Kai nodded. “As far as I know. I’ll need to make a couple of phone calls to agree on a time and date, but there shouldn’t be any issues. We’ll send a bigger team to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
“A bigger team might attract attention,” Carrie pointed out. “Two Immortals per vehicle seems like a good option.”
Jeremiah scoffed. “Two won’t be enough if they run into some serious trouble.”
“Are you questioning the skills of my men?” Carrie retorted, her tone quiet but sharp. “A dozen Divines and Hellrisers will be plenty to counter any human attack.”
“Sure,” he answered with a sarcastic shrug. “But will they be enough against an Immortal one?”
And here it was. The first time one of us acknowledged what was really going on in the prison not that far away. The fact that our enemy might not have been human after all but could be coming from within.
“It never happened before,” Ann tried. “At least, not on one of those runs.”
“We must be prepared for any possibilities,” Jeremiah continued. “I say we send three of our own by vehicle to be safe.”
“Like six more will make a difference.” Carrie rolled her eyes before they exchanged murderous looks.
Ann met my gaze. Trouble in paradise? She hid her smile against Kai’s shoulder.
“Since we’re touching that subject, any updates on the…current situation?” Kai asked.
There was a long pause, everyone casting glances at the others. The atmosphere in Arc’s office was suddenly way colder, and I had to restrain my legs from shaking in anxiety.
I couldn’t tell them the things I’ve seen. Not yet. Something still felt off, especially since the attack I forgot about.
“Nothing more than what I told you last night,” Jeremiah said. “Scouts all came back unharmed, but the building looks like it’s more than just a prison. Lots of Hellrisers and humans…No clue as to where Dimitri and Arc are being kept.”
“You thought you could keep me in a cage? Keep me locked up for you to torture?”
I blinked, my hand reaching my forehead as a sharp pain seized me.
Dark smoke. Sounds of things shattering and breaking. Screams of pain.
“Help us.”
Hazel and flecks of gold.
Did I witness something? Did the Warlock call me to show me what was happening?
“Carter.”
I lifted my eyes toward Kai. All four of them stared at me with various expressions on their faces.
“Sorry.”
“Are you alright?” Ann asked, straightening up and ready to stand. “Does your head hurt again?”
“No. No, I’m fine. I just—I just remembered something I need to do later.”
“IknewI should have told Lola to keep you on bed rest for the whole day,” she mumbled.
I pinched my lips, hoping the blush in my cheeks would stay unnoticed. “Don’t you think Lola has enough on her plate to be stuck dealing with him all day?” Kai taunted. “I mean, it’s a miracle theysurvived the night cooped up in the same house on their own. Don’t force her to tend to him like he’sactuallysick.”
“Fuck off,” I gritted out, standing up from Arc’s desk and piling up the documents we’ve been working with. “Are we done here?”
“I guess,” Carrie said, jumping to her feet and giving a wide berth to Jeremiah standing next to her. “I’ll notify the guards about their chip replacement and make up the team for the upcoming Vegas expedition.”
“Three per vehicle,” Jeremiah reminded.
