Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2)(17)

Patti tsk-tsked and shook her head.

“Anyhow, the girl was beaten and arrested for drunkenness in Saudi Arabia, which led to linking her to the photographs.” Dad leaned back in the chair, making it creak, and crossed his arms against his husky chest. “Sonellion managed to get her out of there, but trust me when I say he spares no love for her. She’s an asset and an amusement. When she stops being those, he’ll get rid of her.”

“She’s given up, hasn’t she?” I asked, and he nodded, solemn. I looked back down at the bar picture. She needed hope. She needed to know about the prophecy. Determination revved inside me.

“Duke Sonellion is traveling to central Africa to try and expand interest in a certain archaic act against women, one he hopes to bring into greater popularity in the Middle East if he can get them to embrace it for religious purposes.”

He put a hand up when I opened my mouth to ask about it. “Don’t ask,” he said gruffly. “He left yesterday and he plans to be gone three to four weeks.”

“So, when do we leave?” I asked.

“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you there’s a lot of danger in the Middle East, Anna,” he said. I nodded.

“Do you know any Arabic?” he asked Kope.

“Yes, sir. My father often spoke it, and we frequented the Middle East in our travels.”

Dad looked at me. “I’ve considered asking Kopano to do this one solo.”

I sucked in a shocked breath and sat up straighter as a burst of angry indignance lashed through me.

“Don’t even think about it! I am so going.”

“It’s not what you’re used to,” he replied.

I bit back a retort of “Well, duh.” I needed to state my case without turning it into a battle of wills. I’d point out that it was his idea to have me scouting the world for Neph in the first place. Now, faced with a dangerous situation, he wanted to become a protective dad and throw Kope to the wolves all by himself.

“Look.” I spoke calmly. “I’ll research the culture before I go. I’ll dress however the women there dress. Plus, Kope will be looking out for me.” I looked across at Kope and he nodded, deciding to finally speak up.

“Damascus is liberal, as far as Arab cities are concerned, is it not?” He faced my father, who cleared his throat, realizing he was losing ground.

“It’s a bubble of liberalism in a conservative country, yes. But there will still be scattered hard-core conservatives and radicals who frown on Westerners. Not everyone in the city approves of men and women mingling.” He closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

Patti patted the table in front of her. “I know exactly how you feel, John. I’m scared for her, too. But . . .” She stopped long enough to let out a breath of reluctance before facing Dad again. “You know as well as I do that she can handle this.” He grunted. “She needs to be active, and it sounds like she might be able to help this girl in Syria.”

Dad exhaled a raspy sigh of defeat. I shared a victorious glance with Kope, sensing he was as excited as me.

“All right then,” Dad said. “I’ll arrange everything. You’ll leave five days from now. You’ll have forty-eight hours to convince her. I don’t want you guys there any longer than that. I know I’ve told you this before, but do not ever, under any circumstances, pass important information over the phone or internet. Only in person when you know the coast is clear. Don’t travel out of Damascus. I’ll have a watch kept on Sonellion while he travels, and if for any reason he heads home early, I’ll find a way to let you know so you can clear out immediately. I can’t guarantee you won’t see any whisperers, but if you do, try not to be spotted. How’s that ankle holster holding up?”

I lifted the right pant leg of my jeans to show him the Velcro strap and leather pouch holding the lightweight hilt. It stayed with me at all times now, even though wearing jeans in summer was hot as heck. I even wore it at parties. During showers it rested on the edge of the tub where I could see it. Demons wouldn’t be able to recognize it in its case.

“We know metal detectors and X-ray machines don’t trace it, but you can’t keep it on you in case they need to pat you down at the security checks.”

“I’ll find a way to hide it in my carry-on,” I told him.

“You’ve got your passports?” Dad asked. Kope and I both confirmed that we did. “Well, then. Looks like you’re both heading to Syria.”

I let out a squee and clapped my hands. Kope flashed a dimpled smile.

“Kopano has to fly home to Boston first thing in the morning,” Dad said to me, “but we’ve got the whole rest of the afternoon, so the two of you should probably hang out. Talk strategy. Maybe go catch a movie or something. I’ve got some things to take care of.”

Kope and I shared a surprised glance. Talking strategy and seeing a movie didn’t seem to go hand in hand in my book, but I wasn’t opposed to hanging out with Kope. There was only one problem.

“It’s Friday,” I told him. I didn’t need to clarify what that meant.

Dad crossed his arms over his chest.

“Most of the spirits will be in Japan tonight, which is why it’s safe for us to be here now. They’re having the eastern regional meeting, just like we have U.S. meetings every year. You two go have fun. Behave. Anna, you can drop him back at his hotel afterward.”