Page 62 of The High Priestess

“One of my houses,” I mutter.

Cassia’s voice brims with anger as she asks, “How long will it take for everyone to meet us there?”

“Two days.”

The silence returns, making the air so thick it agitates me.

By the time I pull up to the house that looks like a breeze can blow it over, I’m annoyed as fuck and itching to kill someone.

“This is your house?” Cassia asks as her eyes scan over the property.

I nod before climbing out of the SUV. I grab my duffle back from the back and walk to the porch.

Unlocking the front door, I shove it open. Dust motes fly in the air as I drop my duffle bag on the worn-out couch.

I hear Cassia and Tobias enter the house, then she asks, “When were you last home?”

“I don’t have a home,” I mutter as I walk into the kitchen, where a pack of twelve bottled water stands along with a few tins of food.

I have emergency rations in all four houses. One is in Houston, and the others are in Spain and Melbourne. Not even Santiago knows about those three.

“Where do you live?” she asks.

I don’t bother answering her as I grab a bottle of water. I drink half before gesturing for Cassia and Tobias to help themselves to a bottle each.

Only Tobias grabs water before heading back into the living room.

I move closer to Cassia and hold my half-full bottle out to her, ordering, “Drink.”

She takes it from me and swallows some down before saying, “We need to talk. In private.”

Yeah, we do.

I tip my head in the direction of the doorway. “Do you trust him?”

She nods.

When I walk out of the kitchen, I can hear Cassia behind me. I level Tobias with a look of warning. “Stay in the living room.”

He nods.

I grab my duffle bag and head to the only bedroom. Stepping inside, I wait for Cassia to enter before I shut the door.

I drop the duffle bag on the floor, sending dust motes into the air again as I cross my arms over my chest.

I lock eyes with her, and for a long moment, we only stare at each other before the words tremble over her lips from pure anger.

“You killed one of the few people I could trust. Michail was like a father to me.”

I don’t give a shit who the man was. “He threatened you.”

“You can’t just kill my people without me giving the order,” she insists.

My temper flares up because I’m getting tired of repeating myself. “I can, and I will.”

“How am I supposed to trust you if you can fly off the handle at the drop of a hat?” She snaps, her tone rising.

“I was in total control when I pulled the trigger,” I defend myself. “Trust me, you’ll know when I fly off the handle.”

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