Page 102 of Warrior Unraveled

“Yes, I’m onto you. Your first attempt failed. The demons didn’t manage to kill any of us. And we destroyed the council compound before they could get to the portal.”

“What?” Stunned, Deirdre stilled.

“So what’s the plan this time?” Virginia continued. “Get inside Cinead’s compound and then call for the demons? Is that what you’re planning?”

“You’re wrong! I would never help the demons. Never!”

“Liar!”

Deirdre shook her head and fought against Wesley’s hold. “You’re the one who’s with the demons. Cinead warned me not to trust anybody.”

Now it was Virginia’s turn to be surprised. “You spoke to Cinead?” She glanced past her at Wesley who also looked stunned.

But Deirdre pressed her lips together again, unwilling to answer.

“Damn it, Deirdre, answer me! Cinead would never risk contacting you after the attack on the council compound.”

Deirdre narrowed her eyes. “You can say whatever you want, but I’m not going to believe you. He said there are traitors among the guardians. And that they’ll try to stop me from getting to him.”

“That’s bullshit!” Wesley hissed at Deirdre’s ears.

She jolted and whipped her head to him, as if she’d almost forgotten that he was still restraining her. She gave him a long look. “You’re a demon, aren’t you?”

Wesley shook his head. “No green eyes. Sorry.”

She snorted. “So you disguised them with colored lenses. I know your tricks.”

Virginia combed several wet strands of her hair out of her face and cursed. “Listen to me, Deirdre. Wesley isn’t a demon. He’s a witch, and neither of us are in league with the demons. So don’t try to distract us from the truth. You’re the one who’s leading the demons to Cinead’s compound.” She’d had enough of Deirdre’s stalling tactics. In one swift move, she gripped the other woman by the throat. “And now you’re gonna tell me everything you know about the demons’ plan, or I swear, I’ll crush your windpipe.”

Virginia tightened her hand around Deirdre’s neck to make her understand that she meant business. An expression of panic spread over Deirdre’s face. She began to choke.

“No. Please,” Deirdre pressed out, and Virginia loosened her grip. “There’s no plan.”

When Virginia squeezed again, Deirdre said breathlessly, “My phone.” Her eyes dropped to her jacket.

Virginia let go of her neck.

“I can prove that Cinead asked me for help. In my right pocket. My cell phone. You’ll see the text message.”

Virginia reached into Deirdre’s pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “Unlock it,” she ordered Deirdre and motioned Wesley to release her arms.

“Here,” Deirdre said and, after unlocking the phone, navigated to the text messages. “This is the message I receive from Cinead, asking me to come.”

Virginia read it.

“I need your help. Come to my place immediately. There’s no time to lose. I’m in danger. Trust no one. We have a traitor in our midst. Be careful.”

“It’s from Cinead,” Deirdre said and pointed to the top of the display. “It’s his number. I know it by heart. And I programmed it in when he settled me in Portland.”

Virginia shook her head. “This isn’t from him. It can’t be. He would never risk summoning a human to his compound. A human who can be followed by demons.”

Deirdre pointed to the cell phone again. “But it’s him. Damn it, he needs me. He’s in danger.” A sob tore from her chest.

Virginia exchanged a look with Wesley.

“They’re using her,” Wesley said.

“I know, but I’m pretty sure that this is Cinead’s number,” Virginia said. Then she shook her head. “I’ll have to get Pearce or Logan to check on it, though. I had his number, but my phone blew up with the compound, so...”

The moment she said it, her eyes locked with Wesley’s, and she knew they were thinking the same thing.

“Shit!” Wes cursed. “Outside the council chamber. All those phones.”

Virginia nodded. “The demons must have gotten the phones. The council members all ran for their lives. I didn’t see anybody trying to grab their phone. I sure didn’t.”

Deirdre’s mouth dropped open. “You mean that text isn’t from Cinead?” Disbelief and fear collided in her face. “Oh no! What have I done?” She looked over her shoulder, panic now joining her fear. “The demons, they could be anywhere. We have to get far away from here. Far away from Cinead. If anything happens to him…” Another sob tore from her throat.

Virginia put a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll take care of it.” She looked to Wesley, seeking reassurance, when she saw lights flicker behind him. “Oh shit, police.”

Wes looked over his shoulder. A police cruiser, its blue and red lights flashing, stopped a few feet behind Deirdre’s white Toyota. The driver’s door opened, showing the emblem of the San Mateo Police, and a tall police officer stepped out.

Wes looked back at Virginia. “Let me handle this. We’ll be out of here in a couple of minutes. Just stay calm. We don’t want to arouse suspicion.”