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“Fuck that!” Tucker said, even more loudly than Doyle.
Even Sara, who had no desire to see Luke charged, couldn’t comprehend the insanity of Leviathan’s statement. Yes, she’d reviewed the file. And yes, she’d read the list of terrible things that both Hasik and Tinsley had done. But that didn’t mean they should be cut down in cold blood. So why the hell would Division decide not to press charges when they had two dead bodies and an eyewitness? Unless…
Doyle took a step forward. “This is bullshit. Goddamn vigilante Alliance bullshit.” He shoved a finger in Leviathan’s face. “It’s not right,” he said, and with that, Sara had to completely agree.
* * *
The moon hung heavy and bright in the sky, silently watching as Luke moved through the thick clusters of trees. He moved with purpose, despite the lack of a path, his steps never hesitating, his way certain.
And when he reached the clearing, he stood in the shadow of a tree and waited.
Serge had said to meet him there, and now Luke could only wait and hope that Serge’s efforts to help him remove the detention device had paid off.
Around them, the forest was quiet, though not silent. The baleful hoot of an owl cut through the night, as if echoing Luke’s concerns. Minutes passed, and Serge didn’t show.
Restless, Luke paced, irritation building, then shifting into cold, hard dread as minutes shifted into hours.
Serge wasn’t coming. Of that, Luke was certain.
He was, however, equally sure that his friend would never betray him. Would never make a promise he did not intend to keep.
And that could mean only one thing: The wildness within Sergius had won the battle, and his friend had disappeared into the dark.
He was on the verge of turning around when he heard footsteps in the brush. He peered into the trees, and watched as Nicholas stepped toward him.
“You fired me,” his friend said without preamble.
“I had no choice.” Luke turned, pointedly looking around the clearing. “You came all this way to complain about our advocate-client relationship?”
“I came to deliver a message,” Nick said, his voice clipped with emotion.
“Serge?”
“The fool approached Tiberius.”
Fuck. “In the state he was in? With theAzag Mahruso close to the surface? Why the hell would he do that?”
But even as he asked the question, Luke knew the answer. Serge had wanted to make amends for failing in his promise to protect Tasha. Unable to find any other way to free Luke from the detention device, he’d foolishly approached Tiberius, hoping the vampire leader would use his influence and pull the necessary strings. “The goddamn fool.”
“Damned is right,” Nick said. “Tiberius tried to put him down.” A small smile touched Nick’s lips. “It didn’t go well.”
“He’s gone rogue.”
Nick nodded. “He’s gone dark, Luke. Gave in to the monster.”
“I understand,” Luke said. But at least his friend was free. Had Tiberius captured him, Sergius would be no more.
“Tiberius has assigned me to search for him.”
Luke’s brow lifted. “What will you do?”
Nick lifted a shoulder. “I’ll search. Doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll find. And in a few months, Tiberius’s interest will wane.”
Luke nodded. For the time being at least, Serge was safe from Tiberius. From himself, though…that was a different matter.
“I’m also here with a message. Tiberius sends his regrets about Alinda’s betrayal.”
Luke almost smiled. “I’m sure he does.”
