A COURT OF SHIFTERS AND SECRETS

F O U R T Y - N I N E

NOVA

"There must be someone we can trust?" I looked down at the blueprint of the Lupine Mansion the twins managed to find in my father's office "Someone we can ask for help."

"We're on our own here Star" Nix said, his hand dragging from one end of the map to the other "Is there anyway to get from this point to that point without the Creature noticing?"

"No," Nico said following Phoenix's movements "We would have to pass through an open field in order to get the stables and even then, the stables are large enough to cover our entire group."

"How about we break up into two groups?" Atlas asked "Group Alpha will be the distraction while Group Beta make a break?"

"It's kind of hard to do that when it's specifically tracking Nova" Teo said "It's not like we can clone her and drag her with us."

"What if it's tracking her scent?" Kassian surmised "Can we confuse it by using some of her clothes?"

"I don't think so" Nix crossed his arms "From what you told me, it seems like they're using some sort of blood magik to track her."

"They used blood magik to summon the damn thing" Kassian frowned "I don't think they're using it to track her."

"We can't take that risk" Nix shook his head "We only get one shot at this and we can't leave it up to chance."

I looked down at the map "I have an idea."

I felt three specific sets of eyes burning holes into the side of my head.

"I could join the distraction team..."

"Don't even finish that sentence" Phoenix warned with a low growl "We are not letting you out of our sight."

"Like you said," I looked at him "We only get one shot at this. While I distract the creature, you three could escape and go get reinforcements. We need all the help we could get if it we're going to face this creature."

"As talented as they are" Atlas winced as his eyes slid to his brother and the twins "I don't necessarily trust them with you."

"Why not?" I countered "You said it yourself, you've trained your brother to be an Heir guard so I know he's highly skilled. As for the twins..."

"As for the twins I know that they wouldn't let anything happen to me" I looked at them and noticed that they not only tensed but stood a tad bit straighter than usual "They're named the Butchers for a reason."

All three of them shook their head simultaneously.

"Why not?" I demanded "This is the best option we have so far."

"Too dangerous" Nix said, his tone conveying the end of discussion "You need to be with us. We're the only ones that can protect you."

"That's what Atlas thought" I pointed to the big oaf "And look where that got him? Comatose for nearly two weeks."

"Hey!"

I ignored his indignant shout of protest "They can protect me while you go for help."

Nix's blue eyes flashed "Absolutely not."

"I need a reason Phoenix" I jutted my chin at him "This is the best plan we've come up with so far. Why are you so against it?"