"I can," Kade said, before I could. "Riley was unconscious for some of the journey."
Which was so totally fudging the truth. Jack glanced at me, eyebrow raised imperceptibly. He knew the lie, but for whatever reason, wasn't going to argue it. Maybe he figured he needed a horse-shifter in his new task force. He glanced at the com-screen, said, "Area map," then looked at Kade. "You want to give us a rough location? We'll get some of our people to do a flyover."
Kade strode over and pointed at an area on the screen. "I don't think we can afford to wait for reinforcements. They'd have to realize our escape will put their position in jeopardy. I wouldn't mind betting they're pulling out even as we speak."
Jack glanced up at Kade, then at me. And I saw the question in his eyes, even though the words he said next were completely different.
"Do you think five of us is enough muscle to tackle that place?"
"No," Kade said. "But if you want to catch any of these bastards, then we have to take the risk."
And it was a risk. A huge risk, and everyone in the room knew that, including me. But it was one Jack was contemplating. Had to contemplate, if we were to have any hope of finally getting a proper lead on these maniacs.
I continued to meet his gaze, and mulled over the implications of his unasked question. Of giving him what he wanted - me on this raid, taking yet another step on the road to becoming a guardian - juxtaposed against the promise I'd made on the knoll outside Genoveve. A promise to see this through, to see it finished.
"Riley's not a guardian." Rhoan said. And though he didn't add it, the word "yet" seemed to hang in the air as he continued. "You can't expect to include her on a raid like this. It's too dangerous."
Jack glanced his way briefly. "She has senses and reflexes as sharp as yours. That alone gives her an advantage over most other races."
"A good olfactory sense and sharp reflexes aren't going to mean squat if she gets attacked again."
"I'm not stupid enough to send her in alone."
And still he continued to look at me, waiting for my answer. An answer he knew I had no choice but to give, because I wanted to see this finished as much as he did. After all, these bastards were continually coming after me, not him. That alone would have been reason enough to do this.
Even if it was one more step away from freedom, and the life I'd always dreamed of having.
"I'm in," I said, even as my stomach squirmed at the thought of going back to that place. "And I agree with Kade - we had better hurry."
A pleased smile touched the corners of Jack's mouth, but all he said was, "Rhoan, get Riley kitted out, then take her into the other room to catch some rest. Kade, you can stay here and give me an idea of the layout," He glanced at his watch. "We'll move at five - "
"But that's still two hours away," Kade interrupted. "We need to move ASAP."
"Unfortunately, we're restricted by the fact I'm a vampire. Some daylight I can stand, but not a whole lot."
Kade muttered something under his breath, then nodded. Rhoan cast a somewhat dark look Jack's way, then motioned me to follow him.
My gaze went to Quinn. His face was still very expressionless, and yet I had some sense of what he was feeling. Whether that was due to the link we'd formed between us - a link that was closed, and yet not - or whether it was simply wishful thinking, I have no idea Bur Quinn was no happier than Rhoan about my inclusion on this raid.
Well, tough. He'd lost any right to comment on the direction of my life when he'd turned his back on me that final time.
I followed Rhoan out the door and over to the black van. Overhead, the afternoon sky was clear and blue, and free of any soaring shapes. But the day was unnaturally still, free of the busy chatter of bird life usually found in the thick bush that surrounded the hotel. My gaze skimmed the trees circling the cabins, a prickle of unease running across my skin.
"Do you hear that?" I said, as Rhoan pulled open the van's side door.
"Hear what?" he said, looking at me.
"Exactly what I mean. It's unnaturally quiet."
"We are in the mountains, not the city." Even so, he had a look around and his gaze narrowed a little. "Maybe you'd better get inside while I look about."
"Given the things that have been tracking Kade and me, I think we're better off sticking together."
"Riley - "
"Don't 'Riley' me. You haven't seen the orsini. I have. Trust me, you do not want to come upon those beasties by yourself."
"What the hell are orsini?" He reached inside the van and handed me several small laser guns and a knife. My "kit," presumably.