Kol leaned forward, eyes glinting with something that looked dangerously close to excitement. Kade still hadn't sat down. He paced slowly, arms folded, tense.
I took a deep breath. "The banquet is in two days. That's when it happens."
Kol raised a brow. "You want to do it during the event?"
I nodded. "Exactly then. The Supreme Leader will be distracted. So will the rest. All the major players—businessmen, officials, foreign buyers—they'll be there. If I unleash the creatures then, they won't have time to react. No chain of command. No one giving orders. Just chaos."
Kol's grin widened. "I like it."
Kade still didn't speak.
I looked between them. "Kol, I need you to get access to the enclosure system. You'll open the gates. Quietly. Remotely. Right after the first toast—when they're all paying attention to him."
He nodded once, serious now. "And the creatures? Won't they just lash out at everyone?"
"They'll be given a command," I said. "Only one: Kill everyone in the banquet hall."
"And they'll listen?" Kade asked.
"They will." My voice was firm. "I've been working with them every night. They know my voice. They won't stop until I tell them to."
Kol gave a low whistle. "Gods."
"I'll give you a recording," I said to him. "Load it into the system. Play it through the mic after the doors open. That'll trigger them."
Kol nodded again, more thoughtful now.
"And me?" Kade asked.
"You need to secure the hybrids in the mansion—especially the ones the Supreme Leader keeps in his private wing. Get them out, lock them down, whatever it takes. I won't risk them getting caught in the crossfire."
His expression darkened. "You're including Nine in that."
"Of course."
There was a pause.
"And how will I know when to play my part?" he asked.
"I'll give you a signal," I said. "Something subtle. When you see it, you move."
Kade finally stopped pacing, arms dropping to his sides. "You're planning a massacre."
"I'm planning a purge," I corrected. "The ones in that room are the ones keeping this whole system alive. Cut off the head. Let the rot fall."
Kade didn't laugh. He just stared at me. "Why now?" he asked. "Why this banquet in particular?"
I held his gaze.
Because Nine will be on display again.
Because I can't watch him break in silence one more time.
Because I need them all to see the blood coming.
But all I said was, "Because it's the last one I'm willing to sit through."