Disguise 126_The Matchmaker

CHAPTER 126 

 Saphire stood at the head of the table, her fingers resting lightly on the map, ring the ingard edge of viermann tampary. The pastiment was not beneath her touch, but her skin buzzed with tension. The room was silent, expectant, She could feel the weight of Hery game preve battle the st itself was holding its breath.

 “We can’t take too many into Silvermoon,” she said, het voice steady despite the tightness in need to move fast, stay unnoticed, and get out clean.”

 her chest. “Especially if we’re baring was tune infers W

 Zafira leaned forward, arms crossed tightly, her knuckles pale. “We hope we’re leaving with three others,” she said, voire brittle, eyes flicking to the mothe it might betray her.

 Saphira met her gaze, sharp and unwavering. “We will be.” We have to be. 

 Niks stepped beside her. “Three,” he said, his tone clipped. “No more. One for strength. One for direction. One for protection”

 Saphira straightened, her shoulders squaring, the weight of leadership settling over her like armour. “I’ll lead the group. I can one my connection to Action by find them. It’s our best chance.”

 Finn shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed, fingers drumming against the table. “Saphira, that’s too dangerous-

 Anastasia leaned forward, her voice tight with concern. “You shouldn’t be the one going in.”

 Saphira raised a hand, cutting them both off before the protest could build. “It’s the best option we have,” she said, her voice firm. “I know the terrain. know the pack. And I have a connection to Asher. I’m not sending someone else to do what I’m meant to.”

 Across from her, Jasper tilted his head slightly, his gaze assessing. “Are you ready if things go south?”

 Saphira opened her mouth, but Niks beat her to it. “She’s ready,” he said, voice firm, final. “And that’s why she needs a team she can trust. One that won’t hesitate if things turn.”

 He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping each face. “Who’s willing to go? Knowing the risks. Knowing what we might face.”

 A beat of silence followed. Then, slowly, hands rose–Jed, Raven, Jasper, Zafira and Anastasia. Finn and Amara remained still, alreadymitted to their own

 role.

 Niks nodded slowly. “Good. But it’s not safe for Anastasia or Zafira to go.”

 The protest was immediate.

 “I can still fight,” Zafira snapped, her voice sharp, eyes shing.

 “I’m not sitting this out,” Anastasia added, her voice low and fierce, fingers curling into fists against the table.

 Jed leaned forward, his tone calm but resolute. “You still can’t shift. That’s not weakness–it’s reality. And it means your biggest strength ispromised.”

 Zafira’s jaw clenched, her eyes burning. Anastasia looked away, her shoulders stiff, the silence between them thick with frustration. But neither argued further.

 Jed turned to Niks. “It should be me and Raven.”

 Niks hesitated, his gaze flicking to Saphira, then back to Jed. “Why?”

 Jed didn’t blink. “Raven’s her best friend. And the most powerful witch we have. And Saphira’s like my sister now. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

 Jasper interjected, his voice even, calm. “I know I’m not as close to Saphira, but I’m strong. Fast. And I won’t be distracted if something happens to Raven.

 Niks nodded slowly, weighing the room, the risks, the bonds. “We can’t afford emotional risks. That’s also why Anastasia and Zafira can’t go. We need rity. Control.”

 Niks turned to Saphira, his voice low but clear, cutting through the quiet tension in the room. “Saphira, it’s your choice. Who do you want with your 

 Her breath caught for half a second. Her fingers drifted across the map spread out before her, tracing the jagged edge of Silvermoon’s border, then the winding path back to safety. Her nail paused over the narrow pass they’d have to cross. This is mine to lead. Mine to risk. Mine to protect

 She straightened, spine aligning with the weight of responsibility. Her gaze swept the room slowly, deliberately.

 All of them willing. All of them dangerous in their own way. But I need more than strength–I need precision. I need bnce.

 She nodded once, then spoke, her voice steady but not cold. “Thank you,” she said, meeting each gaze in turn. “All of you. For volunteering.”

 A pause. Her heart thudded once, hard, then settled. She turned to Jed, her voice softening. “I think Jasper and Raven are the right choice.”

 Jed’s brows lifted, just slightly. His jaw flexed, but he didn’t speak.

 Saphira stepped toward him, her hand brushing his arm briefly–a gesture of respect, not apology. “It’s not personal,” she said, her voice low. “But I need to make sure there’s enough protection here at the pack. You’re just as strong as Niks. If anything happens… they’ll need you.”

 She saw the flicker in his eyes–hurt, maybe, or pride–but it passed like a shadow. Jed nodded, jaw tight, the muscle ticking once. “Understood.”

 Raven stepped forward, her cloak whispering against the floor. “I’ll ensure their safety,” she said, her voice calm, resolute. Then she turned to Jed, her tone softening. “This is the best option. If you werepromised, I’d be distracted. That could affect my magic.” 

 Jed exhaled, a slow breath through his nose. “Fair,” he said, voice clipped but epting!

 Jasper moved next, stepping into the light with quiet certainty. His stance was firm, arms at his sides, eyes steady, “I’m not as close to Saphira as the rest of you,” he said, voice even. “But I’ll do everything in my power to protect her–and all of us. I’ll get us out safely.”

 Saphira looked at him, really looked. His words weren’t warm, but they didn’t need to be. There was no embellishment. Just truth. That’s what matters. Not closeness. Notfort. Commitment.

 Niks nodded, his gaze lingering on Jasper a moment longer than necessary, “I appreciate it. And I trust you.”

 Then he turned to her, his voice gentler now, like a thread pulled taut but careful not to snap. “Are you sure you’re happy with this?” 

 She met his eyes, and something in her chest loosened. “I am.”

 Niks straightened, the shift in his posture signallingmand. “Then it’s settled. Everyone get ready to leave. We need to be at Silvermoon by the end of the day. No more waiting.”

 Raven was already moving, her cloak ring behind her. “I’ll check if the other witches have finished the protection potions. I’ll meet you at the entrance.”

 Jed stood, his chair scraping softly against the floor. “Pack light,” he said. “I’ll sort out transport while you get ready.”

 One by one, they filed out–quiet nods, murmured affirmations, the soft thud of boots on stone. The room emptied, leaving only Niks and Saphira.

 He walked to her side, his hand brushing hers, fingers curling briefly around hers before releasing. She didn’t speak. Didn’t need to. Together, they turned toward the hallway.

 This is happening. No more waiting. No more watching from the sidelines.

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Disguise 126