“You’re still going to get yourself killed.”
“I have to do this, Ari. Can’t you understand that?”
Ari took a minute, thinking about how she’d feel about Anabeth if she’d succeeded in killing Jai. There was hatred, yes, and she’d want justice, and if no one else was relying on her, she would have been tempted to exact justice. But Ari wasn’t wired that way. She’d always thought ten steps ahead. That’s how she could prevent herself from using her gift against the White King even though he’d ordered her dad’s death.
“I think I can,” she told Charlie and watched as he seemed to melt under her admission. “But, it doesn’t mean I agree with you.”
They were quiet a moment, Charlie’s thumb sliding over her palm. His hands were just a little smoother than Jai’s, she realized.
Ari thought of Fallon, who’d been unhappy to be left behind with her team on the plane. Ari had watched as Fallon had given Charlie a hug and whispered something in his ear. “So…” she smiled cheekily at him, unable to keep a little awkwardness and a teensy bit jealousy out of her words. “You and Fallon. She likes you.”
Charlie rolled his eyes. “You’re such a girl.”
“Well, my bra certainly thinks so.”
“Funny.”
“So.” Ari nudged him harder with her shoulder. “Something going on there?”
A scowl quickly replaced Charlie’s smile as he looked down into her teasing eyes. “You know there isn’t. And there won’t be.”
Ari winced, remembering his words only a few weeks before.
“… I’m not giving up. One day, maybe next week, maybe next year… maybe ten years from now… you’ll be ready to let me in again. And I’ll be waiting, Ari. I’ll wait forever to make it right with you.”
“Charlie…” Ari shook her head. “Maybe there should.”
“Ari?”
God, she couldn’t allow him to have hope. It was worse than the truth. Hurt for him twisted her gut as she looked up at him, staring deep into his eyes. She had to make him understand. “I would have died for him.”
Pain rippled over Charlie’s features, his eyes widening with understanding. He sucked in a breath, like someone had punched him in the stomach. Not knowing what to do but hating that she’d caused him pain, Ari threw her arms around him and held him tight. After a few seconds, his arms came around her and he squeezed her close, pressing his face into the hollow of her neck. They held each other tight for a few minutes and then Charlie gave a quick nod, his nose brushing her skin, his hand rubbing her back as if to comfort her. Abruptly he let go, pushing her away and without saying a word, he stood up and strode out of the room.
Ari gazed around at the team of hunters, glad to be next to Fallon. The girl let no situation stress her or change the way she acted around people. Most members of the team still found it difficult to look her in the eye, especially the twins, but not Fallon. Gerard and Megan seemed less embarrassed now, too. And it wasn’t like Ari blamed them for what happened.
A few hours after the team had arrived, they’d booked a conference room at the hotel and Ari had walked down to the meeting with Jai and Ms. Maggie. The tension between them had been brittle and electric, only a few sparks away from shattering them into pieces. The silent ride in the elevator had almost killed her and Ari had been this close to telling him to get over it already. But no, they’d made it to the conference room without incident. Charlie was already there sitting next to Jack Hollis who, now that Ari thought about it, had seemed pretty unaffected by Anabeth’s betrayal. Perhaps they hadn’t been close or perhaps, like Ari, Jack was growing numb to loss. Charlie couldn’t meet Ari’s eyes as she walked into the room, but that didn’t surprise her. Sadly, she wondered how long it would take them to get their friendship back on track. She wasn’t enjoying the role reversal.
“There was another attempted kidnapping,” Gerard told her abruptly. “Right here in Cleveland at a club.”
Ari frowned in confusion. “But Dalí had me attacked in California almost two weeks ago. Surely he wouldn’t have done that unless the harmal concoction was ready to be used on me now?”
Jacob leaned across the table, his rugged features taut. “Maybe, maybe not. He might still be experimenting with it… testing its endurance… who knows. Whatever he’s doing, this means we are not taking any chances. He attempted to kidnap someone and failed. We can only guess he’s going to try again. And that means every night starting tonight, we’re splitting into teams and patrolling as many nightclubs as possible. During the day, we’ll scope out several commercial buildings that fit his profile. Ari is to stay at the hotel at all times.” He raised a finger to stop her inevitable interruption and Ari slumped back in her seat. “You know no one can know you’re here.”