Page 117 of Unveiled

I open my mouth to protest, but his expression brooks no argument. “Go.”

Eli pales and swallows hard. “Anya?”

I turn to look at him.

Eli gives me a curious look before he huffs out a laugh. “Wait.” He looks to Semyon. “Remember when we used to play chess? And you’d try to talk to me through the moves?”

What the hell is he talking about, and why does that have anything to do with us now?

“Yeah,” Semyon says with a nod. “I remember it well.”

Eli smiles. “And no one would ever know we had a secret language, did they?”

“Nope.”

His eyes swing to mine, and he gives me a knowing look. “It was convenient,” he says, talking to Semyon and meeting my gaze. “A good way to talk to each other in secret.”

Semyon shakes his head. “Strange time to remember that, but alright.”

No. No, it isn’t a strange time at all. It’s anexcellenttime.

My god.

Eli, you’re a genius.

Chapter 30

ANYA

My hands shakewhen I lift the phone and check my messages. I hope I didn’t wait too long. What are the rules about this, anyway?

My mind is whirring with the tip from Eli. He was not as unaware of what happened last night as I thought he was. Now all I have to do is play it safe with the Irish and have a not-so-casual game of chess with Semyon.

I hate that he’s using Ophelia’s number to get to me. It creeps me out seeing the messages under my bestie’s number.

Ophelia

How’s your brother?

I know how they’ll play this already. They’ll ease into a conversation like we’re friends before they put the screws to me. I can already hear the deep brogue and see the ruthless eyes.

Fine

Ophelia

And how’s your husband?

They’re testing me, looking for a weakness.

Boring. Plays too much chess.

Ophelia

Cute. Keep your ears open. We’ll be in touch.

The moment the message is sent, I toss the phone onto the bed and squeeze my eyes shut. Where are they? What are they planning?

I need to check on Stefan to assure myself that he’s alright. I walk to the kitchen, ignoring every thought that comes up about whatever’s going on with Eli and Semyon. Watching them beat each other like that was awful.

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