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“Yeah…turns out it ain’t about the drugs, newbie. It’s about the power and some sense of the way the world is supposed to be.”
“Which is?”
“Alphas at the top, betas doing their bidding, omegas our vessels for breeding,” Luka mutters. “Not the most novel concept, of course—the ACB had the same philosophy when they were running Solstice Bay—but these guys think some god meant it to be this way.”
“And the drug?”
Luka sighs. “I haven’t got a sample yet, but I’m working on it. Rook thinks it’s more of a biological weapon than a street drug. And speak of the devil…”
I frown, listening for any sign of Rook and getting nothing. But Luka is never wrong when it comes to predicting the future, and no more than a couple minutes later I hear footsteps on the stairs.
Rook looks surprised to see me, eyebrows rising toward his messy dark hair. He looks from me to Luka, gesturing downstairs. “You know your door was unlocked, right? Is that really—“
“Knew you were coming, just like I told Finch here,” Luka interrupts. “Take a seat; I just packed us a fresh bowl.”
Rook’s hazel eyes flicker with curiosity as he takes the seat across from me, his tall, lean frame settling comfortably into the couch. Luka hands Rook the pipe, and without a word, Rook takes a long drag before passing it to me.
I inhale, letting the warmth of the smoke seep into my lungs. The familiar taste lingers on my tongue, mingling with bittersweet memories of a time when everything seemed simpler—when we would sit just like this and shoot the shit. But now, as I sit here with two key pieces of the puzzle that is Pacific City’s unraveling, I can’t help but wonder if we’re heading down a path from which there is no return.
“So,” Rook finally speaks, his voice low and laced with a tinge of urgency. “Luka tells me you left the Angels.”
I meet Rook’s gaze, feeling the weight of his words settle between us. “Not by choice.”
“He’s gotta protect his girl,” Luka murmurs. “You get that, right?”
Rook shrugs. “S’pose so. Only problem is she caused all this shit to happen.”
I stiffen, Luka shaking his head—but thank fuck, he cuts in before I can go for Luka’s throat. “Don’t blame the girl, Rook. Blame the system. Blame the Eclipse. Blame the damn cult that brought hell to these streets.”
Rook blows out a breath. “S’pose you’re right, Petrov. But this…shit’s getting worse every day. Think you escape one hellhole just to find a new one.”
All three of us know it was worse in London—we’ve heard the stories. Rook got out, but now…
“We’re trying to make things right, man,” I say, raking my hand through my hair. “I swear.”
“Well, make it right quick,” Rook says. “Business isn’t exactly booming.”
“Speaking of the girl who kicked all this shit off…” Luka starts, “where is she?”
“With Oberon,” I murmur. “They were meeting an old friend of his from the Eclipse, said he had a lead.”
“Risky,” Rook chimes in.
“I can’t stop her, though,” I sigh. “She’s reckless. That’s just who she is.”
“And has she figured out where she came from?”
“Not yet.”
“Heaven or hell would be my guess,” Luka says. “Girl’s fuckin’ celestial, man…like some avenging angel shit.”
I peer over at him, narrowing my eyes. We haven’t talked a single time about what he said when Vance had us in custody weeks ago—that he would be willing to pack up to keep her safe. It’s like everyone wants a piece of Aisling, and I’m just trying to help her survive.
I let out a sigh and slap my knees to get to my feet. “Well, I should get going,” I say. “They’ll be back home any minute. Want to make sure to debrief with them.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Luka says, standing with me.
“Mind if I pack another bowl?” Rook asks.
