"In theory, yes."
Right now, theory was all we had. "How soon could you start making half a dozen sets of these stones?"
Kiandra blew out a breath. "Mirri is our priority —"
"I know," I cut in. "I meant once Mirri is safe."
"A few days, at the very least. And only if Ilianna is willing to be involved in their creation."
I frowned at the odd note in Kiandra's voice. Ilianna didn't immediately reply, but her expression had clouded over. She looked… wary. Scared.
"Ilianna," I immediately said, "you don't have to do this. We can find another way."
I might not know what was wrong, but I didn't want – in any way – to put her in a position that would give the Brindle some sort of hold over her. Because I suspected that was what was involved. That her staying there, creating magic, would be a step onto a road and life that Ilianna had fled when she was a teenager. A path that Zaira had said, not so long ago, would find her daughter again.
"Are these stones really necessary?" she asked eventually. Her voice was even, but her expression was still troubled.
"The Raziq snatched me again tonight." I hesitated, but she had the right to know exactly what we were all facing. "They threatened to not only kill everyone I care about, but make them ghosts. If these stones don't work —"
"Heaven help us," she finished, then nodded. "Fine. Once we unravel the energy imprisoning Mirri, I'll help the Brindle make the aural wards."
I couldn't help but give a silent sigh of relief. Ilianna might well be stepping onto that path, but better that than her being dead. Or worse, a ghost. "Thanks, Ilianna."
She nodded. "Anything else?"
I hesitated. "Yes, but it doesn't matter now given you can't really leave Mirri —"
"Just tell me what you need," she cut in, voice flat. "If I can help, I will."