‘They would have no idea about all this, would they?’
‘Not yet.’ He scrubbed his jaw. ‘I want to talk to them about this in person. Can’t risk a tapped line.’
‘So, we are going to work on this from DC.’
‘And keep only a select few in the loop.’
‘Including Alex.’ I said dryly.
‘Yes.’
After yesterday, I wasn’t looking forward to being in the same room as him, the exchange left a bitter taste in my mouth.
‘That’s going to be interesting.’ Turning my eyes away, I felt the need to hold my breath. ‘Wonder what Peyton thinks about it all.’
‘At last contact, she was apologetic, but eager.’
‘Bet she was.’
Illarion laughed. ‘She was a bit shaken by the whole exchange, I’m hopeful that the groveling will be advantageous to us.’
‘Oh yes, I wager there’ll be a load of groveling.’
‘Already begun.’ He chuckled and showed me his phone.
I sat up straight taking it from him.
‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously. She’s been messaging all week, checking in on you, making sure the work she’s been doing at the bureau is helping our cause.’
‘Huh.’ I raised my brows and handed his phone back. ‘Interesting.’
‘Despite the dire situation we find ourselves in, you have people in your corner, Ace. You always have.’
After seeing that, I was starting to believe him.
‘So, what else did your contacts tell you about the former employees?’ I asked,
‘Not much.’ Illarion mused. ‘Something that kept cropping up every so often did draw my attention though.’
‘Similarities to this?’
Nodding, Illarion brought up another document on his phone and showed me. ‘This started to filter through reports a few years back, I didn’t think anything of it until I started to dig a little deeper.’
‘When was this?’
‘When you first joined the Agency—it started to come up more frequently. The signal was not from America.’
‘Okay?’
‘I didn’t know what to make of it at first, but I got a contact from Special Forces back in Russia to pull some strings, Sergei, he was a front runner for the presidential election.’
‘No shit.’
‘Yeah, he said that’s where the signal originated. Someone, whoever is running this, is from there, obviously skilled enough to break through all our firewalls, including mine and Aurel’s.’
‘What did Sergei say about it?’
‘He’s unsure, but he’s got a colleague checking it out for us.’
‘Reckon it’s something to do with the Legion?’
‘I’d say so.’ He agreed. ‘He said there’s word of some hardcore militia out there, unlike any he’s seen before.’
‘What were the signals pointing to?’
‘That’s just it, nothing, they weren’t interfering with missions, or information.’
I thought for a moment.
‘They’re watching us.’
‘Watching you.’ I nodded. ‘I’m going to keep digging, but we should operate under the pretense that the Legion is going to show up at some stage.’
‘On whose side?’
‘No idea.’
‘Interesting.’
‘I’m cross referencing everything that we know, something has to come up.’
‘What do we do in the meantime? Just lie low. Keep hidden?’
‘It might be our only option.’
‘No. Fuck that, Ila. I’m not going to stay locked up like an animal.’ I got up. ‘You and Alex, hell even Sergei on the other side of the planet are risking everything for me.’
‘It’s our job.’
‘Bullshit. It’s my job too.’
‘Ace.’ He said firmly. ‘We need to take precautions.’
What he was saying made sense, but I couldn’t accept it.
‘Please don’t do this.’
‘I need a minute.’ I shot. ‘I’ll be back.’
‘Where are you going?’
‘I’m not allowed to leave my apartment?’ I snapped when he moved toward me.
He instantly backed up, throwing his hands up.
‘I’m going downstairs to get food. The fridge is empty.’
Illarion didn’t argue any further and I didn’t wait to see if he would. I grabbed my keys and purse and rushed outside. If this was going to be my life for the foreseeable future, I was going to stock up.
Chapter Nineteen
Illarion
The door slammed and made me flinch. Ace made no attempt to hide the fact that she was less than impressed with my recommendation, but I would rather have her hate me than to have her captured and killed. And what’s more, her moods were worrisome. They were shooting all over the place and her instability was starting to become obvious.
Aurel was already firm on his stance and I didn’t know how much I could control the Darkness inside her.
Groaning into the empty apartment, I sat back down and looked over the files again, Aurel and Alex would be here shortly, and I had no doubt that they’d be happy to back me up with the plan.
This was going to hurt her; I couldn’t ignore the fact that she was going to feel betrayed.
Forcing myself to concentrate on the task at hand, I ran my fingers through my hair and focused.
Little more than ten minutes passed since my ability to stay on track was lost, Ace was still gone, and I was still on edge.
Shoving the papers back again, I glanced up when I felt a Sensitive approaching, working out that it was Alex, I moved to the door and opened it.
‘Ace is pissed.’ He mused, stepping inside followed by Aurel.
‘You saw her?’
‘Saw her downstairs, didn’t say much.’
Aurel gave me a wordless nod.
‘Taking it you told her?’
‘Had to.’ I nodded. ‘She wasn’t happy.’
‘We don’t really have a choice though.’ Aurel added.
‘Yeah, we all know that, she does too. Not easy though, being sidelined when you’re a soldier.’ Alex said quietly. ‘But she’ll come around.’
A flare of anger coursed through me before I could stop it. I didn’t need him to tell me, nor did I need his vote of confidence on the matter.
‘I’m going down.’
‘Leave her.’ Alex said.
If I wasn’t firmly focused on this being about Ace, I wouldn’t have hesitated to tell him exactly what was on my mind.
But higher reasoning told me to turn it down a notch and focus on the task at hand and what this was really about.
The anger inside me was a flicker compared to the flame raging on inside Ace, even away from her I felt it and I needed to cool off.
‘Stay here.’ I said calmly. ‘And work on the files.’
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips before he turned, shrugging. ‘You got it.’
Slamming the door shut, I balled my fists and slowly exhaled, composing myself. As the lift down the hall opened, my walk slowed when Ace stepped out.
‘Were you coming to look for me?’
Before she began to argue, I averted my gaze. ‘Going for a walk.’
She stalled, looking up at me and when I rushed past her, the confusion on her face matched the feelings inside her.
‘Ila.’
‘I just need to clear my head.’
‘You’re angry.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘You’re trying to lie to me?’ Her brows rose. ‘Seriously? What’s going on?’
I couldn’t muster up a single word.
‘Wait there.’ She gave me a pointed look. ‘Don’t move, okay?’
Before I could argue, she rushed down the hall to her apartment.
A few minutes later, she was back, sans shopping.
‘Come with me.’
‘Where are we going?’
>
‘Trust me.’ She said simply. ‘Come.’
Without another word she led me to the elevator and pushed the button to the lower ground level, when the doors opened, she led me out the back through a laneway into a smaller street filled with cafes and bars.
The one she led us toward had a large, green and white sign out the front with the name printed in bold lettering.
Gregory’s Coffee was decked out in industrial décor, large, round copper lights hung from the ceilings inside and wooden slats lined the walls outside. The tables were set out neatly with simple wooden napkin holders and a large, printed menus.
‘You said you wanted to go on a date, they make really good coffee here and I think we both need coffee right about now.’
‘We don’t have to do this.’
‘You’re angry, it’s pretty obvious and it’s turbulent, I can feel it in my soul, Ila. Whatever it is, you need to talk it through.’
‘I’m sorry you felt that.’
‘I’m not.’
‘We don’t need to do this now.’ I repeated.
‘Actually, we do. Your moods affect mine.’ She ground out. ‘This new Darkness doesn’t like feeling pissed. So.’
My eyes slowly traveled to hers and the tight smile on her face made my heart stall. She was concealing something a lot more sinister than glimpses of shadows in the night and scary dreams.
She was hiding her emotions from me, all of them and only the concerned look on her face and dark shadows under her eyes gave anything away.
When the waitress came to greet us, Ace turned away for a moment and produced a wide smile that brought a chill to me. How was she so good at this game?
‘Hi.’ The young girl smiled. ‘How can I help?’
‘Just a table for two.’ Ace replied.
‘Sure.’ She looked around at the bustling café, before returning her attention to us and gesturing to the back. ‘Is that one okay?’
‘Perfect.’
Ace led us through the small crowd and sat when we reached the small wooden table, set with a couple of glasses and a small, potted plant.
Picking up the menu and a glass of water, Ace turned to me when we were alone.
‘I want to know what’s going on with you. You’re always so sheltered, but I can sense the turmoil inside you, it’s different now.’
‘It’s not.’
‘Yeah, it is. You’re barely containing your anger. I’ve never seen you like this, you’re a loose cannon.’
‘We’re really going to talk about loose cannons?’
‘Yes.’ She replied sternly. ‘You know I’m teetering on this edge that everyone is watching so closely, so tell me about yours. What are your demons doing?’ When I failed to answer her, she looked away and asked me again without turning. ‘What’s going on?’
I absentmindedly toyed with the napkin on the table, lost in my own thoughts shaken back to the restaurant when Ace cupped her hand over mine.
‘Illarion.’ She said. ‘Please.’
Her eyes travelled up to mine.
‘I’m sorry, Ace. I don’t have the answers you’re looking for.’
‘I think you do.’ She countered. ‘And I think you’re trying to protect me, which I understand. But you can’t go on like this.’
‘Why won’t you tell me the truth? About what’s been going on with you?’ I said.
For a moment she looked stunned, like I’d caught her off guard and from the little I could read into her feelings, I saw that I was right.
‘Because this whole thing, I think it’s about give and take, am I wrong?’
‘You’re not wrong.’
‘Then you tell me.’
‘You already know what’s going on with me, Ila. I want to know what’s making you feel like this.’
‘I think it’s your Darkness and I think it’s affecting me too.’
She blinked and then turned, taking her hand back from mine.
I felt the subtle draw of Darkness tugging at her, I had to be careful. ‘Aurel is worried too, Ace.’
She snapped her mouth shut and leaned back in her seat. She narrowed her eyes, voice grave. ‘What is this, Illarion? A witch hunt?’
‘No.’ I said firmly, trying to force whatever calm I could over her turbulent power. ‘It’s me searching for answers so I can help the woman I love.’
She scoffed.
Something dark rippled through me. I had to look away. This woman, this version of Ace was terrifying. She seemed cold, almost like the remnants of the woman that night in New York never left her, and as soon as the thought crossed my mind, her eyes shot to mine, and mine back to hers.
‘Ace—’
‘Oh wow.’ She shot. ‘Wow, Illarion.’
‘Ace I’m so sorry.’
‘You’re not.’ She searched my eyes, I felt her inside me, coasting through my mind and my heart like liquid fire, setting everything ablaze. ‘You’re afraid of me.’
This time, the Darkness abated, this time it was sadness that crept up on me through the connection.
Before my mind could register what was happening, she’d gotten up, dropped the neatly folded napkin on the table and was about to leave.
‘I came here to help you, Ila.’ She said softly. ‘Because contrary to what you obviously think about me, I care for you.’
‘Please.’ I shot up to meet her. ‘Please don’t go.’
Neither of us said a word and the thought that I’d lost her again made my chest tighten.
‘Please.’ I said again. ‘Just wait.’
God and Beings knew I’d broken when I lost her then, and they knew I was barely holding onto my sanity just having her in my life like this now.
Slowly, she sat.
‘I’m sorry Ace.’ I shook my head, ‘I don’t know what’s going on with me, I’m projecting.’
‘I don’t know if you don’t trust me, or, or if you don’t want to talk to me because you’re afraid—’
‘I trust you, I do.’ I said quickly, trying desperately to fix what I’d just said. ‘It’s not that.’
‘What is it then?’
‘Aside from your darkness, it’s me. My entire life I’ve known what to do and when to do it, I followed orders, I gave them, Ace, I don’t know how to do this now. I don’t know what I’m meant to be doing.’
That revelation forced my mouth shut and apparently, she wasn’t expecting that either. She paused for a moment, keeping her eyes cast on the horizon until she brought her gaze back.
‘You’re still here to do what you’ve always done.’ Her voice was full of conviction. ‘Illarion, you’re still here to help us, to guide us.’
‘Not anymore.’ I shook my head, looking down. ‘Everything I’ve ever worked for is gone, everything we’ve done and lived for is over—it was all a lie.’
‘It isn’t, not everything.’ She firmly gripped my hand. ‘I’m not a lie, I’m real, I’m here I swear to you. Only this time, what we do is up to us, it’s on our terms, our rules. This time we make the difference, we get to do what we need to.’
‘I can’t help you.’
A pained expression looked back at me. ‘No, but it’s okay.’
‘How is it okay?’
‘Because I’ve been managing on my own, and I’ll continue to do so. My problems are my own, we have bigger things to worry about now.’
As much as her words were filled with logic, the tightness in my heart refused to accept it. But I tried. I had to.
‘It’s going to be okay.’ She said. ‘I’ll work it out. Scouts honor.’
The forced smile on her face broke me. I looked away.
‘For what it’s worth, Illarion. I trust you. I know you’ll do everything you can to save us.’
‘This might be too big.’
‘Too big for Illarion Lazarev? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of a task like that.’ When I looked back at her she smiled. ‘I’m serious.’
A chuckle left my lips.
‘You know you can do this, and you’re not alone, you always told me that.’
‘Thank you, Ace.’
‘Don’t thank me, I’m here with you.’
Her vibrant, beautiful green eyes knocked down all my defenses.
‘And I’m sorry, Ila.’
‘For?’
‘Reacting the way I did. It’s strong and sometimes I lose my hold over it.’
‘We have to keep each other in check.’
‘Definitely.’
I tightened my hold on her hands and embraced the love in her eyes and the warmth in them when she looked at me.
‘We’re going to be okay.’ She said softly. ‘I promise. I’ve got your back.’
‘Thank you, Ace.’
‘No need to thank me.’ She said and then looked down at our hands. ‘Ny employment?’
‘Reverted back to the Agency when you signed Belfort’s papers. It’s done.’
She let out a breath and nodded. ‘What do we do now? I doubt we can just mosey on into the Agency and be like, hey, did you know everyone here is corrupt?’
‘No, we can’t do that. For now, we stick to the plan, keep you out of the main line of fire and keep running checks in the background. I know you don’t like it, but it’s the best option.’
‘I know.’ She sighed, ‘I’m just not okay letting everyone risk their lives for me again.’
‘Everyone here is here because they want to be, Ace. Always have been.’
‘I know that too. But it doesn’t make it easier.’
A quiet moment passed between us.
‘If it makes you feel better, it’s not just for you, it’s for the whole world.’
She chuckled. ‘Yeah, little better.’
‘Good. Now let’s recap, we have a cryptic messenger from Russia, a back from the dead soldier and his non-Sensitive sidekick and a Legion army which may or may not be coming for us.’
‘Sounds like the start of a bad joke.’
‘Yeah, only in this joke, a lot of people could die.’
She shuddered.
‘At least we’re not alone.’ She said softly.
‘Thanks to Alex.’
‘Yeah.’
She didn’t look happy about that and I didn’t really have to dig too deep to know where that source of irritation stemmed from.
His presence in her life seemed to be a permanent fixture in mine too, like a third entity not only physically, but spiritually too.
Jack of Hart- Wild Card Page 24