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Disappointment made his mouth droop more than usual. “Out of everything you learned, that is what you focus on?”
He was right, but it was still a kick in the gut. Did Collin know? I thought back to when I’d told him about my mother’s murder. The look of horror and concern on his face. If he didn’t know, he suspected. But even so, could I hold it against him? There was a lot I didn’t know about Collin, but I knew he’d never condone my mother’s murder.
“I have to call him.”
“I agree. You are half of a whole. While you have great power on your own and you must learn to defend yourself and fight alone, you need the other Keeper.”
After everything I had heard and seen over the last couple of days, finding out that I needed to spend more time with Collin instead of less was not what I wanted to hear. “I can’t. For one thing, Collin has pledged himself to Okeus. We’re on opposite sides.”
“Are you? Do you align yourself with Ahone?”
He had a point. “Second, if I spend more time with Collin, it will kill David. I can’t do that to him.”
His eyes narrowed. “More fragile human emotions. They say humans are made to resemble the gods, and every time I deal with one, I understand why. Your egos and emotions rule your lives. There are more important things in the world than yourfeelings.”
I closed my eyes, resting my face in my hands.
“You are going to Charlotte tomorrow?”
I looked up. “How did you know?”
He rolled his eyes. But if Tsagasi knew, did that mean other supernatural beings did too? What danger did that put us in? I suspected that the Raven Mocker had killed Allison to keep us from finding out whatever she’d kept from us about the collection. What would they do if we actually went to see it?
“You need the other Keeper to go with you.”
I shook my head. “He’ll never come.”
“He will if you ask him.”
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Tsagasi might be right. Collin had ties to the Ricardo Estate. I couldn’t imagine that he’d want me to waltz right in and see it on my own. Besides, I didn’t think he knew where it was, and David had a location.
“What else did you learn?”
“Ahone has been scheming to use me for longer than I realized, but Okeus had already told me that two days ago.”
He nodded.
“My father lied to me. He knew why my mother died.”
“Perhaps he wanted to protect you.”
I swallowed a lump in my throat. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
“Follow your instinct. Trust only yourself.”
I forced a teasing grin. “Are you telling me not to trustyou, Tsagasi?”
“I’m telling you that every being is interested in one thing: self-preservation. I am no different. Pick the being that has your survival foremost on its mind—you.”
I wanted to argue that his opinion was selfish and egocentric, but wasn’t that the point?
“The Nunnehi wish to return and Tsawasi and I will go with them. You may use us six more times for protection. Choose wisely.”
“And how will I find you?”
“We will find you. Simply call my name.” Then the Nunnehi warriors vanished and Tsagasi and his brother walked behind a tree.
I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and checked my reception, grateful to see I had four bars. I found Collin’s number and pressed send.
