She wanted to snarl, but curiosity won the better of her as she followed his direction towards what looked like a dining room. Six men sat or stood, each looking tense except for one.
Lucifer whistled, his chair leant back on two legs as he balanced with his feet on the edge of the table. “Family meeting!” he shouted, and many of the Guardians turned to pin him with a glare. “Firstly, Kace, why the fuck are you covered in blood? And secondly, why wasn’t I invited?”
Kace moved until his side brushed hers, crossing his arms across his chest. “Where’s Kyra?”
It was Xander who answered. “Kyra agreed she couldn’t stay impartial when it came to Eva.”
“Why would she need to remain impartial?” Eva muttered. “What’s happening?”
Riley stood, eyes skimming across Kace’s bloody chest. He tilted his head, and only when Kace nodded and the tension released a little from his shoulders did Riley speak. “So,” he began, settling back in his chair. “You want to destroy the Pits entirely.”
Eva stilled, feeling Kace’s intensity prickle along her skin.
“I don’t give a fuck about the Pits. I’m going to take out Augustine.”
Eva flinched at the name, and only then did she glance up at Kace. He was ruthless, that was the word that came to mind as he concentrated every ounce of his attention on her. He invaded every one of her senses until she felt consumed, and all she wanted was to surrender to his power despite the rage that radiated from him in waves.
Which was probably a pretty unhealthy reaction.
Stop it!she cursed herself.You’re mad at him, remember?
Xander frowned, cracking his knuckles against the table. “You’re going to initiate a territorial war.”
“Like I give a shit?” Kace smirked, finally looking away long enough for her to breathe again. “Eva isn’t safe until he’s nothing but shit and dust that I can piss on. I’m also not asking, I’m telling you I’m going to destroy those snakes, andeveryonewho stands in my way.”
“Is that a threat, K?” Xander asked, irises glinting.
“Oh brother, it’s a promise.”
“That’s enough,” Riley growled. “Kace is right, those fucking snakes have had it coming for a long time.” He glanced at Alice, who smiled at him in return.
Jax grunted, crossing his arms to mirror Kace. “We’re still currently under the radar to the majority of the undercity, but it’s only a matter of time before they take notice. It will make our jobs a lot fucking harder if we start making enemies of the Lords.”
Riley sighed. “Like you said, it’s only a matter of time, especially with the increasing Daemonic activity. Sythe, any information on the current position of the Pits?”
Sythe smiled with his teeth, the look feral as he brushed his fingers through his jet black hair. “I’ve heard whispers that the damage from the bombs you guys planted was extensive. They won’t be operable for a while unless they move operations.”
Xander sat down at the table. “Augustine and Dutch are probably scrambling, thinking a price is on their head.”
“They’re the Vipers, they’ve always had a price on their heads,” Riley added.
“There’s a silent partner,” Eva said, pausing for the briefest of seconds when everyone turned to face her. “I’ve never met them, but both Augustine and Dutch mentioned someone called Bishop.”
Sythe cocked his head, dark brow creased. “The Vipers have never had a partner, and I’ve not heard of a Bishop.” He exchanged a look with Riley, his expression unreadable before he nodded.
The blonde with the pink tinge tapped the table. “The Pits have become a dead zone. All the entrances and exits have been locked tight, including the underground garage. A quake was felt throughout the market.” He turned towards Kace. “Those bombs you created made a serious fucking bang.”
“Which means they would have moved,” Eva said. “Augustine owns a building in the city, it’s designed like a giant safe house. The only way to go between the floors is a lift that only Augustine, his security guard and Dutch have access to.”
“A safe house?” The blonde stood, rummaging for something behind him before returning with a laptop computer. “Do you know where this building is?”
“Yeah, I think I can find it.” Eva bit her lip.
She was finally out, but she wouldn’t ever be truly safe, not when Augustine was still out there as her master. The last think she remembered was the pain, but apparently it was Xander who found her with Hunter. Dutch hadn’t been there, which meant he was probably still alive. She needed to see them both dead, otherwise she would never be able to stop looking over her shoulder.
“But, I’ll only tell you if I go too.” She felt Kace’s attention once more, but wasn’t yet ready to face him.
“I don’t think so, she can…”
