Page 11 of Darkness I Become
“They’re our people,” Dom replied in an imperious tone, as though she were stupid.
“Your people?”
“The Guardians,” he said impatiently. “You didn’t think we brought the whole gang with us, did you?”
“I didn’t know what to expect,” she answered, irritated. “I’ve never been here before. You don’t have to be so rude.”
Predictably, Dom grunted and didn’t say anything else as they continued on, deeper into the city. Ten agonizing minutes of walking later, they traveled up a decaying road to an iron gate, with a tall fence that wrapped around a whole community. An extremely faded, barelylegible metal sign saidSunnyside Acres: Luxury Retirement Community.Rusted, with ivy climbing its edges, it looked ready to crumble into dust. Someone had painted over it far more recently, with graffiti that readAngel’s Nest.
“Welcome to the Nest,” Dom said with zero enthusiasm.
“And what is that, exactly?”
He answered without bothering to look at her. “The home base of our territory. Everyone who lives here is in Angel’s inner circle.”
As they drew closer to the gate, Asha recoiled. Someone had sharpened the iron spires to a point, and the three tallest spikes impaled three worn, desiccated heads. Hollow eye sockets and yawning mouths faced skyward—a clear warning to all who passed by this wretched place.
These are barbarians,Asha couldn’t help thinking.What the hell are you doing, Asha? Making deals with these guys?
“They’ve been there a while,” Dom said, startling her out of her thoughts.
“Is that supposed to be comforting or something?” she asked incredulously.
He shrugged. “Take it or leave it.”
There were several more of the Blackguard at the gate. Just like the Blackguard in the convoy, they stood out from the rest, dressed like soldiers. They acknowledged Dom with a nod, though they stared at Asha curiously as he brought her through the gate. They waited for the convoy to pass through and catch up with them at a fork in the old road.
The tent flap on top of the wagon opened, and Angel appeared for the first time since they’d left Little River, looking disheveled. Asha had no idea what he’d been up to that whole time, but she guessed it had to be better than walking. He hopped down from the wagon, and a couple of the men led the horse away.
The Blackguard surrounded him on all sides, with Cade at the front and Leo bringing up the rear, and they followed Dom, Asha, and the other Guardians deeper into the gated community. They acted like a private security force, which, for all Asha knew, they might be. It made her wonder what Angel had done that would necessitate that much security.
“I want everyone at the clubhouse,” Angel was saying behind her, and when someone objected, he interrupted, “That wasn’t a question, Khalid. I want a report before it gets dark. Then we’ll have a little party, if it’ll stop you being such a pussy.”
He then called out to Dom, who turned slowly to face him, as though wishing he were anywhere else.
“Yes, sir?” He sounded like calling Angel that was literal torture, and Asha had to hide her amusement with a loud cough.
“A ray of fucking sunshine, as usual,” Angel said with a dark chuckle. “Bring the girl to the clubhouse, too. I have plans.”
That sounded ominous, but Asha looked at Cade, who gave her the tiniest nod.
“I’ll do it,” he said to Angel. “Dom can help round everyone up. He looks like he needs a break from her, anyway.”
It was hard to deny that it was true; Dom looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there. Permanently.I wonder how a man who obviously hates people ended up living in this place.
Looking relieved, Dom ran ahead, and Asha saw Cade suppress a smile.
“Fine,” Angel said irritably. “But I want her there, at the meeting. And get the girls to clean her up.”
He wrinkled his nose as he looked Asha up and down, and she crossed her arms over her chest. She knew she was dirty, sweaty, and disheveled, but she was still offended. Angel looked like he hadn’t seen a bath in a long time either, so it was a bit rich for him to judge her.
Angel walked down the lefthand path Dom had followed, his entourage falling in line behind him. When they were out of earshot, Cade said, “Wouldn’t take it personally. They care more about how the women look than the men.”
“Oh, sure, not personal, just sexist,” Asha scoffed. “It’s not about you personally, just everyone like you.”
Cade shrugged. “I’m not saying they’re correct. Just stating a fact. Now, have you thought about our bargain?”
“Is it really a bargain if one party has no other choice?”
