Page 251 of Psycho Pack

Whatever happens, I can die a happy man now.

Chapter

Forty-One

PLAGUE

The acrid stench of cheap greasy food and Vrissian alcohol still lingers in my nostrils as we make our way back to the base. My mind races, struggling to process everything that just transpired in that dingy shithole of a bar.

We got what we wanted, but walking away from any meeting with Nikolai makes it difficult to feel like a victory. And we have no time to recover now before I have to go negotiate his release.

The possibility that Azarel is alive sends a jolt through me every time I let myself consider it. But hope is a dangerous thing, especially out here in the Outer Reaches.

I can't afford to let it cloud my judgment.

And there's still the chance he'll want to put a dagger through my heart the moment we meet. But that was always a risk at family functions.

As we enter the main chamber of our temporary base, the pristine white marble walls feel almost obscene after the grime of that bar. The others file in behind me, their faces a mix of exhaustion, excitement, and wariness. Ivy perches on the edge of the sofa, still ready to leap up at a moment's notice, and Wraith hovers behind her, a giant shadow.

Soon, I promise myself, there will come a day when she doesn't have to live on edge all the time, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.

And that hinges on bringing Azarel home.

"Alright," Thane's deep voice cuts through the silence. "Let's go over what we know."

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. "As we were leaving, the messenger gave me a few more details. She said the negotiator from Reinmich will only meet us on neutral ground. And..." I hesitate, knowing how this next part will be received. "They'll only allow one guard."

The reaction is immediate. Thane's eyes narrow dangerously, his massive frame going rigid. "That's complete bullshit," he growls.

I find my own temper flaring. "You think I don't know that?" I hiss, my carefully maintained composure cracking. "We don't have a choice."

"The human corndog is right, bro," Whiskey mutters, scratching his stubbled jaw. "It could be a trap."

Thane's head snaps toward him, eyes flashing. Valek barks out a harsh laugh, and I have to resist the urge to throw something at him.

Whiskey, seemingly oblivious to the dangerous territory he's treading, clarifies. "I mean, on account of how you've got a stick up your ass and all."

"Yes, I got the reference," Thane snaps, his voice dripping with barely contained rage.

A lopsided grin spreads across Whiskey's face, and I find myself wondering, not for the first time, if he has a death wish. "Can't take all the credit. Valek gave me the idea."

Valek's silver eyes widen, and he holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "No, no," he says quickly, a note of irritation creeping into his voice. "All credit belongs to you."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. "Can we please focus?" I grit out. "This isn't a joke. My brother's life could be at stake."

The room falls silent at that, and I feel a pang of guilt for using Azarel as leverage.

But it's true.

If there's even a chance he's alive, I have to take it.

Especially since whatever he's learned during his time in Reinmich is our key to getting in there without getting ourselves killed.

"Look," I continue, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I know it's risky. But this might be our only shot at getting some real intel on what's happening inside Reinmich. Not to mention..." I trail off, unable to finish the thought.

"Not to mention getting your brother back," Ivy finishes softly.

I nod, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "Yes."