Page 112 of Phoenix Falling
RISK
“You fucking traitor!”
It had clicked the minute I saw Jacob crossing the throne room. He was in dark clothes, similar to what he’d worn in the video, and in profile I was seeing him almost exactly as I had on the CCTV coverage of the neighborhood where the boys had been attacked a couple of weeks ago. It had been video from the corner store, showing a male stalking down the road across the street as the boys rode off on their bicycles. Because of the shadow and the lack of detail, I hadn’t made the connection.
Until now.
The group of shifters waiting at the exit he was approaching, shifters I’d never seen before and who, if they belonged here, should be in the Arena, confirmed my suspicion. Jacob was the one, and he was letting in the Anigma.
Oh God. I had to get to Imogen.
“Sun!”
“What is it, mate?”
“We were wrong; itwassomeone on the council. Jacob. It’s been Jacob all along. We’re under attack!”
“Show me!”
* * *
SUN
I wasn’t certain Rissa would understand what I was asking, but understand or not, she instinctively did what I asked: in my mind’s eye a scene in the throne room appeared, Jacob rushing to greet a group of males led by Helios himself, coming in through the entrance to the King’s Garden.
Son of a bitch.
“Where’s Imogen?”
“I’ve got to get her.”
“Hurry back, and tell me when you get here. The doors will be sealed by then. I’ll get Demetri to let you in.”
Then I was on my feet. “Seal the room. The Anigma are attacking!”
My warriors had been well trained for centuries. At the first call to action, they didn’t question, simply jumped to secure the room. Chaos erupted in the crowd. Lyris and Vanessa began to round up the women and children near the back of the room, where they could funnel them to the nearest secret emergency exit if necessary. The rest of the men began the process of closing the heavy doors that would protect the room and its occupants.
Basile rushed up to me. “How do you know?”
“Rissa went to check on Imogen. She said Jacob is our traitor.”
“What?”
“What?” several of my council asked.
“And Imogen?” Demetri asked.
I glanced at the warrior sympathetically. “Rissa is trying to get to her. The Anigma are entering through the King’s Garden.”
Several warriors cursed. Demetri squared off before me. “My king, I request permission to lead the offensive.”
Were it my mate waiting, I would expect nothing less. “So granted. Gather your warriors.”
With a worried look thrown in his twin’s direction, Demetri marched in the opposite.
James approached. “What next?”
I eyed the heavy steel doors. “He’s privy to too many secrets, James.”
