‘We’ll stay in the French Quarter tonight and move you out to the ships in the morning.’
Lincoln had already arranged for us to use naval ships in the Mississippi River. Two Destroyers would arrive tomorrow. Having Grigori positioned in all military ranks did come in handy.
‘So, I take it you know why we’re here,’ I said.
His jaw clenched. ‘You’re here to rescue your friend.’
‘You say that like it’s a lost cause,’ I pushed.
His lips pressed into a flat line and I noticed the thick pink scar that ran down the side of his neck. Burn scars, maybe.
‘I arrived here six months ago. I can’t even remember what life is like outside this place and I’m certain I will never know it again. There were twelve of us who arrived, only to discover that all of the Grigori who were supposed to be here were missing.’ His eyes flicked to mine. ‘There are three of us left.’
I nodded, understanding his pain. ‘Your partner?’ I asked.
‘Gone.’
I nodded again, and my next words were a statement, not a question. ‘You think my friend is dead.’
He turned into a narrow street and then took another sharp left into an open driveway. The tyres ran over loose gravel, which flicked beneath the car until we pulled to a sudden stop and he looked at me.
‘I think your friend is dead.’
At least he’s honest.
Ours was the last car to pull in. Lincoln and the others were waiting by theirs but Phoenix stood apart from the group, further down the driveway. He was looking towards the street and I could tell he was using his abilities to try and gauge how threatening our surroundings were.
Extremely damn threatening! I wanted to yell. But I didn’t since it was taking all my concentration fighting off the urge to be sick. I had worked so hard for the past two years to avoid this … sense of responsibility. But now Phoenix had exiled for me and there he was, right in the middle of everything. Because of me. And if something happened to him, it would be my fault.
Roman cut the engine, but I didn’t move.
Christ, I was practically hyperventilating and I hadn’t even begun to think about how much worse it could get.
But then Lincoln was there, opening my car door, and I couldn’t ignore him completely. I stared at him. Yeah, it got much, much worse. The whole thing was starting to feel a lot like déjà vu, and in the most terrible way.
Lincoln’s eyes stayed on mine, sensing my fears, but when his hand reached out to touch me, I shook my head and quickly took a step back. After giving me a long look, Lincoln let it slide and I shoved my emotions back down and forced a neutral expression as introductions were made. Now more than ever I needed to stay focused on the job and on getting Spence back.
Along with Roman were partners Ray and Leila, who appeared to be in charge of their small team.
‘Why don’t we get your gear inside and then grab something to eat? There’s a place down the road that’s safe and has good food,’ Ray suggested.
Lincoln nodded. ‘We’ll set up a team here to watch the house. They can go out in groups when we return. It’ll also give us a chance to talk first,’ he added.
Ray nodded and instructed Roman to stay behind to help get everyone else settled.
While Lincoln asked Zoe and Sal to oversee and head up the security of the house, I pulled Phoenix aside.
‘You need to stay in the house where you won’t draw any attention to yourself,’ I instructed.
He smiled grimly. ‘You felt them too?’
‘Just enough to have me seriously freaking out. Clearly this is their territory and if they sense an exile of dark here they’ll go mad. We can’t afford for them to storm this place.’
He nodded, suddenly interested in the shrubbery. ‘And here I thought for a moment you were worried about me.’
I opened my mouth to snap back, to tell him that he knew damn well I was worried about him. But the words just stuck in my throat and instead, I sighed. ‘I’m worried about everyone, Phoenix. You included.’
‘And what about you?’ he asked, looking up and holding my wary eyes. ‘Are you worried about yourself?’
My throat ached with the need to have some kind of release – a scream or a cry. Either one probably would have helped. ‘Don’t do this,’ I said instead, quietly, glancing over my shoulder and catching sight of Lincoln watching us intently. The ache dropped to my heart. ‘Just stay in the house, okay?’ I pleaded.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll behave,’ Phoenix said, not looking at me again before throwing his bag over his shoulder and heading into the house.