Page 158 of Highland Spy

But if the plan didn’t work, they could all end up dead.

Then again, if they fought hand-to-hand against the guards, they could still end up dead.

“It just might work.” Connor nodded to himself as a plan began to form in his mind. “Percy, see what ye have in yer stores to make Ariana look like she has powers. If anything needs to be detonated or thrown, have Isabel do it from the safety of the shadows.”

Both women nodded.

“We’ll need to let Ariana know somehow,” Liv said. “The more she can act like a witch, the better this shall go.” She scratched the kitten’s chin. “Leave that part to me and Fianna.” The gray cat lifted her chin and gave in to the stroking affection with a squinting look of exquisite happiness.

Percy studied Fianna. “Are you sure she’s ready?”

Liv shrugged. “Now is as good a time as ever to try.”

“Sylvi and Delilah.” Both women turned to look at Connor. “I want ye to act as guards against the king’s soldiers. Ensure nothing goes wrong.”

“I can take on the guards myself and distract the king,” Sylvi said with a slight frown.

Delilah regarded her with a long look. “Yes, the king will need to be distracted. I’d like to—”

“Delilah.” Sylvi stared at her. “You don’t have to do this. I know what he did to you.”

“There are questions I should have asked him a long time ago.” Delilah’s face appeared pale despite the bravado of her words. “Now seems the right time. And the perfect distraction.”

Something uneasy settled in the pit of Connor’s gut.

Then there was just Cora.

Connor glanced around her room to find his sister.

“Where did Cora get off to?” he asked.

The other women searched the room as well and confirmed Connor’s sudden fear.

Cora was missing.

Chapter 38

Connor was a visitor in his own chamber.

He sat in a large chair in front of the fire, awaiting the king, who had quickly commandeered the room as his own.

Cora still had not been found despite their search effort.

All the remaining possibilities of where she might be left Connor with more anxious energy than his body could stand. His foot bounced against the floor.

Perhaps she had hid in the walls like Isabel, preparing her own attack on the king.

Or maybe she was among the soldiers, playing hostess, though he did not consider the idea any more likely than that Ariana was a real witch.

Or mayhap Cora was meeting with the king herself, to further vouch for Connor’s innocence—which could also explain why he had been summoned.

The door opened and the king walked in.

Alone.

Connor hadn’t been alone with the king since he’d first been offered the opportunity to become the king’s assassin.

The realization did not bring fond memories.