Chapter 167 The Safe house
Alessias's POV
The car comes to a slow stop in front of a tall imposing black iron gate.It looks as imposing as it did in the notes Padre sent .There is no signage or security lights, just very high stone walls. I am sure this is costing Alex a pretty penny an automated off the grid safe house like this cannot be cheap. I gulp hard as my heart begins to race in my chest and Lucy leans towards the window.
"This is the safe house?"
Angelica sighs "it's one of the most elusive and impenetrable safe houses in Geneva,and it's off the grid"
Of course it is the gates slide open on their own without a sound and I turn to Lucy "It seems to be fully automated too that clearance was quick"
She sits back folding her arms on hee laps . "They probably scanned the licence plates on arrival."
That surprises me because there was no one by the gate "Without approaching our car?"
Angelica turns to me with a weird look " Welcome to La Geneva"
The vehicle in front rolls inside first and we follow closely behind .The entire courtyard is cemented and smaller than I has envisioned.There are no flowers or greenery in sight .The cars come to a slow stop and our doors unlock with a soft clock. I watch Alex descend and walk briskly towards our car reaching for my door. I step out of thr car and the moment I feel touch the ground I feel the tell tale hum of magic. But it's stronger here.
Angelica skips out next coming to stand near me "The magic pulse is stronger here."
"Yes it is." I mumble.I felt it the minute my feet connected with the ground."
What I don't add is that the pulse is stronger than La Casa and where La Casa's magic hum feels warm and like coming home...La Geneva magic feels like stepping on a battlefield ,Cold and unwelcoming.
Lucy closes the car door behind us walking swiftly "We should not stand out here exposed for long."
Quietly we move inside . As I take a step across the threshold I am momentarily surprised . I assumed it will be as cold and uncomfortable as outside but it is not. It has state of the art modern black leather furniture , steel appliances and warm lighting. The living room has a wide black center table . Alex doesn't stop to look around but walks right towards it spreading the map on top . "You all should gather around."
My pulse skips a few beats and I take a deep calming breath as we all circle around . Luca reaches for his pocket pulling out Alex's tablet and switching on the power button. The screen comes to life with a video of Miranda in action playing.I focus on her expressions . Her steps, her voice not low but authoritative that kind that makes you stop and pay attention .Then I switch my attention to the map on the table.
"The entire eastern perimeter is boldly encircled in red ." Angelica brushes the circle with her finger gently "I heard they intensified their security personnel last year "
"Yes at every checkpoint except the eastern entrance." Hugh mutters
I lean towards the map slightly "Can you point out the actual trail "
Luca points his middle finger at the point of entry "The Eastern entrance seems to be unelevated land or A kind of mountain .That's why they are not many guards there."
Alex points at another point " this is the western entrance by the river we avoid it by all costs."
Luca nods in agreements "it's in view of the entire coven way too obvious."
"What about the northern gate?" I ask because nothing was mentioned about it in the brief
"It's under renovation right now closed off" Angelica answers.
Luca grins "The eastern entrance is the best way in"
\-As Miranda Gross I add silently, straightening my shoulders I narrow my eyes on the spot one more time "It's time to finalize our mode of operation."
Alex turns aways from the table his eyes locking on me "Yes."
His voice suddenly becomes lower "You won't be entering as Alessia you switch in the car
Lucy wraps her arms around her frame "There can be no slip ups."
Hugh adds "You can not stand with Alex."
I whirl to him blinking a few times "I do not Always -"
"Alessia you do" Angelica adds gently
The room is silent for a moment as I ponder over their observations.
Alex clenches his jaw tightly but says nothing ,I let out a slow measured breath "I understand,Miranda does not know him"
"She will tolerate him as one of the key witnesses she brings in."Luca corrects.
I nod once in agreement "She will tolerate him when the time comes."
Alex moves closer to the map "When we are being questioned what do I say ?"
Lucy always as sharp as ever answers in an instant " Be yourself ,you were at a tavern in Mezza for a financial opportunity and met Thomas." She pauses straigtening the wrinkles on the map ."Then you proceeded to Geneva and made some enquiries,found out about Miranda then sent her the intel you had via e-mail."
Hugh smirks "A Billionaire with a lot of money and queationable partners"
Alex arches his eyebrows "That will be easy."
Luca taps his fingers on the map once more "there are cameras here ,here and at this point."
I stare at Lucas fingers observing drily "All points are nowhere near our entry we should be fine."
Alex moves closer to me "Alessia" My chest clenches with the worry I can hear in his voice I turn to him. "Yes Alex ?"
"If you feel like something is off" he says quietly "Just leave"
I tilt my head at him holding my chin in contemplation
After all this effort
After all the money spent
"Alex you will risk it all ! For me?" I add silently
His eyes darken for a moment as a look akin to love flashes in their depths my heart soars before his eyes return normal again but I know what I saw.
"For you?I would give it all up"
I suck in a shocked breath as Lucy exhales loudly
"Alex we would prefer it if it doesn't come to that"
Angelica nods "Lets save the intensity for our enemies."
Luca straightens and starts folding the map "What time are we leaving?"
Alex looks at his watch "In the next two hours."
My pulse that has been racing since we drove up to the safe house slows down to calm trot.
"120 minutes until I stop being myself - Alessia Molano"
Lucy turns to me studying me carefully "Princess are you ready for this."
I think about my dead mother
My missing father
How they snuck in and stole La Rosa under my nose
Hatred rises like bile in my throat and my power surges. My mark warms against my thigh in response to my emotions. And I straighten my shoulders.
"I was born ready."