Page 48 of Gryphon’s Fire

“She is,” Lazarus calmly answered. “I will contact her again later, closer to the time we depart.”

Jima, now perched on the edge of a nearby chair, scooted closer still, nearly falling off the edge. “So, you’re really going?” He tugged on his bottom lip with his upper teeth. “I’d hoped… Well, I’d just kind of been hoping there was another option.”

“As we all did,” Tabitha said while leaning over and patting Jima’s leg. “It is unfortunate another path has not shown itself.”

“I don’t like it,” Eldon whispered, words barely audible. “I still think I should be the one that⁠—”

“No.” I quickly cut Eldon off. “In your current condition, you’d have no hope of defeating Jaakobah. Besides, the flight still believes you are responsible for Mother’s death. You would be arrested the moment you land.” My voice softened. “I know it’s difficult, but for now, you’re safest here. I would worry too much if you left the protection of the barrier.” The fact that I already had Phina to worry about was left unsaid.

Eldon’s shoulders dropped in defeat. I didn’t like his reluctant nod or shame-filled silence. I could worry about bolstering Eldon’s ego after the threat had been eliminated.

“When are you leaving?” Martin asked.

Lazarus answered for me. “Tonight.”

“T-tonight?” No longer able to remain seated, Jima jumped up, twisting his fingers together. “That soon?”

I shook my head. “I’m afraid I’ve put it off long enough. The sooner we leave, the sooner this situation is resolved. No good can come from putting it off any longer.” Waiting this long had been a strategic measure. Jaakobah would have become suspicious had I acquiesced any sooner. In Jaakobah’s mind, Lulabelle’s visit, along with the threat of my grandmother’s flight’s response and their desire for Eldon’s head, was the driving force behind my acceptance. Jaakobah believed he’d maneuvered me into a position in which I simply couldn’t refuse—not if I wanted to protect my brother and sister.

In a sense, Jaakobah wasn’t wrong. There had been no other option. There was, however, a loophole. One that I intended to exploit. One that Jaakobah’s arrogance wouldn’t allow him to contemplate.

“How will you get there?” Martin asked. “Will you fly on your own or take an airplane?”

“We’ll take my private jet,” Lazarus answered. “It’s been sitting at the airport since I arrived. I’ve already contacted the pilot and he’s prepping the jet as we speak.”

“I’m sorry, Martin,” I said. “I realize this is leaving you in a bind. I’ll need for you to take over running the Magical Usage Council for the foreseeable future.” There really was no other choice.

Martin waved me off. “I’ll be fine.”

“And I’ll help,” Grayson eagerly said before deflating a little. “Although I’m not really sure what that means.” That earned him another kiss on the head.

“I can help, dear,” Tabitha offered. “I’ve some knowledge, although not nearly as much as our Martin.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief oozing through those two simple words. “I wouldn’t be able to go if I knew I wasn’t leaving the council in such capable hands. I can’t express how⁠—”

“I’m going with you,” Jima suddenly stated, pulling every gaze in the room toward him. Standing, Jima’s shoulders were thrown back, his arms crossed and his chin jutted out.

Lazarus and I shared a confused glance before I turned my attention back to Jima. “I don’t think that’s a⁠—”

“You’re going to tell me it’s a bad idea.” Jima stepped closer, wagging his finger in my face. “Last time we spoke, you said yourself that you suspect Jaakobah is likely to try something. You need someone stealthy to do recon. Someone sneaky and unexpected.” Crossing his arms again, Jima leaned back on his heels, eyebrows raised. “Do you even know where your sister is?”

“I… No. I don’t.” I turned to my brother. “Eldon?”

Unfortunately, Eldon shook his head. “I know where she should be. That doesn’t mean it’s where she is. Jaakobah’s probably moved her by now. He’ll tell the rest of the flight it’s for her own safety, considering what I supposedly did to our mother and the fact that I’m still on the loose.”

Jima’s expression was triumphant. “See? You need me. I can help.”

“You should do no such thing.” My hackles instantly rose when Helios’s voice dropped into the room. I had no idea when he appeared. One second, he wasn’t there and the next, he was standing behind Jima, a distinct scowl on his face. “It is far too dangerous.”

Jima whirled, hands clenched into fists at his side. “It’s what I do. It’s my job. A job I’ve allowed grief to delay too long.”

Helios slashed a hand through the air. “I will not allow it.”

Gasps rang through the air, not the least of all was Jima’s. “You won’t allow it? What the fuck does that mean? You’re not the boss of me.”

Lips thinning, two of Helios’s tattoos flared to life. Tabitha cautioned, “Jima, perhaps you should calm and⁠—”

“I will not calm down! Helios doesn’t have a say in what I do or don’t do.”