Blind Warrior (The Weavers Circle #3) - Jocelynn Drake Page 0,40
stay here?”
“Just got around to that part.”
Cort cleared his throat. “I don’t really see why that’s necessary. Plus, I can’t just stay here. I have other clients I see.”
“You’ll have to take an emergency leave of absence.” Clay came farther into the room, stopping right in front of Grey. “If you leave, you will die.”
“I can’t just call in and give them some excuse—”
“Family emergency, I don’t care. But you have no choice. These things are going to up their game now that we have the Water Weaver. You’re in danger now. I’m sorry, but it is what it is.”
“I don’t have to agree with any of this, you know.” Anger deepened Cort’s voice.
Grey turned that direction. “No, you don’t, but I’d like for you to stay here. Dane is nearly done with one of the rooms, so you can stay in the main house. Surely, you can claim some family emergency and get your clients covered. I know you care about them.”
“That’s just it. I care about them. Like I care about you and now I know you need someone to watch out for you more than most.”
“Then stay here,” Clay said. “Watch over him. You can do that much better from here.”
“Please, Cort. I’m serious. They will kill you. They will turn you against us, and you will try to kill us. I don’t want you to get hurt. It would destroy me.”
Cort sighed loudly and fell silent for several seconds as if turning over Grey’s and Clay’s words. “I’ll have to go to my place, get some things,” Cort finally agreed in a low voice. He was clearly not happy about this decision.
Grey tightened his fists at the thought of Cort being out there in danger. “Lucien or Baer can go with you.”
“Lucien has already offered to take you,” Clay said. “We really do need to be careful at this point. I’m going back to the house now, but don’t leave without him. Just come and get him when you’re ready to go.”
Grey heard Clay leave, the door slamming behind him.
“He’s rather bossy, isn’t he?” Cort asked.
Grey had to smile at that. “He’s had to be. He took on leading our group, but he’s smart and knows what he’s talking about. I’d actually prefer that you take at least two Weavers with you when you run home, but Lucien should be enough.”
“Safety in numbers, eh?”
“These pestilents are relentless, so yes.”
“I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around all this. Magic and beings from another dimension. Nothing in my life has ever prepared me for something like this.” Cort came to him and took his hand again. He ran his thumb over the skin on the back of Grey’s hand. “And here you’ve been dealing with this on top of losing your sight. You’re a strong man, Grey Ackles.”
“Well, you’re handling this better than I would in your position.”
Cort let go of his hand and Grey missed his touch. It grounded him somehow, made him feel less alone. He reached out and touched Cort’s arm, feeling the slim, toned muscles of his biceps.
“I’m sorry I dragged you into this,” Grey said softly. He felt awful about involving Cort in his mess. “I shouldn’t have let you come here at all.”
“I’m the one who insisted on going on that little outing. If I’d just stayed here…”
“I’m not so sure here is as safe as I thought now. Not with that guy coming in with a gun. But I didn’t know the pestilents would send people in—they haven’t in the past.” Here he was, telling Cort to stay, and the place wasn’t really the sanctuary it once was.
“I’m not blaming you, Grey.” Cort patted his hand. “I’ll just make a few calls, get my clients covered, and see about that emergency leave. I’ll take Lucien to my place to get a few things. It’ll be okay.”
But Grey had a feeling it wouldn’t be. He felt like shit pulling Cort into his mess and nothing would make him feel better about that. He squeezed Cort’s arm, then let go, once again missing the touch.
“Might as well get this over with,” Cort muttered as he passed Grey and walked into the kitchen.
“Stay safe, Cort.”
“I will. I’ll have a magic Weaver with me.” He gave a small laugh. “Damn, that sounds crazy.”
He was still muttering something under his breath as he left.
Grey stood in the living room, staring into the darkness and worrying. He wouldn’t relax until Cort was back.