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So she pushed out a heavy breath. "Ok. If we do this, then we do it beforemygods." She felt like she couldn't get her breath. "It's the only way I'll believe it's real." Then she had to pause. "But it means you'll know my weakness."
"Trust me, Dahlia," he breathed. "Just try to trust me, because we both have nothing else to lose."
"I do," she admitted. "That's what confuses me. I do trust you, and I'm terrified it's going to get me killed."
"Then we'll go down together," he swore, "and hopefully bring the Church with us."
ChapterEight
DAHLIA
The best part about living in the slums was that she never had to fight for a parking spot. Half the residents of the apartment complex didn't have cars. Most of those were other eidolon. Keeping legal ID was hard enough. Property that could be impounded, stolen, or left behind when they died? That was pretty much impossible to hold on to, but their little community was making it easier.
She hopped out and closed the door, reaching over the edge of the truck bed for one of Thane's bags. He beat her, grabbing both, so Dahlia just pressed the button to lock the truck. When they met behind the tailgate, she reached for the smaller bag, but he shifted it out of her way.
"Give up," he teased.
"Fine. I'm on the third floor." She pointed the way.
The stairs were in the breezeway between two buildings. Heading toward them, she moved ahead, knowing he'd follow. So far, Thane hadn't said a single thing about the classy neighborhood, but she had a feeling he would. Just as her feet touched the bottom stair, a door opened, and a guy dressed in all black stepped out - right into Thane. They hit, and the other man stepped back. For a single breath he paused, then lunged.
"Inquisitor!"
She spun, heading for the small space between them, but Thane was faster. He dropped the bags and hissed a single syllable. A Word. The eidolon's body flew back, slamming into the wall.
"Stop!" she yelled, finally between them. She held her hands out, palms facing each of them. "Name?" she demanded of the new guy.
His eyes flicked over her shoulder to Thane. "I'll kill you, priest."
"Not a priest," Thane said.
Dahlia snapped a finger in the man's face. "Give me something to call you, or I'll drain your ass down myself."
"Roarke." His jaw was clenched.
She nodded. "Thane is here to help. He's how we found the place."
"Yeah? And what about his friends? Bastard's warded!"
She glanced back. "You're going to need to cover that. It burns."
"Can do," Thane agreed. "Also fucking itches like mad right now."
"Yeah. Upstairs, Thane." She tossed him the keys. "Three-twelve. I'll be right there."
He glanced over at the other guy, then shook his head, grabbed his things, and stormed to the stairs. "This is gonna take some getting used to. Just remind me that you can break his neck, ok?"
Roarke made an almost amused noise. It sounded a lot like choking. "Neck's not a problem, priest, or haven't you figured that out, yet?"
"Figure of speech," Thane mumbled, still heading up.
Dahlia sighed and pushed a hand over her hair, smoothing it back into place. "Don't touch him, don't try to get even with him, and do not fucking pull the black dog shit. Am I clear?"
"Sure, whatever." Roarke turned his arm, showing blistered skin near his elbow. "Just make sure he's not frying us. I tend to bite when I get hurt. If it's him, you can't blame me."
"Oh, I can." She took a step closer. "You fuck with me, and I'll tattoo a damned patriarchal cross on your fucking chest. Thane is mine. Give him a chance or head back to whatever big city you came from. No second chances. We can't afford to screw up."
Roarke nodded his head once. "Same goes for him, though. He steps outta line, and I won't be the only one ripping him apart."
