Page 115 of Twist of Fate

“It preserves the advantage Luke created,” Tyson replied. “At present, Hale expects one human operative. If you arrive with your brothers, you announce that Luke has shared what he knows and confirm that the system works.”

“You would have me wait until someone attacks him.”

“I would have you avoid causing the attack yourself.”

The armory went quiet.

Connal’s hands curled against the edge of the table. Tyson did not retreat or lower his gaze. He had never been a warrior, but courage took more forms than Connal had once understood.

“What changes the order?” Keir asked.

Tyson turned back to the blueprint. “An unexpected armed presence. A lockdown. An evacuation. Anything suggesting Luke can no longer leave freely.” He glanced toward Connal. “Until one of those things happens, we remain here.”

Connal looked toward the waiting gargoyles. They had listened without interruption, their readiness unmistakable.

“If the report comes, my brothers and I will go. You will remain here and protect the king.”

Igneous frowned. “We can fight.”

“I know. But if this is meant to draw us into the human realm, Silenus will not be left unprotected.”

The gargoyle held Connal’s gaze, then bowed his head. “The king will be guarded.”

Zer folded his arms. “I dislike this plan.”

“So does everyone else,” Gomez said.

“That does not make it less objectionable.”

Asterius sighed. “For once, I find myself agreeing with Zer.”

“You agree with me frequently.”

“I rarely admit it.”

Their bickering moved around Connal without reaching him. He closed his eyes and stretched his awareness toward the connection that had drawn him to Luke from the moment they met.

He found only distance.

The realm stood between them, leaving behind an empty place where Luke should have been. Their unfinished bond could not bridge the distance between realms. The silence gave every fear room to grow.

If they stood within the same realm, Connal might have sensed the direction of his mate or known that he still lived. From here, he had nothing but trust.

A knock sounded against the armory door.

Connal’s eyes opened.

A castle messenger entered and crossed directly to Tyson. “Word from Koios.”

The message he carried was brief enough that Tyson read it at a glance.

“Well?” Connal demanded.

“The observers saw Luke’s vehicle arrive outside the building,” Tyson said. “No alarm, no unusual activity, and no sign that he was followed.”

Exactly as Gomez had predicted.

Connal looked down at the blueprint, fixing the building’s shape in his mind. Luke had reached Hale’s building and would soon be inside, facing a danger none of them could measure. Every instinct demanded that Connal tear open a portal and go to him.