I shook my head. “It’ll either take too long, or she’ll blab to my mates. And I don’t want Dimitri to know.”
He would be mad when I got back.Reallymad. If he didn’t find out before I did and came to pull me out of there himself.
“Fine,” he grunted. “Fuck, I’m gonna get in trouble with your mates, aren’t I…”
I hid a wince. He definitely would.
“Great. Not like I’m already terrified of your Nephilim, or whatever…”
My stomach knotted in worries. Could I really ask them to do this? To help me do this stupid,carelessrescue? What if they got hurt? Or worse, if the girls were killed? They were only Vampires.Earthwalkers. Strong, but not unkillable.
“I’d understand if you don’t want to,” I said after a beat of silence. “If any of you want to turn back at any point, you’re free to do so. I know I’m asking a lot, but I can go by myself. It’s my dumb plan, you don’t have to die or put yourself in danger for it if—”
“And let you go alone?” Marcus interrupted sharply. “No thanks. Do you have any idea what your mates will do to me if they learn I not only knew about your plan and didn’t tell them, but also let you go without fucking backup?”
Savi winced. “Yeah, Marcus is a dead man walking either way.”
“Better he comes too so at least he’ll have some brownie points for having your back and keeping you alive,” Fran added.
“When do you want to leave?” Marcus asked.
My throat bobbed, the reality of what we were about to do sinking in.
“Now.”
I turned myself invisible as I followed them in the streets. They walked slowly, like if they were simply taking a night stroll outside, moving toward the military side of the camp.
Everything was goingperfectly.
Until Aghen and Kai ended up running into them.
“Hey guys!” Kai said, stopping, ready to engage in any kind of conversation.
I leaned into Marcus' ear, hoping neither Aghen or Kai would hear my whispered words.
“Mind reader.”
Marcus’ back stiffened and I stepped back, walking around them only to stop near a building’s wall to the farthest side, close enough to listen if I strained my ear, but hopefully far enough so none of them would notice my presence. What if Aghen could sense me with his Vampire abilities? What if somehow, Kai tuned into my mind and heard my plan? It was already a gamble…If Marcus wasn’t careful about keeping his thoughts under control, Kai would know. And probably blab to whoever he thought could stop me.
“What’cha all doing here?” the Archdemon asked.
“Since we’re off for two days and we hadn’t had time off at the same time for a while, we thought we could go and train together like we used to when we were still on the same team,” Marcus answered casually.
Aghen’s eyes bored into him. Curious, assessing. Marcus was quick to put his attention back on Kai.
Had I truly traumatized him with all my mate troubles? He’d been avoiding my brother from the moment he uttered the word “mate” when Aghen showed up at our door. Or did something else happen since I left to avoid Aghen myself?
“That’s good,” Kai answered, giving an encouraging tap on Marcus’ shoulder. “You know, Carrie only needs your word, and you’re back to leading scouts teams.”
Marcus’ face blanched. I noticed.Aghendid too, his head tilting to the side, eyes narrowing in wonder.
“Sure,” my friend answered simply. “I’ll think about it.”
Kai’s smile faltered before he forced it back to his face. “What happened that night wasn’t your fault. You know that, right?” Marcus didn’t answer, giving a shaky nod. “We can never really anticipatewhat’s going on outside. We’ll get them back, I promise. And when we do, you’ll find the strength, I’m sure of it.”
Hand motions caught my eyes next to Savi’s thigh.
“Go,” she kept signing discreetly.
