Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(88)
“And how do you propose to help?”
“Ask your resident prophet.”
“My prophet?”
“James. You’re so focused on modern gifts that you didn’t realize you had a prophet right under your nose.”
“There’s not been a true prophet in centuries.” Livia sat back in her chair. Quinn could see the wheels turning in her mind.
“He’s been writing and drawing all sorts of prophecies about the redhead.”
“Why? Why would a prophet have any interest in an insignificant girl?”
“Maybe she’s not so insignificant,” Quinn said. “She’s powerful, Liv. We know you want her. Bad. You think we’re one of the strongest of our generation? She has more power in her little finger than we can ever dream of owning. And she doesn’t even know what to do with it. She’d be putty in your hands, baby.”
“You’re going to tell me exactly where she is and how I can get my hands on her.”
“Piece of cake, princess.” He winked. “You do what we say and she’ll be yours. But we get to make her squeal first.”
Quinn was surprised Livia hadn’t hit him yet. But she seemed completely enthralled with the new information on Allie.
A huge part of Quinn still wanted to fight. To keep this psychotic version of himself from telling Livia all his secrets. But she was buying it, and that was the important thing. But there was another part of himself—a part that was tired beyond belief—that just didn’t care.
It’s okay, Quinn, Lennox said. We got this….
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Sasha: Summer
Outside the Chola Valley
Sasha woke to the scent of beef jerky.
“I knew that would wake you.” Jayesh laughed.
“Did you just wave that under my nose?” She stretched her stiff muscles.
“Yep.” He smiled, offering her a piece. “Food is typically the fastest way to get your attention.”
“How long was I out?” She took a big bite of the jerky, hoping he had more. Using her healing power on the leopard cub had left her ravenous.
“Almost two hours.”
“Aide should find us soon.”
“My team will be heading for us by now.”
“We should move to open ground.” Sasha reached for her pack.
“We’ll leave in a minute. I need to say something first.” He grabbed her hands, easing her back against the tree where she’d slept.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t say goodbye, Jayesh. Come with me?”
“I can’t, angel. And I’m not saying goodbye. I need you to make me a promise first.”
“Like what?”
“Go back to your life and try to be happy. Do whatever you can to help Quinn but do not, under any circumstances, go to Atlanta like you planned. I will help him if I can, but I cannot bear the thought of you ending up in that place. Not after everything you’ve been through.”
“I can’t make that promise, Jayesh. I’m so much more capable now than I was when I arrived. I know I can get him out of there.”
“The moment you step into Sterling Tower, your life is forfeit. It is an impenetrable fortress with no way out. Not for someone like you—not even a Chola assassin. Promise me you will not step one foot in Atlanta.”
“I won’t. If you’ll promise to come home with me and help me find a way to get him out. We could do it together.”
“I would if I could, but I am needed in Africa.”
“Then come find me when you get back? I will keep your promise if you will promise me that much.”
“I will.” Jayesh nodded as if in defeat.
“Then we have a deal,” Sasha said. The hum of a chopper sounded in the distance. “We should get close enough to see if that’s yours or mine.”
“Let’s head up the path. The forest isn’t as dense toward the peak,” Jayesh said.
Sasha followed him, laying low in the shadows in case the chopper wasn’t her uncle.
“I don’t recognize him,” Jayesh said, crouching low at the edge of the woods. “Doesn’t feel like one of mine.”
“It’s my uncle.” Sasha recognized his familiar presence.
“Then we should head down the other side. There’s a grassy slope not too far from here,” Jay said. “He’ll never see us up here.”
Sasha gauged the distance of the chopper against the dense forest between them and the clearing where Aide could land. They would have to hurry if they were going to make it before Aide circled the area and missed them.
“We only have one shot at this. If we miss him, my team will find us.”
“Let’s go.” Sasha grabbed his hand and ran along the steep path down the other side of the mountain. Sasha was careful not to run faster than Jayesh. She didn’t want to risk losing him. He was coming with her if she had to drag him onto the helicopter herself.
Imogen’s weave of protection warmed her skin. “They’re coming.” She chanced a look over her shoulder. She couldn’t see them yet, but the patterns along her body grew hotter with each breath she took.