The vault led to a tunnel that ended at a gated entrance and an elevator.She hit the button and it opened.
She took it up a level, to another tunnel connecting the vault to a passageway that led through the mountain.Finally she stepped out onto a stone walkway, the night glittering above, a thousand tiny lights peering down from the sky.
“Faith is the only way out of the chaos of this world.”
She didn’t know why that lingered inside her more than any of Mystique’s other words, but she wanted to believe it—that God did care.
That maybe she hadn’t been alone after all.
And perhaps not anymore either.The thought caught her up as she entered the Guardhouse Hotel, keyed in the code to the penthouse apartment, and took the lift up.
The light from the foyer splashed into the hallway, and she stood at the door, took a breath.
Then she pushed in her door code.The door opened.
Darkness bathed the big living room, just starlight pushing in through the shades.Oh.She didn’t know what time it was, but certainly it wasn’t so late that he’d gone to bed?
“He’s not here.”
She turned, and Shep stood in the hallway.He was barefoot, wore a button-down shirt, and came out into the dimly lit room.“Steinbeck.He left about an hour ago.”
“He...what?”
Shep sighed.“We came back from dinner, and I was in the office when I heard the front door close.I saw him on the monitor taking the elevator down.He had his backpack.”
She stilled, her mouth opening.“I don’t...I thought...”She wrapped her arms around herself.“Okay.”
“I’m sorry, Emberly.”
“Phoenix.I know Mystique calls me Emberly, but...”Her eyes burned.“I’m Phoenix, really.”
Shep nodded, shoved his hands into his pockets.“How’s London?”
“She’s still at it.With the others.”
“I set up a room for you.Last one at the end of the hall.”
“Okay.”
She headed down the hallway, let herself into her room.Didn’t bother to turn on the light, but sank down on the bed.
So he’d left.Hehadwaved goodbye.Her stupid words burned in her head.“Am I ever going to be rid of you?”
Swans didn’t cry.She’d chosen this life.He hadn’t.He’d been, at best, voluntold, roped into being her teammate.
Boyfriend.
Whatever.
She got up, went over to the window to pull the curtains, and caught her scream between her teeth.
Movement on her balcony.A man leaning against her railing, arms crossed, a stalwart figure in the darkness.
She wrenched open the doors, her heart hammering.“What are you doing out here?”
He’d dropped his backpack at his feet and now leaned up, took a step toward her.“I left.On a mission.And got locked out.I think Shep must have fallen asleep, so I climbed up the outside, and your room was the only balcony I could reach.”
She stared at him.“You...climbed up the outside?What kind of ridiculous person are you?”
