Page 36 of Fire to the Stars

This confirms he made breakthroughs with his research, but to what extent? If he was on the brink of a cure when his brother died, there’s still hope for me. I need to read that journal for myself—before my competition gets their hands on it.

Lyle’s predicament can help me do that.

I lift Lucy to stop her from gnawing at my boots. “I have some thoughts on how to rescue your mother.”

“You do?” Lyle brightens with anticipation.

“You do?” Abel echoes skeptically.

“The bottom line is that Madame Afi’s abductors want Abelto hunt a dragon to Jardincourt. Whatever their ultimate goal for the journal is, my money says it’s an ambush,” I declare. “I suggest we go.”

“You want me to fall for their trap?” Abel asks.

“To a point.” I lift an instructing finger. “Unlike Ravinfort, Jardincourt is a big city with a large population. The culprits will use it to blend into the crowd, but it’s also the perfect place to use witnesses as our defense.”

“How does that help Ma?” Lyle asks.

“It buys time to inform the Gendarmerie and pass along the evidence. Put yourself in their shoes. If we travel separately, your mother’s abductors will assume their threat is working and Abel is none the wiser.”

“That will keep Madame Afi alive,” Abel realizes, “while I consult with the local marshal. I have to go to the station with Hanna’s information to locate the dragon anyway, so it’s a good cover.”

Better yet, while we’re in the city, I’m sure I can find a moment to read that journal. Not to mention it’s a promising place to find a sleep powder dealer, just in case my plan gets delayed through the next Ignition.

“We can rescue Ma, hunt the dragon, and get the gendarmes to investigate the assassins all at once!” Lyle slaps his knees. “Your girl is a genius, Abel.”

“More like a criminal mastermind,” Abel mumbles.

“Genius. Mastermind.” I stroke Lucy with a villainous grin. “Is there a difference?”

I’m just pleased that my criminal history can help someone besides myself for once. Papa would be proud of me.

“Let me take your mother’s hand,” Abel offers gently. “I’ll pass it along to the Gendarmerie.”

Lyle swallows hard but nods. His grip on the box lingers for a beat that tugs my heartstrings as I remember Papa’s broken body. He blinks rapidly as he lets go.

“I’m so sorry for lying,” Lyle says, glancing between us. “Will you forgive me?”

“Your mother’s life is at risk. I can’t blame you for panicking,” Abel replies. “What matters now is that we can rescueher.”

Lyle nods, sagging with relief.

“One last thing before we part.” Abel withdraws the mask and sickle from his pack. “I took this weapon”—he glances at me, then Lyle—“from anotherwise occupiedattacker. Do you recognize the handiwork?”

The reminder of attacking that woman makes me squirm inside, but hugging Lucy helps me hide it.

“Looks just like the one they held to my throat.” Lyle turns the sickle over in his callused hands. “There’s no smith’s brand, so I can’t tell you who made it. I don’t even know how to forge this style of weapon.”

“You haven’t forged anything similar?” I ask.

“Dragon hide is too thick for weapons swung with flicking motions. My designs puncture. But if I had to guess, I’d say this weapon is designed to disembowel or behead humans.”

“Another clue for the Gendarmerie, then,” Abel replies.

“I’ll send a dove to Abigail Payen,” Lyle says, confidence returning to his posture. “She’s the marshal in Varsonne. Ma was abducted there, so she’ll want to know everything we’ve discovered.”

“Send a dove to the station in Jardincourt, too. That way their marshal will expect us.”

“Consider it done.”