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I nod “My father has to be our priority The rest of it can wait I don’t knoe’re going to get onto the coht It’s our only option, and we need to do it quickly” I clear my throat and sink down onto the chair next to Wolf “I’ to pretend I have a brilliant plan, but I’” I place the map of the compound I drew for Grace on the center of the table

It feels strange and a little uncomfortable to sit like this, all of us around the table, but better the table between us so nosex for the next three days I would love to be able to do that, but the longer ait, the higher the chance ical about this house It’s location of being out of the way and entirely unconnected to any of the vah to keep us off the radar for a few days, but it won’t last forever

We have towill have disconcerted my father and he’ll be desperate to reclaih to

At least we’re not reacting this ti We have to

I quickly update them on the information that Grace passed on Froed since I left, aside from increased patrols, and ould it? My father doesn’t seeto alter his world because Ifor him

It’s a mistake I hope we can exploit

“I would wager none of the soldiers he has onsite are powerful enough to be ht inconvenience for you” I point to a spot just south of the ate “This is where Grace spentthe place Because the coe points here, here and here” I touch each place with a finger

Malachi takes the pen from me and marks them with a small X “That will help”

“If you say so” The idea of stor the base with just Grace We should be able to get all the way to the heart of the co us

But that’s where it stops being easy

I stare at the drawing, searching it for anything I’ve missed It’s as detailed as I can reest issue is my father’s power”

“Yeah About that” Wolf’s pale blue gaze goes conteht?”

“Yes He can gla, I think But to use his commands, he has to speak the?”

Rylan druers on the table “Injury would be the easiest way It won’t stick long, not with how old and powerful he is, but even he would take a few seconds to heal a crushed larynx Maybe up to a minute if someone tears out his throat”

I know my father is powerful, of course I was raised under his thumb, and I’ve seen what he does to those less powerful than him In that compound, everyone is less powerful than he is Still, it feels particularly worrisome to have these vampires admit he’s a formidable foe It’s not new information, but it still sends a shiver down et close to his”

“Maybe” Malachi sits back, his chair groaning beneath hied attack, Wolf?”

Wolf shrugs, but it’s nowhere near the careless body language he nor tighter and tighter “I haven’t had reason to I’m out of practice”

Malachi hesitates, glances at hs “We should call in your sister” He holds up a hand when Wolf tenses “I know it’s not an ideal situation, but you can’t diagnose issues with your blood the way she can And she’s a better ranged attacker than you are by a long shot”

“My sister poisons blood” Soes into Wolf’s voice “You’re out of your damn mind, Mal She’s as likely to kill Mina as she is to help with anything There’s a reason I haven’t seen her in fifty years” He glances at me “You think I’m a loose cannon? My sister is worse”

He said so akin to pity then, but now I don’t knohat to think I look between the in their very serious expressions “It seereater risk than rewards”