Purcell’s steely gaze shifted to her, and she felt an odd pressure in her head.“I know you doubt me,” he said, as if he’d read her mind.He had, she realized.“But with your comrade on our side, you haven’t a chance of succeeding.Cyn, when you or Ruby start feeling ill, call Fernandez.He’ll have instructions by then.”
Fernandez approached Cyn.“I’m sorry I set this up.”He watched Purcell’s retreating back as if he were afraid the man would disappear.
Cyn narrowed eyes that showed his sense of betrayal.“Setmeup.This could have gone much differently.”
“I can’t lose her, Cyn.”The man’s voice bled with regret.He ran across the lawn to follow Purcell.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Ruby asked, “We’re not really?—”
Cyn shook his head, answering and cutting her off with the same movement.He motioned for her to follow him to the T-bird.As soon as they pulled away from the house, Cyn voice dialed Grayson.
His deep voice boomed over the speakers when he answered.“What’s up?”
“I need a Leap to Chena.I’ll fill you in when we get to your place.”He disconnected.
“Who’s Chena?And what’s a Leap, and why does it make my stomach knot up even more than it already is?Don’t you dare tell melater.”
He slid her a slightly amused look.“Chena is a what, not a who.It’s a town in Alaska, one of the few places where pockets ofDeus Viscan sustain Crescents.”
“Alaska?Are we running off to save our asses?Or areyourunning off?”
“Ruby, you’ve got to stop letting your emotions drive you.Back there, bursting out like that could have gotten us killed.”He gave her a stern look.“You really think I’d leave you to save myself?”
She settled back in her seat.“No.”
Cyn pulled into the high-rise’s parking lot and started heading to the entrance.“Maybe Purcell’s telling the truth, and this disturbance is a natural result of the impending solar storm.My gut says it isn’t.”
“If he’s right, my father was either crazy or greedy.My gut says it’s not true.”
“Your gut or your heart?You must be able to tell the difference.”
She recalled the memories Grayson had revived.“I remember my father telling Darren that what they were doing was dangerous.That’s why he destroyed everything.He wasn’t a man intent to run with a money-making device, but one in fear for the safety of his family.And all Crescents.My gut says that in the end, he did the right thing.”
Cyn nodded.“Trust your gut always.Trust your emotions never.Going to Alaska is about getting answers.Jay Caruso has had a fascination with theDeus Visever since he went to college with your father.When Brom had his vision fifteen years ago, he called Jay, whose idea it was to use the prism to see theDeus Vis.Jay is a permanent resident at Sanctum, the Crescent sanctuary where Brom went.When I was at Brom’s earlier, there was a message from Jay on his computer.He’s running experiments based on something Brom just told him.We’re going to find out what that something is.”He ran his hands lightly over her shoulders and down her arms.Her body stiffened, and he pulled back.“You’re going to need a coat.”
Even that casual touch sent his energy into her body.“I can get one at the airport.”
“We’re not going by plane.We’re going via magick.”
21
Cyn outlined what they knew while sitting at the bar at Grayson’s.Grayson took a generous drink, obviously feeling the emotions zinging between Cyn and Ruby.“There was something on the news this morning about an uptick in people getting the flu.I don’t feel it, but I’m old.I’ll take you and come when you’re ready to return.”
“I understand.”For Cyn, Sanctum was a place of healing.For Grayson it was probably a reminder of why he’d needed healing.
Grayson slammed down the rest of his drink, setting it on the counter with athud.“Ready?”
Ruby slid from the stool and grabbed the coat Grayson had borrowed from the lone female Caido in the building.She’d taken the whole Leap thing pretty well.Of course, compared to demons and finding out you were a Dragon, Leaping was pretty tame.
She put on the coat, then grabbed a small bag.Cyn had nothing but the clothing he wore and a long black leather coat.
Grayson stripped out of his shirt.Their wings weren’t the Mundanes’ vision of the feathery kind.Even so, they still tore through clothing—and hurt like hell if his grimace was any indication.Ruby stared as he came around the bar, trying to see his back.She didn’t get a chance.He put his big arms around both Cyn and Ruby.“You’ll feel lightheaded, light-bodied.It’ll pass.”In a flash of white, Cyn felt the very sensation Grayson had described.
Seconds later, they stood outside the remote commune known as Sanctum.A sign gave the impression that it was, indeed, some kind of private mental facility.Beyond the utilitarian entrance lay beautiful landscaping and buildings.
Cyn turned to Grayson, who was also taking in the place.“It calls to you already, doesn’t it?”
Grayson said, “Yes, which means it’s time to go.”In a flash, he was gone.Here, among only Crescents, no one had to hide their magick.
