Ash looks in the rearview mirror for the umpteenth time since we entered London. He’s been trying to keep things light the entire drive, telling me stories about him and Layla as kids, playing a BBC Radio 2 show where they give hilarious relationship advice, and pointing out landmarks as we go. But our conversation never felt as uninhibited as it did this morning. I don’t know what it is about mornings and their ability to make you forget, to give you a little slice of peace before the world descends.

I exhale loudly when Ash says we’re nearing the pub where the unallied Strategia socialize. A couple of months ago the most exciting thing going on in my world was the two-for-one cupcake sale at my local bakery.

“Is there anything we can do to make ourselves less conspicuous? Would it help if I dyed my hair or dressed differently?” I ask.

Ash shakes his head. “We will just have to be fast and smart. Although I’m not sure that what we’re about to do qualifies as either.”

I nod. I know he thinks this is a bad idea, but it’s the only lead we have to help us figure out if that sign in Logan’s smithy relates to my dad.

“Is there anything I need to know about these unallied Strategia?” I ask.

Ash slows his car down in a bustling neighborhood full of circuitous stone alleys with dim lighting, street vendors, and cobblestoned everything.

“Well,” he says, considering the question. “It’ll depend on whether or not they are amenable to working with us. If we ask them about the specifics of a Lion event without reaching an understanding first, we could potentially be telling them how to find your father.”

I press my lips together. What a mess. “So start with a more general ask, then? About the Lions, maybe?”

“That’s what I was thinking,” he says. “Like I said, the Strategia in that pub aren’t like the ones you’ve met so far. While they do keep alliances with certain Families, they’re more like free agents or…specialists. They take big risks and get compensated accordingly.”

“So they make their living doing things like capturing people like my dad?” I wait for Ash to deny it, but he doesn’t, so I continue. “Back at the Raven’s Nest, you seemed to know a few people…is anyone you know likely to be here?”

Ash shakes his head. “I’m not sure. I only know this place exists because my cousin used to talk about it. But I’ve never actually been here or made a trade with a crew like this before.”

I scan his face. “So we’re winging it?”

“Something like that,” he says, keeping his voice confident, but I know him well enough to know he’s uncomfortable.

“Should I be worried?”