“You’d think Damian could help, but no, he says he senses someone’s after us, so he has to be prepared for an attack.” She rolled her eyes and replaced her mask. “He senses. Like that’s a thing. It’s like he doesn’t even have the courtesy to make up some spell I don’t know. At least lie to me convincingly, if you’re going to do it.”

Fort grinned. Anyway, how’s disguising yourself any different from what I asked you to do to Gabriel? You were awfully judgey about that.

She sat up and pointed at him. “Because Damian and I don’t have a choice, and you do. Because Gabriel wasn’t going to turn you in. And because it’s just a thing I don’t feel great doing, okay?”

Sorry, Fort thought, and pushed along some apologetic feelings. But how do you know he won’t turn us in? Did you read his mind when you were in there?

“No, I make it a habit to only read yours,” Sierra said. “Gabriel isn’t exactly thrilled with authority, so he doesn’t seem like a snitch.”

Fort nodded, glad he’d been able to change the subject from having to lie to his friends. After all, he didn’t—

“Hey, I heard that,” Sierra said, pulling the mask off again. “We’re not done here. Why couldn’t you bring them along? Them stopping you, that I understand, and yes, they probably would have. But you’re going to need all the help you can get, and taking them with you would be smart.”

They totally would try to stop me, Fort thought. Jia still blames me for stealing her spells and using them to wake you up. Rachel almost murdered me when she thought I might be a danger to the school. What do you think they’d do if they found out I was taking an even bigger risk than last time? There’s no way they’d let me do this.

Sierra narrowed her eyes. “Why are you avoiding my question? You can’t fool a telepath, Fort. Why don’t you want them along?”

He growled to himself, then sat up and glared at her. Because Cyrus told me if I brought anyone else with me, I’d lose one of them forever. Okay?

She sat back in surprise. “Whoa, okay, yes, that’d do it. When did this happen? You never told me he checked your future.”

Because it wasn’t a great sign! Fort shouted back in his mind. You think knowing that if I don’t go alone, one of my friends could die, or get left behind… you think that makes me excited to do this? I have to get my father back. But I also know how dangerous it’s going to be. I just can’t let myself think about that.