“He really has a flair for the dramatics, don’t you agree? Perhaps it’s that Vail training he was subjected to,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“Rion, please,” he said, stepping forward. “I know why you want to go to him, but this will only get you killed. Calia is gone. She is dead. No matter what you thought you saw, your mind played tricks on you. Use your senses.”
But it had been so real. The sensation of fluttering wings against my mind was painfully reminiscent of what it had felt like to hear her thoughts. It was gentle, caressing, a lover's reverent touch. No matter how brief it may have been, I would have recognized it anywhere.
“Has Sloane performed the tracking spell yet?” I asked.
He quirked a brow. “No. She’s getting ready to go to the market to grab what she needs. It should be ready tonight. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Perfect. In the meantime, I will speak with Castor regarding what I saw.”
He blew out a deep breath, pacing in front of me like a wild animal. “And what are we supposed to do when he kills you? Because he will, Rion. Make no mistake. That man would raze the world if it meant taking you with it.”
The thin dam holding back my anger broke, filling my veins with vitriol. “What would you have me do, Jasper? I cannot sit here any longer, and I cannot ignore what I saw in that fucking atrium.”
“Be smart, brother,” he pleaded. “That’s all I’m asking. Don’t rush into what will be a sure death just because you think you’ve seen a ghost.”
“If I lose hope, then I lose everything,” I whispered, dragging my gaze to his. I let him see the storm raging there—how easy it would be to slip into the insanity and never return. “Chasing this ghost is the only thing I have left.”
“You haveme. You haveRowena. Is that not enough?” He shook his head, stepping forward. “You are not alone, Rion. You never have been, despite the burden you seem to put on yourself. We are here to help, but I beg you not to go to Castor. Not unless we run out of options.”
I opened my mouth to tell him that we were already there—the point of no return had come. But he held up his hand. “Keep me company at Emerald. We’ll keep watch together.”
“Why are you going with her? You hate that place.” I asked.
Emerald Market was a strange mishmash of vendors and shops that had become notorious for being the heart of the Kallistos. This was not only due to the location deep in the middle of the city, but for its unique ability to bring together every race of creature imaginable and house them under one roof. The once open area had been enclosed, ensuring patrons could come and go as they pleased.
He shrugged. “She needed a ride.”
I waited, expecting more of an explanation, but none came. Instead, he threw his sweaty towel at my face and dashed out of the room. “Be ready in ten!” he called out, his laughter trailing after him.
The market was bustlingfor a weekday, and the already crowded walkways were nearly impenetrable. We watched as Sloane fought her way inside, calling out greetings to nearby owners who beckoned her over to show her their latest wares.
Jasper and I trailed behind her, his arms already laden with four full bags of random knick-knacks and pieces she claimed she could not live without. While he rolled his eyes each time she came bouncing up to him with something new, his gaze showed no annoyance.
“She seems to be enjoying herself,” I said, jerking my chin in Sloane’s direction. She was talking to an herb vendor about the special bundles he had for sale. My familiarity with witch practices was slim, getting away with just enough to know which would kill me if ingested.
“Too much, I’d say.” He gestured to his already full arms. “Surely all of this isn’t necessary? I mean, how many candles and incense does one need?”
I shrugged. “From my experience with women, they all seem to like candles. They are not made for witches alone.”
He shifted his weight. “Well, she can carry whatever else she decides to buy. I’m not a pack mule.”
I had no heart to tell him he would never follow through with his threat. The woman had an uncanny ability to manipulate those around her, especially males. And Jasper was no exception to her wiles. Especially not as she peered up at him with pleading eyes once again.
“Whatever you say, brother,” I said, clapping his back. I turned back to the market, my smile disappearing as I noticeda familiar brute of a man walking away from me through the crowd.
Jasper noticed the same time I did, his body going rigid next to me. “Rion,” he growled. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”
His words fell too late. I was already moving, keeping a casual distance so that I would not draw unnecessary attention. The coincidence was almost too good to be true, but as Castor turned his head to greet a man in passing, I knew today would be the day I received the answers I sought.
Even if it was the last thing I did.
I followed Castor and two of his men through the crowd. I fought against the current, losing sight as he exited through the double doors leading to the parking garage system, a labyrinth of tunnels beneath the city that connected the major metropolitan areas.
“Shit,” I cursed, hoping I had not lost sight of him. They could not have gone far either way.
I stepped into the darkening stairwell leading underground. The lights above flickered, dying out as the ceiling rattled. I peered over the railing, listening for the faint patter of footsteps, but I found none.
