Chapter Twenty-Six: The Surface Disguise Plan

The cavern's flickering light barely reached the edges of their circle as Seamus finalized the plan. The weight of what lay ahead pressed against the air—today, they would surface.

And if they failed to blend in?

They wouldn't make it back underground alive.

Seamus leaned against the old wooden crate, hands on his knees as he studied each of them in turn. "Remember, only humans, Middle Orders, and Fluorescents can travel freely. If you're not obviously human, you need a damn good disguise."

He pointed at Ballad. "That means you, Red. Unless you feel like getting staked in broad daylight."

Ballad smirked, flashing the slightest glint of fang. "I'd rather choke."

"Then keep your damn mouth shut unless absolutely necessary," Seamus said flatly. "Humans don't have fangs."

Lottie snorted. "That's impossible for her."

Ballad rolled her eyes.

Seamus moved on. "Talulah, Collin—you two are the trickiest."

Collin stretched lazily, arms behind his head. "Because we're so damn pretty?"

"Because you're so damn otherworldly," Seamus corrected. "You can't exactly pass as human unless no one looks too closely."

Talulah, ghostlike in the dim firelight, tilted her head. "And if they do?"

"Then you better have a damn good excuse." Seamus exhaled. "You're lucky you're both fae-blooded. The Middle Order takes Fluorescents in all flavors, so you can pass as something light-aligned."

Collin winced. "I don't like lying about my heritage."

"Then enjoy your execution," Lottie muttered.

Collin flicked a stone at her.

Seamus ignored them. "You're a traveling Fluorescent merchant and his wife. You deal in rare spirits, elixirs, and charms."

Collin groaned. "Great. Stuck playing house with Talulah."

Talulah didn't react. She just lifted an eyebrow. "You're not exactly my first pick either."

Lottie cackled.

Seamus cleared his throat. "Alistair and Tully Byrne. Your ailing father, Cormac Byrne, is with you—" he gestured at himself with a grin—"and you're looking to set up shop."

Collin sighed. "Fine. But if anyone flirts with me, you're handling it."

Talulah's lip curled. "I don't think that will be a problem."

Lottie let out another choked laugh.

Seamus pressed on. "Landon, Ballad, and Lottie—you're the traveling scouts."

Landon nodded, adjusting the strap of his rifle. "What's our cover?"

"Mercenaries, sell-swords, bounty hunters—whatever works," Seamus said. "People always need muscle. If you get stopped, say you're looking for work in security or patrol."

Ballad hummed. "Names?"

Landon thought for a moment. "Marcus, Elara, and Fen."

Ballad tilted her head. "Sounds believable."

Seamus grinned. "Good. Then it's settled."

That left Tara and Skye.

Tara already knew what Seamus was about to say. "We don't need fake names."

Seamus frowned. "You sure about that?"

Tara nodded. "I'm already wanted. If I give a fake name and someone recognizes me, it'll make things worse."

Skye shrugged. "And I don't get caught."

Seamus chuckled. "We'll see."

Seamus clapped his hands. "This afternoon, we leave. Stick to the plan, don't get reckless, and for the love of the gods, don't get caught."

Silence settled.

Today, everything would change.