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Go ahead. Rest well, Aria.
I nodded groggily at him, adjusted myself in the seat, and fell to darkness within seconds of closing my eyes.
Mercifully, I dreamed of nothing. I didn’t need a nightmare adding to my stress levels.
Some unknown amount of time later, a hand on my shoulder shook me awake. I jolted and turned a little—it was just Sariel.
We were parked in a parking garage. There was no Clock Tower in sight, so I looked at him in confusion.
He smiled slightly at me. “We’re here, but we’re going to have to walk a little. The Tower is pedestrian access only. Come on.”
“We didn’t run into any trouble?” I asked, rubbing my eyes.
“No.”
“That’s good,” I said, though I didn’t feel all that reassured.
I couldn’t place my finger as to why, but it was like we were in the eye of the storm—like we were safe for now, but a huge upset was going to catch up to us, and soon.
I shoved the feeling aside so that I could follow Sariel out of the car.
Even if therewassomething going on, there was nothing I could do but keep moving forwards.
18
A FLY ON THE WALL
ARIA
The Clock Tower was easy enough to find—it was only about two blocks away from the garage we’d abandoned the cars in. A few tourists were milling around, and so far, we hadn’t spotted any Guardians.
“Are we assuming that someone will be waiting to open the portal for us?” Neo asked as we stared up at the giant clock.
“Yes, we are,” Sariel answered gruffly. “If they aren’t, then we find them.”
Neo and I squinted at him. “How?” he asked, beating me to it. “How do you think we’re going to find someone? Are they going to fall from the sky or something? What are we missing? Because, all of a sudden, this plan is seeming pretty half-cocked.”
Sariel ignored Neo and started toward the tower. I swallowed the rising anxiety in my stomach as I followed after him.
“Seriously?” Neo growled. “He’s going to get us killed. Why am I the only one who can see it?”
“Because you’re a naturally cynical person,” Marilyn quipped. “Now, let’s go because there’s really no other option but to follow him and pray.”
We were barely in the door when it slammed shut behind us.
“Wonderful,” Neo muttered.
Marilyn whispered something, and a soft glow filled the space.
We froze.
“Welcome to Bern,” a voice echoed. “The actual capital of Switzerland. It’s a charming old town. Reminds me of simpler times in the world.”
We didn’t have to see him to know that it was Azazel who was speaking. Before us also sat Tyler, two of his wolves flanking him—another one even emerged from behind the door.
“Azazel,” Sariel greeted, voice blank.
A calm had settled over him that scared me—I could feel it like a cool breeze washing through me. It didn’t match the Sariel I knew, who always became enraged at just the mere thought of his father.
