I shook my head and released her. “I’m fine. How is everyone else?”
Sarah didn’t get a chance to answer. Charlie appeared before me with a bandage above his eye and a dark bruise on his forehead that spread into his hairline. By his expression, I couldn’t tell if he was angry or happy. His face twisted into so many emotions in such a short amount of time that I couldn’t help but give him a weak smile. He didn’t say a word. Instead, he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into his office.
“Where have you been?” he asked as soon as the door closed.
“I’ve been hiding upstairs in some library.”
He paused, thinking. “How did you know of that place? The last thing I remember is one of those men holding you. Better question, how did you get away?”
I smiled. “Magic. It just came to me, and you and Dr. Skinner were right. It didn’t frighten me, didn’t change me. Other than leaving me with a pretty good headache, it was amazing.”
Charlie dropped into his chair, a great sigh leaving his chest. “Thank goodness. I’ve been so worried.”
“I’m sorry. Henry showed up and thought it best if I avoided the police. He took me to the private library through the break room. Cool hideout, by the way. So does anyone have any theories on why those men attacked us?”
Charlie rubbed his temples. “Not a clue. All the Deific offices were broken into, but only one item was taken, and it just happened to be from our office.”
“What was it?”
“The briefcase you gave back to me yesterday.”
“What would they want with that?” I asked and began to pace back and forth. It didn’t really give them any relevant information they should care about. Almost everyone in the database shared their same interests and desires.
Charlie lowered his hands. “It seems to me that if bad guys are trying to find other bad guys, than they are either trying to knock someone off, or they want to get everyone together for some bad guy convention. I’m guessing it’s the latter.”
“I think you’re right,” I agreed. “There’s something else. Before Henry came, I had a chance to question the vampires. One of them said ‘The Dark Prince’ was behind this.”
The color immediately drained from Charlie’s face, and his mouth opened.
“Do you know him?” He didn’t respond, and that’s when I knew. “He’s the one who killed your wife, isn’t he?”
“I should’ve known,” he whispered. “It’s all been leading up to this.”
“So what do we do?”
Charlie straightened. “We fight.”
Chapter 41
The next several days, Charlie worked overtime. Many calls were made to the other Deific offices, and several agents were sent undercover, including Alana and Michael, who seemed to be more upset than anyone.
Before they left, Michael pulled me aside. “Henry told me that one of them took your picture.”
I nodded.
“When did he take your picture? Was it before or after you used magic?”
“After.”
His brow wrinkled. “Someone thinks they’ve found you. Watch your back, Eve.”
His words sent a cold chill up my spine. There were only a couple of people who might try to find me: Boaz, if he somehow survived, and any relatives. The thought of coming face to face with either of them rocked my frame.
After Michael left, I went into Charlie’s office. Papers were scattered all over his desk; several of them had spilled onto the floor. Charlie’s head was lowered and rested in his hands. I thought he was asleep until he suddenly jerked upright and stared at me as if he’d never seen me before. Dark circles hung beneath his eyes and his brown hair was wildly out of control.
“Okay, Charlie. This is getting ridiculous!” I said. “Go home!”
“How can I? The man who murdered Moira is out there, and now he’s come back for more blood. I have to stop him, but—” He picked up several papers and tossed them off his desk. “—I can’t find him!”
“Maybe you’re too close to the situation.” I sat in the chair across from his desk and slouched down. “Take a break and come back and look at everything with a new perspective. When’s the last time you ate?”
His shoulders slumped forward. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. Let’s go get something to eat and then you are going to go to bed. If you won’t leave the Deific, then at least crash at my place for a few hours.”
He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “There’s a truck stop diner just outside the city. It’s private and they have the best eggs benedict.”
“Eggs it is,” I said, pushing my way back out of the chair. Charlie was looking at paperwork again by the time I reached the door. I practically had to drag him away.
***