it because I want it to be, or because it is? I don’t know.”
“Nor do I.”
“They bring death, madness, pain, grief. While they exist, that won’t stop. Petra and Allegra won’t stop until I stop them.” She shook it off. “But it won’t be today. What we stopped today is part of them, but only part. Your idea?”
“Duncan and I discussed the problem of prisoners. The numbers—and how those numbers will increase. How much of our troops, resources are involved in keeping them.”
“We can hardly eliminate them.”
“There are places, islands. Remote, all but inaccessible to non-magickals. Places with natural resources. Food, materials to build shelters. Land that could be farmed and grazed.”
“Island prisons.”
“Ones more easily supervised, again remotely. Provide them with basic tools, materials. Their life would be what they make of it.”
“Saving us from using troops and medicals to guard and treat, resources to feed and clothe. Do you have locations in mind?”
“I do.”
“I’d like to see them. If we do this, we should start with prisoners we feel are capable of living without locks and walls to hold them. Travis and other empaths could help select the first we placed. Some will have families, Mallick.”
“Yes.”
“Then they and their families can be given the choice.” She shoved a hand through her hair. “God, if we can relocate even a few hundred for now, it would relieve some of the strain.”
“Some will swear allegiance to you.”
“And some will mean it. Those who do increase our number. How many were forced to fight? How many didn’t know what they did in there? How many pretended not to know? And how many knew and deemed it good? We’ll find out.”
She studied him then, realized he looked tired, a little worn around the eyes. “I need to go to Arlington, see the rescues, the troops, then home. New Hope. Eighty-two I led from New Hope this morning won’t go home again. Some of them had families.”
“They’ll be mourned and honored.”
“They will. Does Duncan know the islands you have in mind?”
“I showed him.”
“All right, he can show me. You go back to the cottage.”
Surprise crossed his face, followed quickly by annoyance. “I don’t believe my usefulness ends this day.”
“No, and because it doesn’t, because I need you, go home, Mallick. One week. It’s what my father calls R and R. Take a week, tend the bees, drink wine by the fire. Then come back to me.”
“And you, girl, do you take a week for bees and wine?”
“I’m damn well going to take a day or two. A week for you, old man.” Before he could evade it, she wrapped her arms around him. “I’ll need your guidance, your strength. Please, take a week.”
He touched a hand to her hair. “Then take the two days.”
“Deal. Starting tomorrow. Now I need to find Colin, take him back to Arlington. Should I have someone bring your horse?”
“I can get my own horse. Bright blessings on you, Fallon Swift.”
“And on you, Mallick of Wales.”
He flashed away, and she went inside.
She found not only Colin but Flynn and Starr in the Residence, divvying up cups and plates. And with Flynn, standing close to his side, a wolf.
Not yet full grown, she noted, a smoky gray with gold eyes that shifted to her, watched.
“Flynn.”
He turned, teacups in his hands, bruises on his left cheek, dried blood on his right.
“He came to me only yesterday,” he told her. “He walked out of the wood, and waited for me.” Flynn set the cups down, laid a hand on the wolf’s head. “He’s from Lupa. I can feel it. One of the sons of his sons, blood of his blood.”
“Yes, and he’s yours. His name?”
“He’s Blaidd.”
“Wolf in Welsh.”
Beside Flynn, Starr, who rarely smiled at all, grinned. “Mallick sent him. Flynn felt it. Mallick sent him on the path to Flynn.”
“I want to tell him I’m grateful. There wasn’t time in the battle.”
“I’ve sent him to his cottage for a week. I wanted him to rest a few days.”
Satisfied, Flynn reached for more plates. “I’ll detour there on my way back to base.”
“I need you in New Hope now. Who can take your command?”
Flynn looked at Starr.
“Do you want it?” Fallon asked her, and at Starr’s nod, said, “The command’s yours. And with it I hope to send you a hundred resistance fighters.”
“Then you really are going to need all these fancy dishes,” Colin commented. “You’d better find something to use to carry them. Mick’s called for some of the cooking stuff. He wants