Page 99 of Desecrated Saints
“Over here.” Hudson beckons me over.
Joining the others, I find Brooklyn standing alone in the corner, staring outside. She doesn’t turn to speak to any of us, her face slack and eyes reddened. I’m not sure she’s slept since witnessing Sadie’s last moments.
“What’s the holdup?” I fish for a topic change.
Looking scarily normal in a dark shirt and jeans, the nerve in Seven’s jaw ticks as he stares into space. He’s even tied his hair back and had a shave, revealing every dark circle and mark on his skin. The poor son of a bitch looks drained and utterly wiped out.
“Turns out Incendia couldn’t firefight our news story at the same time as Harrowdean’s mini riot.” Hudson gestures outside. “This lot gathered a while ago and won’t move.”
Glancing out through the tinted glass and layers of security checks that protect Sabre’s privacy, I spot a gaggle of reporters. Cameras and news vans dominate the busy London street. Security is attempting to hold them back, setting up a perimeter as they battle for a single picture of what lies within.
“Are we even safe here?”
I shrug at Hudson’s question. “We’ve been given temporary protection. Hunter’s contact in government intends to argue for clemency in exchange for our testimony, same as Lazlo and the girls.”
“How do we know it isn’t another ploy?”
“We don’t,” Seven states flatly.
“Incendia is everywhere.” I watch Theo and Enzo arrive in matching black suits. “Exposing them needs a smoking gun. We hold the leverage to bargain for our lives with these testimonies.”
“Once we give our information to them, the government will turn us over to Incendia for execution.” Hudson scoffs at us both. “We’re being led to slaughter.”
“The deal will be signed in black and white.”
“You’re being fucking stupid.”
“What’s the alternative? Live out our lives in hiding?” I fire at him.
Hudson’s hands ball into fists as he storms away, attempting to approach Brooklyn instead. We’re all on edge and frustrated. The thought of giving evidence to Hunter’s team and a room full of complete strangers is uncomfortable as fuck.
Lucia and Two were petrified when they arrived yesterday. Hunter had them flown down from Scotland on a private flight before setting them up in the apartment opposite us. We’ve drawn them into this pandemonium now. I hope to God we don’t regret bargaining with their lives.
“Get this shit locked down!” Enzo yells at two of his agents, gesturing at the madness outside.
He’s favouring his right leg after the incident in Harrowdean narrowly missed his femoral artery. Any closer, and the doctor admitted he would be a hell of a lot worse off.
“That’s an order. We will not be hounded by a bunch of vampires fishing for a story!”
“Enzo.” Hunter’s throat bobs as he approaches.
“No! I am not risking anyone else’s safety.”
Several more agents are sent outside to begin crowd control. The rest of the extensive security team lines up in formation to surround us on all sides. Brooklyn shrugs off Hudson’s attempt to put an arm around her, insisting on standing alone. She still won’t meet my eyes.
We head out into the heavy rainfall, using thick, black umbrellas to hide our faces. Sabre’s foot soldiers keep the convoy moving at high speed. Enzo is barking his orders like a drill sergeant, slipping into full-on scary leader mode. It’s unnerving after getting to know the gentle, caring side of him.
Packed into an armoured SUV, we manage to escape the media circus. Nobody knows what to say as the miles tick by. When we pull up outside a quaint chapel with stained glass and intricate limestone carvings, I succeed in grabbing Brooklyn’s hand. She’s chewing her lip so hard, I can see it bleeding.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly.
“Fine.”
“Are we doing the whole lying thing again, love?”
“Fuck, Kade. Nothing about this is okay. Sadie’s dead.”
“I know. This never should’ve happened.”