“Look.” I spoke calmly. “I’ll research the culture before I go. I’ll dress however the women there dress. Plus, Kope will be looking out for me.” I looked across at Kope and he nodded, deciding to finally speak up.

“Damascus is liberal, as far as Arab cities are concerned, is it not?” He faced my father, who cleared his throat, realizing he was losing ground.

“It’s a bubble of liberalism in a conservative country, yes. But there will still be scattered hard-core conservatives and radicals who frown on Westerners. Not everyone in the city approves of men and women mingling.” He closed his eyes and squeezed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.

Patti patted the table in front of her. “I know exactly how you feel, John. I’m scared for her, too. But . . .” She stopped long enough to let out a breath of reluctance before facing Dad again. “You know as well as I do that she can handle this.” He grunted. “She needs to be active, and it sounds like she might be able to help this girl in Syria.”

Dad exhaled a raspy sigh of defeat. I shared a victorious glance with Kope, sensing he was as excited as me.

“All right then,” Dad said. “I’ll arrange everything. You’ll leave five days from now. You’ll have forty-eight hours to convince her. I don’t want you guys there any longer than that. I know I’ve told you this before, but do not ever, under any circumstances, pass important information over the phone or internet. Only in person when you know the coast is clear. Don’t travel out of Damascus. I’ll have a watch kept on Sonellion while he travels, and if for any reason he heads home early, I’ll find a way to let you know so you can clear out immediately. I can’t guarantee you won’t see any whisperers, but if you do, try not to be spotted. How’s that ankle holster holding up?”

I lifted the right pant leg of my jeans to show him the Velcro strap and leather pouch holding the lightweight hilt. It stayed with me at all times now, even though wearing jeans in summer was hot as heck. I even wore it at parties. During showers it rested on the edge of the tub where I could see it. Demons wouldn’t be able to recognize it in its case.

“We know metal detectors and X-ray machines don’t trace it, but you can’t keep it on you in case they need to pat you down at the security checks.”

“I’ll find a way to hide it in my carry-on,” I told him.

“You’ve got your passports?” Dad asked. Kope and I both confirmed that we did. “Well, then. Looks like you’re both heading to Syria.”

I let out a squee and clapped my hands. Kope flashed a dimpled smile.

“Kopano has to fly home to Boston first thing in the morning,” Dad said to me, “but we’ve got the whole rest of the afternoon, so the two of you should probably hang out. Talk strategy. Maybe go catch a movie or something. I’ve got some things to take care of.”

Kope and I shared a surprised glance. Talking strategy and seeing a movie didn’t seem to go hand in hand in my book, but I wasn’t opposed to hanging out with Kope. There was only one problem.

“It’s Friday,” I told him. I didn’t need to clarify what that meant.

Dad crossed his arms over his chest.

“Most of the spirits will be in Japan tonight, which is why it’s safe for us to be here now. They’re having the eastern regional meeting, just like we have U.S. meetings every year. You two go have fun. Behave. Anna, you can drop him back at his hotel afterward.”

Kope and I looked at each other again. A night off with no threat of whisperers? Hanging out with one of my Neph friends? Heck, yeah.

Patti kissed my cheek and shook Kope’s hand good-bye. “Y’all have fun,” she said.

I grabbed my purse and we were out.

CHAPTER SIX

NON-DATE

It was not a date.

And yet, there was something very date-ish about walking into a movie theater with a guy, no matter how hard I fought against the idea. He’s your friend. Friends go to movies together. You and Jay used to go all the time.

Yes, but Jay never had a crush on me like Kope did once upon a time.

Well, I didn’t think about Kope like that. My head still spun from the encounter with Kaidan and my heart was way too fragile. Besides, I had bigger, more important things to think about than boys.

We stood at the ticket counter, looking up at the listings. He nixed the romantic comedy right away and I nixed the war film. We decided on an action-adventure and both reached for our wallets at the same time. He looked appalled when I snatched Dad’s credit card from my purse and slid it onto the counter before he could.

“This one’s on my dad,” I said. “You know, since it was his idea and all. I mean, not that I’m not glad to be here.” I cleared my throat and felt the skin on my chest warm with embarrassment at my big, dorky mouth. I took the tickets and Kope followed me.

“Let’s get popcorn first,” I said. “We can’t watch a movie without popcorn. It’s, like, a necessity, you know?”

He grinned and shrugged. “I did not know. This will be my first film.”

My jaw dangled open. “You’ve never been to the movies?” When he shook his head, I linked my arm through the crook of his elbow and pulled him toward the concession stand. “Come on, I need to school you.”

“Anna!”

Aw, crap. Three couples from school were walking toward us and I automatically sprang into party-girl mode.