I didn't want to leave him. Not even for a minute. But Dalia had Haze against her shoulder already, bouncing lightly as she whispered something low and soothing. Athena sat cross-legged on the nursery floor, signing something teasing that made Dalia smirk and glance my way.
"He'll be fine," Dalia said. "He's got two full-bellied guards with nesting instincts. You go break things with the boys."
I hesitated another few seconds. Haze let out a slight noise, then went quiet again. The moment held. So I nodded.
The halls were dim and cold. The deeper we walked, the more the scent of iron crept into my mouth. Shade walked in front. Cy and Deonte flanked behind, both silent.
The basement had been built for wartime. Stone walls, reinforced doors, and no light but what they allowed. We passed
