Anna snorted.I make no bleeding promises.
Another wordless surge of angst through the link, and I laughed, which turned into a bellow as my beast took hold. I butted her gently with my head.
You’ve managed to achieve the impossible,I said.You’ve rendered Matt speechless.
So totally worth it,she agreed.
54
Anna
This plan sucks,Matt stated.
So you have said. At least a hundred times.Even Talakai’s patience was reaching its natural end.
I also struggled with Matt’s reluctance.Tyrez’s plan risks Galeran getting away. Again.
Maybe we can keep the dodgy bloke pinned down without you.Matt sounded hopeful.
Keeping me out of danger isn’t an option,I insisted. We are all at risk.
Subdued grumbling vibrated along the link. Talakai shot me a look and rolled his eyes.Are all Dires such a pain, or is it just ours?
Having his powerful voice so clearly in my mind sent a pulse of joy through me. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have all three in there.
My heart twisted.
We’ll do it, Angel.He might not be happy about my idea, but Matt was always on my side.
I pulled my cloak closer around my throat. The night was heavily overcast and black as pitch. A steady drizzle pattered against the canvas roof. It steamed everywhere it hit—the temperature had noticeably dropped over the last hour.
Seated beside me, Matt gripped the reins as he directed our Trantil tow team up to the gate. He handled the reins as though he’d been doing it all his life, and not received instructions a mere two hours before.
The animals were well-trained, which helped. What also helped strode just to the right of the team—Emmanuel. The Centaur armorer spoke reassuringly to the animals. He was dressed as we all were—wrapped in multiple layers of ragged cloaks suited to traveling merchants.
Talakai walked to the left of the wagon with his tailspike prominently displayed, befitting of a properly hired mercenary guard. Mari loomed behind us with a sword strapped to her back, looking menacing just by being. Which was fortunate, as she’d declared that the only thing her sword was going to smite would be the trees she wasn’t quick enough to duck.
Sebastian’s horn was wrapped in cloth and hung from my sword scabbard, safely hidden beneath my layers. It was too sharp now to rest against my skin.
The wagon jingled and clanged as it bounced over the rough road, and I winced for those hidden within—Maddy and her guys, as well as Lucas. Trix lay at my feet, unimpressed with the swaying contrivance when she had four perfectly good paws. Black dye and rain didn’t mix well.
The strike team hid in the hills behind us.
Inside the wagon, Emmanuel had replaced his usual market-destined armament with the wares of a real metalsmith—a somewhat grumpy acquaintance of Talakai’s. Who had, apparently, cataloged every item and insisted that we’d have to pay for anything lost or damaged.
The Centaur had stocked it with Trantil-suited gear, including bits, bridles, harnesses, shoes for their hooves, and saddles, both for humanoid butts and for packing. Along with things that made life on the trail possible—cups and pots and razors, small knives, and other implements. For an army intent on pulling out, our stuff should prove tempting. Which was good because we weren’t invited, but we needed to convince the gate guards to let us in.
If they didn’t, we lacked an effective Plan B. A high-altitude Dragon flight had revealed guards along the canyon rim. Getting past them would be difficult to impossible, especially as Tyrez was certain they’d be armed with the parasites.
We needed to attack from within.
Galeran had chosen his hideout well. Getting to him meant stealth. This was assassin-level stuff.
Good thing we have one with us,Matt stated, interrupting my thoughts.
A true assassin wouldn’t be caught dead in this,Talakai pointed out.Too many variables.
It’ll all go to hell pretty fast,I admitted, if Emmanuel can’t get us in.
