Replica(58)
“Your friend just happened to have supplies?”
“He just happened to have my supplies.” I shot him a sardonic grin. “I was on the move a lot. I found it helpful to have emergency backups scattered around.”
“Why would that man bring you a Humvee as well as all the other things you requested and deliver them within hours?”
“Have you ever been in a war zone, Antonio?”
His shoulders rolled back. “I am at war every day.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not a war of your own making, real war. Ugly and deadly, where people hate each other for no reason other than the color of their skin, a line on a map, the possession of a fossil fuel, or a belief in different gods—a violence that sweeps across a land and destroys everything and everyone in its path. That is war. Not your grudge match with Lea.”
I turned more to face him. “I’ve stared into the faces of the victims. The children who watched their parents die. The man who lost his arm and can no longer work on electronics to feed his children. They are the ones who pay the price for the decisions of a bunch of assholes in suits. I’m sick of it.”
“And how does Baran play into this story about a man who lost his arm and can no longer work on electronics?” A pleased grin lit his face. “I can put things together.”
“How Baran plays into it is no business of yours.”
“Fair enough…unless we can’t trust him and we’re walking into a trap.”
“If we were walking into a trap, you would have been killed when Baran drove into the village.” I leveled my gaze. “You are a participant in this thing, but you’re not one of us. If you don’t trust Baran, you’re free to go. I’m done with my computer, so I can take over.” I pointed out the window at the endless barren landscape. “That looks like a good place for me to drop you off.”
“I’m staying with you and you know it.”
“Then keep out of my past.”
Exhaustion overcame me. I was tired of sparring with Antonio. I needed to save my energy for the facility, especially since we had no idea what nightmare we would find there.
I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, dozing for what seemed like a few minutes. The ringing of my cell phone woke me up, and when I opened my eyes, I was shocked. Based on the sun’s position in the sky, it had risen several hours ago. I reached for my phone, but Antonio already held it in his hand.
I snatched it from him, and my mouth dropped open when I checked caller ID. It was Hades.
“Hello.” I still sounded groggy from sleep.
“Did I wake you?” he asked, chuckling softly. “I’m trying to picture you in bed.”
“I’m in a truck cab with drool on the side of my face—” I swiped my cheek with the back of my free hand, “—so try again.”
“Are you in Iraq?”
I put a foot on the dashboard. “No.” I still didn’t trust Hades. Yes, he wanted me to go to the facility, but I didn’t trust his motives. Especially after the werewolves on the train warned us against them too. He was asking me to destroy what was essentially his life’s work, yet he hadn’t offered a reason that satisfied me. So let him think we were a day or more away, not that we were about to come knocking within hours.
He was silent for several seconds, and I wasn’t sure if he was about to call me out for lying or hang up. Finally, he said, “I thought you took this threat seriously.”
“I assure you that I do,” I said, sounding irritated. “But Iraq isn’t exactly an easy country to get into.”
“A resourceful girl like you should be able to find a way.”
“What do you want, Hades? Because I’m pretty damn sure you didn’t call to belittle me for my travel troubles.”
Antonio shot me a glance.
“I called to assist you in your quest, but if you won’t be there in time…”
I tensed. “In time for what?”
“The beginning of the end.”
“And what does that mean?”
“You will find out soon enough.”
“So if you called to assist me, start assisting.”
He paused. “I will send you a file that will help you take out the entire facility. Hit it where it is most vulnerable.”
“You mean blow it up?”
“What better way to destroy it all?” His voice lowered. “But it will be too late if you aren’t there by tonight.”
“I’ll do the best I can.” Which was basically the same as telling him I’d do better. Hello, possible trap.
“There will be a reward for you when you are done.”