“No,” Silas growls down the phone. “That won’t be enough. Keep this phone. Call me daily,” he demands.
I arch my brow. I suppose if it goes wrong or Morbius doesn’t keep his word, I could call him and let them know. “Fine,” I mumble.
He exhales a breath of relief. “Just…” He pauses.
“Just what?” I press.
“Be careful,” he warns. “Think clearly, rationally. Not with your heart.” His voice cracks. “Please.”
I swallow, not wanting to discuss it further, feeling my resolve break. I disconnect the call and pocket the guy’s phone. “You need to go,” I state firmly. I turn to find him naked, lying on the bed. “Dude, what the fuck?!” I blanch, looking away. “Just get dressed and fuck off. If you want to live, I suggest you go right now,” I warn him.
He scurries off the bed, sliding his clothes back on. “What do you mean by live?” he asks, his voice breaking with fear.
I roll my eyes. “See her?” I point to Cara. “This is a nut asylum, and I’m her carer. She was brought in for cannibalism,” I state casually. “The drool is the first sign before she attacks,” I add. “Sad really. Her parents were vegans; they forced it on her. She rebelled like all teenagers, but rebelled too hard and developed a taste for human flesh.” I tut, fighting back laughter as he runs out of the room so fast, not even remembering to ask for his phone back. I close the door behind him, a smile spreading across my lips. “Don’t worry, Cara. I will find us something to eat that’s not fresh out of puberty.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SILAS
I keepthe phone to my ear even after she’s disconnected the call, my jaw clenched so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t crack.
“He took her to Velmora,” I seethe.
“That will take us at least a day’s ride,” Viktor states. “Not to mention, Morbius will be expecting us, so fuck knows what will be waiting.”
“Why didn’t you tell her to fucking run?” Cain snaps. My darkened gaze slams into his ferocious red eyes.
“Because she would have fought me, refused, or hung up. Then we’d have no way of knowing if she’s okay. Do you really think I want to leave her there, with him? I know he’s using her for something; I just don’t fucking know what. The only hope I have is that he told her it should take a couple of weeks,” I rant, the unbearable feeling of helplessness clawing at my skin.
“I mean, he could have just told her that as a lie. For all we know, he could be killing her right now.” Clutch shrugs. All of our heads turn to Clutch, the promise of death pouring from my gaze. He holds his hands up in surrender. “I hope she isn’t. Jeez.I like her. She’s my friend too. I’m merely stating a fact, that's all.”
“Clutch, in future, use your brain before speaking. Or, in case your brain doesn’t fucking work. Shut. The. Fuck. Up!” Lucian barks at him.
“We have to leave tonight. We can’t leave her. As much as what Clutch said is fucking stupid, he’s not wrong. We can’t trust anything that comes out of Morbius’s mouth,” I point out.
“We also can’t just go in there without a plan. We’re signing away our own fucking deaths if we do,” Hex adds.
“I mean, technically, we’re already dead,” Clutch shrugs.
“I swear to god, if another dumbass word comes from your fucking mouth, I will end you myself,” I threaten, getting to my feet.
“What I’m saying isn’t dumb if it’s the truth,” Clutch counters.
“Seriously, shut up, Clutch,” Cain sighs. The brothers start arguing amongst themselves, yelling at each other.
“What’s all the noise about?!” Evelynn yells as she enters the doorway. The brothers cease arguing and turn their attention to her.
“Club business,” Shade mutters dismissively.
She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring down at Shade. “I don’t care if it’s club business,” she says in a deep, mocking voice. “When I can hear you all yelling like a bunch of dumb animals,” she snaps. Lucian moves toward her in slow, purposeful strides, pride and desire pouring from his gaze. “And it stops being club business when it’s Lilith involved,” she adds.
Lucian takes her chin with his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head back to look at him. “You come into my court, throwing your demands to the covenant; the club?” he says in a low, threatening growl. A slow smile spreads across Evelynn’s lips, as if Lucian has just offered a challenge.
“What’s yours is mine, dear.” She winks before catching Lucian off guard and moving swiftly to the head of the table, standing behind Lucian’s seat. Her eyes spark with amusement at Lucian’s disbelief at the trick she’s just pulled on him. “As none of you can come up with a plan…” Her gaze snaps to me. “A plan that isn’t fuelled by emotion,” she adds, before looking to the rest of the club. “A plan that isn’t so overcautious that it gets Lilith killed. Lay down the facts, who has been to Velmora before?” She pauses. “What awaits us?”
“Us?” Lucian repeats.
Evelynn places her hands on her hips. “Yes, Luci, us.”
