“Or the organization we work for.”
“The shine has worn off at the museum?”
Eliana nodded. “You could say that.” She slid her hands over her pockets and felt the knife in the right side of her cargo pants. “Things there aren’t what I thought they were. But it isn’t a surprise. Maybe I’m more surprised at myself that I ever thought it wouldn’t end up this way.”
She might get the answers she’d come to Chicago seeking, but she knew now that the price of that knowledge would be far more than she ever wanted to pay. In order to know everything aboutDominatus,she would need to be all-in with their way of doing things, completely on board. Only then, they’d always have leverage over her.
Eliana wasn’t sure she was prepared to do that.
“Didn’t you say that you wanted to go on an adventure?”
Eliana laughed, turning to stir the chili, which was bubbling now. “I did say that.” She shook her head, tapping the spoon on the side of the pot. “Sometimes I think what my head thinks sounds exciting and what my heart is terrified of are the same thing. Like I can’t decide if I’m adventurous…or scared to death.”
She grabbed two bowls from the cupboard and dished up as she continued. “I end up stalled in indecision with no idea what to do next because I can’t beat the fear and do it, or I’m wondering if the fear is prudence in disguise and I should stay home.”
She took the bowls to the table and sat with Patience. “Maybe you could say a prayer.”
They bowed their heads, and Patience prayed over the meal, asking God to give Eliana wisdom for the journey. Eliana let the words soak into her fearful heart, bringing the warmth of God’s peace to her soul.
“Amen.” Eliana took a bite and when she’d swallowed, said, “Thank you so much.”
Patience patted her hand. “It’s what I’m here for, dear.”
The loud bang of a door slamming echoed into the apartment from the hallway.
Eliana frowned for a second, but nothing else happened. She took another bite, resting in the simple peace of a meal shared with a friend.
A second later, someone hammered on the door. Not a simple knock, it continued for a minute.
“Expecting someone?” Eliana reached to check she had the knife, as if that would help her in any situation she might find herself in. She had left her phone in her apartment, but she could borrow Patience’s phone and call Carlos. Only, he was on shift. Calling 911 would be a lot faster—if it came to that.
“No, dear.”
The knocking continued.
“I’ll go see who it is.” Eliana glanced over. “You have your phone, in case we need it?”
Patience slid it from her pocket and put it on the table.
Eliana left her spoon in the bowl and went to the door, where whoever on the other side of it was still pounding. She whipped it open, opting for surprise, and tried to sound stern when she said, “Yes?”
The Dreamer woman from across the hall rushed into the apartment, pushing Eliana back as she walked. “You did this! You’re the one who killed him!”
Eliana stumbled back, reflexively grabbing the woman. She didn’t weigh more than Eliana, so she would never be able to completely overpower her. The Dreamer woman had the slender frame of a longtime addict and a dark haze in her eyes. “Whoa, easy.”
“No!” She shoved Eliana, who stumbled back some more.
But that only meant she was nowinsidethe apartment.
“Patience, call 911!”
“That old bag! She’s not calling the police on me!” The woman swept by her.
Eliana grabbed the woman’s arm and planted her weight steady, dragging her back to the door. The woman couldn’t fight it. Not when Eliana used her momentum against her. Eliana moved to stand between the woman and the apartment, blocking the hall.
“You aren’t coming in here. And you aren’t harassing Patience.” Eliana wasn’t going to budge. “Say what you wanna say, then get out.”
“He’s dead because of you!” The woman screamed the words at her, a crazed look entering her expression.
