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I watch Logan retreat casually, his crystal eyes briefly on mine as he nods. Then he’s gone.
“Sometimes, things are complicated. Then a simple gesture of affinity is enough, brother.” Ro says, as if hearing my thoughts. “Thank you.”
My phone lights up, drawing both our attention to the table, to where I left the stupid thing. I always keep it in my pocket, but of course, when it’s confidential, it’s out there for the whole world to see.
“It’s D.” The phone’s in Ro’s hands before I can beat him to it, his eyes darting onto the screen, before they jump up to mine. And then he turns it around for me to see.
D. Get your ass here, we got a situation.
Snatching the phone back, I check the message that comes with a shared location. “Fuck.” I start typing furiously while shrugging my leather on. When I look up, Ro’s already standing, dangling keys in hand. “What the hell?”
“I’m coming with you,” Ro says.
“Oh, like hell you are.”
He presses his lips tight, eyes ablaze. Then he takes the keys out of my hand. “I’m coming with you.”
ChapterNine
PHOENIX
Fear. It tastes bitter in your mouth, on your tongue. When you try to chase it away, by rolling your lips, or clearing your throat, it makes your skin itch and shiver. But it doesn’t go away. Right now, it’s consuming every fiber in my body, washing over me and leaving me frozen to the core.
I need my brain to give clear instructions on what to do, but my head’s filled with cotton. And so I wait, in this narrow, filthy alley, for something to happen. Peeking around the corner, I see the guys from All Saints standing outside their white van. It’s parked close to the grocery store. Hunger led me to where I am now. Because I couldn't wait until after I finished work to head out and get some food. As it turns out, it made me reckless.
Here there are no pencils. My hand leaves my pocket in search of the earbuds, but I think better of it and pull them back. No music. I need to focus.
Minutes drag along, the air polluted by noise from the main road—people and cars. Always that fucking noise. Behind me, in the heart of the narrow street, I hear muffled voices. Junkies sleep down here, sheltered under improvised roofs of cardboard, small cabins of despair and defeat.
But there’s someone else here too. The thought makes the hair on the back of my neck rise.
The shadow’s being shadowed.
“I see you,” a smooth, breathy voice sing-songs, his tone rich with an accent that I recognize all too well, his invisible breath hot on my neck.
The master of games.
I remember exactly how that radiant appearance can turn into a jewel of destruction. Another enemy. Because we’re no longer on the same side. His shadow hovers over mine, makes me move toward the street, closer to the bag of groceries I threw onto the sidewalk earlier. Closer to where All Saints are waiting. Maybe I should have asked them about Dad’s letter. I wanted to. But being the pathetic idiot I am, I ran away, too afraid, and scooted into the nearest alley. They know where I am. And now they’re waiting for me, patiently, until I step out of the darkness and back into the light. So they can catch me.
A rustle, followed by a breath of mint, and my eyes flutter in fear as I look over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of light eyes. Théo grins, the rope dangling in his hand. “It’s not safe here,No One.” His eyes flash, and my stomach lurks, making me decide on a whim.
I run.
My hoodie falls off as I rush out of the narrow alley, making my dangling curls practically blind my view.Faster, faster.As if chased by a ghost I run further down the street, zigzagging around groups of people and litter.
“No One…” Someone croons behind me, or maybe it’s just in my head, the wording of my fear. Grinding my teeth, my feet pick up speed. There are too many people here. I tear off the sudden pressure of a grabby hand around my sleeve, then bump into a group of guys hanging out on the sidewalk.
“So sorry.” They dismiss my held-up hands with a grunt—thank God—and I continue running, my body picking up on danger as it protects my cotton-filled mind. I shouldn't have put on these black sneakers, worn-out as they are, but my choices were rather limited, the aching friction undoubtedly turning into blisters shortly.
Breath leaves my mouth in rapid puffs as my chest heaves and splutters. It’s been a long time since I last worked out, and right now my lungs are killing me. Shouldering past people, I let out a string of apologies as I push forward, losing speed as my panting takes over. I won't be able to keep going much longer, but then I feel movement next to me.
The red Porsche pulls up slowly alongside me, its window opening. Kai’s dark eyes burn when they find mine, the need to hide before I melt overwhelming.
Ropes, guns or fists. TheFrères Perdus, All Saints or the Void. They’ll find me, and then they’ll break me.
On the corner, Gracenote Coffee Shop is lit up against the shadow of dread, and without a second thought, I dive through the door, feeling like I’ve reached the finish line of a fucking marathon.
“Where’s your emergency exit?” I urge, running past the line. An older woman behind the counter in a company-issued green apron, squints at me in surprise, but I have no time —no time!—because behind me, the door opens. Someone’s already hunting me down.
