Page 7 of Addicted in Blood
“I do know where that is, but I’ve only been down there once.”
He closed the box and put it back before pulling down another.“Was there something specific you needed?I haven’t heard from Simone and don’t expect to for another few hours.”
His gruff response didn’t bother me, even if it was harsher than normal.I watched him flip through files, and as much as I was dying to ask what he was looking for, I knew better.He was frustrated about Devon.Maybe even afraid, which didn’t make me feel any better.It made me feel worse.
“I need to go to New Orleans.”
He stopped and peered up at me.“Why?”
“It’s what Devon wanted, wasn’t it?”
He closed the box and pushed it under the bottom shelf before standing.I glanced at the other boxes that were all labeled with dates.Most of them stretched back decades.He wiped his hands on a rag, not wanting to get any dust on his black dress pants and blue tailored shirt.Not that I could see a speck of dirt on anything.Greta found time to keep the closets spotless.That was just nuts.
“With Devon in trouble, you find this the best time to flee?”
That pissed me off.“You know that’s not it.It was Devon’s wish for me to learn everything I could about dreamwalkers and the necklace.Even Simone said we should stick to Devon’s original orders.”
He shook his head and tossed the rag onto a shelf.“I don’t need to be reminded of Devon’s or Simone’s orders.I want to know why you want to go.What does Cressa Langtry hope to discover in New Orleans?”
I hadn’t expected the question.I’d assumed they’d balk if I dragged my feet about going.Now I was getting the third degree because I said yes too easily.But when I studied Sergi’s face, I didn’t see the mocking expression typically reserved for our training sessions.He wanted to know if I had skin in the game, or if I found it easier to run and avoid the difficulties the House was facing, or the police investigating Christopher’s untimely murder.
I sucked in a breath and gave him what he wanted, though I avoided his gaze.“At first, I didn’t know I was the one creating the dreams.They were intimate.Too intimate to discuss with anyone, even Devon.”When I gave him a quick glance, I caught his nod, which encouraged me to continue.
“The necklace obviously impacts the dreams, though I have no control when I wear it.And the dreams, prescient or not, are getting darker.”I closed the door and leaned against it.“Did Devon tell you I’d been in his head when he killed Sorrento?”
When his eyes narrowed, I held up my hands.“I wasn’t controlling him.Nothing like that.It was more—” I considered my words, “—more like hitching a ride.I was a passenger, observing what was happening, but I witnessed much of it through his eyes, as if I was him.Sometimes with my own thoughts, but then I’d feel his rage.”I ran my hands through my hair.“God, I know how that sounds.”I finally looked at him and held his gaze.“I need to know how to interpret these dreams, maybe block them if necessary.It might help Devon if I understood them more.”
He considered me.Seconds turning into a minute, then another.“Now is not the time to share a dream with Devon.I don’t know how this dreamwalking works, either, but the last thing you want is to meet the beast, especially in your dreams.”
“But that’s just it.Right now, I can’t prevent what I dream.I have no control over what scene I drop into, and I don’t know how to wake myself up.What happens if I meet the beast and can’t stop the dream?If I can learn to control it, I can break the connection if I need to.And when you find Devon and bring him home, we’ll be further along with his plans.”
Muscles worked along his jaw, his expression a blank slate.“Be prepared.We leave as soon as Simone returns.”
He turned back to the shelves, picking up the rag and running it over the top of the box before opening it.
“Can you tell me about Devon’s previous experience with Magic Poppy?”
I didn’t think he’d answer as he picked through the contents.
“It’s not my story to tell, and I don’t see how it will help anything you might learn in New Orleans.”
That was fair.I didn’t think I’d get anything out of him on the first round.But we’d be alone together for a few days, and I had other ideas how to get him to crack.Besides, giving in quickly might loosen him up for the next question.
“I get it.It’s just that I’m worried about him.”The anguish that leaked out should be more than convincing.To be honest, I was more than worried.I was terrified, and I needed this trip, or I’d go crazy sitting around while the cadre shut me out.
He nodded.“Get some rest if you can.I’ll let you know the minute Simone returns.”
I was part way out the door when I turned back.“Can I have the necklace for the trip?It won’t do any good leaving it behind if I need to learn how to use it.”
His lips twitched, and I could have slapped myself.Could I be any more transparent with him?
“I already have it packed.It will be available when you need it.”
“You’re insufferable.”I didn’t care that my irritation seeped out.
“I know.”He turned his back on me, returning to his search as if I weren’t there.
I’d bet ten bucks he was laughing at me.
