Valyn grinned. That was one trick the Flea wouldn’t be expecting. Even better, it meant that however things played out, Kaden would be free and clear. If Valyn could hold off the attack for just a little while longer, the Emperor would be safe. Then he could see what the Flea had to say. If the man was telling the truth, maybe they could work something out, and if not . . . well, at least his brother wouldn’t find himself caught in the middle of a bloodbath.

“Let’s go,” Valyn whispered, bellying forward. “We’ll grab your monk on the way.”

The Flea started in again just as they began to move.

“You can tell Annick to put the bow down,” he said. “She’s not going to hit anything from that position. The game’s up, kid. We’ve got the windows covered and the stairs, too, although Gwenna did such a nice job laying those charges that you wouldn’t be able to get down them anyway. Newt says the girl’s got real talent.”

A pause. How Rampuri Tan was still moving toward them through the smoke, Valyn had no idea, but they were fast converging on the monk’s sweeping spear. Valyn hesitated. Tan couldn’t see them through the smoke, couldn’t know that it was them, and surprising him seemed like a good way to get that blade in the belly. Valyn considered a quick takedown, but Tan didn’t seem like the sort to go down quickly. That meant talking, which meant giving away their position, but there was nothing to do but get on with it.

“Tan,” he hissed, as loudly as he dared. “I’m with Kaden. Drop down below the smoke.”

The sweeping spear paused, then the monk’s hands and face appeared a few feet away. Tan let out a long, slow breath, glanced at Kaden, then Valyn, then nodded. He’d been holding his breath, Valyn realized, probably since the smokers first dropped. It was possible, though the presence of mind involved rivaled that of Valyn’s own Wing, and they’d actually trained for this kind of shit.

“The gate,” Valyn whispered, gesturing toward the wall where it stood. “You and Kaden get through and you’ll be safe.”

The monk nodded as though that had been his plan all along.

“We’ll cover you until you’re clear,” Valyn said.

“What about you?” Kaden asked.

“Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine.”

Or captured, or dead, he amended silently before glancing over his shoulder. His people were still in position, still awaiting orders. It was the Flea who had told him, what seemed like a lifetime ago, that it seemed like they’d make a good Wing. They’d held together; now it was his job to get them out alive.