Emerge: The Captive: (Book 3)(90)

Jack passed the note across the sticky table. Sasha recognized Jayesh’s handwriting.

“Any news on Quinn?” Sasha slid the envelope into her purse, her hands trembling with the desire to rip into it right there.

“Nothing new. If you want my advice, go to Amrita. I hear it’s coming to Cleveland later this month. You might find a fresh lead there, but be careful. It’s a dangerous place. Don’t go alone.” Jack stood, tossing a few bills on the table to cover their drinks. “Good luck to you, Sasha.”

“Thank you, Jack.” Sasha sighed as she sat back and sipped her drink. Jack was the third man she’d worked with in the months since she returned to the real world. At first Sasha focused on diving back into her efforts to help Quinn, but as the weeks went by and there was still no sign of Jayesh, she began actively looking for him too.

Assimilating back into her life was just as difficult as Sasha had expected. She went through the motions each day. School. Basketball practice. Training. Homework. She did what was expected of her but she kept to herself, finding it impossible to return to the life of a seventeen-year-old.

Sasha’s three years in the Chola Valley took place in the span of six short weeks. Going back to high school after that felt like some kind of cruel joke when she felt like a twenty-year-old master assassin.

“Why do I find myself throwing you out of my bar every time I turn around?” Liam took the seat Jack had just vacated.

“What can I say, Uncle Liam? Your bar caters to the kind of clientele I’m looking for.”

“You know I’m better at this sort of work than any of the idiots you’ve hired. I wish you’d just come to me for whatever it is you’re looking for.”

“You’ll just tell Dad.”

“If it gets you out of my bar and away from creeps like Jack, then I’ll keep your secret and tell you everything I know about Quinn.”

“All right. You’re hired.” She leaned forward. “But this isn’t about Quinn. Not entirely, although I’m going to hold you to your promise.”

“If this isn’t about Quinn, then what are you up to?”

“I’m looking for the man I trained with this summer.” Sasha pulled the worn photo from her purse. The selfie she’d taken with Jayesh on their last afternoon before they left the valley. “His name is Jayesh Basu. He was supposed to come here as soon as he returned from Africa. But that was weeks ago.”

“I see. I haven’t crossed paths with Jayesh in a very long time.”

“You know him?”

“Once upon a time I did. Let’s hope he’s changed since then.” Liam set the picture down on the table. “Are you sure about this? Wouldn’t it be best to leave him in the past and move on?”

“Unacceptable,” Sasha said.

“Okay.” He nodded. “I will put out some feelers and see what I find. I can see he cares about you.” Liam frowned at the picture. “I wish to see you happy like that again.”

“Thank you, Uncle Liam.” Sasha reached for his hand.

“Are you sure he hasn’t just … gone on about his life?” Liam asked. “He is quite a lot older than you.”

“This isn’t about some silly summer romance. I can’t expect you to understand what we went through together. But he made a promise he wouldn’t break unless something went wrong.”

“Very well.” Liam nodded as he stood. “Wait here for Imogen, and for God’s sake, don’t talk to anyone else.”

“I won’t.” Sasha lifted the envelope from her purse. Her heart raced at the sight of Jayesh’s handwriting. She slipped her finger under the flap and tore into the letter. A single sheet of paper lay in her hands. She stared at the five little letters that broke her heart.

I lied.

It seemed Jayesh never intended to keep his promise. So why should I keep mine? Sasha decided right then that she would go to Amrita, look for new leads, and then she would head to Atlanta. It was time she took matters into her own hands.

“Sasha, this is becoming a habit,” Imogen said as she marched across the bar. “Next time I’m bringing Mom with me.”

“You of all people should know what this has been like for me. You know I don’t feel seventeen anymore. Haven’t for a long time.”

“I know, sweetie.” Imogen sat down across from her. “I really do. But coming to places like this, snooping around for clues about Quinn and Jayesh … it’s not healthy for you. Both of them would want you to focus on yourself now. Take the time to heal.”

“And how’s that working out taking your own advice?” Sasha glared at her sister. Imogen had returned just a few weeks after Sasha. But the moment she saw her sister’s face, Sasha knew the time in the Chola Valley had taken its toll on Imogen. Since her return, Imogen threw herself into her role as head of security at Cliffton Academy, spending every moment she had as far away from her husband as she could. They were having problems. Lucien was much younger than Imogen. He’d had very little experience with the more ancient aspects of the Immortal world, so it was difficult for him to identify with what she’d been through.

“Not good.” Imogen sighed. “It’s easier said than done, isn’t it?”