“That can be the only reason to steal the book,” Astrid looked to Ylang and he nodded in confirmation. When she looked back at me there was an apology in her eyes, but I could see her resolve was stronger. “As for Emma, I do hope you can exorcise her, but my priority will go to protecting the book.” Turning back to Ylang she said, “Which is why it is imperative the book of the Order of Tenebrae be returned to its rightful Order.” She all but expectantly held out her hands.
Ylang’s tufted eyebrows rose but it was Violetta who answered. “The book is safely watched over in our care.”
Astrid set her hands on the table and leaned in. “You think you can disenfranchise the Tenebrae forever? What are you afraid of? Does our coming back into what little power we are due, frighten you?”
“The Tenebrae is responsible for deliberately opening the gate to the Stygian,” my mother interjected.
“Damien was a reckless fool,” Astrid said. “As the newly elected representative of my Order, I would never allow such measures to be taken. And perhaps if we had the guidance of our book, we could return to our roots and serve the light.”
Everyone began talking over each other.
“A representative, but not their leader?”
“The Tenebrae has proven itself to be untrustworthy.”
“It’s true, the Luxis should not have hold over the other Orders.”
I wanted to scream. Tell them to give me the book, help me get Emma back, but they were embroiled in a heated argument that I'd seen more times than I could count.
Jo pushed back from the table, the legs of his chair screeching along the floor, and stood with a sigh. “Welp, as much as I love watching this same ole’ shit show, I’ve got better things to do.”
Walking right to me, he said, “Can I get a lift home?”
I was about to brush him off, tell him to have Leonidas take him back. It was imperative I stay and convince them to give me a book of the Order so that I could get Emma close enough to save her. Jo shot me a look as I opened my mouth to reject him. There was something in his direct gaze that told me he wanted to talk to me, alone.
Sending a nod to Leonidas, I opened a portal that led back to Colorado and waved Jo in. We stepped into an alleyway near his mother’s bakery.
“God call, champ,” Jo said in a mocking tone as soon as the portal crumpled close.
Irritation skittered under my skin. “I must return.”
“Hold up,” his tone turned serious. “You want a book? I’ll get you one. The Order of Terra, at your service.” He gave a little bow.
I'd had enough experience with Jo to know he was trustworthy but only to a point. His agenda always came first, and it was difficult to know what his agenda was.
“Why are you helping me?” I asked.
“Because I think those idiots aren’t going to do what’s necessary.” His teeth audibly ground. “They will stay in that room for hours until they get all the way back to who pissed off who first all those hundreds of years ago when the sole Order split into five factions.”
I couldn’t disagree. It was the usual devolvement of the conversation between Order members.
“They don’t even seem to care if Emma dies,” I said, my hands balling up into fists.
Jo stuck the toothpick back in his mouth, talking around it. “She’s a casualty of war. The dark got her, and it’s out of their hands now. Emotionless bastards. They are circling the wagons around their treasure troves to protect what they have. Still, I’m surprised Regina and Phillip didn’t jump aboard your crazy ass boat per usual.”
The look on their faces had told me everything. They wanted to help but there was an emotional distance they’d put between them and the situation like they always did when it came to Order business. I went from son to associate with an undesirable hand in nothing flat.
Jo snorted. “And if there is one thing I know about you buddy boy, you are the one person who will get to Emma. Of that, I have no doubt. I’m just picking the side that I know is going to be able to do something about all this.”
“I still don’t know if I can trust you,” I said. Though I could say I saw how his logic was characteristic of his means to an end method.
“Let me put it this way then, ole buddy,” Jo said, clapping a hand on my back. “What other option do you have?”
19
“Do you really think she is going to fall for this?” Travis asked.
“Yes, and when she does, we will set the trap and I'll exorcise Othanos from her body,” I said. The plan was set and there was clear execution to be done. I hoped out of the van and slid the door shut behind me. Jo stood off to the side, holding a briefcase. Gregory stood near Krystan. He hadn’t said much since the wedding. Gregory was a stoic man, and cared for actions over words. I could respect that, and he made it clear he would follow my lead. He’s regained some measure of his Chevalier powers, and was ready to lend all of his magic to get Emma back.
