Page 40 of The Scribe (Irin Chronicles 1)

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.