The moment she entered the apartment, she knew something was wrong. Ynes was the first person she saw, weathered hands clenching the blanket she rested under. Ryuu placed one hand on her shoulder in comfort. Raurie was there, sweat on her face and her breaths ragged as if she’d run here. Bruises covered her face and arms, bruises that hadn’t been there a few hours ago.

“How did the Diamond Guards know it was us?” Teo asked Raurie, seated across from her at the table.

“Someone must have seen Aina go into my aunt’s house and then tipped off the Diamond Guards. It was too risky; we shouldn’t have…” Raurie let out a shaky breath, then said, “They came a few minutes after you left. They saw all of June’s diamonds, and they caught me putting her knives away. It was obvious. At first they were going to take us”—she broke off, one hand trailing to a dark purple bruise on the side of her head—“but then they told my aunt they would let us go if she did a tracking spell to find Aina, since she’s Bautix’s priority right now. We used some of Aina’s blood that dripped on the floor during the spell. We had to, or they would have—”

“We know,” Teo said, biting his lower lip. “You didn’t have a choice.”

“I knew Teo lived in the Wings, so I came here as soon they left, and Ryuu saw me from the window. My aunt went to a safe house for Inosen in the tunnels, and she’ll get a message to my uncle to join her. She wanted me to go with them. They’ve kept me safe my whole life, and I would do anything for them, but I wasn’t just going to hide underground and let you die. I had to come warn you, so you’d have a chance to get away. If someone had warned my parents, maybe…”

“So, the Diamond Guards will use magic when it’s convenient for them,” Aina scoffed. “Let me guess, they can use magic because they’re good Diamond Guards who protect the Steels and any other use has to be punished. How long ago was this, Raurie?”

“They left less than thirty minutes ago. In the vision, my aunt saw you entering the city near the Wings. They could have followed you here. You all have to leave now.”

Aina raced to the window. Holding her breath, she peered around the edge. Her hands curled into fists at the sight of a group of Diamond Guards approaching the building, candlelight in windows flashing on the silver badges of their uniforms. Pedestrians scattered out of their way, then stood back to watch what would happen next. Aina jerked her head behind the window.

“There are ten Diamond Guards surrounding the apartment entrance,” she said, her jaw clenching. “I’d fight them, but we’re so close to finding Kouta, we can’t risk getting thrown in jail. We need another way out. What about the roof?”