“I guess you were right about that,” Becks says, and Kade nods.
“We figured the demon was probably waiting for a celestial event. With the blood moon being so close, it was an obvious consideration,” Kade says. “There are also some interpretations of the prophecy that coincide with a celestial event as well.”
“So that’s why the demon didn’t just do whatever it’s planning to do to me right away.”
Ares nods. “Most likely the plan was to just hold you until the time was right.”
“What happens if it can’t recapture me before the blood moon?” I ask. “Does that mean this is all over? That I’m safe? That the world is safe?”
The hope that was starting to build disappears when Ares shakes his head. “No, but it does buy some more time until the end of the world. The next blood moon isn’t for another two years.”
“So, basically, we have to play a giant game of keep-away with the demon for the next two days . . .”
“And live to fight another day,” Ares says. His gaze on me is close to pitying.
Becks looks at Kade. “All right. We go with the original plan and get Haven to the creature world, where the demon can’t reach her.”
Kade nods. “We can get you both to a gate by?—”
“No,” Ares says, cutting him off. “The vampire clan and the creatures loyal to the demon are watching every single gate around the world. You get close to one and they’ll nab her right away. In fact, I’m sure they probably suspect this is where she is, so even getting her out of headquarters is going to be hard.”
Kade leans back in his chair, his face unreadable as he crosses his arms over his chest. “You know a lot for someone who was blackmailed into helping them.”
Ares doesn’t flinch, but his eyes harden. “Let’s get one thing straight. I did what I thought I had to in order to protect my sister, but I was never on their side. I knew any bit of information I gleaned could be useful, so I did what I was trained to do and kept my eyes and ears open. I’m not the enemy. They butchered my sister, and I’ll do whatever it takes to defeat the demon and the vampires who killed her.”
The room is silent for a few minutes. The tension between Kade and Ares is high.
“How do they know where the gates are?” Kade finally asks.
“That didn’t come from me.”
“If that’s true,” Becks says glancing over at Kade, “it means you have another leak.”
Kade’s gaze slowly tracks to Becks. “Which is why there’s only the four of us in this room right now.”
Becks runs a frustrated hand through his hair, his tone cutting when he says, “How are you supposed to help keep Haven safe and away from that demon if you don’t know who to trust in your own organization? I’m starting to think she’d be better off if I just took her and ran.”
As Becks says it, I hear the door open behind me and then a voice says, “Maybe you should.”
I twist in my seat, and my mouth drops open.
Locklyn stands in the open doorway, Talon not far behind her.
Becks turns toward the door. “You’re back.”
Locklyn’s mouth quirks into a grin. “And not alone.”
“Out of the way,” an unfamiliar female voice says from somewhere behind Talon. “Your broad shoulders are blocking my view of my baby brother.”
Becks jumps out of his seat just as a gorgeous tall blonde with pink and purple streaks in her hair pushes past Talon and Locklyn. Her gaze finds Becks right away and she rushes toward him with a squeal, jumping into his arms.
With those green eyes, I recognize her from the picture Becks carries around. It’s his twin sister, Ensley.
Becks picks his sister up and gives her a good shake as she laughs.
“Be careful with my fiancée,” someone new says as he enters the room.
“Fiancée?” Becks says as he lets go of Ensley, his wide-eyed gaze going to the newcomer. A tall fae with white-blond hair about the same length as Talon’s strides into the room like he owns it. Also, gorgeous.
