Riders (Riders, #1)(72)

She smoothed her hands on her jeans. Calm. Taking her time.

I couldn’t believe I was looking at a girl who knew angels.

“I’ve known about Malaphar for a while, but I didn’t want to say anything before now. You had so much else to adjust to.” She looked from me to Marcus. “And some of you didn’t trust each other from the start. I worried it would’ve made things worse. What if you started to suspect each other? Or me? Or everyone? Can you imagine if I’d added that doubt?”

I could easily imagine it.

Malaphar. As anyone.

“It seemed better to hold on to it,” Daryn continued. “I guess I think you should trust people before you doubt them. But now I see that it was naive. I think I’m the one who got us in trouble at the airport yesterday. I’ve been trying to figure out how they knew we’d be there. How they were waiting for us. In LA, did any of you tell someone where we were going?”

“Gideon, the bank,” Sebastian said. “Remember the teller who gave me all the key chains?”

Marcus leaned over his legs, his hood shifting over his eyes. “The store where we got the radios. The guy working there kept asking about our trip and what we needed for it. Being friendly like that. I thought he was doing his job.”

Daryn let out a long sigh. “Malaphar could’ve been either one of them. I should’ve warned you guys. I’m sorry, I’ve just…” Her eyes darted to me. “I’ve just been on my own for a long time.”

“It’s all right, Daryn,” I said. “It’s done.” I didn’t want her stewing over past mistakes. I’d made plenty of them myself. And we needed to get moving. The Kindred had backed off last night, but who knew how long we had? Once we were in a safe place, we could evaluate and plan. But this hotel room wasn’t that safe place.

We established a few safety measures. We wouldn’t talk to anyone outside our group. And we’d keep close tabs on Daryn from now on. Not only because of Malaphar. She had the key.

“What does the key do again?” Jode asked. “I don’t think I got that part.”

“If the Kindred gain control of it, they’ll open a realm where they’ll rule,” Daryn said.

“Rule who?” Jode asked, rubbing his forehead. He looked almost catatonic. He was hearing all of this for the first time.

“As many innocent people as they can claim,” she said. “Kingdoms need subjects.”

“So they’re going to kidnap innocent people and take them there?” Bastian asked. “But why?”

“To grow stronger. They’re fed by destroying the good in human souls.”

No.

No, no, no.

That was what I was feeling?

I’d given Ra’om a meal?

Okay, Blake. Easy. The missing piece of your goodness will grow back.

“We need to roll,” I said, coming to my feet. I couldn’t sit anymore. “Let’s focus on getting to a safe location. Then we’ll get down to work.”

While everyone packed up, Jode and I left the suite and went back to the room he’d been checked into originally. It was still registered under his name, and he had left some money in the safe. I’d told him to leave it—we’d enjoyed almost seven Kindred-free hours and I wanted to keep it going—but when Jode had told me how much it was, I’d agreed. We had to go back for it.

We took the stairs as a precaution. I summoned my sword, which made Jode swear in ways that would’ve impressed even my Army buddies.

“Is this cloak-and-dagger business really necessary?” he asked as we went down two flights.

“Yes. Now, shut it. Please.” I opened the door into the hallway.

The door was heavy but it hung on smooth, well-oiled hinges. It didn’t make a sound—not to my ears—but Alevar heard it.

Out in the hallway, his head whipped to me and Jode. His black wings were curved close to his body, and for a moment he looked like a giant beetle staring at us. In the confines of the hallway, with its lush carpet and gilded wallpaper, he looked more terrifying than ever.

Jode cursed behind me. “What in the bloody hell is that?”

At the sound of his voice, Alevar scurried over.

I jumped back into the stairwell, pulling the door closed, but Alevar’s hand shot through and grabbed my wrist. A hot jolt washed over me—and I locked up.

Stalemate.

Alevar crouched in the hallway; I stood in the stairwell. The door was halfway open between us. I had brought my sword arm up in our scuffle. The tip was pressed into Alevar’s wrinkled neck.

I had also called up my armor.

I felt it, covering me from neck to feet, a sturdy weightless suit that fit like I’d been born to it.

“Let me go,” I said.

He smelled foul, and had a steel grip on my forearm. As he stared at me with his milky eyes, eyes full of pleading, I wondered—had he been bled of goodness? Had there ever been any good in him?

“What’s he doing?” Jode said behind me.

With shocking suddenness, Alevar released me and spun, unfurling his wings. They snapped open like sails catching the wind, slapping against the walls of the hallway.

From beyond him I heard footsteps, then a woman’s voice. “This one, Bay. This is the one here.”

Ronwae. I’d only heard her speak once, at Joy’s party, but I recognized her strange gargled accent.