Ella doesn’t respond. I can still feel her there, almost like a tickle in the back of my mind. I know she’s listening in. She just isn’t answering us anymore.

“I don’t care what she says or how many Mogs we have to go through,” I say, addressing Marina now. “If we do one thing today, we’re getting Ella away from Setrákus Ra. Get hold of her and get her back to Lexa’s ship.”

“Agreed,” Marina says.

“Maybe that’ll work,” Sarah adds, that look of shock gone from her face, replaced by a thoughtful look. Like Marina and me, she isn’t backing down from the threat of death. “I mean, wasn’t there something with your guys’ old Loric charm that broke it when you got together?”

“Yeah,” I reply. “So?”

“So, maybe Setrákus Ra’s messed-up version works in the opposite way,” Sarah explains. “Maybe that’s why he’s been taking Ella with him everywhere he goes. He’s got to keep her close for it to work.”

“Makes sense to me,” Mark says, shrugging. “Not that I’m, like, an authority on this shit.”

It’s definitely a possibility worth testing out, especially since we planned to rescue Ella anyway.

I turn to Adam. The plan was for the two of us to go invisible and board the Anubis while the others provided the distraction. “What do you think? Go for the warship or go for Ella?”

“Your call,” he replies.

“You might have to get right under his nose to get to Ella,” Sarah says.

“Which means he could turn off your invisibility,” Marina adds.

“Shit,” I say, mind racing. “All right. Maybe we can get them separated when we spring our traps. If we see an opportunity, let’s go for Ella. Otherwise, we stick to the plan and take the Anubis.” I point south. “There’s some old stonework that way. If you head south from there, that’s where Lexa hid our ship. If things get bad out here, if the Mogs figure out your position, I want you three to make a break for it.”

“And leave you behind?” Marina asks.

“We’ll be invisible, at least,” I reply, looking between her and Sarah. “Just stay alive. That’s what’s important now.”

Sarah nods grimly and Marina turns away, looking towards the Sanctuary. Even after Ella’s warning, I doubt she has any intention of retreating.

Before I can say anything else, Adam grabs my arm and points towards the landing strip.

“Damn it! Six, we forgot about our friend.”