Page 118 of Shattered Jewel
I wonder if the Sovereigns are betting on that fact.
“I could go and act as a diversion,” Sasha offers, haltingly at first, but then her voice firms. “I’m not a threat to them. I’ve been to their parties before.”
I whip my gaze to hers. “Sasha, no.”
It suddenly occurs to me how easily I can deny someone I care about from willingly entering into danger … in the same way the guys constantly deny me.
My lips flatline as I strike a line through the hypocrisy and double down. “You’re not going in there.”
“And you are?” she asks me, quirking a brow. “I don’t think so. We’re in this together, El. Where you go, I go.”
“Great, so both of you can go upstairs and into the closet I plan on locking you in,” Wilder cuts in.
“Nice try,” I snap at Wilder, “but I’m as involved in this as you are.”
“You’re planning on strolling in there like it’s a damned tea party,” he counters.
“Either you take us with you, or we figure out a way to break out of that closet and save Axe ourselves,” Sasha says primly.
Wilder curses, digging his fingers into the top of his head. “You are not disposable distractions.”
“I don’t see any other way,” I say evenly. “If we want to rescue Axe, retrieve the Heart, and have any chance at confronting the Sovereigns, we need a plan that involves more than just brute force.”
Kaspian’s malachite gaze flicks between me and Sasha. There’s contemplation there and I know I almost have him.
Sasha swallows, her brown eyes widening slightly as his attention shifts to her.
She gulps down her hesitation and her chin lifts. “The initiates love having girls over. Isn’t that a perk of your Court? Girls and parties every night?
Wilder reluctantly concedes, “To make us weak, malleable and easier to break.”
“We infiltrate Thornhaven as guests,” Sasha continues. “The Sovereigns have no reason to distrust me. Elara and I can attend their party as normal attendees while you guys … uh, do what you do … from the back.”
My heart lurches at Sasha’s words. But Sasha speaks true. As much as I want her safe, I’ve brought her into this and now we’re in this together. It’s time for me to take responsibility for that.
Besides, the men in this room aren’t the only ones who care about Axe.
He was in so much pain, inside me, holding on to me like he was desperate not to let me go…
I’m coming, Axe.
“What do you propose, Cav?” Kaspian asks without breaking his focus on me, though his question reverberates around the room.
Cav’s deep-set eyes briefly go to my face, lingering a second more, before he addresses Sasha.
“You’ve been to plenty of Court parties, right? You know the layout?” he asks her.
Sasha confirms with a nod, angling her head as if putting me in her blindspot so she doesn’t have to witness my reaction to her next words. “Several times. I even know where certain rooms are, like the Sovereigns chambers where they keep their documents.”
I note the sharp interest growing in Cav’s gaze. He leans forward, away from the headboard. “How? Non-members aren’t allowed on the higher floors.”
“Guys talk when they’re horny and want to impress me.” She shrugs.
“That would be our best shot at finding intel on who the Sovereigns are,” Kaspian says, his mouth curved as if he were … impressed with her.
I’d high-five Sasha and hug her senseless if we were talking about any other plan. My smart, capable, amazing best friend.
Cav slides off the bed.