“War with the Mississippi clan? Are you sure?”
“He didn’t say outright, but it’s obvious, isn’t it? If he pins your murder on them, all your subjects will be behind him to avenge you.”
Cain put his hand on John’s shoulder, squeezing it. “I appreciate what you’re sacrificing by telling me the truth, John. I do. And I’ll do everything in my power to save Nicolette.”
John closed his eyes, his jaw clenching now, his chest heaving as if to hold back tears. When he opened his eyes again, they were rimmed with tears. “I’ve fought with this decision ever since I was confronted with it. Every minute since Abel captured her. She’s tied up in some hut somewhere in the bayou, scared. I promised her that nothing would happen to her. That I’d come back for her.” A tear ran down his cheek. “But that won’t happen now. Because I can’t kill a man that I’ve loved and admired ever since I met him. Because of you, I can’t save the woman I love.” John’s jaw set in stone. “And right now, I hate you for that, Cain!”
Before Cain could react to the tearful confession, John’s hand went to the inside of his jacket. In lightning speed, he pulled a stake from it.
Cain jumped to the side, but instead of John lunging at him he jerked the stake toward his own chest.
“Noooooo!” Cain cried out and barreled toward John, slamming his fist against John’s arm. The impact loosened John’s hold on the stake.
At the same time, Haven tackled John from behind, while Thomas kicked John’s legs out from under him, making him tumble to the floor.
Moments later, Haven and Thomas had John pinned flat to the ground. Cain crouched down next to him. “That’s not a solution, John! Do you hear me? We’ll get Nicolette out of there.”
“How?” John spat, anger and desperation evident in his entire body.
Cain had never seen a man in so much emotional pain and hoped that he would never have to go through what John was going through this moment.
“Uh.” Wesley cleared his throat, making Cain snap his head to him and toss him a quizzical look.
Wes raised his finger as if he were in second grade, asking for permission to speak up in class. “Is Nicolette human?”
John turned his head, an impatient look on his face. “Why is that important?”
“Well, it is, because I assume you don’t know her exact location, right?”
“When I was brought to see her, they blindfolded me and then did the same when they released me. I only know it was some hut in the bayou. Maybe forty-five minutes from the palace.”
Wesley nodded. “Well, since she’s human, it shouldn’t be too hard to find her. I can scry for her, which I couldn’t do if she were a vampire.”
John made a motion to sit up, and Cain nodded to his friends to let go of him.
For the first time, a hopeful glint appeared in John’s eyes. “Can you really do that?”
Wesley nodded proudly. “I’m a witch. Of course I can.”#p#分页标题#e#
John sighed. “And once we know where she is? We might still be too late.”
Cain reached his hand out to his loyal guard and helped him up. “At least this way we have a small chance. We can send a few guys there clandestinely, while you continue to pretend you’re doing what Abel wants you to do.”
“Uh, actually,” Wesley threw in, drawing everybody’s attention back on him. “We have more than just a small chance. Once I have Nicolette’s location, I can put a protection spell on her so that whoever is guarding her won’t be able to harm her.”
“I recall you mentioning on the way here from San Francisco that you were working on one, not that you had actually perfected it,” John said with a good dose of skepticism in his voice.
Wes rolled his eyes. “I’ve had plenty of time to work on my craft. So why does everybody here constantly doubt my abilities?”
To Cain’s surprise, Blake slapped his colleague on the shoulder, grinning. “Maybe it’s time to redeem yourself and show them all that you’re not just a fuck-up.”
Wesley exchanged a look with Blake that appeared almost conspiratorial. “Maybe you’re right. Let’s show those vamps what the rest of us are made out of. Wanna assist?”
Blake chuckled. “As long as you don’t turn me into a pig in the process.”
Wes clicked his tongue. “Speaking of pigs, Blake, do me a favor. The next time you want to borrow one of my potions, ask me first, instead of messing with my stuff.”
“Huh?” Blake appeared utterly clueless.
“Well, never mind. I see why you have the need to arm yourself with some magic to defend yourself. Next time just ask first.” Then Wesley turned away from Blake and motioned to John. “I need something that belongs to Nicolette so I can scry for her. Do you have something she wore, or a lock of hair, something with her sweat or her scent on it?”