“Yeah. We had to fight off a couple of Slip Demons, and they seemed really keen to keep us out of this one spot. I’m betting that’s the right spot,” Aziza adds. “And it wasn’t just those two. They were just the only two that actually came close enough to confront us.”
“Because the others figured out that without the Paradox with you, it didn’t matter how close you got,” Mel says.
“That’s my guess,” Jinx says.
“Actually it was my guess, but whatever,” Aziza says. She turns to me. “We need to go back there now, you and I, and see if the medallion lights up. If it does, then we know for sure we’re right. And if it doesn’t, we can go back to looking around.”
“I should come too,” Jinx says before I can respond to Aziza.
“Why?” Aziza demands. “No one is going to think you weren’t responsible for helping to find the right spot if you don’t come back with us now you know.”
“You think I just want the credit for finding the right spot? Come on, Az, you know me better than that,” Jinx says.
“So why are you so adamant about coming back now?” Aziza says.
I’m beginning to get a little nervous. It sounds like Aziza wants to take me off into the desert on my own with her, but it also sounds like Jinx is determined not to let that happen. I don’t want to outright accuse anyone of being the Horseman, but surely Rye is seeing this and thinking the same thing I am. It has to be one of those two.
“Because you know I’m the best with direction. I know exactly where the spot is. It will save time rather than just dropping in there and starting over,” Jinx says. “Sailor and I should go.”
“Bullshit,” Aziza counters. “What if there are more Slip Demons this time? I’m a better fighter than you and you know it.”
It definitely sounds like either Aziza or Jinx has a plan to get me alone and ambush me once I have the weapon. I hate having to think this way about anyone on my team, but it’s so hard not to when they’re bickering about who should go into the desert with me like this. Under any normal circumstances, I would have spoken up by now and insisted I could do it without either of them babysitting me, but I’m biting my tongue this time because I want to see if anything will slip out of one of them that can help me figure out who it is.
“How are you a better fighter than me?” Jinx asks, looking genuinely surprised.
Aziza grins at him.
“How aren’t I a better fighter than you? We can always go out to the warehouse and spar and settle this right now.”
“Guys, enough,” Sunday says, cutting off Aziza and Jinx. Both of them turn their attention to him, no longer glowering at each other. “If there’s demonic activity, we should all go.”
“I agree,” Ya-Ya puts in. “And sooner rather than later too. It’s only going to get worse if we wait.”
“Which is exactly why I’m suggesting we go back now and just make sure that we have the right area,” Aziza says.
“Everyone stop bickering and let me think for a moment,” Rye says.
The room falls quiet, but I know that won’t last. Rye only takes a couple seconds before he nods to himself and then looks at the team.
“You’re all right in your own way. We do need to move quickly, the demonic activity will get worse with time, and we do need to be sure about the location sooner rather than later. Get prepared.”
He stands up and heads toward the door. He turns back and gives his orders.
“We’re going as a team first thing in the morning. And we’re coming back with the weapon.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: VEN DEMONS
“Sailor, stay close to me,” Rye says as we stand gathered together ready to go to the desert and check out the location.
I roll my eyes. It’s really starting to piss me off how Rye thinks I need a babysitter all the time, but at the same time, I get it. He might be in denial outwardly that a member of the team is the Horseman, but inside, I know he is keeping an eye on everyone, and he’s not going to risk me being ambushed by the Horseman now. Instead of arguing, I just nod my head, but I don’t miss the way he glares at me when he catches me rolling my eyes. Just like he probably doesn’t miss the fact that I’ll stay close to him unless I need to act.
“Everyone, stay on your guard,” he says.
“You know if this is the right location, it’s going to be dangerous, and we don’t want to risk any of us dropping our guard and getting hurt. Even if the area looks clear, remember, danger can come from anywhere. From the place you least expect it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sunday frowns.
“It’s supposed to mean exactly what I said. Stay vigilant. Now let’s do this,” Rye says.
He turns to Jinx.
“Open up the portal whenever you’re ready. Get us close enough that we don’t have a ten-mile hike, but not so close that we pop out into a nest of demons.”
Jinx nods and waves his hand. A portal appears before him, and he steps through it. We all follow him, and instantly, I can feel the heat of the glaring sun blazing down on me. The air itself feels hot and I am instantly soaked in sweat and having trouble breathing. The sand beneath my feet feels hot even through my shoes, and I can feel my feet starting to sink into it as I walk. I really hope Jinx has gotten us pretty close. The thought of trekking through this sand isn’t appealing to me in the least. I shuffle from foot to foot as Jinx closes the portal
