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I narrow my eyes. "Seriously?"
"This is about keeping you and Miss Faye safe, Mr. Finch," the guard says. "You're in Eclipse crosshairs now, and Mr. Solace has your security in mind. You should be grateful he didn't have us put a bullet in your brain instead--"
I snarl and Luka steps toward me, grabbing my arm.
"Easy, newbie," he says. "I'm sure it's temporary. I don't get the impression Solace wants roommates."
I manage to calm myself down, my jaw tight. "So where is she?"
"We'll take you to her," he says.
I glance over at Luka, who shrugs. "Back to church, I guess," he mutters. "See you around, Finch...and good luck."
I watch as Luka is escorted out of the cell, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. The guards, now positioned on either side of me, motion for me to follow. With a heavy sigh, I comply and make my way through the dark hallway.
As we navigate through the labyrinthine corridors of Vance's mansion, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. The oppressive silence is broken only by the distant echo of footsteps and muffled whispers. It's as if the entire place is holding its breath, waiting for something momentous to happen.
Eventually, we reach a set of ornate double doors guarded by two imposing figures. They step aside without a word, allowing us entry into a room bathed in soft candlelight. There's a dinner table at the middle with a fresh plate of food at one seat, and at the head is Aisling.
There's no one else here, though I can scent another alpha.
Vance.
He was here with her, and she's wearing a silver gown, and she looks...well, I can't tell.
"Come sit down," she commands, gesturing at the table. "It's not poisoned. I already tried it."
Fuck, her paranoia is...well, weirdly sexy. I join her at the table, taking an uneasy seat and digging in. This shit is gourmet--better than anything I normally eat at home, top dollar ingredients.
"You're okay," I say. "What happened?"
"I had a lovely dinner with Vance Solace," she says. "He wanted all the information on what happened at Dreamland...so I gave it to him."
"Okay," I say. "And what now?"
"Vance wants us to stay put," she says, voice low, slicing through the silence. "He thinks I'm just some omega he can push around."
My jaw clenches. "Yeah, and now he's watching us like a hawk. Every move we make, he's got eyes on it."
"Then we don't make any moves. Not yet." Aisling unfolds her arms, leans closer. Her presence sends a charge through the space between us. "We play his game, Gunnar. For now."
"Play his game," I repeat, the words bitter as they leave my mouth. Inside, my alpha instincts are clawing at me, demanding action, but reason holds them back. For Aisling. "And when we get the chance?"
"Then we get out," she says, touching my arm. "We get my friends out of Dreamland...and we leave Pacific City for good."
I nod, the plan cementing in my mind. Lay low, watch, wait. It's not the alpha way, but then again, nothing about this city is as it should be. I feel a growl building in my throat but swallow it down. Patience isn't just a virtue; it's our only shot.
"Alright," I say, pushing off from the wall. "We do it your way. But I'm not going to sit around while he pulls the strings."
Aisling's lips quirk up in a ghost of a smile, fierce and cold. "Good. Because when the time comes, I'll need you ready to fight."
"Always am," I assure her, feeling the truth of it deep in my bones. We're in this mess together, whether we like it or not. The thought makes something inside me settle, just a bit. Maybe it's the quiet before the storm, maybe it's the calm in her stormy eyes, but I know one thing for sure—we're playing the long game, and our enemies won't see us coming.
Chapter twenty-four
Aisling
Water cascades down myback, steam rising around me like a curtain of mist. My fingers trail through the surface of the bath, tracing paths in the warmth. I lean my head back, letting the tension seep out of my muscles.
