Chapter 72 The Guide
Alex Pov
I leave the room quietly shutting the door behind me . My mind in constant turmoil but keeping it together one fake mask at a time . Luca is leaning on the console in the doorway, hands folded on his chest . Eyes sharp not missing a thing
“Alex is Alessia going to be okay?”He asks concern lacing his words
I face him sighing “Yes I think her power caught her off guard , I have calmed her down now.” I rub my hand on my day old stub sbsent mindedly .Note to self Make sure you shave before stepping out tonight.
“Make sure Angelica does not disturb her” She needs some time alone. Before he can respond a soft throat clearing sound reaches me from the dark end of the hallway. Glancing in the direction quickly I notice a tall man standing with a hood over most of his face. The guide must have arrived right on time too.
I glance at Luca “Is that the guide ? He nods his head starightening
“Yes he just arrived I asked him to wait in the hallway,I didnt know where you wanted me to put him”
I nod “It's okay,come with me” I gesture to him as I walk toward the guard quickly. As I him an involuntary shiver escapes me his prescnce feels cold and ancient like one of the old scrolls on La rosa Alessia has been perusing.
“Signir ferrini” He greets me his voice is as deep and it echoes in the room .
“Hello please come with me” I gesture to him leading him into the small libing room. “There isnt alot of time” Before I can offer him a seat he picks the single chair to the far right and lowers himself into it.
Okay then manners absent ,duly noted . Irritation fills me but I clamp down on it . I need his help so I will tolerate his. Rudeness . I take the lounge chair oposite and Luca stands behind me like a silent sentinnel .Ever watchful and cautious . I open my briefcase on the table and bring out the map smoothing the creases out .The marked location clearly visible as well as all private roads ,escape ways and closed entrances that Selina had clearly mapped out with magic .
The guide studies it intensely for a few heartbeats .Silence fills the room as we wait .After some minutes he taps his right finger on the circled east wing. “This is a trap you must avoid it by all costs . Its the sea entrance and it is sealed with magic . Any attempt to penetrate via the entrance will set off their wards”
“We had not planned to use that entrance . From the Map it seems the west entrance on foot will be safer”
Luca mumbles “but its an exposed long road ,wont they sight us a mile away Alex?”
“Hmmm you have a point luca I return my gaze to the map staring at the matrix of routes mapped out.
But what about -”
He cuts in calmy “ Use that route they won't see you ,since you will be going with the true blood.” I glance at him shocked that he knew about Alessia and he looks back at me his eyes filled with simething akin to amusement.
Bristling , I hiss under my breath I hate being caught off guard . How the hell does he know about Alessia ? Are we being watched ? Is he actually the guide? or is he from an enemy camp? I glance at him again his ice blue eyes still full of amusement
“I am not your enemy but your guide” He hesitates Her power awakened not long ago . Anyone that is part of our coven or with knowledge about witches would have felt that surge and I was already on my way to you”
Luca mumbles “Dios Mio”
Indeed my thoughts exactly inhaling slowly Its on the tip of my tongue to question him further but I dont rather I say “So you are telling me she is the key to walking into La Geneva undetected?” Although Padre and Selina had mentioned this prior but I had still held out hope that I could perhaps leave her with her coven and try to enter La Geneva with Luca alone .
Hopes just got dashed
Alessia will need to go
I know how hesitant she is to meet La Casa her coven talk less of La Geneva!
They will not handover La Rosa easily.
I need to handle this with tact … I- he interrupts my thoughts.
“Your true blood has always been the key to your success” I lean back , clenching my jaw tightly
“I have heard all you said , let us get ready we will be leaving for La Casa in a few hours time .No stopping we will discuss La Geneva when we return”
The guide nods “ Make sure your true blood is prepared . Her powers may be awakened but she does not know how to weild them yet”
My stomach twists in knots Tell me something that I don't know. “I am aware , I will speak with her”
He gets up without any ceremony and moves for the door.
“One moment guide , Is there anything we need to know or hold for this journey”
He pauses “This first journey will be relatively smooth. They felt her power awaken , La Casa is waiting for her . I will be waiting in the entrance lobby.” Meaning this journery is safe the second to La Geneva is another matter entirely .The moment he shuts the door behind him Luca exhales sharply
“That Guide gives me the creeps”
I chuckle “Guides usually move with stealth and are silent.”
I murmur “We need him he is our easiest way in to both covens”
“Luca tell Angelica we need to -” A shrill sound cuts my soeech as my phone starts ringing in my pocket
I reach for it
Its an unknown number
My bresth stills in my chest
Padre or from the Ferrini Mansion
My pulse spikes as I stare at the screen until it stops ringing .Pressing redial I press the phone to my ear.
Alex- a voice cracks through my phone filled with urgency