off to the side, recently vacated. “Come, we need to talk.” He sat down close to me, keeping his voice low. “I came as soon as I could. Ethan came to London just last week. He’s at his wit’s end with Leisha. I fear she’ll kill him if she gets the chance.”
“No great loss.”
“You’re coming home with me.”
“I’m not going back to him!”
“I’m not suggesting it. I’m taking you in. You can’t stay here alone. I don’t need to spell it out. Ethan was ready to dump Leisha onto the streets, but she’s far too dangerous to us. Brovik is furious. I’m not certain how he’ll punish Ethan. Leisha was working very closely with us, and her disappearance caused uncomfortable scrutiny from the authorities. Brovik had no idea Ethan was behind it, until I called Kurt and told him everything. After recovering from the initial shock, Kurt suggested Leisha come to work with him, and for the present you come with me. He’ll smooth things over with the old one and meet us in London as soon as he can get away.”
“Oh, will he now?”
“Get off of it, Mia. After all these years, Kurt still cares for you.”
Not wanting to re-open that wound, I changed the subject. “So, what do you think of her?”
“Formidable, amazing looking but well… It’s best the old one keep an eye on her.”
I gave a sarcastic roll of the eyes. “I’m sure he’ll find good use for her.”
Philip took me by the hand. “C’mon, let’s gather up your traps.”
I refused to budge. “I’m not going. This is where I belong. For what it’s worth, I’m free. Even you won’t put a leash on me again.”
“Mia, we’re blood kin. I pledge my protection as a brother. I place no bonds on you. Listen to me, if I take you in the stigma of outcast is removed.”
“I don’t give a shit what they think of me.”
“You can’t survive out here alone!”
“I’ve managed so far.”
Philip sighed. “Maybe you have a place to live and managed to get a hold of some money, you’re a smart wench, but you’re living on borrowed time, my darling. What do you think will happen when the Wolf gets wind of this? Do you think Dirk’s forgotten how you humiliated him?”
I shook my head. “No one gives a shit about me.”
He shook his head. “Hopefully Kurt can persuade you. He gives much more than a shit about you.”
My heart skipped a beat in spite of itself. “Fucking liar, just like the rest… ”
“Don’t blame him for that nasty trick Brovik played on you. Kurt never meant to deceive you. Honestly, Kurt knew nothing, had no part in it. I swear. The boy has a mind of his own.”
“He’s in his sixties now, hardly a boy anymore, but even if he is all you claim, Brovik won’t let him near me until he figures out an angle to benefit him.”
“If ever two were destined for one another… ” Philip took my hands, enfolding them in his own. “When Brovik first approached me with this possibility of harnessing immortality, I was skeptical to say the least. You and Kurt are the only ones who understand the pitfalls of this endeavor. Only a slave understands the dangers of absolute power.” Philip’s face looked careworn as he raised my hands to his lips. “Please Mia, say you’ll come home with me.”
I leaned my forehead against his. “You’re my only friend but I’m sorry. I love you but if I can’t go with you. I’ll stay here, even if it means I die here. I’ve got to go.”
I got up to leave. Philip hugged me. “I’m always at you service, little one. You need only call and I’ll come.”
I withdrew from his arms. “Gotta ticket to a play, maybe we can get one for you?”
“I have to go back— business matters.”
I hugged him. “Goodbye, old fool.”
He slipped a knife into my bag. “Be careful, sweet sister, I wouldn’t lose you for the world.”
“I can handle myself, remember? I’m the Bird of Prey.”
“Kurt will come, Mia, now that Ethan is out of the picture. Don’t turn him away.”
The aching loneliness I’d staved off in the past months washed over me. I hesitated. Why not just go with Philip and find out? But to go was to accept Brovik’s yoke around my neck again. Not even the sweet temptation of Kurt would make me give up my hard-won freedom to that bastard.