I pause then, my interest somewhat piqued in light of the fact that the information is out there for me to know. "You know?"
"Of course. I have been waiting for you to ask,” he says, relieved to have the spotlight off him.
"Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was waiting for you to ask. It's a touchy subject, especially with you. I do know how you felt about them."
I sit down then, a bit overwhelmed that he did know all this time. Cole was right.
Calling the pack of smokes to me, I light one.
"Okay. Hit me with it."
My phone, which I had left on the piano when I arrived, starts to buzz away at that point.
Constantine, who is leaning against the piano, throws it to me and I catch it, checking the caller ID. I grimace. Just when things were going better. I answer it anyway.
"Not a good time, Linc. What is it?" I say briskly.
Constantine pulls his face and turns away.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, V.A., but I have something to tell you," he says hesitantly, using his pet name for me.
"What? I say, impatiently.
"Devon's left."
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT
"L eft? What do you mean left?"
"I mean, he's packed his bag and gone back to Los Angeles."
"What? Why? When?" I snap at him, causing Constantine to look over at me, concerned.
"About five minutes ago."
Ignoring my own Astral ban, I swirl off downstairs with Constantine hot on my heels.
"And you are just calling me now?" I yell at Lincoln, who looks startled to see me in front of him.
"He asked me to give him a head start. He asked for ten, but I knew you would probably kill me if I left it that long. You shouldn't have Astralled down here," he adds in a reprimand.
"What is going on?" Constantine asks.
Lincoln looks over at him as if noticing him for the first time, but ignores him as I turn to swirl off after Devon. He does a partial Shift, letting loose his claws and teeth but remaining in human form, and grips my arm, his claws sinking into my flesh. I scowl at him as he has effectively cut off my ability to Astral. Much like Gladius Infernus stopped Gregor and Eloise from being able to Teleport, claws and fangs when sunk into me, seem to be my only weakness.
"Get your hands off her," Constantine growls at him, stepping closer as the blood seeps through the sleeve of my robe.
"You can't go after him, V.A. What are you going to do? Astral into the middle of JFK and wait for him in your robe?" he says, still ignoring Constantine. "Besides, he doesn't want you to follow him," he adds softly.
Knowing he is right, at least about the Astralling part, I nod grimly, and he lets go of me, Shifting back.
"Did he say why?" I ask, my heart breaking as I already know the answer.
"He needs time away. He's only in L.A. Just give him some time, he will come back."
"He said it earlier. He said he had to go but I didn't know what he meant. I didn't have time to go after him, I had to get upstairs, I was already late," I say, looking at Lincoln in anguish.