Olivier was not happy.

After Imogen's speech, which had thoroughly impressed Sebastian, they joined the others in the man's quarters. Ajax had moved him there while the potion Siren brewed slowly thawed him from Imogen's misguided charm.

He was laid out, stiff as a board, on his bed. The stone casing covering his skin had begun to fade, but Siren theorized it would be another hour or two before he could move again.

The only part of his body he could move was his face—which was currently sporting a rather peeved expression as he glared at Imogen. His lips were puckered into a tight frown, his brows drawn close together.

"I'm so sorry," Imogen told him as they all stood at his bedside. "I really didn't mean to turn you into a statue."

Since Olivier's head was no longer a marble bust, he was able to respond. He screwed his face at the girl. "What was the plan then?"

"Just to freeze you for a bit."

He laughed dryly. "Well, mission accomplished."

"If it helps any," Sebastian started, "she had a valid reason for freezing you."

He cut his golden eyes to him. "Oh really? And what would that reason be, Sebastian?"

Smiling sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his neck. He stepped behind Imogen. "Go on. Tell him why you did it."

She shot him a betrayed look before shaking her head. "Gee, thanks."

"No problem."

Imogen rolled her eyes before directing her attention to Olivier. "In retrospect, the charm might have been overkill, but I had to get my message out."

"Your...message?"

"I spoke to the magicians."

He took a pause.

Everyone in the room exchanged apprehensive looks. Even Ajax looked a bit anxious.

"You did what?!" Olivier exploded. His face was redder than a phoenix's feather.

"I know what you said, but I had to," she explained quickly. "No offense, but your speech wasn't going to convince anyone to join us."

Olivier looked to the others in the room. No one met his gaze, not even his own son. The man pursed his lips at his boy. He simply shrugged at his old man.

"What can I say? She's got a point. We need people to get on board with the mission. You know Thorian has his sympathizers. He's always had them."

Imogen nodded. "That's why I needed to say something."

"What exactly did you say?" Ajax asked her, his green eyes narrowed.

She hesitated. "My brain was kind of running on autopilot so I don't have a complete transcript of—"

"She revealed that she was a halfling to the entire magician world," Sebastian revealed nonchalantly. "She told them about how she's come to appreciate our world as an Ordiniare and how she wishes to protect it. She told everyone about what we've all been through these last couple of weeks—our journey to Hodvekt, the siege in Thania, the battle in Vashara.

The color drained from Olivier's face. "She did what?"

"I'm not finished," Sebastian said, his tone annoyed. "She also called those who refused to fight cowards. In her words, 'if an Ordinaire with four weeks of magic training can stand up to the Order, why can't you?'. It was pretty amazing, honestly. Bold, but genius when you think about it. Even I was inspired by it all."

Siren smiled at Imogen. "Sounds like she did a good job."

Beside her, Ajax huffed. "What makes you think the Eldairs are going to want to fight alongside an Ordinaire. A halfling, at that." His eyes widened. "Please tell me you didn't tell them you're father's an Arkangel."

"Relax," she replied. "I'm not stupid. I didn't tell them that part. I just said my father was an Ordinaire and my mother was a Solair."

"Good," Ajax said. "Maybe we'll still get a few stragglers to join our ranks."

Sebastian shrugged. "You never know. We might get more than you think."

"We'll see."

"If they won't fight with us just because I'm not a pureblooded magician, or whatever asinine term you guys have for people like me, then we don't want them on our side anyway." Imogen's lip twitched, her nostrils flaring as she spoke. It was almost as if the very thought of other magicians discriminating against her due to her heritage ignited a deep rage within her. "The ones we want on our side will come. I know they will."

"We're already kind of strapped for allies," Siren said, her tone cautious.

"Imogen kind of has a point," Remy added. "I mean, it's the Solairs we need on our side. Sure, we might miss out on a few Eldairs, but they're not the ones who will help turn the tide."

She nodded gratefully at the boy. "Thanks, Rem."

He side-eyed her. "I'm still mad at you for turning my dad into a statue."

"Understandable."

"You'd better hope your little message worked," Ajax said harshly. "Or else our deaths will be on your hands. That was our only way to secure a large number of troops and you might have just blown it."

Imogen grinned. "Not the only way."

Siren tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Sebastian lifted an inquisitive brow at her. "Yeah, what do you mean, Imogen?" She hadn't mentioned any other ideas she had to get recruits when they were still in the council room. She had just asked if he trusted her. He would have thought her honesty would've come with his trust.

"I've been thinking... Who are the only people on this planet, besides other magicians of course, who can fight against magic?"

A pang of dread stabbed Sebastian's heart. Eyes wide, he faced the girl beside him. He shook his head at her.

"No," he said.

She frowned, her forehead creasing. "No?"

"I know what you're getting at. The answer is no."

"Why not? Siren just said it herself; we're strapped for allies."

"We will not be going to them for help. End of discussion."

Her lips twisted into a snarl. "No! Not end of discussion. We don't have the luxury to be picky right now. We need all the help we can get."

"Alright," Siren interrupted. "I'm a little confused. Who is she referring to?"

Ajax crossed his arms. "The Arkangels."

Remy flinched backward at the mention of the magician hunters. "No way." He shook his head, his brown curls flying around his face. "Nuh-uh. Nope. Not happening." He pointed a shaking finger at Imogen. "It's official. She's insane."

"I'm not insane," she argued. "If we want to beat the Order, they might be useful."

"Look, I know you didn't grow up a magician like us so you wouldn't know about the things the Arkangels have done to our people for centuries," Sebastian explained to her. "But under no circumstance will we ever—and I mean ever—go to them for help."

There mere thought of it nearly sent him into a frenzy. He could feel his blood boiling beneath his skin as the corner of his eye twitched.

He couldn't believe she had even suggested that. It was a ludicrous idea. The Arkangels? He almost laughed at the absurdity of it. There was no way in Nordor they would ally themselves with those psychopaths.

For centuries, they hunted magicians like they were wild game—capturing and torturing them to learn the secrets of magic. They even discovered ways to harness magic with tainted weapons and artifacts, using their wicked power to murder casters all over the world. The Arkangels were monsters in every sense of the word.

They wouldn't go to them for help.

They couldn't.

"I'm sure they're not all bad," Imogen suggested.

Ajax stomped up to her. "Not all bad? The Arkangels were responsible for a fire on one of House Brynjir's villages a few years ago. Women and children died before it was put out. And here you are trying to tell me they aren't all that bad?"

She stepped away from him. "I mean, there has to be a reason for the grudge between you guys. Right? They didn't just wake up one day hating magicians."

"That doesn't matter."

"Uh, I think it does."

Ajax turned to Sebastian. "Get your girl, Seb."

He squinted at the ginger. Lifting his chin slightly, he eyed the tall battlemage curiously. "Back off, Washington. I won't tell you again."

"Or what? We both know you can't beat me in a duel."

"Wanna test out that theory?"

Siren swiftly moved between the two of them. "Boys, boys. Now is not the time for a testosterone showdown." Behind her, Remy snickered as he watched them bicker.

"Testosterone showdown," he parroted between laughs. "That's hilarious. I've gotta use that one sometime."

Siren flashed him a smile.

From the bed, Olivier cleared his throat. Suddenly, all eyes were on him again.

"As much as it pains me to say this," he began, "Imogen has a point."

Everyone's eyes widened. Even Imogen was surprised at his admission.

"Wait, I do?"

He nodded gravely. "We don't often teach our children the true reason for the conflict between our people and the Arkangels. It didn't just happen one day. Dozens of misunderstandings, unfortunate events, and reckless leaders on both sides led us to where we are today."

"Why don't you teach that stuff then? It kind of seems important to understanding the context of why you're always at war with each other."

"We don't teach it because it doesn't always paint magicians in a great light."

"So, you're worried more about image than making sure history doesn't repeat itself."

Olivier smiled—but it wasn't one of happiness. "You seem to be forgetting that magicians are still human beings. We, too, have our flaws and shortcomings."

Imogen relaxed, her steely expression fading from her face. "You're right. Sorry."

"No need to apologize," he told her. "It's about time someone called out our hypocrisy if I'm being totally honest."

"What are you trying to say?" Ajax demanded. "That somehow we're at fault for the Arkangels hunting our people?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. What I meant is that both sides are equally at fault. Imogen may be onto something with trying to reach out to them for assistance. Though, I'm not truly certain if an alliance with them at this point is feasible. Not only would it be risky to send any magicians to make contact with them, but it also might be a total waste of time."

They all went silent as they contemplated the man's words.

Sebastian agreed with him. He didn't always.

The causes and origins of the conflict between magicians and their hunters were irrelevant. At the end of the day, they were still at war and they always would be. Sebastian wasn't sure if peace could ever be made between them. Too much blood had been split—all of his was bad. There was too much disrespect, too much turmoil, to ignore.

Not that he wanted peace anyway. The Arkangels didn't deserve it.

While he didn't agree with his father's philosophy regarding Ordinaires, he wouldn't have minded letting the man and the Order of the Black Lotus destroy every single one of those hunters. A few torture sessions with the Shades would also be in order.

A wicked smile spread across his lips at the thought.

He shook his head, immediately removing the look from his face.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help but think like them. For years, he tried to rebel against his upbringing. Against what his father and the Shades taught him. But their dogmas were too ingrained in his brain. He feared he would never truly escape.

A shiver passed through him.

He feared he would eventually turn into his father.

The thought inspired many of his nightmares. He would sometimes find himself gazing into a black mirror and see Thorian staring back at him. His father would laugh and goad him, encouraging him to accept his heritage; his destiny seemed all but inevitable in those dreams. There seemed to be nothing he could do to prevent it.

He would try to smash the mirror or destroy it with a spell, but all it ever did was make the image more and more distorted yet realistic at the same time. All he could do was scream until he woke up in a cold sweat, alone in his room for yet another night.

Deep down, he would always be a Shade. A child of darkness. He knew it. Still, he wouldn't stop fighting it until his last breath.

He wouldn't become his father. He just wouldn't.

"Let me do it then," Imogen finally said.

Snapping out of the shadows of his mind, Sebastian's ears perked at her words. Everyone was staring at her now, but she hadn't seemed to notice. Her intense stare was focused only on Olivier, who was analyzing her silently in his bed.

"You don't want to risk magicians," she continued. "I get that. Let me make contact with the Arkangels. I'll convince them to join us."

"Oh yeah?" Ajax snorted. "And how're you going to do that?"

"I'll figure it out."

"They'll kill you before you even get to them."

"You'd just love that, wouldn't you?"

"Your words, not mine."

An agitated noise rumbled in the base of Sebastian's throat before he whipped his head toward his friend. "Look, you need to drop the attitude, alright? Imogen's dad is an Arkangel. Who cares!? All that matters is that she isn't. She's on our side. She wants to help. The sooner you get that through that thick head of yours the better."

"What did you just say about my head?"

"That's what you got from what I just said? Seriously?"

The two of them stomped up to each other, their foreheads pressed together as they silently glowered at one another. Sebastian was a split-second away from slamming his fist into the other boy's chin. By the look on Ajax's face and how hard he was clenching his hands, the same could have been said for him. As the two of them faced-off, the two girls behind them rolled their eyes simultaneously.

"Boys," they both said, equally unimpressed.

"Hey, I'm not like that!" Remy protested. He folded his arms as he stuck his bottom lip out. "Some of us are normal, okay?"

"You're the exception, Rem," Siren said while draping an arm around his shoulders. She ruffled his curls and he grinned at her like an enthusiastic puppy.

"Yeah, we were mostly talking about these two neanderthals over here," Imogen joked while gesturing at Sebastian and Ajax.

He scowled at her before jamming his hands into his pockets. Had he stuffed them any harder, he would've run the risk of tearing the black fabric. "Sorry for defending you. Won't happen again."

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. A hint of blush hid behind her bronze cheeks. "Thank you, really, but you don't have to. Ajax doesn't scare me."

"I don't?" The ginger lifted his chin at her quizzically. "You sure? I'd like to think I'm pretty scary."

"Nah," she replied with a small smile. "I've handled worse than you."

He nodded slowly before smiling himself. Then he rubbed the back of his neck while squashing an imaginary bug on the floor with his shoe. "Seb's right, though. You're on our side. I just...I dunno, I've had a lot of bad experiences with the Arkangels. After you told us your old man was one...I just couldn't help but think you'd betray us."

"I would never."

"I'm holding you to that."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Olivier cleared his throat, bringing the attention back to himself. He peered at Imogen for a moment, the imaginary gears in his head seemingly turning as he mulled over her proposal.

Sebastian had to admit, it was pretty bold of her to suggest that she be sent out to seek The Arkangel's help. She might have had a connection with them due to her father, but she was also a magician. There was no way to guarantee her safety if she went alone.

An idea materialized before him.

"I appreciate your eagerness," Olivier began, "but I cannot, in good conscience, send you out on a mission like this. Not on your own. And, as you said, we are not in the position to risk any more of our forces for something like this."

"She won't be going alone."

Now everyone's eyes were on Sebastian. Imogen stared at him, her eyebrows raised. A hint of surprise mixed with glee could be seen on her face. Pushing down a smile of his own, he kept his expression even as he looked at Olivier.

"What are you implying Sebastian?"

"I'll go with her," he answered. "Make sure she doesn't get herself into too much trouble."

"I'm sorry, but we need you here. If the Order attacks—"

"I can't just stay here and wait for that to happen," he interrupted. "As much as I'd love to fight a couple of Shades, I have to be out doing something in the meantime. We need something to help us turn the tide in this fight. Look, if you get any sign of the Order preparing an attack on the palace, Imogen and I will be back as soon as possible."

Behind him, Ajax squinted at his friend.

"Didn't you just say you would never go to The Arkangel's for help?"

"Opinions change."

"True, but you literally said that a few minutes ago," Remy noted.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Rem." The boy grumbled something under his breath. "Just because I'm agreeing to do this doesn't mean I'm happy about it. But let's face it, guys. Imogen's right. The Arkangels might be useful in this fight. They have numbers. They have weapons that can be used against magicians. With them on our side, we just might be able to defeat my father and his new army."

"Let's say you do find them," Olivier said. "Who's to say they don't kill you as soon as you do?"

"We'll deal with that when it comes."

Olivier thought for a moment. Sebastian silently prayed that the man would agree to let them go.

"Two people. That's not a very large task force," Siren said. "You sure you don't want to take someone else? I wouldn't mind going..."

"No, you're staying here," Ajax immediately said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. Her cheeks flushed as she averted her gaze elsewhere. "They can find someone else to join them on this suicide mission."

Imogen turned to Sebastian. "Siren's right. Two people isn't a lot."

"You can't take any Eldai," Olivier told them. "We need as many magicians protecting the palace as possible."

Sebastian nodded with an air of annoyance. "Yeah, I got it." He rubbed his chin as he mulled over who else could possibly accompany them on their search for the Arkangels. As he racked his brain for any person who Olivier would let leave the palace with them, one person came to mind.

He scowled.

Imogen tilted her head at him. "You found someone, didn't you?"

He blew air from his nose while folding his arms. Going to The Arkangels for help was one thing, but asking this person for help was another. He would eventually get over going to them—especially if they ended up joining them in the fight against his father. But asking the mutt for help?

It made him cringe.

Not only was it humiliating, but he didn't want to see the smug look on the werewolf's face when he realized he was needed.

"I really don't want to ask him."

"Too bad. We need the help. Olivier won't let us go until we find one more person to go with us."

Groaning, he ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Fine." He threw one last look at Olivier. "We'll leave tomorrow. I'll try to get us back as soon as possible."

Still frozen in place, the man did his best to nod. As Sebastian and Imogen moved toward the door of the room, the Lumaian magician stopped them. He glanced at him over his shoulder, curiosity written all over his face.

"Yes?"

"Please...be safe out there."

"Of course." He looked at the others—Ajax, Siren, and Remy. The trio peered back at him with apprehensive looks on their faces. "We'll be back before you know it. Hold the fort while we're gone."

Ajax held out his hand. He took it.

"You come back."

"I will. Someone's gotta make sure you don't get yourself killed."

The big battlemage snorted back a laugh. The two of them shook hands one last time. Siren rushed over to him and wrapped him up in a huge. He returned the gesture, careful not to overdo it. He knew how Ajax could get.

As he said goodbye to Remy, he couldn't help but feel a shift. Almost as if he wasn't going to see them again. The uncertainty of the mission was beginning to set in. He and Imogen truly didn't know what they were about to walk themselves into. Them dying was almost as certain as them succeeding.

That didn't matter, though. They had to do something.

Shifting his weight uncomfortably, Sebastian nodded again. "Take care of yourselves." He turned to Imogen. "C'mon."

"Where we going?"

His mouth warped into a deep frown as he pointed at the ground.

"Let's take a trip downstairs."