“Do you want something to eat?”
“No. I won’t be staying long. I just wanted to tell you what I discovered.”
I waited quietly for him to continue.
“It’s as I feared. The Dark Prince is recruiting on a large scale, but not just recruiting. He’s creating new vampires at an alarming rate. We took care of one of their cells in London, but there were at least three others.” He took a breath. “We’re asking everyone at all the Deific offices around the world to spare all their fighters.”
“I’ll help,” I said without hesitating. “Whatever you need.”
“If we weren’t desperate, I’d say no. It’s still so soon for you.”
I was about to say more when there was another knock at the door. Charlie jumped to his feet. “Are you expecting anyone?”
My pulse raced. “No.”
Charlie’s pinched face relaxed and he smiled. “It’s Henry.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
Charlie walked to the door and opened it. Henry stood in the doorway, his expression serious.
“I apologize for the late hour,” he said, looking first at Charlie, “but I knew you were here talking to Eve about what you learned in Ireland, and I’d like to be in on the conversation.”
Charlie motioned him inside. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m the psychic one, yet you always seem to know what’s going on.”
“You look a bit beat up,” Henry said to Charlie. “Had you waited, I could’ve helped.”
“We did just fine,” Charlie said, closing the door behind Henry. “Besides, I know you have your hands full with the other Deific offices.”
“What’s going on with them?” I asked, shifting my position to be more upright on the couch. It was strange having Henry in my home. Not in a bad way, but his presence was so powerful and commanding that I felt my house should be cleaner or more formal. Something.
“You can relax, Eve,” Henry said. He lowered himself into a chair opposite of me so we were at eye level. That helped. A little.
“A few of the Deific offices that were attacked a couple of weeks ago had high casualties,” he continued. “Their morale is low, and it’s been difficult not only finding replacements, but getting the current ones to stay. Out of all the Deific offices that were attacked, yours had the least casualties. It was also back up quickly and running smoothly.”
I glanced at Charlie wondering where Henry was going with all of this.
“The real reason I’ve come is,” Henry said, looking at Charlie. “I want you to do what you’ve done here, but in our Seattle office.”
My head jerked toward Henry. This was my opportunity. I could feel it. Henry glanced over at me as if he sensed my excitement, but he didn’t say anything.
“I want you to heal that office, Charlie. They need you.”
Charlie was shaking his head. “I can’t leave. Not now. There’s way too much happening. I need to be in the field.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Henry said. “I’ll take care of it.”
“But I’m no healer. I can barely manage myself.”
“You do a fine job, and I don’t mean a healer in the literal sense. Your energy and leadership will give life to those still working.”
Charlie narrowed his eyes. “You could’ve asked this over the phone, and when it wasn’t the middle of the night. Why are you really here?”
Henry leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. His gaze slowly turned to me. “I want Eve to go, too.”
I inhaled a quick intake of breath.
“Not only will she be able to use her new ability to help those who are suffering, but she’ll also be able to find someone she’s been looking for.”
Charlie snorted. “The vampire, Lucien? Is he really worth both Eve and I leaving New York? That seems like a waste of time, when we should really be out helping Alana and Michael.”
“Lucien is important. He is more valuable than anyone knows, and the Deific needs him. This just cements why I need you two in Seattle. Eve is the only person who can bring him in, but I need you, Charlie, to make sure she’s safe doing it. There’s a war coming, and without Lucien, we don’t stand a chance.”
Chapter 43
The move to Seattle was harder than I thought it would be. Mostly because I had to say goodbye to Sarah and the children at the Academy. I promised to come and visit, and Sarah promised to come visit me. It was just temporary, she’d said. I wasn’t so sure.