“Let’s not talk about it right now. With this, we know Sinclair is desperate.” He lifted the note with two fingers and waved it around. “He’s hoping he can get one of us to betray the group to get what he wants.”
“It doesn’t change anything. He’s going to try to kill all of us, and we’re going to try to kill him.” I tried to say that with confidence, but the little voice—the little desperate, obsessed voice—told me I wanted to take Sinclair alive. If I couldn’t trade him for the information, I had to get it some other way.
Cassius must have seen something on my face or came to his own realization.
“Capturing him would be hard, but it might put you at ease. We know some of the best torturers in the supernatural world. Maybe we can get the information he’s offering. It would also save us if the information is a dud. You wouldn’t have to feel guilty for handing over an innocent man to him.”
“Yeah, but…if it’s not easy, we just go for the kill. I’m not going to let him escape. He knows where I live. He could completely disrupt my life. I mean, he already has…”
“I don’t think he came to Phoenix to disrupt your life,” Cassius said with some diplomacy. “I think you jumped feet first into this situation, and now, you’re paying for it. It’s fine, though. You’re going to live with me until your home is secure again.”
“Yay…”
“We need a plan. What if you pretend to betray me and Raphael?”
“I’m not doing that,” I groaned. “Stop bringing it up.”
“When you left, Raphael asked Leith to bring him to me. He was upset you were risking everything to protect him when you didn’t owe him anything. He’s a man who likes to fight his own battles. Sound like anyone we’ve met?”
“Fuck you.”
“We’re past that at this point,” he retorted. “He waited in that garage, angry I let you go out alone. I told him if he was foolish enough to think you needed a bodyguard, he hasn’t figured you out very well.”
“Thanks for sticking up for my honor and everything, but I don’t need it.”
“He sees a woman who is taking dangerous risks and wants to help her because she’s taking those risks for him. Are you really going to lock him in a bird cage and not let him make his own decisions?”
“I thought you were on my side,” I snapped.
“I was until you gave me this,” he said, waving the little note. “Kaliya, you’re picking him over intel you would have thrown me under the bus for five years ago. I have a feeling I won’t need to worry about Sinclair getting away with him because you’ll be tracking Raphael’s every movement. Biology. It’s in your DNA to keep him safe.”
“And not killing Sinclair like I need to,” I reminded him. “If I’m stuck there, protecting a guy who is wholly unprepared for this world, Sinclair could get away.”
“You have no faith in my abilities, then,” he said, giving her a deadpan look. “Really?”
I fell into a chair and glared at him.
“I don’t like it. I don’t want him there. I want him to stay here and—”
“Stay safe? Is he never going to be able to go outside without a bodyguard?” Cassius asked softly.
“I fucking hate you.”
“Raphael made me feel like a hypocrite for keeping him here, yet letting you wander off. I’m just passing on the terrible sensation to the more deserving recipient because you’re the one who’s making all the decisions concerning him.”
“He’s the target! We can’t…Cassius…”
“Naga pairs have fought together for centuries.”
“Not when they’re human!”
“He’s not.”
I had to admit defeat at that point, throwing my hands up as I realized Cassius wasn’t going to budge. He was right, and I was wrong. I was treating Raphael like a bird in a cage who couldn’t handle the real world or protect himself.
He’s been doing it for five years, and I have just under twenty-four hours to teach him as much as I can about vampires and fae.
Can I trust him to keep himself out of too much trouble?
“I see the wheels turning, Kaliya. What’s the plan?”
“We need to teach him. A lot. I don’t want him going in ignorant. We have…twenty-two hours. Let’s get started. We’ll get some sleep during the day. I’ve already taught him a little. We’ll see what he’s retained and go from there.”
“Okay. I take it this will be things he can use to defend