Everyone shook their heads. So I’d have to reach out to Everett regardless.

“Fine. I’ll warn Everett about what we’re doing. We’ll offer Muriel to the dragons, and if we’re lucky, the Mythguard will be ready to intercept,” I said.

“Don’t act rashly,” said Gretel. “Take some time to think about this.”

“We don’t have time.”

She was right, though; as much as I wanted to call up Everett right now, I knew it was better for me to consider all possible options first, ...