Page 43 of Love, Nemesis
“What makes you think we’d accept his help?” Ana broke in.
“I have nothing to do with their mission. You know what I want, Evira,” Lethe said.
“Which is why I know you’ll go.” Evira lifted a hand and rubbed her throat where the silks had been wrapped. No one spoke, waiting for her to explain. “I suppose I jumped in too quickly. Let me explain more slowly for all of you.”
Ana and Jasper exchanged glances.
“You see,” Evira began, “Ares and I met initially because he was investigating my trade on Hailey’s behalf, but of course, I used the opportunity to source secrets from him. During this, he happened to mention a letter he’d intercepted on the Mystic border.” She leaned back, moving her arm over the back of her chair in an open expression of comfort and confidence. “The letter was written with the official seal of Ivan Prince.”
Lethe’s eyes narrowed as his hands folded around the back of the chair, a sign of foreboding. Evira scanned the rest of the room.
“Presumably, the last remaining Strike.”
“Presumably,” Lethe said. “Which city?”
“Eager, aren’t you? I knew you would be and without even checking the facts. That’s very Rider of Saint East,” she purred. “Ares knows. You’ll have to ask him in person, and only I know where he is.”
Silence settled over the room. No one moved.
Evira looked at each and every one of them, allowing the silence to linger. “I see we now have an understanding.”
No one replied.
Ana looked over at Jasper, hoping he’d come up with an objection. He seemed to be asking the same of her. She looked over at Lethe, hoping this time she might see something more than a blaring red risk. No success.
“Does he have to come?” Jasper asked, gesturing to Cal.
“Hey,” Cal said.
“Yes,” Lethe replied, causing everyone to turn toward him. He shrugged under Jasper’s scrutiny. Voting for Cal to come had been an obvious jab.
Ana looked back at Jasper, who already looked miserable. He stood up, rubbing his face.
“All right then. Let’s all meet here at dawn,” Evira said.
Lethe walked behind the chairs, reaching to grab his lighter and knife from Jasper before Jasper drew it away. They both paused, looking at one another.
“Later,” Jasper said, “when we can trust you with it.”
Lethe scanned the room as if assessing his chances. He lowered his hand, exhaling impatiently before hopping off the stage and walking in between the rows of chairs.
Cal left his seat, glancing back at everyone before chasing after Lethe.
Ana stood last, Jasper following her lead. She started to step off the stage, glancing back a final time to Evira, who sat by herself through the light.
The hot light sparked a glint in her eyes, the rest of her body cast like a lone silhouette against it. For the first time, Ana soaked in the depth of her dark irises. A drop of blood had been smeared down one cheek from her fight with Lethe.
It bent with the subtle pull of a smile.
“Goodnight,” Evira said.
Ana turned and walked off in silence.
Chapter 11: Hands of Time
NEITHER ANA NOR Jasper spoke until they were close to the bullpen.
“I don’t like this,” Jasper said. “Evira can’t be trusted, Cal has no experience, and Lethe is a loose cannon.”
