“It’s 121 Ocean View Road,” Henry said. “I looked it up, it’s a huge estate. It sits on the edge of a cliff that drops down to the sea. But they can see the road approaching it from the upstairs. They may see you coming.”
“That’s okay,” I said. “I want them to see me coming.”
“Do you need backup?”
I glanced at Willow. She sat in my recliner, staring at the floor and hiding her thoughts.
“I have backup. Just stay by your phone, however. I may need you for something else.”
“I’ll be here. Good luck.”
I clicked my cell to hang it up and held it in my hand, while still watching Willow. “There’s time. You can change your mind.”
Willow shook her head. “Make the call.”
Gritting my teeth, pissed off, I opened my cell to the number Fiona called from the night before. I clicked it and put the phone on speaker, while glowering at Willow.
“Well?” Fiona said by way of answering. “Do you have them?”
“The proper papers are being faxed to me any minute now,” I replied. “Where do I meet you?”
“Good boy.” Fiona all but purred in my ear. “We’ll need a table where we both can go over them and sign. We’ll also need champagne to celebrate.”
“Where?” I growled.
“Oh, poo. You’re such a grouch. I’ll meet you at Len’s Bar and Grill. You know where it is?”
“I can find it.”
“One hour. If you’re not there, Alaric my dear, your little toy will die. And not by dragon fire.”
“Touch her andyou’lldie,” I snarled, but I spoke too late. Fiona had hung up.
Willow glanced up from where she’d been perusing her own cell. “From that address, she’ll need more than thirty minutes to get to Len’s. It’ll take us that same length of time to get to the producer’s estate, if not longer. So we should hit the road now.”
“All right.”
While dragons had little use for guns, since we carried our weapons with us, I possessed a nine millimeter automatic in caseof a house break in. I pulled it from its drawer, and tucked it into the waistband of my jeans. Willow turned her face away, but not before I saw the tears in her eyes and the weary set to her mouth.
“Willow,” I began, helpless.
“Stop it. Let’s go.”
Unable to argue, I followed her from my house to my truck. She sat without speaking, her face turned toward the window, as I drove northward along the coast. The highway twisted and turned back on itself, following the curves of the shore. I ached for her at the same time I cursed Damon for doing this to her. Heknewhis mother was my chief advisor, as well as my loyal companion, andstillhe chose Fiona over her.
He chose this life of crime and evil. He knows damn well what Fiona seeks for the earth and its populations. And he follows her anyway. If Da’arvass comes for his soul, he’ll wish he’d made better choices.
Of course, I’d never tell Willow that. True, she already knew. But I have no desire to rub salt into her wounds. If Lanokota wills it, her son will soon die. I will hurt for her, comfort her as best I can, and help her to move on.
That’s all I can do except love her.
“Stop here.”
I obeyed, pulling the truck to the shoulder of the highway. Willow gave me a long searching look, then gripped my hand.
“Do what you have to do, my son.”
Tears burned my eyes as I stared at the steering wheel. “Walk with the gods, mother of my heart.”
