Rhea came forward, her hands clasped in front of her. “I can’t help with the ships or security, but I’m an expert on Damocles. He loves being the center of attention.” She nodded at the projection. “His plan will be very public, likely during the truce signing. If I know him as well as I think I do, he’ll have an ichor antidote for his team—and Eris, too. He’ll want her to be alive for the fallout after he leaves Laguna. It’ll be easy for him to frame her for the slaughter.”

“Then we can’t let him leave,” Nyx protested. “He’ll take Eris with him.”

Rhea nodded. “Yes, probably. Keeping her as a prisoner would give him better control over the political narrative later. He can paint himself the grand victor.”

Nyx studied the digital image of the palace. The compound was massive, practically its own little village. There were over fifteen hundred rooms, according to the blueprints. Nyx felt a moment of doubt. There were only seven of them—and one of their own had already been captured. They’d failed once.

“Then we need a distraction,” Nyx murmured.

“Exactly,” Kyla said. “Something to throw off his plan, smuggle out Eris, and take attention away from all the pomp. Cloelia, that’ll be our job.”

“I ken that look.” Clo gave a knowing grin. “What are you thinking?”

Kyla casually opened the pocket of her utility belt and pulled out a small metal orb. “I’m thinking we give them a show.”

Clo’s smile vanished and she made a face. “No. No, no, no. The last time we used smoke bombs in the simulation session—”

“I know. You were picking pink sparkles out of your hair for months. But sometimes, simplest is best.” Kyla shrugged. “They’re pretty, distracting, and will work just long enough for the others to make their move.”

“That salted glitter was why I re-buzzed my hair,” Clo muttered. At Kyla’s eyeroll, she added, “Dinnae give me that look. You’re going to make me crawl through more vents, aren’t you?”

“And I’ll come with you.” Kyla pointed to the walled square that made up the palace gardens. “I know a bit about Laguna from our intel, and the carrion lilies on the grounds apparently have a bloom so large, you can sit inside them, but their pollen causes allergic reactions in most Evoli. On bad days, they seal the buildings from outside air and circulate purified air through large, roomy vents. You and I will set off the smoke bombs from above the ballroom while Sher grabs Eris in the melee.”

Nyx crossed her arms. “And what about the weapon Damocles got from Eris? He’ll use it to frame her. Like Rhea said.”