“I’m heading to Pompeii now,” I stated, my decision final. “We need a scientific assessment, and Fenix doesn’t know me either.”
“You don’t think Lark told them about everyone on your team?” Rav practically yelled. “Theydoknow you! All of you!”
He had a point—a good one.
I stared at my bag. I couldn’t just do nothing.
“Malcolm,” came Scarlett’s voice over the open line, “take her upstairs and put her in one of my disguises.”
“Scarlett!” snapped Rav.
“We need her on-site with Mario, Rav.” They cut off, likely muting themselves to argue.
Malcolm rose, checking his watch. “Wig and glasses should do it. Then I’ll drop you off. We should have you there in forty minutes.”
I gave him a curt nod.
“Use the gate by the amphitheater,” said Mario. “I’ll talk to security before I go into the sewer.”
“And we’ll send one of Will’s drones with you.” Malcolm hurried me up the stairs. “I’ll give you my phone, and he can scout the tunnels with the drone. Maybe you won’t have to go in.”
Chapter 22
Rav
My heart thunderedin my ears as I sprinted toward the Pompeii Archaeological Park’s entrance, Scarlett lagging behind me. Served her right for wearing her ridiculous high heels. Zac had driven away after dropping us off to circle the park until we needed exfil.
“There’s Malcolm,” Scarlett said from behind me, slightly breathless.
Malcolm stood just outside the security checkpoint, pacing with his hands in his pockets. When he spotted us, relief flashed across his face.
“Guards wouldn’t let you through?” I asked as we reached him.
“Mario called ahead,” Malcolm said, wrapping his arms around Scarlett when she got close enough. “He told them our entire group had clearance for the day, so I waited for you. Brooke’s already inside. She said she was heading to the maintenance shed.”
I hadn’t heard that right. “You let her go in alone?”
Malcolm had put his desire to seeScarlettahead of Brooke’ssafety? “No, she said her team is meeting her there. And she’s in disguise.”
“Where’s your phone?” Scarlett asked, glancing at his empty hands. “I tried calling you when we were a few minutes out.”
“I gave it to Brooke.” Malcolm gestured toward the security gate. “Will’s using it to pilot his drone through the tunnels.”
I barely registered the rest of their exchange. Brooke had gone ahead alone. If any Fenix operatives were watching, or worse—if they’d already started staging the Greek Fire—Pendragon couldn’t save her.
“I’m heading to the shed,” I announced, already starting for the entrance.
“Rav—” Scarlett started.
“Stay with Malcolm,” I called over my shoulder as one of the guards waved me through. “I’ll update you when I have eyes on Brooke.”
I didn’t wait for her response, breaking into a full run once I cleared the entrance plaza. My focus narrowed to a single objective: Brooke. The park was already filling with tourists despite the early hour. I wove through them, muttering apologies as I shouldered past.
Fenix’s operatives would blend in with the crowds. And Brooke had walked right in, possibly alone.
Keep your eyes open, man. Enzo could be here. Noah. Pavel. Thomas.
Between the strolling couples, motorized wheelchairs, and small children, I had to slow down too many times. The maintenance shed, where Mario had shown us the underground access point, was close to the amphitheater entrance, but not close enough.
