Page 238 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

He’s on the roof.

Kade didn’t even know you could get up there through a small access hatch at the very back of the Watch, but once Riley shows him, he climbs the ladder and emerges onto a flat roof surrounded by a concrete parapet.

The cool October sun is setting in the distance.

Lachlan sits on the wall with his legs dangling.

He’s got one weapon strapped across his body, two more by his side.

He looks over and smiles. ‘Hey, you.’

Kade joins him, his insides tightening the nearer he gets to the edge.

‘Holy shit, that’s high.’

He climbs over to sit. Having his legs over the side is a new kind of thrill.

‘Be careful.’ Lachlan’s arm wraps securely around his middle.

‘Keeping watch?’

‘Of course. You saw the bubble?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Must have been hard.’

Kade nods. ‘I talked to Riley.’

‘That’s good.’

‘We both agreed we need to get our hands on the book. We need to see your ritual.’

‘I already told you—’

‘No offence, but you already admitted you were drunk, and if this is all connected, then we need to know the details.’

‘Is that what you want or what he needs?’

‘Same thing, but just the three of us this time so no one else gets hurt.’

‘If you want it so much, I’ll just go get it for you myself.’

‘But people might get hurt and it’ll damage the alliance.’

The former bodyguard exhales roughly, looking out at Varrow City.

‘This is a bad idea.’

‘We can make it work.’

‘Do you know where the headquarters are?’

‘Riley does.’

He looks at Kade. ‘You’re sure?’