Page 21 of Ravage
“Have another drink before you bolt on me. I’m surprised that you’re going after such a big fish all on your own. How long have you been doing this?”
I take the drink without further prompting and finish it off. I definitely need the liquid courage to stay in my seat. “Three years.”
Elias sighs and rubs his forehead. “Either you’re extremely lucky, they want you alive, or you have a serious gift that can help you hold your own.”
Shrugging, I place the glass back on the coaster. “Probably a mixture of all three.”
“I’ve run into them a few times over the years, but my focus has been to remain off their radar. I work to keep others like us safe and hidden. Not shine a light on us by putting everyone I’ve sworn to protect in their line of fire by fighting against them.”
I shift forward in my seat. “I’m not asking for you to put anyone else’s lives in danger. This is still just me. If you can help me with information, then I’ll do the dangerous part. I’ve been stuck only finding the recruiters, and they aren’t getting me anywhere. Or, there’s a gala coming up in a couple of days that could have actual board members attending. If I can somehow get an invite or be a guest, then I might be able to jump higher up the ranks and make some progress.”
His pale blue eyes that are almost silver study me. “And once you’re higher up the ranks, what then?”
“I—” Any words die in my throat as I realize I have a plan, but I don’t actually have a plan.
He nods. “I see. You have a wish list. But you’re lacking in a plan of execution. And unless you’re some badass assassin who can fight groups of trained soldiers, gifted soldiers…” He pauses with a look, and I shake my head to confirm that’s not the case. “…then I’ll need you to promise me that you aren’t going to run in there, gift blazing, the second you find someone higher up.”
“Why? I mean, I know why I shouldn’t do that, but why would you want me to promise you that?”
“Because I’m not investing my time and resources just to help you get yourself killed. If we come to that point, then you’ll come to me and we’ll figure out a plan together. I may not have a team of fighters under me, but I’m sure we can work something out that gives us the advantage.” He taps his fingers against the desk again. “Although, the Guild may have those resources.”
“The Guild?”
Elias stands and walks over to the window. He points to a tall, silver building that towers even over all the other skyscrapers. “They were taken over by new management about two years ago, so I can’t say with great confidence where their loyalty lies. But based on the jobs they’ve been taking up lately and where I’ve seen some of its members involved, I’d guess they’re enemies of GE.”
He turns back to me. “Regardless, I’ll do what I can to assist you. Without”— he holds up a finger—“involving anyone else. For now, at least.”
He smiles at the shocked look on my face. “Don’t look so surprised that I’d help. They’ve taken people from me as well, but I didn’t have the resources at the time that I do now. And when I did, it was more pressing that I helped those I kept encountering first. This is a good opportunity for a partnership against a common enemy. Besides that, I have a good feeling about you. And I always trust my instincts.”
“Um, I don’t know what to say. Thank you? I mean, this all sounds too good to be true—”
“Don’t get too excited. I’m helping with information and networking more than anything. The hard part is still on you,” he reminds me.
Still, it’s more than I could have ever hoped for, to have someone like him in my corner. Not to mention, the job and apartment that he’d originally offered me. I’m starting off much better here now than I ever have since being on my own.
I liked the freedom of going wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But now that the burden of worrying about a place to sleep, food, getting the information by myself is gone, it feels like I can breathe for the first time in a long time.
I stand and try to figure out the best way to thank him for…well, everything he’s willing to do for me. A stranger.
Elias chuckles softly and shakes his head. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. You’re making me uncomfortable and you haven’t even said or done it yet. I’ll look into the gala to see if there are any strings I can pull. I’ll need a contact number so I can let you know my answer to that. And for any other communication, so you don’t have to come find me here any time you need something.”
Right.
I hold out my hand for his phone instead of offering mine. He’s promised a lot of good things, but I’ll need to see them in action more before I can trust that he will actually see this through and not just report me to GE for compensation or to protect his hide.
He doesn’t seem put out by having to hand his phone over and easily places it in mine. “The gala is happening at the Reynard Museum of Art in a couple of days,” I tell him, giving him the last bit of information I have on it. I type out my current number and send a quick text to it so we’ll have each other’s numbers and then…I hesitate.
I could leave it like this, just a simple phone number, but I could at least give him something to call me. I add myself to his contacts under the name “Rae.” I’ll respond to it, but it isn’t my full first name, and there’s no last name either for him to try looking me up. It’s good enough.
I hand the phone back to him, and his brows quirk when he sees my name. “I’m sure it’ll be a pleasure working with you, Rae. Don’t hesitate to let me know if there’s anything else you need. I’ll text you the room number and code to get in for the open apartment next and then look into the gala.” He walks me to the door and opens it for me.
It still feels too good to be true to have someone on my side and with the resources he has. But I can handle myself if this goes sideways. “Sounds good. Thanks again.”
Chapter seven
Raegan
“Mrs. Callahan!” Kellan’s raised voice announces just outside the doorway to the teacher’s lounge.
