reserves they have, though there will be few from either of those places.” He started pacing his cell as though Nalani wasn’t even there. It was like he was talking to himself. “Silas will move first to destroy the Blue Gate, I’m sure. Then he’ll march to Elysium to gather support from the Erellens, but they’ll have to agree to allow him to destroy the Green Gate. But when he gets their support, they’ll march with us to Mudavé.” Satisfied with his assessment, he smiled and looked up at Nalani.
“Who do you want for your taskforce?” she asked.
“You and the mercenaries,” he said.
“Inga will want to be near Silas. They’ve been training together and Silas will need more guidance with his magical powers.”
“Fine. All of you minus Inga.” He seemed disappointed.
“What else are you planning?”
“I need to look into something in Mudavé,” he answered. “I killed Mintuk last night, so that should only leave two Sleepers, Marcus and a man named Damon. They’re planning something against Silas, I know they are.”
“How do you know this?”
“Because, I would if I were one of them. It will be their last stand. They’re going to bring everything they’ve got to take him down.”
“You know Darius won’t be happy that we’re planning to release you, much less let you lead a group to Mudavé,” she said.
“I know,” he said, looking down at his feet. “I had the man strung up to be executed. He has the right to wish I’d rot. But if he wants the support of Farlaweer, then he doesn’t have a choice.”
A long pause stood between them. Julian was right. The Dunarians needed all the help they could get. Imprisoning Julian had only been an act of fleeting anger. It was unrealistic to think Darius would be granted his retribution in a war like this. Julian was one of their biggest allies, despite his ignorant conflict with the council members.
Even though their romantic relationship could never be rekindled, she couldn’t help but miss what they used to have. Being near Julian brought up old feelings that she no longer wanted from him though. He used to make her feel safe, but that felt like a lifetime ago.
Julian looked at her with regret in his eyes, and a longing that he should have known she could not fulfill. “We can make it work, Nalani. It’s not too late for us.”
“But it is too late, Julian.”
“Why?”
She stepped a foot backward.
“Nalani, we’re about to win this together! Soon, this will all be over.”
She moved another step backward. For some reason she felt hot liquid sting her eyes. She had not imagined this would be so difficult.
“Nalani,” Julian called out.
“I’m sure someone will be by later to let you out.”
“Nalani!”
She turned sharply and walked out of the compound before he could see her tears fall.
Chapter Fifteen
Silas woke up the next morning feeling rested, but his mind continued to run wildly. The next part of his mission was clear. Today, the Blue Gate would be destroyed.
After breakfast, Dublin took Silas to where the others had assembled. All the leaders were together, including the previously imprisoned Julian. Silas was glad, yet somewhat surprised to hear that Julian would lead a reconnaissance group into Mudavé. Darius had been livid at the revelation, but ultimately decided to focus his rage on the fight to come.
It had been decided that Silas should go to the Blue Gate as discretely as possible, so he would only be accompanied by Inga and Kaden. Lorcan had wanted to join their group, but to Silas’ relief, Kaden reminded the Erellen that he was a wanted man in Elysium, and that would be their next destination after the Blue Gate.
Coffman placed a large hand on Lorcan’s shoulder. “We’re not going into Mudavé yet. We’re just checking it out.” Lorcan said nothing, probably knowing he would come across as weak as he had three months before when he had been too afraid to enter the Stühoc city. Silas remembered the tale told to him by Inga, that Lorcan had been captured and tortured by the Stühocs when he was a child. Whenever the demon-like creatures came near him, the warrior became nearly useless.
“Inga, we could really use your help out there,” Julian said.
“Silandrin was insistent that I help Silas,” she said. “But I’m sure we will see you very soon.”
Julian nodded, knowing there wasn’t much use in trying to convince her to come. Her abilities would have come in handy though.
Darius Umar remained behind at Jekyll