Chapter 160: Help from a witch (ii)

Cassian walked into the study, his eyes immediately sweeping the people gathered inside.

"What is going on?" he asked, a frown on his forehead.

"Miranda?" Ares gestured to the priestess.

Cassian’s gaze slid to her as she rose to her feet with both hands clasped in front of her.

"I was giving a suggestion as to how we can get Ayla back from Lucius." She declared.

Cassian caught the eyes of his brothers. They seemed serious about this.

"And?" Cassian asked, desperation evident in his tone. "What did you suggest?"

"War was her brilliant idea," Damon said, and his voice dry.

Cassian turned back to Miranda "War?"

"I am not even averse to the idea, do not get me wrong." Damon pushed off the wall. "But do you really want to tell Ayla, when she is rescued, that you endangered the lives of innocent people to get her out? She would never forgive herself."

Damon was right about Ayla blaming herself. She carried things that were not hers to carry.

"My princes, you are getting it all wrong." Miranda stepped forward. "We are not going to harm innocent people."

Damon raised an eyebrow.

"What would you call the collateral of the war?"

"I am not suggesting that we march into their villages and slaughter everyone we see."

Miranda’s voice remained calm.

"I am only saying we do the same thing Lucius Veyr has been doing to us."

That caught everyone’s attention.

"He camped at your borders and attacked us nonstop," she continued, "I am saying we do the same thing to them."

There was a moment of silence before Ares took a step forward, his mind already beginning to work through the possibilities.

At first, the idea had sounded insane to him but now...

"Do you mean we take the war to them?" Ares said.

"That is exactly what I mean." Miranda’s mouth curved, and there was no warmth in it. "It will be just as before only this time, they will be the ones scampering for safety. And in the midst of the ruckus, we can get Ayla out."

Ares was already nodding.

"I cannot believe I am saying this." He turned to his brothers. "But I am in agreement with the priestess. What do you all think?"

Cassian looked troubled but he did not seem opposed to the idea and neither did Damon.

"I buy the idea," Damon said at last. "It is crazy. But it is something we can do."

Cassian nodded once. "Me too."

Ares turned to the desk. "Father?"

Soren’s head turn just a fraction, before he caught himself and looked away.

Kieran, who had been silent throughout the discussion with his fingers intertwined beneath his chin cleared his throat.

He looked exhausted.

Every decision he made now seemed to come with a price. They could not afford to act recklessly. If they went to war, people would die but if they did nothing, Ayla could die.

There was no clean choice and it pained him to think so.

"There is only one way this can work," Kieran finally said. "We would need a plan to ensure we attack in the best way possible, and with minimal casualties on our end."

"I will get on it." Ares straightened. "I will have something within the day. I am sure the archives has ample ideas to supply for this particular matter"

Kieran nodded.

"Good."

Miranda stepped back. "So then we are in agreement."

Lucius and the people of Emberfall will not know what hit them, Miranda thought to herself, feeling the beginning of a smile on her face.

Amara would not know what hit her.

...

Soren said nothing. He remained near the back of the room, his expression unreadable but his eyes never left Miranda. There was something about her that unsettled him and it was not simply that she had lied or manipulated their memories but her willingness to suddenly help them.

Soren knew people and Miranda was not helping them out of kindness. He was certain of it.

The meeting finally ended.

Kieran remained behind for a moment, speaking quietly with Miranda while Cassian and Damon headed out together.

Ares had barely made it ten steps out of the room before he heard footsteps behind him.headed toward the hallway.

"Ares."

He stopped, his jaw tightening.

He turned slowly to Soren stood several feet behind him.

Ares looked at him.

"Can I help you, Soren?"

"You cannot believe a word she says." Soren took a step closer.

"Is that what you followed me out here to tell me?"

"Among other things." Soren’s voice was low and urgent. "There is something she is hiding, Ares. Something to do with Ayla and her reason for wanting her back so soon."

"You think I do not know that?" Ares folded his arms. "I do not trust Miranda."

"Oh" Soren muttered. "I thought for a second..."

"You thought wrong." Ares cut in. "Now, is that going to be all?"

"Yes."

"Then excuse me." Ares turned away.

"Ares." Soren’s voice stopped him. "Listen, I wanted to explain why..."

"I do not need any explanation from you, Soren." Ares did not turn around. "I have heard it all and I might not trust Miranda, but neither do I trust you. You are back here trying to snake your way into my father’s good graces, and I am done pretending that does not sicken me."

"I am your father too, Ares." Soren’s voice cracked on the word. "Please. Just give me a chance to...."

"This conversation is over."

"Ares..."

Ares turned away and he began walking.

Soren remained standing in the hallway, watching his son disappear around the corner.

He felt his heart twist in his chest.

He had nothing.

Not the trust or friendship of his best friend. Not his sons and not even his daughter who was willing to do anything for him.

He had nothing and no one.

Soren scoffed bitterly.

Who would have thought this is what it would become for him at the end of the day.

Maybe this is what I deserve.