Page 126 of Sunsplitter

Across the table, Kashvi frowned. “Well, sure. Of course. But—”

“No, no, the aedari’s usingoneCurtain network.”

Fi bounced on her feet, seeing it click together. Shards were stepping stones between Planes, but they connected like a maze. The routes took years to map and memorize, even for an immortal. But Fi knew them like the back of her hand.

“The aedari doesn’t know the Curtain system here. He’s using paths that are close together. Look, these ones”—she pointed to three pins on the map—“all have nearby Curtains connecting to the same Shard. And these ones”—another four— “to a Shard next to that one. One step over, you’re on the Bridge to the Summer Plane. He’s using one core Curtain network, starting small, then branching out.”

And people claimed Void smuggling was a degenerate career path.

The daeyari looked at Fi with various degrees of bafflement. Plus Antal, gazing at her like the most brilliant creature in the Planeverse. That, she could devour all day.

“You’re sure?” Ixli said.

“Best Void smuggler in this territory,” Kashvi confirmed. “Of course she’s sure.”

“Excuse me,” Fi said, indignant. “Justthisterritory?”

Syvr joined Ixli inspecting the map. “That does narrow the ground to cover. If we target areas near these Curtains, we might pick up the aedari’s trail while it’s fresh.”

Fi had another idea. One that sped her heart into her throat.

“How about one better?” she said. “How about we find this aedari before he strikes?”

Syvr cocked their head. “And how will we manage that?”

This was one of her reckless plans. Or brilliant. Only time would tell.

“Send me,” she said. “As bait. A traveler out on the road, waiting to get caught.”

It sounded worse when she said it out loud. A ring of startled looks agreed with the absurdity of the proposal, the ludicrous prospect of Fi throwing herself at the immortal creature currently culling his way through her Plane.

Antal’s stare cut deepest. Merciless Void, which facet of those scorching crimson eyes hurt the most? Was it the outrage? The silent betrayal? The bottled shout she could hear on his tongue.You promised, Fionamara. No more putting yourself in reckless danger.

This plan wasn’t reckless. They were using all their advantages.

“The aedari has seen you before,” Ixli said. “It will remember you fought alongside daeyari.”

“All the better, right?” Fi said. “He’ll know I might have information he wants.”

“If it doesn’t attack first,” Syvr said.

“Sure. But I’mjust a human.” Fi pressed the emphasis. A chronic sting—but also, if she used it right, an asset. “I’m not a threat. Even in that farmhouse, the aedari killed Jazst without a single word. He tried totalkto me.”

Void, Fi hoped she’d read that situation right. Her life was about to depend on it.

She looked to Antal. “I’ll be bait,” she said to everyone—but pointedly, softly to him. “The rest of you will be waiting. Ready to back me up the moment the aedari shows himself.”

“You’d risk that?” Syvr asked. “Alone with an aedari? It could strike in an instant. Before we have time to come to you.”

“I’ll be fine.” Fi braced her fists on the table. “I’ve got a long track record of immortals underestimating me.”

No shouts this time. No bared teeth or accusations. Fi looked to Antal with a silent entreaty.

Trust me.

He was all granite. Fractured edges. Fi saw the truth of him in the bob of his throat. She saw how much he’d shatter if he lost her.

Fi wouldn’t let that happen.