Deborah's POV
After what felt like an eternity in Macha, Barron and I decided it was time to leave. Though rich with information, the city had become far too dangerous to stay any longer.
The early morning sunlight filtered through the slats of my window, streaking the floor with deceptive golden warmth, masking the ever-present tension that gripped Macha.
I packed my belongings and gave them one last check before slinging my bag over my shoulder. As I stepped out of my room and descended the staircase, Barron waited for me, lounging against the sleek silver hull of the airship with his usual air of nonchalance. He raised an eyebrow when he saw me. "Ready to go, Deb?"
"It's long overdue," I replied, moving to the passenger seat.
With a low hum, the engine roared to life, its sound cutting through the stillness of the morning. TThe airship glided out of Macha, its sleek form disappearing into the vast expanse of quiet sky. Behind us, the city slowly receded, its secrets hidden beneath its cold, polished exterior.
Macha had been a paradox—a place where glimpses of truth surfaced but never fully revealed themselves. Through Telepathy, I had uncovered fragments of their plans, though none left me entirely satisfied. Vandran's family strategy meeting highlighted their meticulous preparations for another assault on Tirfothuinn. Yet, amidst the serious discussions, I discovered something both unexpected and absurd—Barron had somehow become a key piece in their larger game.
The Vandran family's plans were ambitious, to say the least. Their primary goal involved planting spies within Tirfothuinn to gather intelligence. The idea alone made me uneasy; Sanctuarium may have been a formidable barrier, but even it couldn't protect us from treachery within. Alongside this, they intended to strengthen their naval and aerial forces, pouring their vast resources into the development of advanced weapons. They were gearing up for an all-out war, leaving no stone unturned.
And yet, amidst these high-stakes discussions, Emily's parents had found time to focus on something utterly trivial. They had explicitly instructed her to "secure" Barron as soon as possible, even listing it as an official agenda item. When I first uncovered this, I couldn't decide whether to laugh or seethe. A family strategic meeting that included marriage alliances as a tactical move—it was both ridiculous and telling. The Vandran family's ambitions extended beyond military conquest. They wanted power, and they saw Barron as a valuable piece on their chessboard.
More than ever, the Vandrans saw the Edwards family as a direct threat.
The airship glided smoothly, the rhythmic hum of its engine filling the silence. I glanced at Barron from the corner of my eye. His hands rested easily on the controls, his posture relaxed, as if the weight of the Vandran family's schemes didn't concern him in the slightest.
"Emily's parents are nothing if not persistent," I said, a wry edge to my tone.
Barron chuckled, glancing my way with a knowing smirk. "Let me guess—you 'picked up' on something again, didn't you?"
"Don't you want to know what I heard?" I countered, arching an eyebrow.
"As long as it doesn't involve her scheming another marriage alliance, I think I'll be fine," he said, his voice light but with a hint of exasperation.
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well, they didn't go quite that far, but you can probably guess. Emily's parents made it very clear during their meeting that one of her top priorities is to win you over. Apparently, it's so important, they made it an official item on the family agenda. Congratulations, Barron. You've truly earned a special place in the Vandrans' hearts."
He scoffed, the sound tinged with derision. "What a joke. Fine, if I'm that important to their plans, I guess I'd better head back to Tairngire before Emily pulls some ridiculous stunt."
As much as I hated to admit it, Barron needed to return to Tairngire sooner rather than later. He had been away from his family's estate for far too long, and as a member of the Thorne family, his responsibilities were significant. On top of that, Emily's impending visit to Tairngire meant he had to prepare for her arrival and whatever schemes she might bring with her.
"Don't worry," he said, his voice softer now, tinged with sincerity as he glanced at me briefly. "If I find out anything while I'm in Tairngire, I'll let you know right away."
"Hold yourself to that," I replied, the teasing edge in my tone doing little to mask the trust beneath it.
The rest of the journey passed in relative silence, the quiet broken only by the occasional hum of the engine. The stillness gave me time to think, though my thoughts offered little comfort. I kept replaying the fragments I'd gathered in Macha, piecing them together in a mental puzzle that refused to fit neatly.
Eventually, Ablach's familiar skyline came into view. The city's edges softened in the morning light, its gray stone buildings taking on a warmer hue. The streets grew busier as we descended, the bustling energy of the crowds a stark contrast to Macha's cold precision.
The airship landed in front of a modest gray-brick house—Chad's home. Barron helped me unload my bags before straightening and giving me a casual salute. "Take care of yourself, Deb. I'll be in touch."
I nodded, watching as he climbed back into the airship. The sleek vehicle rose smoothly, its form disappearing into the horizon, leaving me alone on the quiet street.
As I stood there, the weight of everything settled over me. The stakes were higher than ever, and though we had left Macha, the danger hadn't dissipated. If anything, it felt closer, heavier, like a storm gathering just beyond the horizon.
I tightened my grip on the strap of my bag and turned toward Chad's door. There was no room for hesitation now. The battle for Tirfothuinn's survival was only just beginning, and there was no telling how long the fragile peace would last.