Page 83 of Deadly Avarice
Loretta made a scoffing sound. “I’ve never known you to downplay a situation, Holland.”
Pops’s grimace made my stomach queasy. “I had always hoped those rumors were simply that. However, given what Erasmus saw at the cemetery today…I am inclined to believe otherwise. And that, my friends, is a very unfortunate statement.” Pops turned his attention solely on me. “While I am beyond grateful you are alive and well, I would be lying if I said I am not dismayed by the details of your salvation.”
Loretta’s previous scoff turned into a grunt. “Again with downplaying the situation.” Hooking a thumb in Pops’s direction, Loretta turned to Franklin and me and said, “Hearing what happened to Titus and Susan McMahon scares the shit out of me.”
I swallowed hard as fear found an unwelcome home in my soul. Shivers wracked my body. Momma was quick to act by pulling out yet another blanket and layering it on top of me. If only that added layer of fabric could warm the cold pool of dread seeping into every nook and cranny of my being. Some days there simply weren’t enough blankets to keep the monsters at bay.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Franklin
Boone was safe. For now. Crouching in the hall just outside his hospital room, I placed my head in my hands. How in the hell was I supposed to protect him? How was I going to keep Boone safe? Pressure built in my head and chest. I felt like a bomb ready to explode. I’d left Boone with his parents on the pretense of giving them some time alone, but it was really me that needed the reprieve. I needed to be strong for Boone. I needed to figure out a way to shove down the panic eating a hole through my gut and put on a brave face.
I just wish I had a single fucking clue how to do that.
Heavy footfalls met my ears, and I caught the toe of a pair of black loafers out of the corner of my eye. Holland’s deep voice fell on my ears from on high. “We need to talk, Detective. Walk with me.” Holland punctuated thatrequestwith a nudge of his foot against my thigh.
Pushing myself up, I used the wall for support until my quivering legs could hold me. Holland was already walking away. I wouldn’t say I quickly followed, but a trot brought me up even with Boone’s pops. My head barely cleared his massive shoulders.
Holland was silent as he maneuvered down the hall. I had no illusion that the stares and side eyes were directed at the towering warlock and not me. I somehow managed to keep pace with Holland until he came to a stop in a small, empty alcove. There were two sets of chairs and a small, round table between with random magazines spread across their tops. Coffee cup rings stained the table here and there, adding their own version of modern art. There was a window at the end of the alcove, overlooking one of the hospital’s large parking lots. Overhead lights dotted the scene below, the vehicles they illuminated appearing small.
Hands clasped behind his back, Holland stared out the window, holding his tongue. I remained silent, waiting him out. The seconds ticked by, turning into a minute and then probably two. With a deep inhale, Holland finally spoke his mind. “You understand the gravity of the situation.” It was more statement than question.
“Probably not, but what I do understand makes me want to grab Boone and haul him to furthest reaches of the Earth. Somehow, I don’t think even that would be far enough if Huxley is what you think he is.”
Holland glanced my direction and smirked. “Then you understand well enough.”
Silence engulfed us again until I asked, “Got any plans to keep Boone safe?”
“Just my son and not you also?” Holland asked. “Tenzen’s most recent phone call to you was not complimentary.”
I shook my head, my gaze following Holland’s to the illuminated parking lot below. “Boone’s more important.”
“Indeed. However, I would hardly think he agrees with that sentiment.” Holland didn’t say that he himself disagreed. “As to your earlier question, I find myself in unfamiliar territory.”
“What, exactly, does that mean?” I had a feeling I didn’t want to know.
“It means that I am uncertain what to do…or if anything can be done.” At my harsh inhale, Holland added, “That does not mean I will stand by and do nothing. Erasmus is my child. I did not abandon him when he was born a necromancer, and I will not do so now. As much as it pains me, I believe we will need the assistance of others.”
“Others?Like Warlock Kines?” He was one of the fewothersI knew Holland had contacted in the past.
My suggestion earned a low growl. “Perhaps. Kines has friends as well that could be useful.”
“Fairy?”
“Only as a last resort. Once Fairy is involved, there is no going back and I do not wish to draw any more attention from their queen than necessary. We do, however, have a potentially powerful ally.”
My eyes slipped closed while a groan escaped my lips. “You really think Aurelia will help? Feels a bit like asking a wildfire to aim its wrath in one direction and trust the wind not to change course.”
“What I think is that the djinn might find the situation interesting.” Holland’s heavy gaze settled on me. “Erasmus tells me Aurelia is bored. Perhaps we can liven up her existence.”
“Christ,” I muttered while running my hands over my face. “We’ll need to discuss this with Peaches. He is Aurelia’smaster.” Fuck, I absolutely hated that word. “And that will bring Lucroy Moony into the picture which means involving the Southeast vampire nest.”
“This is one of those rare occasions where the phrase, ‘the more the merrier’ is truly applicable.”
I considered Holland’s idea and hated how much I agreed. “We’ll need to phrase our request the right way. Aurelia’s very particular about that kind of thing.”
