Page 138 of Pervade London
“The cost is high. Perhaps too high.”
“Will they hurt you because of me?”
“That’s a frequent threat. But it’s not me I’m concerned about.”
Reaching up, I caressed his jaw, my fingers trailing over his cleanly shaven face and cupping his cheek with affection. “Let me stay.”
His hand rose up to take mine and he brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly.
“Why are we here?”
James pushed to his feet. “For the truth.”
The air left my lungs as I sank deeper into the seat with my heart racing.
“Pervade?”
James straightened his back. “We exist to protect humanity.”
My flesh chilled at the change in his stance, that domineering nature slipping back into being as his eyes darkened.
“Do you do bad things?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a license to kill?”
He gave me a wry smile. “Do you think I’m James Bond?”
My lips turned up in amusement. “I was beginning to wonder.”
“I’m on the side of the angels. But I’ve already told you that.”
I processed his words. “Why are you letting me in now?”
He mulled this over. “If you stay I’m going to use you.”
Struck by his honesty I said, “How?”
He leaned low and tipped up my chin. “Your beauty, and your talent, would be useful to us.”
Knocking his hand away, I got to my feet. He held his ground, keeping a small gap between us, looking down at me with the authority this place gave him.
Glancing at the door I said, “You want me to stay for Xavier’s sake?”
“For now, yes.”
“But not for you?”
A flash of raw emotion darkened his vestige. “I want you to know you have a choice. Xavier doesn’t. And I’m giving you the opportunity to walk away. Xavier will always watch over you.”
It would never be enough…
“I don’t want to know any more secrets,” I said sharply. “Don’t tell me anything that will put me or you or Xavier at risk.”
“Emily, you went to Great Missenden. It’s a mistake that cannot be reversed. My advice is this—retrace your steps down the hallway, all the way back to the car. Don’t look back.”
“And you trust me to remain silent about all of this?”
