Atticus nodded to the guards, and they began to cut Quintus down from the frame.

“Get them out of my sight,” he snarled. “We’re done here.”

CHAPTER

18

They sat in the ruined shell of a longhouse on the periphery of the camp. Quintus lay on a makeshift bed made from their sleds—these, at least, the Romans had not touched.

The young legionary seemed almost annoyed at their attentions, refusing to lie still despite the red welts peppering his body. He wanted the situation resolved, and quickly.

“The legion must know the truth,” he croaked. “They must know the timer is running out.”

“Why didn’t we tell them about the Codex?” Grace asked. “Surely that is proof enough?”

Cade shook his head. “If we revealed the Codex, we wouldn’t be here right now. Atticus wants it for himself.”

“Can he even do that?” Yoshi asked. “Force us to transfer the Codex to him?”

“If he couldn’t, he could force us to ask it questions,” Cade said. “Or declare himself a contender again, or kill us all so it attaches to him.”

“So why not just give it to him?” Amber asked. “Would that be so bad?”

“Yes,” Quintus groaned. “The man is a … fool.”

“I think the soldiers are convinced already,” Cade said. “We have no reason to lie. But it changes nothing.”

“Why?” Grace asked.

“Because attacking the Grays’ fortress is suicide,” Cade said. “Even if the Romans agreed to fight with us, we would never break through. We need to present a solution and the Codex to the Romans at the same time. Proof, and a way forward. One doesn’t work without the other.”

Scott sighed and rubbed his eyes. “So … we have two options. Bring the Grays out into open battle … or find a way into their stronghold.”

“Well, we won’t get them to come out of there,” Bea said. “They will have a timer, just like we do. I bet that patrol only attacked Jomsborg because they weren’t aware a new round had begun. The Grays at their HQ will have withdrawn all their patrols by now. They just have to wait us out.”

Cade closed his eyes, letting the conversation wash over him. Bea was right. Even if the Grays could be tempted out into the open, whatever skeleton crew left to guard their home would still be able to hold off the Romans in the impregnable fort. They had to kill each and every Gray inside, not just defeat the army that was sent out.

“There is a solution,” Cade said, speaking his thoughts out loud.

There was silence for a few moments.

“Uh … are you going to enlighten us?” Grace asked.

Cade shrugged.

“I didn’t say I knew what it was. I just know for a fact that there is one.”

Scott put an arm around his shoulders. “I think you’ve finally cracked, buddy. Quintus, shift over. I think Cade needs to lie down.”

Cade laughed, though with a hint of bitterness. “That’s not what I mean. Abaddon sent these Romans here to attack an impregnable fortress. He would have known their catapults would do nothing to the gates. He would have known the Grays had a weapon capable of destroying an entire army. But he sent the Romans here anyway. And not with just a week, but months.”