"If they cannot be destroyed, we are all in trouble. Neither the Raziq nor your father will rest until they possess them." He eyed me critically. "Ilianna's and Tao's fates hang in the balance no matter what option you choose, Risa."
I knew that. I'd always known that.
But it didn't alter the fact that I wasn't willingly going to do anything that would place them in the direct path of either my father or the Raziq.
Azriel sighed. It was a frustrated sound. "What is the clue?"
I repeated what my father had said, and he frowned. "That does not tell us much."
"Which is exactly what I said. And he basically said ‘tough.'"
My phone rang, the ringtone telling me it was Rhoan. I dug it out of my pocket and hit the vid-answer button. No picture came up, which was odd, but maybe he didn't want me to see what was going on around him.
"Uncle Rhoan," I said. "Please tell me you've caught the bastard."
"Indeed I have," a familiar voice said. "He's currently tied up tighter than a turkey at Christmas."
Ice entered my body.
It wasn't Rhoan on the other end of the phone.
It was Zane Taylor, my faceless hunter.
Chapter 13
For too many minutes I couldn't speak. All I could think was, He can't be dead. Please, God, don't let him be dead.
"What the hell have you done to him?" It came out a hoarse whisper, because my throat was locked tight with fear.