“You need me,” Illya said bluntly. “The fact that I used to work for the Hierophant is actually an asset. I know lots of important things—where he has Witnesses stationed, what his plans are, how his mind works.”

Hassan and Hector exchanged a glance. Illya was making some valid points.

Hector wiped a hand over his face. “I hate to say it, but he’s right. That kind of knowledge would be pretty useful.”

“Not if we can’t trust it,” Anton shot back. He turned to Illya. “Why do you even want to come?”

Illya looked at his brother, his brows drawing up over his golden eyes. “You’re never going to see me as anything besides the terrible brother who used to lock you in closets, are you?”

Anton’s jaw tightened.

“He did help us, Anton,” Beru spoke up quietly.

“See?” Illya said. “Beru trusts me.”

Beru sighed. “I actually do. I’ll vouch for him. Ephyra will, too.”

Ephyra sent her sister a look of unspeakable betrayal. “Do not make me part of this.”

Beru reached over and pinched her.

“Ow! All right, fine, I vouch for him, too,” Ephyra said, batting Beru’s hand away.

Anton glared at Illya for a long, silent moment. He was very clearly outnumbered. “Fine,” he bit out at last. “But if you do anything that anyone finds even a little suspicious, Jude will push you into a volcano.”

Jude gave a single, solemn nod of agreement.

Illya just smiled. “First off a ship, now into a volcano—your threats are getting more and more elaborate, Anton.”

Anton opened his mouth to reply when Hassan made the decision that they’d all heard enough sniping from the two.

“All right, so it’s the seven of us,” he said, looking around at the others.

“Eight,” Khepri spoke up from the corner of the room.

Hassan felt everyone else turning to stare at Khepri as his gaze found hers. She stared right back, unwavering.

“I thought you wanted to go back to Nazirah,” Hassan said quietly, his heart leaping. He hadn’t dared to hope that she would change her mind.

“I…” She looked down, bowing her head. “I do want to go back to Nazirah. I thought of nothing else when the Hierophant had me captive. But Hassan, you were right. Nazirah won’t be safe until the god is defeated.” She glanced at the others. “And, look, I’m sure you’re all very capable, but if the seven of you are the only thing that stands between our world and complete destruction then … sorry, but I think you could use the help.”