Finally, Kael leaves the room, calling out a distracted goodnight to those remaining inside, including Arryn, Keeda, and Pandora.

“Something on your mind, princess?” Kael asks as he sweeps out the door with Cami and me at his heels.

It’s not like we weren’t being obvious about waiting for him. On some level, it annoys me that he made us wait, especially if he knew he was the reason we were lingering in the room.

The dim tunnel is empty in both directions, so while I wish we were somewhere more private for this conversation, I’m also aware that we’re all tired and Kael likely wants to get to bed after such a long night. I quickly move into step beside him, with Cami keeping close behind me.

“Kael, we need to go back to Lengard.”

His stride doesn’t falter, as if he’s been waiting for this conversation. Cami makes no noise from behind us, but I know she’s listening intently. I half wonder if she was preparing her own ambush, and I just got in first.

“That’s not a smart move, Lyss,” Kael says.

“It’s the only smart move,” I argue, lengthening my strides when he picks up his pace. “You saw what happened out there tonight. Vanik obviously has more control over everything— everyone—than we thought, and he’s using Manning’s power to brainwash them all. Now more than ever we need to get Ward and the others out of there. They’re not safe at Lengard.”

Kael is already shaking his head. “If anything, tonight told us that they are safe there. Safer than they’d be anywhere else, especially here.”

Disbelief leaves me gaping at him.

Cami, however, manages to demand, “How can you say that?”

Kael comes to a halt, and Cami nearly collides with me as I stop suddenly, too. The two of us stare at him, our fists clenched.

Glancing at her for only a second, Kael turns back to me as if I were the one who spoke.

“Listen to me, princess,” he says, placing his hands on my shoulders and ducking a little so we’re eye to eye. Fire from the nearest wall-mounted torch reflects in his gaze, making his dark irises look like living flames. “I know you’re worried about everyone there. I know I promised you that we’d get them out—and we will. But right now, this new group has to be our priority. Until we know how dangerous they are, they’re our focus, not Lengard.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Stepping back so his hands fall away, I say, “Ignore Ward and everyone else essentially imprisoned there for a moment,”—it takes a lot not to look at Cami when I feel her stiffen beside me—“think about Vanik. This new Speaker group might be dangerous, or they might not. Vanik, however, we know is a threat. We know what he’s planning. And we know we have to stop him.”

I don’t add that he’s also the only person I’ve met who might have information on my parents—information I’m desperate to learn.