Chapter 171: The other Veyr brother

"She is our priority."

Ares stood over the table inside the war tent, both hands planted firmly against the wooden surface. A hand drawn map of Emberfall’s palace lay spread beneath his palms.

"I am going to get her out before we stage any attack." he said.

"You?" Cassian said.

Ares turned toward him.

"Yes... me"

"Why are you the one going in? You are Alpha and should be coordinating from here."

Ares folded his arms. "And who exactly do you suggest goes?"

Cassian rose to his feet. "I will go in."

"Not to be that person, Cassian" Damon interjected. "But Ares has more war knowledge than the rest of us combined. If there is anyone who would be able to bring Ayla out safe and sound then it is him."

Cassian’s jaw tightened.

He had no argument for that. Ares had spent his entire life preparing for war. He knew strategy and would be able to move through unfamiliar territory unlike the rest of them.

"Fine" Cassian muttered, sitting back down.

Ares nodded, his attention returning back to the map they had forced out of the rider.

"The men saw a lone figure slipping through one of the less guarded paths surrounding the city. I would like to believe there is a blind spot there and that is where I would be going through."

He looked at Damon and Cassian, pointing to the left.

"If the information is accurate, I can enter without being detected. I can reach the inner quarters, find Ayla and get her out before Lucius realizes what happened."

"And if the information is not accurate?" Damon asked, crossing his arms. "What if the rider is lying? Surely, you have thought about that fact."

Ares looked at him.

"I do not think he is."

"But there is a possibility, is there not?" Damon insisted. "He may be leading you straight to one of Lucius’ strong hold."

Ares sighed.

"Yes, you are right. He could be lying."

"Then what would happen to you in there?"

"I don’t matter if Ayla is not safe, brother." Ares’ voice rose up vehemently. "She...we have been apart from her for far too long. It is my fault that she was taken the second time when I should have damned it all to hell and snatched her from Lucius’ grasp whether or not she remembered us."

Silence settled over the tent at Ares’ outburst.

His brothers could now see what he had been trying so hard to hide... trying so hard to be strong about.

He blamed himself for her ever being taken. Where was he when she was kidnapped the first time and then the second. He could not protect her and he would be damned if he did not try this time.

"It could be a trap but there is only one way to find out."

Cassian looked at him.

"I still do not think you should go in alone. Perhaps I can..."

They were interrupted by a sharp noise and one of their men entering the tent.

"I asked not to be interrupted."Ares barked.

"My lord."

"What is it?"

The guard swallowed.

There is a man here. He wants to see you. He says you are expecting him."

The three of them looked at each other. Cassian’s eyebrows went up.

"He says I am expecting him?"

"Yes, my lord."

"And did he give his name?"

The guard shook his head.

"No, my lord."

Ares’s eyes narrowed. "Did you ask his name?"

The guard looked embarrassed.

"No, my lord. I will..." He turned to leave.

"Bring him in."

The guard stopped.

"My lord?"

"You heard me."

"Yes, my lord."

The guard bowed and disappeared.

Damon looked at Ares.

"A guest?"

"We will have to see who it is."

Cassian frowned. "Anyone who walks into an enemy camp alone is either very brave or very stupid."

Damon snorted. "Or suicidal."

Ares said nothing.

His hand rested near the dagger at his side. He did not like surprises especially when they were preparing to infiltrate Emberfall.

The tent flap opened again and a man stepped inside. Damon was up and across the ground before the tent flap had finished falling. He took him by the throat with one hand and laid the knife along his neck with the other.

"You have some fucking nerve coming here, Lucius." Damon snarled.

The man did not fight him or flinch. He merely looked at him calmly, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Damon!" Ares called out. "Let him go. That is not Lucius."

Damon froze. He stared at the man then at Ares.

"What?"

Ares rose to his feet and approached them, his hand closing over Damon’s wrist.

"You are Alistair, are you not?"

The man smiled at this.

"You know, Ares. You are the first person who has not mistaken us in a very long time."

Damon frowned, slowing lowering his knife and releasing him.

Alistair immediately straightened his collar, rubbing the side of his neck.

"You have some nerve walking into the enemy’s camp." Ares said. "What do you want?"

Alistair’s smile faded slightly.

"I figured you would want to hear what I have to tell you."

That caught Ares’ attention.

"What do you have to tell me?"

Alistair reached into his coat.

"What are you doing?" Damon’s hand immediately returned to his knife.

"Relax, I am just reaching for something."

"Slowly bring it out or I will slit your throat where you stand."

Alistair slowly pulled out a folded piece of parchment and held it between two fingers.

"What am I looking at?"Ares asked.

"A letter."

"I can see that."

Alistair smiled. "A letter to a certain Alpha Council from my brother."

Cassian rose to his feet. "The Alpha Council?"

Alistair nodded.

"My brother wanted me to hand-deliver it."

Ares looked at the broken seal on the letter.

"But you are bringing it to us."

"Yes."

"Why."

Alistair’s smile returned. "Because I would like to cut a deal."

Ares frowned.

"What deal?"

Alistair stepped closer.

"I want you to make me king."