“I do care, you know,” he murmured. “I find it very distressing to see you injured.”
“When it comes to caring about women’s feelings, most guys are jerks.” She released his hand and sat back. “I guess there are a few good ones left after all.”
Griffin tried to stifle a jubilant smile. “On behalf of my gender, I really must protest though I think there was a compliment buried in that statement somewhere.”
The pythia laughed outright. “You ought to be happy that I think most male-type people are lowlifes. It makes you look like a prince by comparison.”
“Two compliments in one conversation—an embarrassment of riches,” the scrivener observed dryly, his eyes twinkling. “But seriously, I’m very glad that you’re handling Erik’s reappearance so pragmatically.”
“It isn’t only because I’m once bitten, twice shy either.” Cassie’s tone grew solemn. “It’s because, alive or dead, Erik will always be Erik.”
Griffin squinted at her. “Meaning?”
The pythia gave an exasperated sigh. “He’s the ultimate adrenaline junkie. Erik doesn’t have romantic relationships. He has sex-themed adventures. No way is he quality boyfriend material.”
“I see.” The scrivener hesitated. “But surely, for a woman like you, even our Casanova Erik might be willing to change.”
Cassie rolled her eyes in disbelief. “People don’t change. If I held my breath for that, I’d die from lack of oxygen. Besides, everybody has a right to live the life that suits them best. Nobody should change just to please somebody else.”
“Love can profoundly change people and not just because they want to please someone else,” Griffin protested. “I’m loath to admit it, but I truly believe Erik cares for you.”
“And I care for him,” Cassie readily agreed. “But it isn’t the kind of love that conquers all.”
“You’re quite sure of that?” Griffin asked guardedly.
“Oh yeah, I’m sure.” Cassie leaned her head against the seat cushion, preparing to take a nap in anticipation of a sleepless flight ahead. “You can stop worrying about my heart, Griffin. If I ever fall for anybody again, you’ll be the first to know.”
Even though her lids were closed, she could feel him beaming at her.
“You have no idea how much consolation I derive from that fact.”
Chapter 20—Need to Know
Joshua sat apprehensively in one of the bucket chairs in his father’s office. He had been ordered to arrive at 10 AM for an unexpected meeting. No further details were given, and the diviner hadn’t arrived yet. During the past few days, the spymaster had begun to grow uneasy. It was nothing he could pin down, yet he had formed the unshakeable impression that his father was secretly offended with him. He tried to attribute this paranoid notion to his line of work. As the head of the Order of Argus, he spent his days unearthing secrets people wished to hide. Small wonder that he fancied his father had something to hide from him too. The spymaster jumped slightly at the sound of the door opening. He hurriedly tried to repair his fractured composure.
Abraham tottered into the room with the aid of his cane. He sat down heavily behind his desk, winded by even this small amount of exertion. His complexion looked more grey and bloodless than usual.
“Good morning, Father,” Joshua began. “I hope you slept well.”
“Ha!” the old man barked. “You hope in vain. I slept even more badly than usual, but that’s neither here nor there.” He shuffled a stack of papers on his desk, apparently looking for a particular sheet. When he’d selected it from among the pile, he set it down and regarded his son with a cool gaze. “I have a new project I’d like you to handle.”
Joshua relaxed slightly. The diviner couldn’t be all that displeased with him if greater responsibilities lay in store. “I’d be happy to take on whatever task you have in mind.”
Abraham waved his hand dismissively. “Before we get to that, there’s a more pressing matter I need to discuss with you.”
The spymaster gripped the arms of his chair apprehensively. “Yes?”
The old man measured his words carefully. “Tell me about the state of security at the compound.”
Joshua blinked in surprise. “It’s excellent, sir. We now have round-the-clock surveillance. No one can get in or out without my staff knowing about it.”
“Perhaps your staff knows but what about me?”
“Sir?” The spymaster’s sense of uneasiness grew.
“Do you inform me of all threats to our security?”
“Of course, Father. It goes without saying that I would tell you immediately if the Nephilim were at risk.”
“Yet you took it upon yourself to keep me in the dark about an intruder on the grounds!”
The spymaster could feel the blood draining from his own face. He imagined he must look as ghastly at the old man glowering back at him.
“An intruder,” he echoed to buy time and find out how much his father knew about the affair.
“Yes.” Abraham’s eyes bored into his son like search beams. “About a month ago, a man was shot while attempting to enter the compound.”
“How did you...” Joshua trailed off.
“How did I learn of an incident which it was your duty to report?” The diviner slammed the top of his desk for emphasis. “Doctor Aboud told me of your unexpected visit and the man in the body bag.”
The spymaster cleared his throat nervously. “I saw no point in upsetting you, Father. My guards were overzealous in apprehending the intruder. He was dead by the time I reached him. There was nothing to be done but dispose of the body.”
“Who do you think he was?” the diviner probed.
“I have no idea, sir. I didn’t recognize him. No doubt he had befriended Sister Hannah while she dwelt among the Fallen. It’s logical to assume he came to abduct her.”
“Yes, that is the most probable explanation.” Abraham paused to treat his son to a contemptuous stare. “Providence offered you a golden opportunity to capture and question him, and you let it slip through your hands.”
“As I said, sir, my guards shot him before I had the chance.”
“And then you multiplied
