He fell silent. She could feel the warmth of his hand inches from the nape of her neck. His breath stirred her hair, then he drew away. “Fine. I’ll be in the room next door.”

“I don’t want to know that,” she said. “I’m pretending…”

That you’ll meet me tomorrow for breakfast, just because you want to see me.

That we’ll tour the city, and you’ll joke with me, and the voices will be a little easier to bear.

I’m pretending… that you’re my friend.

“I’m pretending you don’t exist, Malachi. Stay away from me tonight.”

She slid her card in the lock, then quickly walked in and shut the door. She turned the dead bolt and the sliding lock, then she walked to her window and checked the locks there, too. When she was sure her room was secure, she sat down on the bed and waited to hear him leave the hallway. After a few minutes, Malachi moved toward the lobby, talking to Leo in Turkish.

Seconds later, she pushed back the tears that wanted to surface, and her phone was in her hand.

“Mom?”

“Ava!” Her mother’s voice was brimming with excitement. “Isn’t it late there? I’m so glad you called! How are you liking—”

“These guys Carl hired, Mom. They’re out of control.” Her voice was shaking with anger. “He needs to dial them back, or I’m ditching them completely. You know I can.”

“But Ava—”

“They practically shoved me out of a bar tonight because some guy was making a pass at me. You know me. I can take care of myself, and they went way overboard. I’m surprised no one called the police. Is that the kind of publicity that Carl wants?”

“Who—”

“And one of them is staying at my hotel now! He says there’s some kind of threat against my life! Has there been a threat and you haven’t told me? I mean, I know shit happens, but you’ve always told me if there has ever been any specific—”

“Ava, shut up!”

Her mother never raised her voice. She shut up immediately.

“I want you to listen to me very carefully.” Her mother’s voice sent chills down her neck. “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

“The man Carl hired quit over a week ago. There was some sort of scheduling conflict, and I convinced him you were perfectly safe since you were staying in the city. Ava… he didn’t hire anyone else.”

She sat on the edge of her bed, breath coming in small panicked bursts. “Mom…”

“Whoever these people are who say they are guarding you, Ava, they were not hired by us. Do you understand?”

She nodded, but no words left her mouth.

“Ava, are you still there?” Her mother’s voice was panicked. “Carl!”

“I’m here, Mom.”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

It was all a lie. Ava had never felt more vulnerable in her life. The chill at her neck spread. She heard her mother and Carl muttering in the background, then her stepfather picked up the phone.

“Ava?”

“Yeah?”

“This man, he’s been following you for a week?”

“Yes. We’ve… been friendly. He seemed nice. Very professional.”

“Does he have any idea you suspect him? Did you tell him you were calling home?”

“No.”

There was a pause. “I’m calling my contacts in Istanbul as soon as we get off the phone. In the morning, there will be a package waiting for you at the front desk. I want you to find out who these people are.” Ava heard her mother protesting in the background, but Carl’s voice was cold and clear. “If you’re threatened, if you’re in danger at all, use it. I know you know how. We can take care of any fallout after you’re safe.”

Ava took a deep breath. “I understand.”

Chapter Seven

“And you’re sure she has no idea?”

“With this woman?” Malachi looked around the open-air patio where the hotel served breakfast. He could see Ava’s door from where he sat, so he kept his voice low. “I’m not sure of anything with her.”

“Leo said she didn’t react normally to the Grigori.”

“No. She seemed completely immune to them.”

There was nothing but silence. What could Damien say? All human women had the same reaction to the Grigori. All women, except Ava. It was inexplicable.

Finally, Damien said, “Rhys is doing things on the computer. Max is out hunting his sources right now. Whatever this is, it’s now a priority. Leo stays with you.”

“Who was the blond in the alley?”

“It sounds like Brage. I’ve met him before. He’s skilled. I didn’t know he was in Istanbul. This is a new development.”

“What do you know?”

“He’s Scandinavian, but I’m not sure from where. Not one of Jaron’s. Older. About four hundred or so.”

“One of Volund’s?”

“Perhaps. I don’t know.”

“But he’s in Jaron’s territory with an angelic blade.”

“Yes, I noted that in your report. And I’ve passed it along to Vienna.”

Obviously Damien didn’t know any more than Malachi. He heaved a sigh and noticed movement in Ava’s room. All the rooms in the hotel opened onto the beautifully tended central courtyard. Tiled fountains and lush potted plants created tiny oases within the scattered tables. A few early morning travelers were already up and packed for day trips. They were eating breakfast while Malachi drank his tea. He’d slept only a few hours; luckily, he didn’t need much to be alert. He’d woken with the first prayer call at dawn. The curtains in Ava’s room moved.