Page 69 of Ignited Spirits
“I mean, I can open a rift into Doyle’s or Dad’s office,” I answer. “That would get us pretty close, but we don’t know what we’ll be walking into. They could be empty, or it could be another ambush, like in the prison.”
Bishop scrubs a hand over his face. “I can’t think of any other place that would be guaranteed to be private and out of the way of most people. We might have to take the risk of walking into a trap. If we do, then you or Levi will just have to open another rift.”
I’m shaking my head before he can finish. “I don’t think we can afford to tip them off, though. Security is already going to be increased after yesterday. Another failed attempt will reduce any chance we have at getting the council members alone to ask them for Lua’s spell. So we need to make sure this works.”
Cain’s mouth flattens into a grim line. “Then I guess we prepare for the worst and handle whatever situation we find.”
“If you need backup, earthling, at least some of us can go with you to assist,” Hades offers, surprising me. “I’ll need to stay, but Zeus and Poseidon, who are almost as good as having me, can accompany you.”
I snort. “You’re such a humble guy. I’m sure glad being king hasn’t gone to your head.”
Hades’s lips twitch. “It’s a gift, really.”
“Going in with as few people as possible is going to be the best bet. The more bodies there, the more likely we’ll getnoticed,” Archer adds. “And we need at least someone here to deal with the council guys we send back through.”
He does make a good point. As nice as more super powerfulcurabackup would be, it will probably draw more attention. “So, I guess we need to figure out who’s going. Who all wants to come with?”
Unsurprisingly, all my mates raise their hands. My brothers and parents do, too, along with Seph, Poseidon, and Zeus.
Hades scowls at Seph’s raised hand. She simply smiles sweetly back at him.
My eyebrows raise as I look around and realize that pretty much everyone wants to go. “Okay, well, I think twelve people might be a little overkill. Aiden, Mom, and Dad can be on tactical support, and Seph, Poseidon, and Zeus can manage things here for when we send them through. Does that work for everyone?”
“Why do the ’rents and I get benched, but all your lover boys get to go?” Aiden whines. “And it’s so not fair Rhys gets to be your sidekick instead of me.”
I roll my eyes at him. “They’re all coming because I’ve learned my lesson. There’s not a chance in hell any of them are staying behind, so I’m not going to waste my breath on that. And we need your tech support, Aiden, so you have to stay behind. Rhys is also more experienced in the field than you are.”
As much as I would love to handle this myself and keep my mates out of harm’s way, I know that’s not how it works. And, if I’m honest, I feel safer and more confident having them by my side.
Rhys claps Aiden on the back. “You’re the brains of the operation. We can’t risk you out in the field like that.”
He sighs dramatically. “Fine, I’ll stay. Being this smart and good with computers is a curse sometimes.”
I grin at him, relieved that there are no hard feelings.
My mom and dad don’t protest being on tactical support, which has me breathing easier. I hate hurting any of their feelings, but we can’t all go.
“Are you sure you don’t want at least one of us there, Izzy?” Seph asks.
“I’m sure, although it wouldn’t hurt to have someone on standby in case we do need the help. I think going in quickly and quietly is going to be the absolute best option. If we do it right, no one will even know we’re there before we’re long gone.”
“The three of us will be ready and willing to help, then,” Seph declares. “You’re family, so we’re not letting you do this alone.”
Her words warm my secretly sappy heart. I’ve tried to handle everything by myself for so long, and it was getting exhausting. In a matter of months, it now feels like I have an army of people who care and want to help.
It’s a weird feeling after being the town reject and resident loner for so long, but I have to admit, I kind of like it.
“It sounds like we have a solid plan, so when are we doing this?” Rhys looks around the table expectantly, but no one says anything.
I shrug. “How does now sound?”
I’m ready to get this done, instead of letting it hang over me. I want to end the threat the council poses and figure out how to take down Lua ASAP.
Dad chuckles. “It’s still morning in Hawthorne Grove if time moves the same inInfernus. You’ll need to wait at least another few hours before you can go.”
Nodding, Levi glances up at the clock on the wall opposite us. “Time moves the same here. Should we go around six p.m.?”
“That should work. I believe council meetings wrap up around five on Thursdays, so six should give a buffer if anything runs late.”
