Consciousness fluttered out of reach.
Chapter19
Jarring forward, Adair’s head struck the corner of the windshield as they landed hard against the beach next to the other boat. Grabbing her forehead, she didn’t pause, but leaped out. Astrid shoved off the engine, apologizing for the crappy landing, but equally rushed to get to Bennett.
Ryan came rushing out from the overhang. “Please tell me you took care of Calloway.”
Adair checked her lava-red wig hadn’t budged, hoping Calloway believed she was Quinn. “We got most of his followers, but he’s waiting. Probably watching right now.” She hoped to hell he was far enough away that he would mistake her for Quinn. “He won’t show his face until… until the last minute.”
Leaning in, Ryan whispered, “Your friend has fielded a few calls, but Calloway’s getting suspicious.”
Leaving the cave entrance, she stalked into the other boat and tore open the door to the bow. Blayk sat comfortably on the sofa, feet up, reading a piece of fluff fiction. He flashed her a one-sided smile and set his book down. “Have a nice day at work, dear?”
She rolled her eyes. “Let’s get this over with. When was your last call?”
Lowering his feet to the ground, Blayk pulled out his phone and checked the time. “I’m to call hourly until it’s over. If he doesn’t answer, it’s because he’s gone in. Gotta say, I do a damn good impression of you, but I think I miss the nuances of your huffiness.”
“I’m not huffy.”
“Sure. Anyway, we’ve got another fifteen before I’m due to check in.”
She grabbed his phone and hit redial. Three rings in, Calloway’s smug voice slimed through the speaker. “You’re early. You know I’ve got bigger priorities than your–”
“I should have finished you off when I had the chance,” she snarked back.
“There she is. With more to say than pathetic whimpering. Tell me, how does it feel, having all of your friends turn against you?”
“You’re a monster.”
Blayk folded his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow.
“What a delight to see you so improved from our prior calls. Much more like you.”
“If you run into any of Bennett’s friends, let them know I get to be the one to finish you off.”
“Tromos will take care of your friends before they get the chance.”
“How will you get past them?”
“Tromos will be awfully hungry when he wakes. Why would I approach a hungry demon myself, when he can feast on an entire team of hunters?”
“You’d better watch your back. If Bennett doesn’t make it out of that cave alive, I’m coming after you.”
Blayk accepted the phone as she handed it over and talked over Calloway’s clever retort. “Yeah, whatever. You do what you have to do. I’m done listening to her whining. Bennett’s probably already at Tromos anyway. I’m feeding her some human to see if I can find the old Adair in there somewhere.”
Laughing delightedly, Calloway said, “Excellent plan. Our new world could use a devious brain like hers.”
“Good luck with your fight and everything.” Blayk smirked and leaned back in his seat, adding, “Snap a few pics of those nasty hunters as they die.” Before Calloway could respond, he ended the call. “It’s done.”
“Off to the quiet life again?”
“Guess so.”
Aching as if she were losing him again, Adair said, “See you around.” She tossed him the red leather purse.
“Not my style.”
“Mine either. Some interesting reading anyway.”
