“Nonsense,” Cassy interrupted, rushing over to where she stood and pulling her into a tight embrace. “Okay, honey. I understand. You’re right. I’d be an immovable force if something were to threaten Cael.” Cassy leaned back, smoothed out rebel waves that had fallen over Rori’s cheek. She flashed a sincere smile and nodded. “We’ll do what we can, okay? We’ll try and figure something out. But please, just prepare yourself if nothing we do helps.”
Rori pressed her lips together but lifted her chin. “I will, as a last resort.”
“Well, now.” Cassy squeezed her shoulders. “Nothing like the two of us challenging the impossible. So, where do you think we should start?”
“With those who’ve known Thaddeus the longest.”
32
If eyes could launch lethal spears, Thierry certainly possessed the power to do so. Horano’s indifference toward him was no better, but at least the man didn’t attempt to murder him with his gaze. The mortal-bornanamcarato Rihanna, Bryce—whose mortal ex-girlfriend Thaddeus had entertained for the sake of Daeanna’s favor—observed him with an accusatory scowl Thaddeus doubted the man realized he sported.
He had a line out the door of people who would love the chance to level a fatal blow to his head. He didn’t doubt for a moment these three men would be at the head of the line, carrying an armory’s worth of iron-woven torture devices.
Alas, that honor would be given to Dagda.
Thaddeus caught Thierry’s disgusted gaze directly and held it steadily. The corner of his mouth twitched in a hint of a grin. ’Twasn’t condescending, but a test for truce. Shaye’s attention flicked toward his friend, then back to the tumbler of whiskey he swirled.
Cael returned from the sidebar, handing Thaddeus a refillof his whiskey and taking his seat in the chair beside him in this cozy study-type room. The six of them sat in a horseshoe around an oversized fireplace.
Thierry lounged back in his chair, an arrogant air mixing with his hatred. “Shaye, as much as I hold the utmost respect for you, what was going through your bloody fucking mind when you decided to take this worthless piece of shit into your home?”
Thaddeus lifted his tumbler and sipped the smokey liquid, smothering a chuckle behind the lip of the glass.
“And why would you believe it a good idea to consult with the likes of a traitor, regardless the situation?”
“This traitor holds valuable information in regard to other traitors, ’tis why,” Thaddeus offered. Cael scowled at his self-proclamation, taking to his own whiskey with a deep draw. Thaddeus shrugged, resting his tumbler on the arm of his chair. “In times of danger, battles, and wars, sides find themselves forming truces with enemies when the outcome benefits them both.”
“Do tell, what benefit shall you reap from this truce other than a direct walk to your death?”
Thaddeus held the man’s gaze for a moment longer before he turned his attention to Shaye, his old friend with a knack for reading unspoken confessions. “Redemption.”
“You’re irredeemable,” Thierry spat.
“Whether you like the circumstances or not, Thaddeus is the only one who knows where Grison hides this rebellious group. He shall play a crucial role in bringing down an entire movement,” Shaye interceded smoothly, sitting a little taller. ’Twas a miniscule move, but the power of his presence swelled, a silent reminder of who headed this meeting. Thierry grumbled, kicking an ankle onto his knee. Shaye decidedly ignored the man’s childish antics. “Alas, Thierry,you’ve never doubted my decisions before. Now isn’t the time to start.” To Thaddeus, he said, “You can move between their hideaway and elsewhere without detection, aye?”
“Grison has made no indication that he senses my arrival prior to showing myself. He feeds magic into illusions throughout the cavern to hide rooms and tunnels. I doubt, with their low numbers, they have enough strength to forge wards and maintain their protective power while draining their energy on trivial facades, and wasting precious resources on unnecessary luxuries.”
“How many followers do you suspect he has? How many soldiers?”
“During my first encounter with the community of fugitives, I estimated about fifty followers. Of those, mayhap two or three dozen able-bodied fighting Fae. He maintains exorbitant visions for a creature with threadbare backing.” Thaddeus took another sip of his drink while he observed the four men before him, not including his brother, in their different phases of animosity. Shaye alone showed no contempt. Alas, over the last couple of days, they’d been working through the past enough to begin the semblance of a civil relationship. “’Tis a weak movement.”
“Between two separate attacks targeting Rori, my brother cut through seventeen of his men, leaving Grison depleted. He doesn’t have the arms to launch any successful attack, which makes this a prime time to take him down. Before he can grow his numbers again,” Cael said. “Not that I believe he has the skills to gather much of a following.”
“Those who follow him now were drawn in beneath the guise of continuing Daeanna’s work,” Thaddeus agreed. “They were established prior to her demise. Finding fresh blood will be difficult.”
“There’s never a shortage of Fae who lose their way.”
Thaddeus lifted his brows at Horano’s soft-spoken innuendo. Horano played with a jeweled ring on his finger, twisting the gold band, the firelight catching on the colorful stones.
With a sharp exhale, Thaddeus nodded. “Aye.”
The man’s eyes narrowed slightly at his agreement.
Thaddeus leaned forward. “I’m painfully aware of my faults, Horano. My mistakes. Naught can change the path I chose. I hope to do something good before my death. Something that will comfort myanamcarawhen I’m gone. Rori is innocent in all of this, and shouldn’t suffer shame connected to my name. ’Twould be unforgivable after all she’s suffered in her life.”
“The things you’ve done are unforgivable, yet you seek redemption.” Thierry pointed a steady finger toward him. “You don’t deserve to live.”
“I’ve not fooled myself into believing bringing Grison and Cecir to Dagda’s feet would deliver me a pardon from my execution. ’Tis a fact I have accepted since finding myself alive after your heartwarming gifts.” Thaddeus smiled then, patting a hand over his chest where his scars lay beneath his shirt. The man bloody near blew smoke out of his ears, the tapered points turning a deep shade of red. The first hints of magic rose around his hands like gray fog. “I hold no hard feelings toward you.”
