A yip came from the car. Bruno. Seeing him softened my heart. Ace obviously had to make a quick escape, but he still didn't leave Bruno behind. He was a good man, no matter what Silas had done to him.
“He took my house, Salina. He's got all these people coming to live there. They're soldiers. Silas said he needed more room. His house was getting crowded.”
“The Host.”
“Yeah, them.” Ace ran a hand over his face. “I don't know what to do. It's not as if I can call the police. I thought your friends might be able to help me.”
“So, you don't want to fight for God?”
“He's not God.” Ace sighed and sat on the hood of his car. “You were right. The things he says. Does. He can't be God. Not the god I was taught about.”
“He'sagod. One of many. Not even the most powerful.”
“Salina, he brought me back from the dead.”
“I know. That's how he binds people to him. I'm so sorry, Ace. We're trying to help you.”
“Canthey help me?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“They're going to kill Silas.”
“He says they can't.”
“I'm sure he says a lot of things that aren't true.”
Ace snorted. “Yeah.” He straightened off the hood. “I guess I have to go back then.” He looked at Bruno, then at me. “Salina, I know this is a lot to ask, but could you take Bruno? I'm worried that Silas might use him against me.”
“Oh, Ace,” I whispered. “Yes, of course.” Then I paused. Would the ward fall when I opened the gate? Surely not. It was magic that guarded the property, not the gate.
Ace didn't notice my hesitation. He was too busy calling Bruno out of the car. The puppy came bounding out, then sat there, looking up at him. Ace crouched to pet him. I went to the gate controls and opened the double iron gate.
“Okay, boy. You're going to stay with Salina for a while. She'll take good care of you.” He picked the puppy up, hugged him, and turned to face me. “I'm sorry. I wasn't able to bring any food with me.”
“What does he eat?”
“Any puppy chow will do. Maybe some wet food, if you could.” Ace swallowed roughly and hugged the dog. “I love you, Bruno. You're gonna be safe now.” He held Bruno out to me.
I reached for him.
Ace let go too soon.
“Bruno!” I dove for the puppy.
Ace dove for both of us.
I felt something tingle over my skin and then I was in Ace's arms, with Bruno held tightly against my chest. I looked up to thank Ace for catching me. Then I saw his eyes. They were glowing.
“I'm so sorry I had to deceive you, Saliha.”
His eyes and words registered too late for me to react. We were already moving.
And not in the way humans move.
I gasped, but it was interrupted—put on pause as Ace took me down a path mortals couldn't travel. I finished the inhale ina completely different location, Bruno still held in my arms. And Ace was still holding me. Except that he wasn't Ace, was he?
