A Glimmer of Hope (The Avalon Chronicles #1)(69)

“Yes. I’m hoping we can turn things around, go on the offensive. Because having the specter of Nergal and his people somewhere out there waiting for us to make a mistake . . . frankly, it’s exhausting. And we only get to make one mistake.”

Layla glanced out of the window at the fields behind the building. She wondered if Elias and his people were already out there, waiting for the moment they could spring their next trap. She wanted to do something, wanted to go on the offensive, to bring the fight to them. But first she needed to know where they were, and that meant sitting tight and waiting for them to come to her.

“What if we made it look like we were making a mistake?” Layla asked.

Olivia smirked. “What do you have in mind?”

“I want to bring them to me. I want to end this.”

“I think we need to have a chat with the rest of the team before we decide anything, but you’re thinking a lot more like someone who’s done this for a while than I expected.”

“The spirits. They’ve been through things like this, and their calmness about the whole situation helps me to be calm too. I think parts of their personalities are going to start blending into my own. I’m not sure when that starts to happen, though. Besides, there’s no point in denying what’s happening, even if I don’t necessarily accept the spirits and drenik at the moment.”

“That’s something you’ll need to do. Sooner rather than later.”

“I know. Right now, Elias is higher on my list of concerns. But if he thinks I’m going to go quietly into the night to become a bargaining chip, he’s mistaken.”





25

Two Mercedes G-Class SUV’s were parked outside of the building. The first contained Chloe, Diana, Remy, and two other people, while the second held Kasey, Harry, and Tommy, plus a spot for Layla, who was glad for the chance to ride shotgun.

“These things are beasts,” Tommy said with a smile. “You ready to get going?”

Layla nodded. “Let’s go see the new surroundings.”

Tommy started the ignition and beeped the horn, signaling the first car to start moving. “You’re safe in here. The bulletproof glass is tinted from the outside. The tech we have at Avalon is a few generations ahead of what humans have. So be prepared for possible surprises along the way.”

Layla switched on the air conditioning and adjusted one of the vents. “That okay?”

“It’s all good with me, Layla. We want you to be comfortable, even in this thing. We might be at the new compound a few weeks. Depends on how desperate Elias becomes. Oh, we got you some of your university work. And an extension. Sounds like you’re doing some interesting stuff.”

“I think so. Not everyone agrees.”

“It’s boring,” Harry called from the rear passenger seats with a slight laugh.

“Ignore him, he’s just upset because he couldn’t understand half of the big words I used.”

“Not half,” Harry argued. “About a fifth.”

Tommy laughed. “We have some video games, board games, and the like at the property. Just in case the chemical components of metals begin to overwhelm you. Not Monopoly or Risk, though. We want you to relax, not kill one another.”

“Do my parents know about this?” Harry asked. “I haven’t spoken to them.”

“We’ve contacted them and said you’ll phone soon. We told them that you were helping with some odd marine life we’ve found washed up on the shores of Iceland. Apparently we had to have your help. Your parents sounded exceptionally proud.”

“Thanks, Tommy,” Harry said.

“No problem. Once this is all over, I’ll show you the remains of a kraken. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

“As in the legendary creature of the sea?” Harry asked, sounding like Christmas had started early this year.

“Yep. They’re not from this realm, but they do exist. I get the feeling you’re going to see a lot of things you didn’t think existed before a few days ago.”

“Magic and monsters,” Harry said. “My Dungeons & Dragons-playing fifteen-year-old self would be having the time of his life. If people weren’t trying to kill him.”

“Fifteen? You play D&D every other weekend,” Layla pointed out.

“Yeah, but we drink whiskey while we do it. That makes it incredibly manly.”

“Really?”

“No. Just means games last longer when someone throws the dice with a bit too much force.”

“I’ve never played D&D,” Kasey said. “Maybe we can get a game going at the property. Facing off against magic-wielding monsters sounds a lot more fun when you’re not getting your hair singed.”

“You’ve fought magic monsters?” Harry asked, clearly awestruck.

“Sorcerers, sure. They’re not exactly a barrel of laughs.”

“I’ll tell Nate you said that,” Tommy said with a laugh.

“Kase mentioned him before. He’s a friend of yours, yes?” Layla asked. “Will he be at the property?”

“He’s not around at the moment. He’s . . . Actually, who knows? He vanishes every now and then to deal with whatever is currently trying to kill him. He’s a good friend to have. And he’s a sorcerer, a fairly powerful one too. Nergal likes him about as much as he likes me.”