“Probably not, but I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Okay. Give me one second.” There was a rustling of papers, and then he said, “Dez should be near there. I’ll have him grab a car and pick you up.” There was a pause while I wondered if he kept Warden schedules on paper. “You alone?”

“I’m demon free,” I said, keeping my voice low.

“Wise of you to be out there alone?” he asked.

Mind way too occupied to be irritated by the question, I said, “Probably not. Tell Dez I’ll be waiting for him.”

Ending the call, I hung back under the alcove of the church, mulling over how I was going to tell Nicolai that Zayne was alive and all that was involved in that. I doubted he knew the truth about what he was, but the Throne hadn’t said it was something that needed to remain a secret.

I leaned against the wall, an ache starting in my temples as I kept watch. My wary gaze darted over the steady stream of people and cars as I hoped Dez remembered I didn’t have the greatest eyeballs. I really didn’t want to end up getting into the wrong car.

About ten minutes later, a dark-colored SUV idled up to the curb and a moment later the passenger window rolled down. I couldn’t see inside, but I recognized the voice.

“Trinity?” Dez called out.

Thank you baby Jesus, he remembered. I started to hurry forward but slowed since I could never judge the distance between steps in low light. I managed to get down the stairs without falling and breaking my face. There was one person I got all up close and personal with when I navigated the packed sidewalk. I’d gotten so used to walking the streets with Zayne, who cleared the sidewalk like some kind of hot Moses. Somehow, he’d lead the way even though he stayed beside me instead of walking ahead of me.

My heart squeezed as I opened the SUV door and climbed in. I’ll get him back. I will, I promised myself as I squished into the leather seat. “Sorry.” I winced, closing the door. “I’m soaked.”

“No worries,” he replied, and I glanced over at the Warden. He was young, a handful of years older than Zayne. He had the cutest twins I’d ever seen. One of them, Izzy, was just learning how to shift. She also had a habit of biting toes, which was weirdly adorable. “Nicolai said you needed to speak with him. That it was an emergency.”

I nodded as I buckled myself in. “Thank you for picking me...” I trailed off as I looked out the passenger window.