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“Lead the way, then.” Titus waves his hand, sending her off.
With a quick nod, she gives him a once-over again, and my stomach does that twisty jealous thing that I hate so much.
The women pile into the vehicles and take the lead, and Titus and I trail after them in the pickup. The drive is a good two hours, judging by the position of the sun from when we left this morning, and I rifle through the pack of food for the jerky meat, handing one off to Titus.
“What happens once we’re inside?” I tear away a piece of the meat, silently delighting in the savory flavor and spices that dance across my tongue. “I’m sure Mother Chilson will want to lock me up right away.”
“Maybe. Unless she thinks you’re frightened of me.”
“The woman has no love for me. Not after the way I humiliated them. She’ll want to punish me, for sure.”
He tears at his jerky as though he’s imagining the old woman’s head between his teeth. “I haven’t given much thought to what happens once we’re inside. I’ve only got two objectives: keep you safe and get to the lower levels.”
“That’s not much of a strategy. I thought Legion trained Alphas for war.”
“Legion strategized war. Alphas were sent in when those strategies didn’t work.”
Smiling, I stretch my arm across the back of the seat, running my finger over his shoulder. “So, you’re like the embodiment of chaos, then.”
He glances down at my fingers and back, seeming to take notice of my touch. “Something like that.”
“I suppose chaos is a strategy, too.”
“You keep touching me, and we might have to pull over for a quick stop.”
Snorting a laugh, I stare ahead toward the convoy of trucks. “I’m sure Lilith would appreciate that. She’s just bold enough to jump in the middle of it.”
“Bold, yes. But I prefer a bit of chase.”
“If my memory is correct, you haven’t had to do much chasing with me.”
A quick glance, and his cheek dimples with a smile. “I’ve been chasing you longer than you realize, woman.”
His comment brings a smile to my face, and I have to turn away to hide the red flare I’m certain has colored my cheeks.
The vehicles turn off onto a path that borders the woods, and the sunny sky disappears behind the thick canopy of trees, turning everything dark. Each woman that exits the vehicle turns her gun around to her back and wraps herself in what looks like fine-woven blankets. The truck jostles as they climb into the back, the clanking of guns settling as they situate themselves.
Lilith stands at the passenger door, beside me. “Mind if I ride in front?”
I do. I really do.
But instead of arguing, I slide closer to Titus, allowing her to climb in next to me.
Once inside, she shoves her pistols into the glovebox in front of her. The scent of chamomile fills the cab, and I’ll be damned if she didn’t perfume herself for this mission.
“When we enter the convent, we’ll undoubtedly be greeted by the Sisters and a couple of guards. It’s been a while since I’ve been inside, but I remember the doors beyond the main entrance lead to one of their chapels. It’s some … perpetual adoration, Lindsay called it.”
“Lindsay ... she’s the girl you rescued from the marauders? The one you took back to Szolen with Gwen?”
“Yes. You knew her?”
“Yes. She was captured. Held by the same people who captured me. She’s pregnant. With a Rager’s baby.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. She was always welcome to stay with us.” With a huff, Lilith shakes her head. “We should’ve never returned her, but it’s not our way to keep women imprisoned. Anyway, it’s through the chapel that you’ll find the doors leading down to Purgatory.”
“We have to get past Mother Chilson first.”
“Don’t worry yourself with that.” Lip gnarled in disgust, she grinds her teeth. “I’ll take care of Mother Chilson. You two focus on finding your friend, and assuming everyone survives, we’ll meet up in the woods.”
