.
“You’re right on time for us to discuss the new plan of action now that we know who runs this underground establishment,” Ezkai August says. “Cadets, we’d like to hear your strategies.”
The few of us in the room exchange looks. All of a sudden, I feel as if the whole world rests on my shoulders. I need a pillow and a bed. Scratch that—I’ll even take the floor.
“She’s a Decarios,” I say and yawn. “Her two bouncers were Decarios, too. I assume everyone close to her will be Decarios.”
Ezkai August nods. “Useful information, thank you.”
“Well, that fucks us over,” Roman says. “Because of that and because we don’t have Ezkai numbers for a raid, the only viable path is…assassination.”
I glance at Ezkai Cassandra. “What did the groups scouting the perimeter find out about the warehouse?”
“There are three back entrances, one for the staff, one for deliveries, and the third one is probably used as an extra way out,” she says. “All three back entrances are guarded by two or three Caligos at all times.”
Quickly, I look at Daegel.
The entrance we used after meeting with Gloria had no guards or bouncers… Was it unbelievably lucky timing, or doesDaegel know about a secret back entrance that the Ezkai spies have no clue about?
We could sneak inside the warehouse through the back entrance Daegel showed me… I can find my way into Gloria’s office and wait for her to show so I can slit her throat quick and easy before slipping out the same way.
But now I have an easy way in—I’m part of Gloria’stalent. I don’t need to sneak around.
The discussion around the room about the best strategy is lackluster. Clearly, everyone’s drained and tired, some snappier than usual. After thirty minutes of arguing and going from one idea to the next, Ezkai Gavriel calls it quits.
