"I'm sure you've noticed that the Ironblade attacks have been happening more frequently, and with greater brutality than before," King Arius said. He crossed the room and paused in front of a table. Kalian waited until the King beckoned for him to approach. "This is a map of their latest attacks in the past two weeks. Each one brings them closer to the Faerie Lands."

    Kalian peered down at the map, noting where each of the red pins were stuck, and their proximity to the Vetiti Forest and the Faerie Lands beyond it. "As close as Sparrowhaven," he realized, glancing at Queen Iyan and her sister. The small city had been their home, back when they were still Human.

    Queen Iyan joined King Arius, offering a small nod. "Our scouts say the closest camp is just a few miles outside of Sparrowhaven, not quite within reach of the Vetiti."

    "You're worried they're going to cross," Kalian guessed. "They'd be stupid to try that. Even Humans know it's impossible to pass through those woods without Faerie protection."

    "If they're determined enough, they will find a way," Gabriel said. "Maybe they've taken Faeries hostage and plan to use them to make their way through the Vetiti. It could be they're under the protection of Witches who betrayed their own kind. Regardless of how they're going to do it, they still plan to."

    "Or, so it seems," Esen cut in, joining her brother.

    "Besides that, they've been moving their forces on the other side of the Striga Range," King Arius continued, pointing to another cluster of pins. "They're gathering their forces from all across Orphic and bringing them here. I believe they're planning a larger attack, and invading our lands is the first step. If they succeed, it could mean the end of our species as a whole."

    "Which brings us to why you're here." Queen Iyan's hazel green eyes fixed on Kalian. "We need someone experienced in spying and glamouring to infiltrate an Ironblade unit and learn anything they can about what the Ironblades are planning."

    Kalian rubbed his jaw, still staring at the map. "You want me to do it."

    "You were the best spy King Torin ever employed during his reign," Gabriel pointed out. "And he reigned for centuries. Besides that, we know how skilled you are with glamouring. You know how to make yourself look Human. You know how to act Human. You know how to blend in."

    "I know we're asking a lot," King Arius said. "The risks are...almost immeasurable."

    Gabriel lowered his eyes. "We don't have to tell him what the Ironblades are capable of. He already knows."

    Kalian tensed, the scars on his back and the outer folds of his wings burning as painfully as they had the day he received them. It was true. He knew the Ironblades' capabilities better than anyone. He probably did have a greater chance at infiltrating a unit and remaining undetected. But his own agenda would have to be set aside while he worked on this assignment.

    Then again, Kalian thought, I've been hunting this man for two years and still don't have a lead. I might learn something while working inside an Ironblade group. He lifted his gaze to the King's. "Have you asked anyone else?"

    King Arius shook his head. "Only you. Given the requirements and risks, I doubt there are many Faeries who would be willing to accept the mission."

    Kalian kept rubbing his jaw, mulling over his options. He could continue hunting the man who had killed his wife and daughter, running in circles as he chased one potential lead after another, or he could take this assignment. He could help prevent the possible extinction of his people and maybe, just maybe, learn something to help himself in the process.

    The King began to speak again, but Kalian didn't let the words register. "I'll do it," he said.

    "You'll...what?" King Arius' eyes widened in surprise, as though he'd already resigned himself to Kalian's rejection.

    "I'll do it," Kalian repeated. "You're right. I'm probably one of the only Faeries in existence who stands a chance at surviving and learning anything useful. I'll do it."

    "Even with the risks?" Queen Iyan asked. Her voice quieted. "This assignment could end in your death."

    "Then it is a good thing, your Majesty, that I have no desire to avoid death," he replied. In fact, he often believed he would welcome it. "I've fought in too many wars to see our people destroyed now, especially at the hands of Humans who drown themselves in our weakness to make themselves more powerful."

    "If you're sure..." King Arius began.

    "I'm sure. I'll do it."

    "Then I'd recommend integrating yourself into the unit stationed outside of Sparrowhaven. Reports say there's a Commander leading that group. A Commander will have more information about future plans than a Captain."

    And they might have information about past plans too, Kalian thought to himself. "Do you know which Commander?"

    King Arius shook his dark head. "No one seems to be able to figure out who it is yet. I trust you'll report to us when you find out?"

    "I'll report to you when I can," Kalian corrected. "I can't teleport myself or objects from place to place like you and Gabriel." Very few Faeries could. Teleportation was a rare gift that only the most powerful of Faeries were born with. "I'll have to send reports when I can contact a Witch to deliver them for me."

    "All right. Take every precaution available to you and contact us only when you're able. We'll have our own spies and scouts continue monitoring the Ironblades from the outside."

    Kalian bowed his head to the King and Queen. "Yes, your Majesties. I'll leave immediately." He spun on his heel and started back towards the door. Kalian was aware of Gabriel following him, but he didn't acknowledge the male.

    He entered the corridor and turned back the way he'd originally come, hoping to reach the front doors before Gabriel caught up to him. A sound overhead caught his attention. It was a laugh. A little girl's laugh. Kalian's head snapped up. Breath fled from his lungs as a small girl appeared at the top of the stairs.

    She spread her wings and hopped onto the banister, laughing with glee as she slid down to the main floor. Six years old, Kalian recalled. Her wings wouldn't be strong enough for her to attempt flying until she was eight, possibly older. That didn't seem to deter his young Princess any, just as it hadn't deterred Yara.

    Princess Rhosyn stumbled at the base of the stairs. Kalian reached out instinctively, grabbing her hand to steady her. She flashed him a toothy grin. "Thank you."

    "You should work on your balance, your Highness," Kalian murmured. "Landing is all about your ankles."

    "Yes, Sir." Princess Rhosyn pulled her hand from his and skipped down the hall. She vanished into the office shortly.

    Kalian straightened as Gabriel reached him. "You do still have a heart," the male chuckled.

    "Sometimes I wish I didn't," Kalian replied. "Then everything would hurt less."

    Gabriel's gaze darkened. "How have you been holding up?"

    "You know how." Kalian drifted towards the front doors.

    "I want to hear it from you personally." Kalian didn't answer. "Are you still hunting him?" Silence again. "Are you still torturing Ironblades for information? Killing them?"

    Kalian ignored the General and kept walking. A hand lashed out, snagging him by the arm. Kalian jerked away, wings flared and magic dancing at his fingertips. "Yes. Yes, I am still looking for that fucking bastard. Yes, I am still torturing and killing Ironblades for information. And no, I don't have any leads. No, I'm not any closer to finding him."

    "Then maybe it's time to stop looking."

    "You wouldn't be saying that if it was your wife who had been murdered."

    Gabriel shook his head. "I know you, Kal. This is eating at your soul. You won't find peace until you stop. Until you let it go and move on."

    "No, you knew me," Kalian corrected. "You don't anymore. I don't even know myself."

    "All the more reason to stop. Would Calandra want to see you like this? What would she say if she knew what..."

    "Stop," Kalian snarled. "Do not use her against me. Don't use either of them against me. I'm capable of doing that myself."

    "Kal..."

    "I will never let this go. I will never move on. I will never find peace. Not until the man who took them from me is gone and unable to hurt anyone else." He stormed down the walkway without another word.

    To his credit, Gabriel kept following. "All right. I'm sorry, Kalian. I won't pretend to understand what you've been going through. But I will say this. It's hard to picture the warm vibrant male you used to be when I look at the cold angry male you are now."

    "Every drop of warmth was stolen from me that night," Kalian murmured. "And no matter what I do, I can't seem to get it back. That's why I have to find him. I won't rest until he's paid for what he's done."

    They walked in silence for several minutes. At last, Gabriel asked, "Do you think you can pull off this assignment?"

    "I do. Why? Do you think I can't?"

    Gabriel smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I was the one who suggested we summon you."

    Kalian glanced at him, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Well, if I fail, at least I'm not the one who will be blamed."

    "If you fail, you'll be dead." Gabriel met his gaze. "Did you mean what you said to Iyan? You have no desire to avoid death?"

    "I meant it. If death came for me, I wouldn't fight to live."

    "Did you ever try to..."

    "Once." Kalian held up one arm, letting Gabriel see the ridged scar on his wrist. There was a matching scar on its counterpart. "Just a few days after they died. But a Witch found me and refused to let me bleed out. Meddlesome crone."

    "She has my gratitude."

    "I suppose she has mine too," Kalian sighed, stretching his wings. "She healed the burns on my wings and back as well. If she hadn't, I likely would've never been able to fly again." He lifted his face to the sky as a few drops of rain began to fall. "And that is the one thing that has kept me sane these past two years."

    "Hopefully doing something productive will help with that as well." Gabriel halted as they reached the gates. "Good luck, Kal. And be careful. Not even a Witch can bring you back if you're struck in the wrong place by a blade of iron."

    Kalian dipped his chin to the General. "I'll do my best." He continued past the gates alone and leaped into the air when he was a safe distance from the manor.