Jarrett barely felt like he could breathe for the days between the reunification with the Raven’s and when Ange came back. The Ravens thought that Riordan wouldn’t come for Rosewood quite yet, but that didn’t put any of them at ease. Whatever he was up to was still no good for them, and if he did choose to come crush the rebellion, they’d lose their advantage.

The Ravens had moved their camp closer to Rosewood, now within the walls of mist. They were extra protection, but loomed in a way that made Jarrett uncomfortable.

Jarrett was restless. More than usual. He was on the cusp of having his memories back. To make the waiting more bearable, he tried not to think about it, which was impossible. It was even worse when he ran out of things to organize. The Vanguard was ready, and so were the Ravens. They just needed the final piece: Ange, and whatever recruits she had found.

Ange returned a fortnight after she had left. When Jarrett received word of her arrival, he ran to the town hall, where she awaited him. He burst through the doors, chest heaving. Leon and Rohan stood next to her.

“You’re back,” Jarrett said.

“So I am,” Ange said. There was a glint of worry in her eyes.

Jarrett glanced around. “Where’s your recruits?”

Ange grimaced. “That fell through. There were some… unfortunate circumstances.”

“What? So you left us hanging for two weeks for nothing?”

“Jarrett,” Leon broke in. “Take a breath. We have the Ravens back with us, and we needed the time anyway.”

That was easy to say when you weren’t waiting for your life back.

“Trust me, I wish I would have been more successful,” Ange said. “But regardless, we must move forward. How soon can you and the Ravens be ready?”

The sun would set soon. Fighting Riordan in the dark sounded like it would be inconvenient. “First thing in the morning?” Jarrett suggested.

“So be it,” Ange said. “We’ll break the seal then.”

“I may be a mage myself,” Rohan said, “But I still don’t quite understand what you’re going to do that will draw Riordan into our trap.”

“There’s a mage that Riordan has a particular interest in,” Ange said. “This mage used her powers to leave a semi-permanent effect on Jarrett. I’m going to break that effect, and hope that the magic released from it is strong enough, and has enough of the mage’s signature on it, that Riordan senses it. If he does, I know he will come to us. Probably quickly, using the Crossworld to shortcut to us.”

“A semi-permanent effect?” Rohan asked. “How is that even possible? Wouldn’t the mage run out of energy?”

“She’s a very good mage. And creative.” Ange held up her hand, the one with the faded emissary marks. “Do you know much about the bond between a god and their emissaries? She figured out how to do something similar, but for a different purpose.”

Jarrett could feel Rohan and Leon’s questioning gazes on him. “She clouded my memories,” he told them. It was easier to say now. He was about to get them back. He cleared his throat. “Is there anything else we need to prepare?”

“From what Rohan and Leon have told me, you’re quite well prepared,” Ange said. “The only thing left to decide is who will wield the magus swords. I’ll take one, so we’ll have four left to distribute. Any suggestions?”

“Leon, of course,” Jarrett said. “And myself.”

“Oh.” Ange twisted a strand of her hair, suddenly awkward. “No, you aren’t a good pick.”

“What?” Jarrett’s knuckles turned white as he clenched his hands. Sure, he wasn’t in his prime anymore, but he could still hold his own in a fight.

“You won’t be in any shape to join the battle, after I break the seal.”

“I’m sure I can handle it. This battle is important—”

“Which is exactly why you’re sitting out. Trust me, you won’t be needing a weapon, especially not a magus sword.”

Jarrett growled. “Fine.”

“Leon, though, I’ll agree with you on that.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence,” Leon said, though his face looked grim. “I’d vote for Korene to have one as well. I might be the strong one, but she’s quick as a serpent’s strike.”

Jarrett nodded. “The Ravens,” he said with a sigh. “They’ll want at least one.”

“That they will,” Ange said. “We’ll let them decide who’s best, out of their own.”

“Should we give them two, after everything?” asked Rohan. “It would certainly be a gesture of goodwill.”

“Waiting for me to arrive before beginning would have been a gesture of goodwill.” The door swung shut loudly behind Leandra. “But I suppose that’s beyond what I should expect, isn’t it Angelise?”

“It is,” Ange said, cold.

An emissary and ex-emissary of Death. Jarrett wondered what their history was. It didn’t seem pretty.

“One sword is fine, for now,” Leandra said. “The Ravens focus more on magic than swordsmanship. I’ll let you distribute the rest as you feel best. Though I ask you, Jarrett, to consider what Ange has in store for the remainder of these weapons, if we are successful against Riordan.”

“What do you mean?” Jarrett asked.

“Five swords, Jarrett. Do you think she doesn’t mean to use the rest?”

“Enough,” Ange snapped. “My intentions are the same as yours: to stop Riordan.”

“But to what end?” Leandra’s voice rose. “Why did you run, Ange? What are you up to?”

“You think Death’s rule is any better than Riordan’s?” Ange said. “I decided that I answer to no one. And yes, that includes you. So you can accept my help and the use of the artifacts that I risked my life to create, or you can figure this out on your own.”

“We have no choice but to work with you, so we will,” Leandra said. “All of us, we’re stuck together for now.”

Jarrett, Leon, and Rohan, all exchanged concerned glances. Was everything slipping out of control in the final hours?

“We’re all on the same side,” Jarrett said. “Against Riordan, if nothing else. That’s the focus, we’ll have to figure out the rest after. There’s no moving forward until he is removed from the throne. We’re allies, let’s act like it. There’s one more sword, let’s decide together who should use it.”

“What about Barek?” Ange suggested. “He’s new enough to feel like a neutral pick, isn’t he?”

“And talented enough,” said Leon.

“He’s…” Young, Jarrett wanted to say. But lots of Vanguardians were young. He was going to have to get over his urge to protect everyone from the frontlines of this battle. “A good fighter. If he wants to accept this offer, then he has my blessing. Leandra?”

“Only if the girl gets kept out of it. Jayden.”

“I’m not sure anyone will be able to stop her from showing up,” Rohan said. “Regardless of who wields the swords.”

Jarrett’s feelings were mixed. Jayden was young too, younger than Barek. And, obviously traumatized by her time in the mage prison. But still, she was a good mage, and she was determined to get her revenge on Riordan. Leandra tried to protect Jarrett from getting what he wanted, his memories. Something painful, and maybe even dangerous, especially when it meant drawing Riordan to them. He didn’t want to be protected from doing what he needed to do, so would it be hypocritical for him to try to do that to someone else?

“Even if we can stop her,” he said reluctantly, “I’m not sure we should. It’s her decision, ultimately. I’d discourage her, but if she chooses to fight, that’s her choice.”

Ange raised an eyebrow. “Good enough for you, Leandra?”

The older woman shrugged. “I suppose it will have to be.”