Page 38 of Fallen Court

“That’s all.” Ciara swallowed, glancing toward Roark. “What if this is our only chance? I should go.”

Roark’s eyes flashed, a rumble tearing from his chest in a single word: “No.”

“Why not?” She planted a hand on her hip as they stared each other down.

“Because none of you can risk getting dragged into this,” I said, stepping in before they both imploded. Even if she was in Dublin, it was still Hallow Court territory. “Oberon will have told his men to look out for you. If any of you is caught entering his city, you’ll be punished.”

Or worse.

“We can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Shaw said, straightening up and moving toward us. “It’s Cate.”

For once, I agreed with my brother.

Ciara rubbed the bridge of her nose. “We need more information so we can know if it’s safe to go after her.”

“That will take too long.” Each second we did nothing, Cate was in danger. “We know where she is now.” And each minute that we wasted, we risked losing track of her.

“You just said that none of us could risk it,” Ciara reminded me.

“None of you can,” I murmured, and Roark took a concerned step closer. I waved him off. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

“If Oberon doesn’t find you, the Hunt will.” Ciara shook her head. “Maybe we can send—”

“No one is going after her but me,” I said softly. My family was the only thing stopping me from nipping now. I couldn’t risk them following me. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“Your magic is being tracked,” she reminded me.

I looked between my sister and my best friend. “You need to stay here and get the bona fides spell stabilized. You’re the only one who can, and until you do, New Orleans is under threat from both Oberon and the Hunt.” I turned to Roark. “And I need you with her.”

He inclined his head, understanding what I wasn’t saying. Ciara had things under control for now, but there were plenty of creatures in the city who might see an untested princess as an opportunity.

“We can’t pretend that I’m not a dead man,” I continued, ignoring how the words made her lower lip tremble. “If it’s a trap, they’ll only have me. I’ve got nothing to lose.”

And everything to gain.

“And when you nip, you’ll have seconds before the Hunt finds you,” Shaw said.

More like minutes, if New York had taught me anything. But thanks to my family, I already knew a way around that. “Only if I use my magic.”

For a second, she just stared at me, her jaw slightly unhinged. “You can’t be serious.”

“If one of you nips me there, they won’t be able to trace me. Even Oberon won’t know I’m there,” I said as Ciara began to pace the room. “The Hunt will never expect me to go to Dublin, to enter another court. We’ll be on our way back before they can track me.”

“You won’t be able to use your magic while you’re there,” Roark said quietly.

The thought had occurred to me. “I know.”

Ciara paused to stare at me. “And meanwhile, you’ll be in a foreign court without access to your magic, without a glamour. You’ll be a sitting duck.”

“I won’t be going alone.” I patted the holster I wore under my jacket.

“Oberon will love that,” Ciara muttered.

Roark finally offered his opinion. “This is reckless.”

It was. I couldn’t deny that.

“But it might work,” he added.