Gage stood silently, allowing me time to digest what I’d just learned, but I felt judged, and I couldn’t stand to be in such close proximity a moment longer. Gripping my hands together to still their trembling, I said sharply, “You left a pot on the stove. We should get back.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel and strode away. He was a dark shadow at my back, wordlessly following. Now that I was aware of it, I could feel the tattoo pulsating against my lower back, in perfect harmony with the pendant around my neck. It was a noose I had no wish to accept, and the chains of panic began to claw back up my throat.
We entered the kitchen, and he immediately walked over to his sweater, tugging it over his head. I tried to look away, but my gaze was compelled to the stretch of taut muscle across his back. He turned around, walking toward the stove, and I hurriedly diverted my gaze, taking a chair at the kitchen table.
Gage’s voice was firm. “Look, I know this is a lot to take in, but Talorgan knows you’re here—where you live, where you work, who your friends are—everything. This means everyone you know and love is compromised. Your options are limited. You must return with me to Scotland as soon as possible. We should leave within the hour.”
“What? No,” I cried. “No matter what Nora said, I’m not going to up and leave for Scotland! If what you’re saying is true, Talorgan will just follow me.”
Gage’s lips firmed. “Yes, he will. But we’ll be ahead of him. With James out of commission, he’ll need time to recuperate after his sudden departure from James’s body.”
Gage caught my look of confusion, and clarified, “Stabbing James was deliberate. The action removed Talorgan’s spirit abruptly from James’s body. It is an exit that is incredibly painful, and he’ll need time to replenish his power, as well as to find a new vessel.”
It felt wrong to hear James described as a vessel. And terrifying to understand that Talorgan had the power to take his willpower and self-control. “Would James have known what Talorgan did to him?”
A dark expression crossed Gage’s face. “I tampered with his memory when I dropped him at the hospital.”
Relief flooded through me at his foresight. “Thank you.”
He tensed. “No need to thank me. I didn’t do it for him—I did it for us. If he’d awoken with memories of what had happened, his first thought would be to come looking for you, or me, and we don’t have time for loose ends.”
Gage was right, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. He seemed determined to stand aloof, and I hungered to know who the real Gage was. Was he misunderstood? Jaded by the prophecy? Or as dark and cold as he behaved?
“As soon as he’s able, he’ll come for you,” Gage continued. “The only edge we had was that he wasn’t aware I was already here. There will be no surprises this time, no holding back. He won’t take pleasure in kidnapping you—he’ll kill you on sight and have no qualms about doing the same to those you care about.” His jaw was tense, his gaze brooding as he asked, “Are you prepared to put those you care about at risk? Do you want to see what happened to James happen to the others?”
His words were like cuts from a sharp knife, each point an open wound. I swallowed convulsively, fear rising to the surface. Even though James had cheated on me, at one point I’d believed I loved him, and he certainly didn’t deserve what had happened to him. If what Nora said was true, then James’s only crime had been his tie to me. I didn’t want to take the same risk and hurt anyone else. It could be Chloe’s parents next, Edmund, or even my neighbors.
The risk was too high to bear.
“All right,” I whispered on a ragged breath. “I’ll come to Scotland.”
Gage gave a swift nod. “Good. I pre-empted your decision and booked a plane earlier today. We fly out at 10 am tomorrow.”
My jaw dropped. “That’s not enough time!”
“We are already cutting it fine as it is by leaving tomorrow.” His tone was unbreakable. “Talorgan will be fully recovered within twenty-four hours. We can’t delay any further.”
No! No! No!
There was no air in the room as my throat closed in panic. Twenty-four hours? That was not enough time to carry out the plan I’d begun to formulate while he was talking. Even though Nora had told me to trust him, I couldn’t, not completely. Those in my inner circle were few, and two of the three were dead. And the only remaining person I would trust without question had left hours before on a plane for a six-month holiday.
I needed time to plan my escape. I needed distance from Gage to consider everything I’d heard.
Desperate, I tried again. “That’s too soon, Gage. I need to discuss my departure with Edmund, put a hold on my apprenticeship, and organize my house. How can I do that overnight? I appreciate the risk, and I don’t want to put anyone in danger, but all I need is one more day—all I’m asking is the afternoon—please?”
“No!” His gaze was resolute. “All of that is irrelevant. Edmund, your job, the house—it will all be gone if you stay.” He paused, eyes narrowed on my face, watching every nuance and flicker of expression closely. “And if you think to escape the prophecy, then you can think again. There will be no running. Do I make myself clear?”
It was as if he could see right through me, into my traitorous mind. Did he know what I was planning? Except it wasn’t the prophecy I’d been thinking of escaping, it was him. Gage was overwhelming; his presence swallowed everything in the small room.
I glared at him, angry that he’d backed me into a corner. Gritting my teeth, I forced out, “I heard you.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw, his eyes granite. “Not good enough. I need your oath that you won’t run.”
I forced out a laugh. “Where would I go? You said it yourself—nowhere is safe!”
“He knows where you live, who your contacts are. He will have picked all that up during his time in James’s head. The only thing holding him back now are the wards I’ve laid around your house. And make no mistake, that if you leave here tonight, you’ll be unprotected, and he will find you.”
I bit my lower lip hard, stilling the panicked scream that sought release. His eyes tracked the movement, darkening with an unreadable expression. There was steel in his voice as he demanded softly, “I need to hear it, Brydie.”
I exhaled in a rush, angry at how he’d manipulated me. Did he really know what I’d been thinking?
“Fine! I promise I will not run!”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the pendant pulsated in a burst of energy, illuminating the room in a momentary amber glow.
Bewildered, I raised my eyes to Gage and caught the small smirk that flickered across his lips. Unable to stay in his presence any further, I abruptly pushed my chair back. It scraped across the tiles in the tense silence. As I came to my feet, he demanded, “Where are you going?”
“To pack.” Anywhere but here with him!
“I’ll come with you.”
My pulse danced. “No! I need some time alone. Please.”
He stared at me, and I felt as though he saw every thought that touched my soul. His voice was soft. “Are you scared to let me into your bedroom, Brydie?”
My jaw dropped at the implied question, a warmth blooming in my cheeks. “No!”
Why did he have to say that? His comment made me aware of the constant buzz of attraction that never seemed to ease around him. I would be mortified if he knew my reaction to him. There was no way I wanted this self-serving, conceited ass to become aware of my feelings.