Taking a swig of the water in my lap, I savor the hydration.
“I’m okay.” I give him an encouraging nod. “Just some nightmares.”
Luca takes my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “About the basement?”
I clear my throat and nod. “Yeah. Gideon was talking about Daniel.”
It’s still hard to talk about the basement, but I’m trying to let the others in. To let them help me.
The door opens. Lucian, Jace, and Noah walk into the room. Luciantakes one look at me and raises an eyebrow. I lift my chin in response.I’m okay.
He sets some files down on the small table in front of the viewing window.
Jace and Noah settle against the far wall.
“What did he say about him?” Luca keeps his voice quiet.
The dream moves in my mind like I’m wading through honey. I chew on my lip as I walk through it.
My eyes widen.
“He said Daniel was doing his dirty work. He knows what Daniel has planned because he laid it out for him,” I say loud enough for the others to hear.
Lucian pauses in his movements, the papers falling silent in his hands.
Jace sits up in his chair, his jaw set.
Noah looks up from his tablet. The screen reflecting off his lenses.
“Do you know what Daniel was doing for him?” Lucian asks, turning to Jace.
Jace’s jaw flexes. “No, I didn’t hear about any plans he had with Daniel. If I had to guess, he laid out the plan beforehand to limit communication between them.”
Jace stands moving to the window.
The rest of us follow.
Gideon sits in a metal chair as if he’s here on his own terms. His hands and feet are strapped to each arm and leg.
“I want in there,” Jace says.
“You know how this goes,” Lucian replies.
“That’s exactly why I want in.” Jace turns to face Lucian. “He was the one who taught me how to survive this shit. Which means I know what’ll hurt him most. Where his defenses are weakest.”
Lucian continues to stare through the glass. “You’re too close to this.”
“No, I’m close enough. I’ll do what it takes.”
“I’m going too.” I step forward on the other side of Lucian.
I swear I hear a fly fartin the next room.
“No,” Jace says. “Isobel— just no.”
Lucian gives me a look. “Absolutely not.”
“I can help!” My eyes bounce back and forth. “He’s in my head. He played this game with me. He kidnapped me for months!”
