Pretty When She Destroys (Pretty When She Dies #3)(80)

“Uh huh,” Cassandra said, obviously not believing that was the cause for his grin.

Cian winked at her.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Gross.”

He chuckled in response.

Cian adored his daughter. Every time he looked at her he only loved her more. She looked so much like her mother, Galina, that it was a bit startling. Yet, he could clearly see himself stamped in her features and especially her attitude. Even though he hadn’t raised her, she definitely had inherited some of his personality traits. He was also very fond of her girlfriend and was glad to see his daughter in a solid relationship. In spite of the high state of anxiety they all lived with, he did find happiness in the small moments he spent with Cassandra. Their relationship was still evolving, but it was good.

Jeff emerged from the stairwell with his brown hair a bit messy from him running his fingers through it. Cian noted the slight limp the man walked with. He knew Jeff suffered phantom pains. Yet, the hunter never let his disability slow him down. “Rachoń called. After she heard we got Etzli, she was more than a little ecstatic.” Jeff strode over to study the bank of monitors.

Aimee face was somber as she watched the bits of magic floating across the map of Austin on the table before her. “They’re still in the clear.”

“If we can get Etzli to tell us where The Summoner is located that will be a big plus on our side.” Jeff took a seat nearby, his phone still in his hands.

“If The Summoner doesn’t immediately relocate once he...or is it she?...realizes we have Etzli,” Aimee pointed out.

“It sucks that we can’t go to the government to help us.” Alexia swiveled her chair back and forth while typing on her keyboard.

“We all know how that worked out for the Washington group that tried to get help,” Cassandra said sadly.

“Guantanamo.” Jeff sighed. “I can’t believe they got pegged as terrorists. Or maybe the government knows. Maybe they don’t care. Maybe they’re in on it. Maybe they want The Summoner to win. Who knows?” Jeff ran his hands through his hair again, exhaling loudly.

“What does it matter? We’re on our own. We already know that. When it comes to dealing with The Summoner directly, we’re it. There’s no point lamenting that fact anymore.” Aimee folded her arms over her breasts.

“The hot witch has a point,” Cassandra agreed.

“We’ll deal with Etzli, get the information we need, and go from there,” Cian said in a firm voice.

There was a long beat of silence, then Jeff said, “Holy shit, we got Etzli! Does that blow anyone else’s mind?”

“I won’t believe it until I see it,” Cassandra admitted.

Cian checked his phone again when he felt it buzz. “They’ll be here soon. We do have the cell prepped, right?”

“Benchley is putting the finishing touches on it,” Jeff answered.

“Cian, how are we going to keep her from pulling her slick assassin moves?” Cassandra tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes.

“Silver chains. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll chop off her arms and legs,” Cian answered simply.

“For real?” Cassandra’s eyes widened.

“Of course.” Cian stood, stretched and lightly stroked his daughter’s hair with one hand. “If she attempts to break free, I’ll do it.”

Cassandra opened her mouth, then shut it abruptly.

“This is a war, Cass,” Cian reminded her.

“No mercy,” Aimee agreed. “Etzli would never show it to us.”

“And when we get the information we need?” Alexia asked.

“We kill her,” Jeff said, also standing.

The thought of destroying a woman he had once cared about should have bothered him, Cian thought, but it didn’t. Etzli would kill all of them and take Amaliya to The Summoner if she could.

Cian and Jeff exited the room together, walking down the narrow hallway to another room. It was actually another one of Cian’s resting places, but they had altered it to hold whomever they managed to snatch. That it was Etzli made Cian especially nervous.

“Do you think she’ll talk?” Jeff asked in a lowered voice.

“Honestly, no. But we’ll find a way to get the information out of her. We have to.”

Jeff stopped in mid-stride and turned to face Cian. Arms folded, the human looked dour. “If we find out where The Summoner is from Etzli, we’ll have to attack soon.”

Cian nodded. “As soon as possible.”

“Which means we should get the information out of her tonight. If we don’t, there’s a chance The Summoner will move locations.” Jeff fidgeted a little. “Do you think we can do it?”

“We don’t have a choice, Jeff. This is our best break so far.”

“Is Amaliya sure she can actually carry out her plan?”

“She’s certain of it. If we can rescue Bianca, we will have The Summoner at a great disadvantage. If she can untether The Summoner from Bianca’s body, he’ll be a ghost again, and Samantha thinks she can possibly banish him.” Cian knew it was all conjecture, but it was all they had. There was really no way to plan in certainties. They’d have to wing it. He didn’t like it any more than Jeff did, but didn’t see where they had a choice.