Page 56 of The High Priestess

As we drive to the safe house, I wonder how many of my people chose to side with me.

Not many, if they all fit into a house.

The betrayal cuts deep, and I close my eyes as the pain forms another crack in my heart.

Knight drives for fifteen minutes, then says, “It’s the house on the corner. We’re going to do a drive-by before we stop.”

“Okay.” As we pass by the house, I look for any sign of life, but I can’t see any. “It doesn’t look like anyone is there.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” he says as he makes a U-turn. “If all hell breaks loose, you point that machine gun at anyone but me and just pull the trigger. It packs a punch, so brace for it.”

“Okay.”

I hold the weapon ready, but Knight drives past again. Before I can ask what he’s doing, he stops the SUV two houses away from the safe house.

“Let’s go,” he mutters as he shoves his door open.

I quickly climb out of the car and join Knight. Noticing how he’s holding his gun with the barrel pointing down, I adjust mine into the same position.

“Stay slightly behind me,” he orders.

I fall a step back and move into position, my fingers tightening around the powerful weapon.

If shit goes sideways, just point and shoot. You’ll be fine.

My heart starts beating faster with every step we move closer to the house.

Jesus. I don’t know if I can handle another shootout so soon after the attack.

“There’s someone peeking through the curtains by the window on the left,” Knight murmurs, his tone steady.

My eyes dart to the window, and it’s in time to see Savvas’s surprised face before the curtain falls back into place.

“It’s Savvas,” I tell Knight.

The next minute, the front door swings open, and the large man comes jogging out of the house while crying, “Gamóto,Cassia! I thought you were dead.”

Knight instantly trains his machine gun on Savvas while calling out, “Stop right there.”

Savvas freezes, quickly raising his hands while giving me a confused look.

Knight stealthily moves closer and pats Savvas down, disarming him and dropping the handgun onto the ground.

He moves three steps back, stopping an inch from bumping into me, then asks, “How many people are in the house?”

“There are eleven of us,” Savvas quickly answers.

“How many weapons?” Knight asks in a harsh tone.

“Nine.” Savvas gestures at the gun on the ground. “Including that one.”

“Cassia, pick up the gun,” Knight orders.

I quickly crouch down and grab it.

He nods his head toward the house and tells Savvas, “Move to the front door and tell everyone to come out one at a time. Have everyone slide their guns out onto the porch. You will then kick the weapons to the side and out of reach. If more than one person exits the house at the same time, I open fire. Got it?”

“Yes.” Savvas nods quickly before hurrying to the porch and calling into the house, “Cassia is here. We need to come out of the house one at a time. Slide the guns out onto the porch.”

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