“Who can afford Tendrille steel with illegal magical artifacts embedded in them?” Dozan asked.

Kerrigan hadn’t been thinking about Basem Nix at all. She had been so worried about so many other things. The question of who had the kind of money to throw around on that had never occurred to her. “Someone rich.”

“Exactly. There aren’t that many people in the city who could afford it, which narrows it down immensely. And with that kind of wealth, who would you guess was working with Basem before his death?”

“Lorian Van Horn,” Clare grumbled.

Kerrigan’s eyes rounded. “Seriously?”

“It appears Venatrix tribe is arming themselves with illegal objects. Think that should be enough to point the finger his way for Basem’s death?” Dozan asked.

“I don’t know,” Kerrigan said. “Lorian holds immense influence.”

“Which is where you come in.” He waved his hand at Clare. “You’re dismissed.”

Clare looked like she wanted to launch herself at them both. She’d been brought low, and she clearly didn’t like to be beholden to the King of the Wastes.

Dozan stood from his desk, stepping around it to lean back against the front. He crossed his arms and studied her. “I’ve been gathering the intel while you played faerie dragon rider. I have the means, and you inspire the crowds. It’s time to take it public, Kerrigan. Not to the council, but to the people. They deserve to know what’s happening and what the Society is willing to cover up.”

She shook her head. “No way. It’s too soon. It’s not enough proof, and even if I did that, I’d be out of the Society. They’d kick me out.”

“Then, your part is over,” he said easily. “You don’t have to continue on with the Society as one of their puppets. You can change the world from the outside.”

“We’ll have a better chance once I’m in.”

“And then what obstacle will they put in front of you?” Dozan demanded, slamming his hand on the desk. “Then, what will they say to keep you quiet?”

Kerrigan squared her shoulders. “I can’t do it. It isn’t safe.”

“And you think it’s safe for humans and half-Fae to wait until you’re ready?”

“It’s not enough, Dozan,” she snapped, getting heated. “It’s just not enough. Knowing that Lorian hates us and had me arrested wasn’t enough. Accusing him of orchestrating the massacre wasn’t enough. A human admitting that he worked with Basem will mean nothing to them.”

Dozan launched across to her, grasping her shoulders. “Which is why we don’t go to them. We go to the court of public opinion. Turn the tide, princess.”