“Gladly,” she murmured, kissing me one more time. “As soon as we have Jill, everything’s going to change.”

I held her tightly. “Then by God, let’s go get Jill.”

The four of us hit the road to St. George, driving overnight to get there in time. We tried to take turns and get rest, but it was hard. Honestly, by this point, I felt like schedules and “daytime hours” were just suggestions in my life. I was happy to be with Sydney again, and she and I found ourselves catching up on what we’d missed during our time apart. She wouldn’t elaborate on what deal she was attempting with Stanton, but she spoke confidently about that future home we both wanted so much.

We made good time, arriving at the Alchemists’ and guardians’ makeshift command center just before dawn. And as much as I hated to admit it, the Alchemists proved useful. In less than a day, they’d found a vacant office building and filled it with Alchemists and computers. They had cameras and satellite info on the Warriors’ compound, as well as scouts already in place on-site, reporting back with information on the Warriors’ state of affairs and security measures.

A gruff guy named McLean was in charge of the Alchemists’ soldiers, and he and Dimitri—who’d gotten there a few hours ago—were working surprisingly well together organizing the attack. Everyone assured us it would be simple, relatively speaking. Our forces outnumbered the Warriors’. If the initial raid came on strong, without warning, there should be no reason we wouldn’t triumph. Sydney and I exchanged uneasy glances, knowing things were rarely as easy as they seemed, but we tried to be optimistic. We hoped this would be simple. We needed it to be, and we sent Dimitri, Rose, Eddie, and Neil off in high spirits, leaving us nothing to do but wait around for updates.

It felt strange for me, though, not to be out there. I’d spent so much of the last month worried for Jill but unable to act while trapped at Court. Then, when we’d gotten our lead on Alicia, I’d had to stay behind at first in order to cover for Sydney. Now, finally, we knew where Jill was, and I was staying behind again. It was maddening. Ever since I’d brought Jill back from the assassination attempt, I’d felt as though her life were in my hands. Even though I knew a compound of armed fanatics was best breached by trained guardians and Alchemists, I couldn’t shake the feeling I should be out there.

“It’s okay,” Sydney said gently, coming to rest a hand on my arm. “I feel useless too, but they’re the experts. And once they get her out, we’ll be among the first to see her.”