"And do not think to call in aid from the Directorate," Taylor said, seemingly reading my thoughts. "Because the place you walk into has been wired with explosives. The minute my people see anything out of the ordinary, they will detonate. And that, dear huntress, would be an inglorious end for one such as you."
And it sure as hell wasn't the way I wanted to go, either. I shivered, feeling colder and more helpless than I ever had before.
He does not know about me, Azriel said, his words warm and comforting as they whispered into my mind, and he will not know I am there unless someone attempts to harm you.
But it means we have no choice but to involve Markel.
I do not think he will mind.
Maybe not, but his boss might. Hunter had put him on watch duty, and she was the sort to expect exact compliance with her orders.
But she does not want you harmed, unless she is the one doing the harming. She will allow this.
I guess. But it meant Markel was yet another person being drawn into the web slowly closing around me. And while he might be an elite killer for the high council, that didn't mean I wanted his death on my conscience any more than I wanted Rhoan's on it.
"That isn't really much of a test for my guardian, Taylor. It's a choice for me, not him."
"True. But you will not choose death, huntress, and we both know it. Therefore, your guardian will remain and he will be tested."
And things would attack. Undoubtedly nasty things. While I had no doubt Azriel would cope, that didn't make me feel any better. I rubbed my forehead wearily, then said, "How do I know you won't explode the place when I win?"
"You don't," he said. "That's all part of the game."
Some fucking game. "What address do I have to go to?"
"Ah, so eager to begin. The address will be sent to you, huntress. And do not bother to trace the phone, because it will not be anywhere near my person by the time you find it."
"Fine. See you shortly, then."