I looked at him, my jaw clenched. "No. We find Jace and Mara now."
He halted. "Now? They really just disappeared three hours ago." His storm‑gray eyes met mine and I could see the frustration. "The veilwood is infested with Serik's cultists. We risk losing more."
My heart twisted at the idea of my two best friends —Jace with his raucous laugh and fighter's blade, Mara with her cool efficiency in the shadows that had saved us more than once--lost in that wretched forest. They haunted my dreams, of being caught by them.
"They're out there," I insisted, voice shaking with need. "They would never have quit the mission. Something happened. I'm going after them."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Lila, I won't have you go into the Veilwood by yourself. The alliance needs you here."
I stepped closer, sliding a burning palm across the sigil. "No. I need to lead this rescue. They obey my instructions -both in my counsel, and as my wife. You know I am the best tracker of the three of us."
