"They let one of his people live to deliver a message," Hana continued.

"What message?" Ivy asked before Damon could get a chance to.

"One of ours for one of theirs. They want Jax."

A moment of silence passed between the three of them. It only lasted a short while before Damon spoke up. "Let’s move to the council meeting room," his gaze trailed across the crowd which surrounded them, and although they acted like they weren’t listening, they all couldn’t help but listen to the conversation of their leaders.

They quickly regrouped in the quiet room, settling down the moment they entered and continuing where they left off.

"We have to do it," Ivy spoke first. "Compared to Jax, Victor is far more useful. His healing capabilities are far beyond those of any other healers in our citadel."

Damon nodded.

He couldn’t help but agree with the logic. No matter how you looked at it, this deal put them ahead, which is why he couldn’t help but frown.

"Why would they trade a healer they know we need for a scout who got himself caught?" He asked, opting to raise more questions in Ivy’s and Hana’s minds rather than seeking an actual answer.

Ivy raised a brow. "You think it’s a trap?"

Damon shrugged. "That’s what I would do. Healers are scarce. There is no way I would let my enemy have one, definitely not for a scout."

"I tried to get information out of Jax, but he has no idea what they’re planning. Though he did seem shocked that they went to all that trouble for him. He wasn’t exactly popular in the other citadel." Hana quickly added.

"So?" Ivy suddenly began. "It’s not like we can abandon Victor, can we?"

"No. The timing works in our favour. They moved while five of their lieutenants were in the rift. They are probably expecting their return before the ambush. We should push for an exchange as soon as possible. If we can kill more of their top fighters before they find out that the others are dead, then we might destroy their forces before they realise what is happening."

Ivy and Hana were quiet for a moment, processing the logic.

"So we accept the exchange," Ivy said. "But we go in ready for whatever they have planned."

"Yes," Damon said. "We act fast. Every hour we wait is an hour closer to them finding out their five lieutenants are dead."

"Where do they want the exchange to happen?" Ivy asked, turning to Hana.

"Central Station," Hana replied, shifting slightly as if already knowing the response would catch them off guard.

"They must have people already there," Damon murmured.

Central Station was their old base, the one they left behind once they moved to the citadel. It was hardly neutral ground. They knew the ins and outs better than their enemy ever could, so he immediately knew there was something at play there.

"Send the word that we agree," Damon said. "Tell them we will be there tomorrow at noon."

Hana nodded while Ivy spoke up.

"Do we scout the area first?"

"No. That will let them know that we suspect something. You will lead the exchange while I enter from the South Court Station.

Ivy raised a brow. "South Court Station? Why?"

"Unlike us, who knew of that entrance, they must only be familiar with the two exits from the main streets. I doubt they will keep guards watching the platforms. I will move an hour before you, get there without them realising it. Then, when the time comes, I will cut them down."

Ivy nodded while Hana rose to her feet to get a messenger to send the reply.

"Get some rest," Damon said, rising to his feet. "Tomorrow needs to go perfectly if we want to get Victor back alive."

Ivy didn’t say anything.

Instead, she simply watched Hana, then Damon left in silence before letting out an exhausted exhale of someone who hadn’t had a day’s rest in a long time.

***

"Do you think it’ll work?" Hana asked, walking beside Damon as the two of them headed temporarily in the same direction.

He raised a brow. "What will?"

"Your plan. Do you think you can pull it off?"

"It’ll work," he replied flatly. "Why?"

"I can read more than just thoughts... There is a sense of unease coming off from you. Is there any part of the plan you’re not sure about?"

Damon pondered over the question for a moment.

There was a part of the plan he wasn’t certain about and that was Victor’s life. If it was him, he would keep him at arm’s length, using him as leverage in case things go sideways.

He was certain about dealing with any of the enemy lieutenants or traps but saving Victor from death wasn’t part of his certainty. Even with his Shadow Step it would not be easy to reach him before they can kill him.

"No," he finally replied, shaking those doubts away. "I’ll make it work."

Hana nodded before coming to a sudden halt. "I have to go this way."

Damon paused mid-step, turning his gaze toward her.

"See you later," she said before hurrying down the corridor to Damon’s left.

He watched her leave for a short moment before continuing his walk back to his bedroom.

With the long journey from beyond the enemy territory, the A-Rank rift as well as the battle against five enemy lieutenants, he felt rather tired.

It was time to get some rest.

Or so he thought.

He pushed open the door to his room with the particular tiredness of someone who had been running on intention rather than energy for the last several hours, and stopped as he caught a sight of his bed being already occupied.

A figure rose from the white sheets of his bed the second he clicked open his door, her long black hair cascading across her shoulders as her gaze locked onto him.

"Ning Xiaoyu?"