Page 68 of Ignited Spirits
Nodding, I ask, “What do you have so far?”
“Nothing,” Aiden chimes in before Rhys can.
Rhys sighs at him and rubs his temples like Aiden’s giving him a headache. “We don’t have nothing. We just… don’t have a plan yet.”
I snort. “So, in other words, nothing.”
Rhys tilts his head back and forth before his shoulders slump. “Yeah, pretty much.”
Aiden pats him on the back. “Don’t be so down on yourself, bro. We’ll figure it out. Now that we have Wonder Girl here, I’m sure we’ll think of something in no time.”
I smile at their interaction. They may give me shit on the regular, but I know my brothers have my back, just like I have theirs. “So, what’s the easiest way into the council building?”
“Other than the front door?” Rhys asks. I nod because there’s no way in hell any of us are even making it to the entrance to council HQ. “Through one of those portals you can open. But the question is, where to open it?”
“Probably not back to the maximum-security level.” My lips tip up at theno duhlook Rhys shoots me.
“Where do the council members congregate?” Poseidon asks. “Where can you get to them that will have a small audience and less security? And what time will they be there?”
I look at Dad because he’s the one who knows the inner workings of the council members the best, considering he was one until a few days ago. At least, I assume they stripped him of his position when they arrested him.
He rubs a hand over his face as he thinks. “At the end of the day, all the council members spend a couple hours in their offices getting administrative and other tedious tasks done. They’re the least protected and most alone during this time.”
“But they’re also separated from each other, so we won’t be able to take them all out in one go,” I point out.
Levi taps his fingers on the wooden tabletop in an agitated rhythm. “True. But that also gives us a better chance of extracting information from and eliminating each individual because they won’t have backup from the others.”
“Is that your plan, Izzy? To kill the council members?” Dad keeps his tone carefully neutral, not giving me any insight into how he feels about it.
But from his question, I can already guess he doesn’t approve. Rhys and I are the ones who solve problems with violence. My parents and Aiden would prefer peaceful solutions and shy away from the murder and mayhem that’s become a normal part of my life.
I waver for a moment, considering lying to him, but I decide to just be honest. “Yes. I think they’re too powerful to be left alive. Even if they’re locked up, they’ll find a way to get out before they can be tried for their crimes. I don’t think any real change will happen with them still around, and mages desperately need a new system.”
I’m fine killing people when needed, but I usually don’t participate in preplanned assassinations. Rhys and Bishop don’twant those types of things on my conscience, but I don’t think there’s any other option in this situation.
“You could always send them here instead of killing them,” Hades offers before flashing a savage grin. “But I’m always a fan of murder; the more gruesome, the better.”
Bishop nods to himself before looking at me. “That could work. They’ll lack the strength or the support to break out of a prison or escape paying for their crimes here. And you won’t have their deaths on your conscience, Izzy.”
I scoff. “I won’t be losing any sleep over killing some of the worst human beings on the planet.”
Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration. There are definitely worse people out there, but the council is high on the list of awful creatures that unfortunately inhabit the Earth.
He raises an eyebrow. “I know you, sweetheart. I know if they aren’t actively threatening people you care about, you’ll struggle with it later.”
I clench my jaw but don’t say anything as I look down at the table.
I hate that he’s right. I hate that the bad things I’ve done for good reasons bother me sometimes. I hate that I’d probably lose sleep over killing people who wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to me.
“Being bothered by the lives you have to take isn’t a weakness, Izzy, so there’s nothing to be ashamed about.” At Zeus’s voice, I look up to meet his gaze that looks like pure lightning. “It shows strength of character to carefully weigh your options before deciding to kill.”
“Thanks,” I mumble, feeling awkward receiving compliments and having everyone stare at me.
When the silence starts to become uncomfortable, Rhys steers the conversation back on track. “So we know what to dowith the council members, but we still need to figure out how to get there.”
I shoot Rhys a grateful look for taking the spotlight off me. He smiles at me before flicking his gaze around the table, waiting to see if anyone has any ideas.
Luca leans back in his chair, looking deep in thought. “What’s the closest we can portal to their office?”
