Chapter 54
Kieran
I watched from the outside window as Elliot spoke to Gideon. The sound was off, so I didn’t know what they were discussing. I paced up and down waiting for some kind of sign.
“Still going?” Sable said as she appeared behind me.
I jumped despite myself. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Hey, I’m a ghost now, apparently. May as well act like it. Our friend out there hasn’t moved by the way.”
Sable gestured toward the door. I followed her into the hall, to the window overlooking the courtyard.
In the middle of the concrete out front, Sy sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed, like he was meditating. The man was so overly large it should have looked ridiculous.
Instead, it filled me with unease.
“What the hell is he doing?”
“How the hell do I know?” Sable said. “I just work here.”
I stepped closer to the window. As if he sensed my gaze, Sy paused and opened his eyes, then looked right at me.
The look wasn’t friendly.
“Why is he looking at you?” Sable asked.
I swallowed. “Who knows. He’s a dragon. Maybe it’s a quirk.”
Sable shook her head. “Glad it’s not me. If looks could kill.”
I turned away — and felt his eyes on me even as I retreated into the hallway.
I sat on one of the chairs along the wall and ran my hands through my closely cropped hair.
Sable sat beside me, sighing loudly. “Seph’s awake.”
I sat up. “She is?”
Sable sent me a strange look. “Of all the people to run into, K.”
I chuckled. “You’re telling me.”
Sable bit her lip. “She seems… different.”
“She is,” I said simply.
“How?”
“I guess she is just a lot stronger than any of us gave her credit for.”
Sable was thoughtful and silent. “Will you go see her?”
“I …” I looked away. “I don’t know. I kind of fucked up pretty bad.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“Oh, it’s not? Of course it is, Phantom.”
“K…”
“Sable?” Elliot stepped into the hallway, wiping his hands on a rag. “You want to try?”
Something dark and vindictive crossed her face. “About time.”
“Remember what we are looking for.”
“I know.”
Elliot hesitated. “Sable—”
She met his eyes. “I’ve waited years for this, Elliot. I can do it.”
Elliot stared at her, then nodded. “Go.”
A little smirk crossed her face and she stood up. I watched her leave and Elliot took her place beside me.
“So, K, how are you doing?” Elliot asked quietly.
“I’m fine, Elliot.”
“Are you?” he asked. “This was a big operation. And you nailed it.”
I smiled, but I knew it didn’t meet my eyes. “I just wish so many people didn’t have to die.”
“You meant the ferals?” Elliot asked. “You know we didn’t make them. We just released them from the Council’s horrifying holding pens. They were planning on dropping them on us like a plague. We just got there first.”
“They could have killed any of us, Elliot.”
“They weren’t meant for us alone,” Elliot said quietly. “They were being stockpiled. Transported. Labelled. Cities, K. Entire Dark districts, already in the damn schedule waiting for obliteration.”
I felt sick at the thought. “Fucking Council. They won’t rest until they wipe us all out, will they?”
“K.” Elliot put his hand on my arm. “We did the right thing. And you! Not only did you get all the info we needed, but you also brought me something that could change this whole goddamn world! I’m so proud of you! And I know your dad would be too.”
“You think?”
“I know it. This girl…”
“Seph,” I said quickly.
“Seph then. If you are right about her, we may have just landed a huge advantage. Imagine us standing there, stripping the Council of their power? How satisfying would that be?”
I eyed Elliot uncomfortably. “Seph is different than what you think. She is sweet and kind. And strong. You can’t ask her to hurt people – she won’t do that.”
“I get it, I do. I won’t force her. But once she knows what the Council has done… she may decide for herself.”
I watched Elliot closely. “Do you really think we can beat them? the Council’s reach is still so strong now – “
“A week ago I would have agreed with you. But a week ago we didn’t have Gideon fucking Quinn in custody. And if Sable can get us the address, we could end this whole thing. And soon.”
“I hope you’re right.” I sighed.
“Let me talk to her. To Seph,” Elliot said simply. “I’ll get to know her a bit.”
I snorted. “Good luck getting through Ash and Dev. You know they’ll be hovering.”
“Yeah I noticed that. How do you feel about that?”
“How should I feel,” I shifted uncomfortably. “She’s not mine.”
The words felt like a lie.
Elliot just stared at me, like he didn’t believe me.
“This girl. She’s the one…”
I didn’t answer. I just looked away.
“Right.” Elliot placed his hand on my arm. “I’m here for you, OK K? You know that.”
“I know. Thank you, Elliot.”
I watched him stand.
“You know the Council will come for us, right? They can’t let something like this stand. We won’t be safe for very long here, even with all your men. I imagine, weeks, maybe days before we get hit.”
Elliot paused, turning around to look at me. On his face a smile began to grow.
“Let them come. We’ll be ready. And when it’s time…”
His eyes darkened with determination.
“If what you told me about her is even half true about what she can do,” he said softly, “there won’t be anyone left to stop us.”