Page 160 of You Only Love Twice
Malloryn's eyes narrowed. "You could risk the entire operation."
"I won't risk Gemma's life. Not even for Silas. But I need to know where his loyalty lies before I completely sunder mine."
"Do you want company?" A muscle ticked in Malloryn's jaw.
"I will deal with Silas by myself. I have... questions for him."
After all, he'd been starting to think about Russia ever since Gemma told him she hadn't set that fire.
Heneededto know the truth.
And he'd been away from the brotherhood for days now. Who knew what was going on within the ranks?
Silas would know.
"Fine." Malloryn surveyed the rest of the room. "I'll grant you an hour, then I want Ava to prep you for surgery. We need to get that bomb out of your head, or you're useless to me."
"Thank you for caring."
"Don't be late. I'm choosing to grant you a great deal of faith. Gemma and Ingrid, I want you to coordinate the Nighthawks for a dawn strike. Everyone else, begin preparations. I want maps of the area. An assault plan in place. Everybody armored up and carrying as much ammunition as you can possibly handle. You too, Herbert."
Everybody looked at Herbert.
"Yes, Your Grace," the butler said, with a crisp nod, and began to strip out of his superfine coat. "May I bring Molly?"
Gemma grimaced. "This place is located under tons of water, Herbert. One blast through the walls, and we're swimming. I think I'd prefer it if youdidn'thave an explosive shoulder cannon in your armory."
The butler looked somewhat crestfallen.
"Actually, that's why I've invited Herbert. I'm not interested in capturing thesedhampiror chastising them. I want to cut Balfour's strings out from under him. The plan is to ensure alldhampireither killed or captured; and complete and utter destruction of the Core," Malloryn said. "The last of which is right up Herbert's alley."
"I can work with that," Kincaid replied.
"Hear, hear." Byrnes said.
"Let's do this," Charlie said, excitement flashing in his blue eyes.
But Obsidian felt the first stir of doubt through his gut.
Because Ghost had to know his loyalty had shifted by now, and if there was one thing the bastard relished, it was planning a trap.
* * *
"Got your note,"Silas called, behind him. "Considerin' there's a certain volatile murderous scurf who'd love to get his hands on you right now, what d'you want? It ain't a good idea for either of us to be seen in each other's company."
Obsidian stared out over the city, the wind flapping the hem of his long coat and stirring his hair as he rested one foot on the edge of the guttering of Silas's favorite pub. He couldn't see a single sign of Byrnes, but he knew the otherdhampirwas out there, tracking him. No doubt ensuring he didn't reveal their hand to the enemy.
So much for Malloryn's trust.
"Is Ghost angry?"
Silas snorted. "Spittin' mad. Wants your head on a pike. You know how he gets about betrayal."
"I offered him terms," he said, turning his head to look at his brother. "Gemma's life for my continued loyalty. Considering he put a bloody neural device in her head and sent her to murder the queen, I'll take that as a no. He speaks of betrayal?" His smile held sharp edges. "He's the one who deals it. And in this case, he will reap what he sowed."
"The problem with grantin' you Miss Townsend's life is that your loyalty will always be hers first. He's never liked that. You had to know he'd say no."
"I knew."
