“Ava, let’s get going.”
She shook off the hand that had reached for her shoulder. “You people are maniacs! Get away from me!”
Ava was practically running toward the hotel. She could see the doorman sitting outside the door, smoking one of the sweet cigarettes he always carried. She could smell the waft of tobacco reach her nose a second before a hand grabbed her shoulder. Malachi spun her around, then immediately raised his hands in surrender.
“Let me explain, Ava.”
“Explain what? How you threatened to stab some guy because he was making a pass at me?” She backed away from him, inching closer to the doorman with every step. “He wasn’t even making a pass at me. He leaned in my direction, and you—”
“There was a girl almost killed tonight.”
“That’s horrible.” She kept backing away. “But what the hell does that have to do with me?”
“Those men are…” She saw him give Leo a panicked glance. “They’re… in a gang.”
Liar. She shook her head. He was lying; she could hear it.
“And that gang is the one responsible for this girl’s attack. They specialize in… human trafficking, and they’re targeting foreign women traveling alone.”
He was just making things up as he went along, but his voice… His inner voice was still panicked. Worried. He was lying, but it was out of fear. Something had frightened the big, bad bodyguard, and it had to do with her safety. That reason alone caused her to take a deep breath and stop backing away from him. Logic, even the fuzzy logic she had to work with from all the wine, told Ava that if Malachi wanted to harm her, he’d had plenty of opportunities in the week and a half they’d already known each other. He’d had her alone many times. So obviously something else was going on.
She asked, “What does this have to do with me?”
“There were four of them in that bar, Ava. One attacked me earlier as an associate and I were rescuing a girl they had kidnapped and almost killed. We have a standing assignment from our bosses in Vienna about this organization. They’re active all over the world, and for some reason, they’re targeting you. We don’t know why.”
For the first time, his words had the ring of truth. Ava took a deep breath. She still felt like there was something she wasn’t seeing, but at least some of what he said made sense.
“Carl,” she muttered.
“What?”
“My stepfather, Carl Matheson. He’s rich as Midas. Richer, maybe. In addition to being a film producer, he also has all this family money. Shipping. Oil. He’s loaded. If it’s human trafficking, they probably want me for ransom. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has tried.”
Or succeeded. She tried not the think about the awful week when she was eight. Routine, they had called it. The monsters who had taken her in Brazil had laughed and called it a routine kidnapping when they teased her. One girl for one million dollars. A respectable week’s work. She hadn’t slept through the night for a year afterward.
Malachi said, “That must be it. They’ve become bolder, and I don’t know why.” He stepped closer cautiously. “I’d like to stay at the hotel. I called already and booked the room next to yours.”
And just like that, she was pissed off again. “Didn’t ask me, did you? Did you ask Carl? Is anyone going to even pretend to keep me informed?” She spun around and walked toward the doorman. He frowned for a moment before he said something to Malachi in Turkish. Malachi barked back, then the doorman shrugged and opened the door to their group.
“Some security you are,” Ava muttered. “I was told this hotel had the best security in the city. I stayed here for that reason. I don’t need handlers. I don’t want someone watching me eat breakfast and following me to the bathroom, Malachi.”
A wave of embarrassment washed over her as she walked to her room. For a few days, she’d almost felt normal. The voices were quieter. She was going out and touring a city she was growing to love. She’d forgotten Malachi had been hired to look out for her. She’d felt like she had a friend who enjoyed her company. Enjoyed spending time with her. Maybe even…
She was foolish to have forgotten. Other people got those things. Not her.
“Ava.” His voice was softer, pleading. She refused to turn around. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“By getting a room in my hotel without even asking me?” she asked in a hoarse voice. She had to get away from him. She was seconds away from crying. “By ordering me around like I’m a child?”
“Please—”
“I’m going to bed now. I don’t want to talk to you. I’m tired, and we’ll talk more about this in the morning.”
He fell silent. She could feel the warmth of his hand inches from the nape of her neck. His breath stirred her hair, then he drew away. “Fine. I’ll be in the room next door.”
“I don’t want to know that,” she said. “I’m pretending…”
That you’ll meet me tomorrow for breakfast, just because you want to see me.
That we’ll tour the city, and you’ll joke with me, and the voices will be a little easier to bear.
I’m pretending… that you’re my friend.
“I’m pretending you don’t exist, Malachi. Stay away from me tonight.”
She slid her card in the lock, then quickly walked in and shut the door. She turned the dead bolt and the sliding lock, then she walked to her window and checked the locks there, too. When she was sure her room was secure, she sat down on the bed and waited to hear him leave the hallway. After a few minutes, Malachi moved toward the lobby, talking to Leo in Turkish.
Seconds later, she pushed back the tears that wanted to surface, and her phone was in her hand.
“Mom?”
“Ava!” Her mother’s voice was brimming with excitement. “Isn’t it late there? I’m so glad you called! How are you liking—”
“These guys Carl hired, Mom. They’re out of control.” Her voice was shaking with anger. “He needs to dial them back, or I’m ditching them completely. You know I can.”
“But Ava—”
“They practically shoved me out of a bar tonight because some guy was making a pass at me. You know me. I can take care of myself, and they went way overboard. I’m surprised no one called the police. Is that the kind of publicity that Carl wants?”
“Who—”
“And one of them is staying at my hotel now! He says there’s some kind of threat against my life! Has there been a threat and you haven’t told me? I mean, I know shit happens, but you’ve always told me if there has ever been any specific—”
“Ava, shut up!”
Her mother never raised her voice. She shut up immediately.
“I want you to listen to me very carefully.” Her mother’s voice sent chills down her neck. “Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“The man Carl hired quit over a week ago. There was some sort of scheduling conflict, and I convinced him you were perfectly safe since you were staying in the city. Ava… he didn’t hire anyone else.”
She sat on the edge of her bed, breath coming in small panicked bursts. “Mom…”
“Whoever these people are who say they are guarding you, Ava, they were not hired by us. Do you understand?”
She nodded, but no words left her mouth.
“Ava, are you still there?” Her mother’s voice was panicked. “Carl!”
“I’m here, Mom.”
Lies. Lies. Lies.
It was all a lie. Ava had never felt more vulnerable in her life. The chill at her neck spread. She heard her mother and Carl muttering in the background, then her stepfather picked up the phone.
“Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“This man, he’s been following you for a week?”
“Yes. We’ve… been friendly. He seemed nice. Very professional.”
“Does he have any idea you suspect him? Did you tell him you were calling home?”
“No.”
The
re was a pause. “I’m calling my contacts in Istanbul as soon as we get off the phone. In the morning, there will be a package waiting for you at the front desk. I want you to find out who these people are.” Ava heard her mother protesting in the background, but Carl’s voice was cold and clear. “If you’re threatened, if you’re in danger at all, use it. I know you know how. We can take care of any fallout after you’re safe.”
Ava took a deep breath. “I understand.”
Chapter Seven
“And you’re sure she has no idea?”
“With this woman?” Malachi looked around the open-air patio where the hotel served breakfast. He could see Ava’s door from where he sat, so he kept his voice low. “I’m not sure of anything with her.”
“Leo said she didn’t react normally to the Grigori.”
“No. She seemed completely immune to them.”
There was nothing but silence. What could Damien say? All human women had the same reaction to the Grigori. All women, except Ava. It was inexplicable.
Finally, Damien said, “Rhys is doing things on the computer. Max is out hunting his sources right now. Whatever this is, it’s now a priority. Leo stays with you.”
“Who was the blond in the alley?”
“It sounds like Brage. I’ve met him before. He’s skilled. I didn’t know he was in Istanbul. This is a new development.”
“What do you know?”
“He’s Scandinavian, but I’m not sure from where. Not one of Jaron’s. Older. About four hundred or so.”
“One of Volund’s?”
“Perhaps. I don’t know.”
“But he’s in Jaron’s territory with an angelic blade.”
“Yes, I noted that in your report. And I’ve passed it along to Vienna.”
Obviously Damien didn’t know any more than Malachi. He heaved a sigh and noticed movement in Ava’s room. All the rooms in the hotel opened onto the beautifully tended central courtyard. Tiled fountains and lush potted plants created tiny oases within the scattered tables. A few early morning travelers were already up and packed for day trips. They were eating breakfast while Malachi drank his tea. He’d slept only a few hours; luckily, he didn’t need much to be alert. He’d woken with the first prayer call at dawn. The curtains in Ava’s room moved.
“Damien, I should go. I’ll text you later.”
“As long as you don’t expect me to text back.”
Malachi smiled. “I don’t. Have Rhys keep me updated if he finds anything.”
“What are you going to do today?”
“Whatever she wants, I suppose. I’m still supposed to be her bodyguard.”
“And how long is that going to last?”
“As long as I can manage. I was half expecting the police to storm my room last night, but it didn’t happen. So I’m guessing she was too angry to call home.”
“Just be prepared for anything. If they make a move—”
“The only one I’m worried about is Brage with that dagger, but since Leo’s with me, I doubt he’ll show his face. He won’t take on two of us at the same time. I think the show last night didn’t go as planned. They were supposed to keep me occupied longer.”
“Don’t underestimate them.”
“I won’t.”
He hung up the phone when he saw her door open. He wondered if she would sit with him. He wondered if she’d speak to him at all, or if they were back to how they’d started. Her pretending he didn’t exist and Malachi pretending she was just another anonymous human he’d taken a vow to protect.
She stepped into the morning sun, gold touching her hair and making her skin glow. Her fierce eyes met his and froze.
Malachi decided he was done pretending.
“Good morning,” he said as she approached.
Ava sat down, but she didn’t speak. A smiling waiter brought her tea and set down a plate of fruit between them. Figs drizzled with honey and fresh green grapes. She pulled at one of the grapes and popped it in her mouth before she spoke.
“You were injured last night. How are you feeling?”
“Fine.” She couldn’t have sounded more disinterested, but he supposed he couldn’t blame her. The woman wasn’t stupid; she wasn’t buying the story he’d told her the night before, so he’d have to be more convincing this morning.
“All right. Convince me why I shouldn’t call my stepfather and have you and Leo both fired for being so high-handed.”
A fraction of the tension fled. She hadn’t called home.
“I apologize for how we handled things at the bar last night. I was worried, and I overreacted. I’d just come from a confrontation with one of this gang, and I saw one talking to you, obviously trying to trick you into going somewhere with him—”
“Did you also see me telling him off in my somewhat inebriated state? He wasn’t really all that appealing.”
“I’m glad.” He paused to watch her bite into a fig. “But I’d just watched my friend take a half-dead girl to the hospital. I wasn’t entirely rational at the thought of the same thing happening to you.”
She paused with the fig at her lips, met his eyes for a moment, then looked away, leaning back in her chair and looking around the courtyard as she nibbled on the fruit. Malachi was practically growling in frustration. How could this human woman be so impossible to read? Her calculating stare and disinterested posture ate at him.
Malachi continued to sip his tea as casually as he could as Ava ate breakfast. He had expected a torrent of questions. Anger. Doubt. Instead, there was… nothing. It was maddening. Finally, she put down her fork and looked at him.
“I think I’d like to get out of the city today. It feels like it’s going to be hot and the traffic… Are there any places we could go that are close? Day hikes? Maybe some trees? Somewhere with not so many people?”
What was her game? Whatever it was, he could play along. “We could go the islands. They’re just off the coast. It’s a day trip if you take the ferry. One of the islands has a nice hike up to an old monastery. Very beautiful. There are no cars allowed. On foot or horses only. Some carriages if you don’t feel like walking.”
“No. Walking sounds perfect. I could use a good stretch.”
“Okay.” He looked at the clock on his phone. “If you’re ready, we could catch the ferry in about an hour. Wear good shoes.”
“Sure thing. Meet you in the lobby? I have a couple things to do in my room. I need to clean up. Make myself presentable, even if we’re hiking.”
She looked fine to him—she looked beautiful, if he was forced to admit it—but Malachi wasn’t about to question her.
“I’ll see you in a bit.”
She stood and turned toward the lobby, heading for the front desk. Malachi followed her. She picked up a small box the concierge slid across the desk, then tucked it under her arm. Malachi intercepted her before she made it back to her room.
“Ava, if that was delivered last night, I might need to check—”
“You really want to go through the feminine-hygiene products my mom sends me, Mal?” She gave him a rueful smile. “I mean, it’s possible someone snuck a bomb in with the tampons, but I’m kind of doubting it.”
He cleared his throat and stepped back. “If it’s from your mother, I’m sure it’s fine.”
“That’s what I thought.”
She turned and walked to her room, Malachi’s eyes following her every step.
The ride across the Sea of Marmara was smooth, but Ava didn’t sleep as Malachi thought she might. She remained quiet and watchful, clutching her bag as they rode the waves out to the Ottoman-style ferry terminal on Büyükada, the largest of the Prince Islands. Once the favored spot for exiled royalty, the islands had become an even more-favored vacation spot for Istanbul’s wealthier citizens. Shops and cafés dotted the street leading to the central square, which was dominated by a clock tower. Instead of stopping for lunch in the square, Ava picked a few snacks from one of the shops catering to the summer tou
rists.
“Okay, which way?” She packed the snacks in her small knapsack and threw it over one shoulder.
Malachi pointed toward the carriages by the clock tower. “Are you sure you don’t want to hire someone?”
“Definitely. I could use the walk.”
“This way, then.”
It was early summer and the middle of the week. There were a number of tourists, but most seemed to head toward the beach or the restaurants. Only a few stopped to hire a phaeton to take them up the mountain, and even fewer looked ready for the steep climb through the town and up to the Monastery of St. George. As Ava and Malachi started out, they were alone. Leo stayed near the terminal, watching for any visitors, per Malachi’s request.
“Are you ready?” he asked as they headed up the hill. “It’s not a short hike.”
Ava took a deep breath as they stepped away from the crowds. “Trust me, this is just what I had in mind.”
Her expression began to clear the farther they got away from other people. They walked through a neighborhood filled with luxurious mansions on their way toward Luna Park.
“Your house in L.A.?” He nodded toward one mansion. “Is it grand like this?”
“My mom’s house?” She shrugged. “It’s bigger. Carl likes people to know how much money he has.”
“You don’t have your own home?”
“No.”
They kept walking. Malachi wondered what it would feel like to live in a grand home. The retreat where his parents raised him in Germany was simple, and scribe houses were more like monasteries. The most well-appointed rooms were reserved for the books, scrolls, and tablets, not the scribes who copied or preserved them. He knew some Irin lived with more wealth, those in cities who worked in human businesses. After all, the retreats and scribe houses had to be supported financially, but Malachi had never had the head for human business. His life had been protecting the accumulation of knowledge until it had been about avenging his parents’ deaths. He didn’t know anything else.
“Tell me more about this organization you’re after, Mal.”
He wasn’t prepared for the question. Luckily, he’d rehearsed an answer that morning while he was waiting for her to wake. “They’re an organized, international criminal enterprise that specializes in human trafficking. They’re very secretive; you won’t find much about them online. Officially, they don’t exist.”
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