CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE
L etting the sword go, I stand there in momentary shock, much like I did with Gregor and Eloise, but as CK crouches down to where his once beloved charge used to be, it snaps me back to attention.
“I’ll just be a minute,” he croaks in pain. “Get out of this place. You shouldn’t be down here any longer than you have to be.”
No need to tell me twice. I touch his shoulder, but he pulls away as I thought he might. Turning on my heel, I pull my shoes off and run back upstairs to the sitting room, Lincoln hot on my heels.
Bursting into the room, I stop as I see Devon and wait. He shakes his head. “It was quick. She didn’t feel it.”
I choke and collapse onto the sofa, dropping my head into my hands. Devon comes to sit with me quietly, just putting his arm around me and I feel comforted.
I sense Cole at my side and hold my hand out for him and he sits too. “What happened?”
“I killed Lance. And Polly,” I say.
He pulls me to him and strokes my hair. “You did what you had to do. He hurt you terribly and God knows how many others. You did what you had to do,” he repeats over and over, and it starts to sink in. I feel terrible about Polly, but Lance had to go.
Constantine walks back into the sitting room with his usual air of indifference, as if nothing has happened. I know he is hurting though, as I can feel it. I watch him, but he makes no move to come closer to me, so I leave him be.
“I’m going to check the tower room. Make sure it’s empty,” he says suddenly.
I look up sharply and say, “I’ll go with you.”
“No. Don’t. You have been through enough.” With that he turns and walks away. I sigh and put my shoes back on, again. Bloody castles and their dungeons.
Wanting to discuss something normal for a change, I turn to Cole. “What did Peter want?”
“Oh, it doesn’t matter. It can wait,” he says offhandedly.
“No, tell me. I want to discuss something normal, please.”
“Okay. Well, I got the movie,” he says.
I blink at him, realizing I should have already known that due to my position at the Studio, but clearly other issues have been more pressing. I’m curious as to his lack of excitement. “Baby, that’s great news. I’m so proud of you.” I kiss him and Devon slaps him on the back.
“Congrats.”
Cole still not looking too pleased, accepts the praise with indifference.
“What is it? Do you not want the part?” I ask him.
“No, I do. It’s a great part, a great script, but…”
“But what?”
“I will have to film in Canada and various other locations that aren’t L.A.,” he says flatly.
“Oh. How long for?” I ask cautiously.
“About eight months,” he says sadly.
“Okay, well don’t worry about it. I can work from anywhere with Wi-Fi, so I will just come with you. Simple solution.” I smile encouragingly at him and he lights up.
“You will? I didn’t think it would be as easy as all that, what with your new duties.”
Oh, crap. I forgot about that. “Well, it won’t be easy and maybe I will have to go home some of the time, but we will make it work. I promise,” I say confidently and his face falls slightly as I all but change my tune. “Whereabouts in Canada?” I ask.
“Toronto.”