Bea grins. “Our enemy is a potions worker. Of course we should be careful.”
I press my lips together tightly, heart aching with uncertainty.
“Indeed,” Vincent says, eyes shifting to Bea and staying steady.
Liz’s eyes dart around the room. A flick of a frown creases between her eyes but then smooths away.
The butler continues pouring servings to the second set of council members.
“Everything is going to plan?” Vincent asks Emily.
She gives him a short nod. “My contact has the royal family in sight. They’re battling now.”
Vincent grins. “Too bad we’ll have to miss it. Have they used the potion yet?”
“Not yet.”
What potion?My heart rate picks up speed.
Jarron?I push at the barrier between us. Nothing happens.
“What about Candice?”
I suck in a breath. That was Liz’s voice. It was soft, almost concerned.
“No, the girl is not there.”
Liz’s shoulders relax slightly.
They making a move on the royal family, right now?
Jarron!I call through the bond.
That’s when I feel it. Tremors of fear and pain.
No.What’s happening?
Vincent narrows his eyes. His hand stills. “Do we have eyes on her?”
Bea shakes her head.
“We waited weeks for this meeting.” The dragon groans. “We’re not going to put it off again because some human isn’t in our sight.”
“I agree,” the griffin says. “You’ve gone above and beyond due diligence against poisoning. The royal family is clearly occupied. What else do we fear from a human?”
“I agree,” Bea adds. “Without Jarron’s help there’s no way she could have made any moves against us. She’s human. No one.”
The rest of the group unanimously agrees. My palms sweat.
No one. She is no one.
“The school contacts are still in place?” Vincent asks. “What is the last update you’ve had on her, Beatrice?”
“Still in place. She went to classes last week while Jarron was there but is back to being protected and guarded in Elite Hall regularly.”
“So, she’s either with the prince or protected by a trusted ally,” Vincent says.
Bea nods. “She was seen this morning by my contact. She hasn’t left the school.”
