Chapter 24
I may have slipped one mask off, but I also slipped an invisible one on. Walking around in public—anywhere but the Hollow—without my face concealed felt invigorating. My shoulders straightened, my chin lifted, and my fuck-off attitude blasted on full volume.
It. Felt. Amazing.
But I wouldn’t let Scarlet, or anyone, see that. Not this moment of weakness. Not the crack in my armor that proved I was still human. Still wanting. Still dreaming.
No. No one would ever know that.
We had one night in the Glade before infiltrating Mageia.
The mission depended on finding the Mareki’s Key, and I prayed to the elements we could do it without getting caught.
Over the years, slipping into the castle undetected had been easy.
But now, with four of us and two dragons circling overhead, it was going to be a hell of a lot harder.
But we had to do it.
Scarlet trailed close as I cut through hidden walkways I’d memorized since the day I first set foot here. No matter where I went, I instinctively tracked my escape routes. I didn’t even bother scolding her for sipping coffee on a literal war mission.
Look at that spark of kindness in me. Maybe she was softening me up. Or maybe I was just jealous she had someone who put her first—even if it was just for a silly cup of coffee.
Maybe I should stop short and let her run into me—spill it everywhere.
The thought lingered, but we’d reached the Glade’s leathery. I flung the door open, hoping to catch her on the way in. The smell of freshly tanned leather wrapped around me, reminding me I’d be in battle gear soon enough.
Scarlet stepped inside, coffee in hand, taking in the space where all the Glade’s armor was crafted.
Nash and Rhodes emerged from the back, already dressed head-to-toe in leathers. Rhodes handed Scarlet a set while I gave Nash a slow once-over.
I whistled. “Elements. If I were into you, those leathers would be ripped right off by now.”
Nash winked, flashing a dimple. “Don’t lie to yourself, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart? Of all pet names, that’s what you pick for her?” Rhodes teased.
I spun toward him and flipped him the middle finger.
“That’s exactly how I’ll stand out among all the others begging at her feet. Ain’t that right, sweetheart?” Nash flicked my ear as he exited.
I headed to the back room to change just as I heard Scarlet ask Rhodes, “So this is where those leathers you gave me came from?”
In all my visits to the Shadow Glade, I’d never been granted access to their war room. I was always expected to stand silently on the sidelines, completing whatever tasks Father assigned me, avoiding conversation with anyone in authority.
But now? My mask was off, and I practically skipped into the room, ready for Elias Wylder to say just one wrong thing so I could pop the fuck off.
The war room was nothing like the Hollow’s.
It was a large, spacious hall dominated by a long table stretched down the center.
Hovering above it was a magically projected, hand-drawn map of Mageia.
Scarlet’s shock rippled through the marekem—this had to be the first map she’d ever seen of the War College, especially since Kalluri burned every copy decades ago.
Elias Wylder stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, as soldiers filed in. Rhodes kept his distance, finding a spot at the opposite end near Scarlet. Nash stood beside Elias.
Since this was my first time in the Glade without hiding who I was, part of me expected at least a flicker of recognition in Elias Wylder’s gray eyes. But his dead stare cut right through me, cold and unreadable as ever.
“Our guard will accompany you as far as possible without being seen by Mageia’s sentries.
Once you’re on the property, the four of you are on your own.
” Elias’s commanding voice echoed through the room.
“You have access to our weaponry, but only take what is necessary. If you are caught, Kalluri will most likely exile you to the Barrens. You are not to mention that you were here. Is that understood?”
After we agreed, the room buzzed with discussion about how to enter the castle undetected.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
I couldn’t stop wondering how the Glade and the Hollow had operated right under Kalluri’s nose all these years.
With the unrest on our side of the Barrens, how had Tyria not wiped us all out already?
Our future felt like it was hanging by the thinnest thread.
Nash spoke up, glancing briefly at my sister. “We’ll stake out near the northern exit of the castle, at what they call the Sanctuary.” He outlined the entry plan we’d discussed yesterday. “We’ll have one hour to get in, complete the mission, and get out.”
“You do not return here afterward,” Elias added.
“Restock your rations for the journey back to Hollow Summit. The dragons must take extra precautions in the valley—if they’re encountered or sensed by the wrong bonded.
..” He cracked his knuckles, then looked down the table.
His gaze landed on Rhodes. “Wylder, see me before you head out.”
Rhodes nodded. “Yes, sir.”
I opened my mouth again, but no words formed. The discussion carried on. No one seemed to notice Elias Wylder slip from the room.
Someone tapped my arm. I turned—it was Scarlet.
“Hey, you okay?” she whispered.
My eyes narrowed, anger simmering to a boil. “And why the fuck wouldn’t I be okay?” I practically hissed.
She recoiled as if I’d struck her. “I felt… you know what? Never mind.” Rolling her eyes, she returned to her seat.
My gaze snapped back to the door Elias had disappeared through.