“Thanks.” I narrowed my eyes a little. “Something you want to say about it?”

Lakin sighed, turning back to me. “Not really. I wish you the best, but I can’t help thinking that it’s an impossible match.”

“You and everyone else,” I muttered, and this time, I was the one who looked away. I knew the huge obstacles Iannis and I were facing by choosing to publicly engage in a relationship, but I didn’t really need Lakin reminding me about them.

“Sorry.” Lakin lowered himself into the recliner across from me, and the chair creaked beneath his weight. “I shouldn’t have said anything. And I really do hope that it works out.”

“Thanks.” I smiled, though it came out a little strained. Lakin’s words were sincere, but there was no hiding the disappointment lurking behind them.

“So, what do you need?” he asked, curiosity overcoming his momentary wistfulness. “I’m imagining this isn’t a social call.”

“No, it’s not,” I admitted. “I was hoping you might be able to tell me where any citizens the Resistance recruited after Iannis’s disappearance had gotten off to.”

Lakin frowned. “You mean if I know which base they were sent to?”

I nodded. “Noria Melcott, Annia’s younger sister, was one of those recruits. Her boyfriend Elnos, and Annia herself, left a couple of weeks ago to find her and drag her back home, before the mages lose their temper and start annihilating the camps wholesale. Elnos and Annia made it to a Resistance camp in Canalo that they think Noria went to, but they’ve been out of touch since then, and I’m worried. I may need to go retrieve them, but I can’t without the location.”

“I see.” A troubled expression settled on Lakin’s face. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t have any knowledge of such a camp. I did help a number of shifters flee the city, but I wasn’t sending them to the Resistance.”

“Yeah, but surely you know someone who could tell me,” I urged. “What about those two birdbrains who visited last time? Have you seen them lately?”

“Hmm.” Lakin tapped his forefinger against his chin. “I haven’t heard back from them, but then again, it’s entirely possible they were captured and are now awaiting sentence.”

“Shit.” I pursed my lips together, then brightened. “Of course. I’m so dumb. I’ll just go to Prison Isle and question a few of them. Maybe the Chief Mage will let me offer reduced sentences to anyone who provides useful information.”

“You could start with asking your cousin Rylan, you know,” Lakin said dryly. “I’m sure he would be happy to help.”