‘Because they knew she’d come to me,’ I said, seeing where she was going.
Because the bald exile had seen Spence that night. He’d been the only other one there at Lilith’s estate. The only link to me besides Phoenix and Lincoln.
‘I think so,’ Steph agreed.
‘Spence is right. It’s a trap.’
And he’s the bait.
Steph tilted her head. ‘You don’t seem surprised.’
I wasn’t. I’d been waiting for the bald-headed exile to come after me since the other night.
And now I’ve put Spence’s life in danger.
‘I’ve come to expect this kind of stuff,’ I said, hoping my expression would tell Steph to let it go for now. I looked back at Chloe. ‘Did you keep notes on the locations held by this human organisation?’
She nodded.
‘Do they have a place in New York?’
She nodded again. ‘Offices and tournament sites.’
‘Where are the files?’ I asked, hoping they were here.
Chloe tapped her head. ‘It’s my gift. I don’t need to keep notes, I am the note.’
I rolled my eyes at her naivety. ‘Until someone kills you.’
She blanched.
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘So, it works like a photographic memory?’
‘Kind of, but it’s triggered by my emotions. I remember everything because of how I felt at that moment and that creates a visual rehashing of the event, along with all of the smells, environment and feelings. I can relive a moment completely. I can share my memory with another person if they have a connection to it themselves and even tap into someone else’s memories if they have a strong enough emotion from any one event.’
I quickly stepped away from the bed. ‘I trust that’s something that requires permission first?’
‘Of course,’ she responded, holding my gaze.
There are some memories that should never be rehashed.
‘There’s one more thing,’ Chloe said, her eyes now showing her deep fear.
‘What is it?’
‘His name. I never saw him but I heard them talking. They call him Sammael.’
I bit down on the insides of my cheeks, needing the distraction. Having a name made it all that much more real. ‘That’s a good help. Thanks, Chloe,’ I said, giving her a quick nod before I turned.
‘Violet!’ she called out.
I paused and turned back to her. ‘I’ll find him, Chloe. I promise.’ I looked to Salvatore and Zoe. ‘Can you hang around and get the list of properties, focusing on what they have in New York and south of here?’
Salvatore nodded instantly.
I tossed my empty coffee cup into a bin.
‘Where are you going?’ Zoe called after me as I walked out the door.
‘To set a few things straight,’ I said over my shoulder. ‘Whatever is going on here, Spence needs me and there’s no way in hell I’m leaving him out there alone.’
I made it to the lift before Steph took up position beside me, checking her watch. ‘We’d better head straight there. Lincoln will already have the meeting underway.’
I nodded, knowing I was headed for round two.
The difference? This time I was ready.
CHaPteR teN
‘We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves.’
Francois de la Rochefoucauld
Sometimes we knowingly fool ourselves. Sometimes there is no way to control what’s going on, so we just lie to avoid facing facts. The calm before the storm. Because there is no other way.
I strode purposefully towards the meeting room. My emotions were in check, my hood was back in place, and I ignored the inquisitive eyes as I walked through the halls. But as soon as I entered the meeting room and felt the intensity flowing from the presence at the head of the main table, I knew there was little time left to hide.
Steph stayed with me at the back of the room. I peeked through my hood, noting that Lincoln had angled his body away from us. Another clear message. But it was a new day and I wasn’t going to let myself get caught up in his behaviour. I was completely shut off, surrounded by nothing but my ever-present coldness.
Tick. Tick.
‘Our sources have told us there’s a group of humans organising an exile tournament this week in Manhattan.’
‘Is there a chance they’re connected with the group Spence and Chloe were investigating?’ Josephine asked from beside Lincoln, before taking a sip from a china cup.
‘There’s a good chance,’ Lincoln confirmed.
The door opened again and Gray moved into the room and took up position on my other side. He’d discarded his robe. When I looked up at his bloodshot eyes, he gave me a sheepish smile and shrugged. With an unveiled Gray beside me, the amount of unwanted attention on us multiplied.
Tick. Tick.
‘Hakon,’ Lincoln went on, holding up a sheet of paper, ‘are you confident this is the right address?’