Which meant Valek would have to keep these guys under wraps until they escaped Fulgor. He switched topics. “How do you resist the sleeping potion?”

The man shrugged, but his gaze focused on the darts in Reema’s hands.

“Is that the antidote?” Valek asked.

“Yeah. But ya gotta take it before.”

“Before what?”

“Before ya think you’ll need it.”

“So if you’re pricked with sleeping potion, and you haven’t taken it...”

“Won’t work after. And if it’s been too long since you took it, it won’t work.”

“How long?”

“About a day. Guys on special missions get enough to last.”

Which explained why his partner had so many. “And your mission was so special you also received these illusion cloaks.”

“Yeah. Sweet things, blend right on in.”

“Who gave them to you?”

“Boss man. ’Cause we are his two best scouts.” He pounded on his chest.

“The best, eh? You were spotted by an eleven-year-old,” Reema said.

He growled at her and tried to stand up, but Valek pushed him back down. “Where did the boss get the cloaks?”

“From his boss, who got it from his boss...all the way to the top boss.”

“Who is?”

“His name is... Top. Boss.”

Which meant the man didn’t know. When Valek had extracted all the information from the man, he slammed the hilt of his dagger on the man’s temple, knocking him unconscious.

Reema placed the darts into a leather pouch. “Now what?” she asked.

“We need to find a place to stash these guys for a few days. Know anyone in Fulgor who can help us?”

“I might,” she hedged.

He waited.

“You can’t tell my parents. Promise.”

“Tell them what?”

She huffed. “I’ve made a few friends.”

“More street rats?”

“Yes.”

“Why is that a big secret?”

“They want me to have friends from school.”

“I see. Normally that would be ideal.”

“Yeah, but when is my life ever gonna be normal?”

True. With her enthusiasm for subterfuge and intrigue, he doubted she’d ever be far from the action.

“Plus those normal friends would have been useless for rescuing my father.”

“I agree. However, those normal friends can be useful from time to time.”

She cocked her head. “Like when?”

“Like when you need a cover or information. Their families might have skills or resources you could tap into. You should cultivate as many friends as possible, because you never know when that one person might be vital to a mission.”

Her blue eyes practically glowed. “That’s a good reason.”

“Can you find us a couple babysitters for these guys?” he asked.

“No problem.” She headed toward the back door but paused next to the man she’d stripped of weapons. “Too bad we couldn’t take them on a wild Valmur chase.”

“Yes, too bad,” Valek said. “Maybe next time.”

“That would be fun!”

Oh boy, she’d really caught the bug.

* * *

Valek freed Onyx and Sunfire from the harness and groomed them before settling them next to Rusalka in the makeshift stable. Soon after, Reema returned with three grubby street rats—two girls and a boy. Valek explained what he needed them to do and paid them in advance. The older boy stared at the coins in his palm with a sly squint.

“Don’t even think about it, Mouse,” Reema said to the teen. “I know where you hang.”

“So? I ain’t gonna do nothin’.”

“Good, because I don’t want to tell Pickle about—”

“Yeah, I got it. We’ll be here every day.”

Valek watched in amusement as they glanced back at Reema as they left. “Pickle is scarier than me?”

“To Mouse, yes.”

“I do not know whether to be proud of Reema or petrified,” Devlen rasped from the wagon.

“Daddy!” Reema flew into his arms, transforming into a little girl.

Devlen hugged his daughter tight. Well aware of the physical aftereffects of being in a drugged sleep, Valek poured Devlen a cup of water.

The big man downed it. He scanned the room before his gaze settled on Valek. “Thanks for the rescue. How—?”

“Reema can explain it to you. I need to check along our escape route and ensure there’s not an ambush waiting for us.”

Reema toed one of the unconscious men. “They wanted us to escape. Why would they have an ambush?”

“To keep up appearances. Or there might be more watchers waiting.”

“Why—? Oh.”

“Oh?” Devlen asked.

“In case we spotted these two. They would be the backups,” Reema said, as if it was obvious.

“I am leaning toward petrified,” Devlen said.

Valek laughed. The motion caused the cut on his back to flare to life. He’d forgotten about his injuries. Blood soaked his right sleeve, and a deep cut showed through the rip in the fabric.

“You will need to change your...or rather, my tunic before leaving,” Devlen said.

Valek pulled off the shirt with care. Pain burned in his elbow. Showing Devlen his back, he asked, “How bad is it?”