Alyssa’s POV
“I can’t believe I’m even considering this,” I muttered, pacing the room like a caged animal. My gaze darted to Leon, slumped unconscious in the chair where Isabella had dumped him. His face was pale, a bruise already forming on his temple. He looked harmless now, but I knew better.
“Considering what?” Isabella asked, her voice sharp. She stood by the window, scanning the darkened streets outside. “Letting him back into this? You know what he’s done.”
“Yeah, I know,” I shot back, frustration bleeding into my tone. “But without him, we’re running blind. We don’t have time to chase dead ends, Isabella. Ethan doesn’t have time.”
“And you think Leon’s going to magically hand us the answers?” she challenged, turning to face me. “He worked for The Obsidian Circle, Alyssa. Do you really think you can trust a man who betrayed his own boss?”
“I don’t trust him,” I said, stopping mid-pace. “But I also don’t have a choice. If he knows where Ethan is, I need that information. I’ll deal with the consequences later.”
Isabella crossed her arms, her gaze unrelenting. “You’re playing with fire. Leon doesn’t do anything without an angle. You give him an inch, and he’ll take the whole damn mile.”
I clenched my fists, torn between her warnings and the gnawing desperation in my chest. “I’ll handle him,” I said, more to convince myself than her. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t double-cross us.”
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
“I’ll keep him close,” I said, my voice firm. “Closer than he wants. If he tries anything, he won’t get the chance to regret it.”
Isabella sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “This is a bad idea, Alyssa.”
“Do you have a better one?” I shot back, my voice cracking under the weight of my frustration. “Because if you do, I’m all ears. Otherwise, we’re waking him up.”
She didn’t answer, which was answer enough. I took a deep breath and stepped toward Leon, my heart pounding.
“This better work,” Isabella muttered, reluctantly moving to stand guard by the door.
I grabbed a bottle of water from the table and splashed it over Leon’s face. He stirred, groaning as his head lolled to the side.
“Rise and shine, Leon,” I said, my voice icy.
His eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, then sharpening with recognition. “Well, isn’t this a warm welcome,” he rasped, smirking despite the situation.
“Don’t push your luck,” I said, gripping the artifact tightly in one hand. “You’re awake because I need answers, not because I trust you.”
Leon leaned back in the chair, wincing slightly. “Trust? That’s a strong word coming from someone holding a piece of ancient history she doesn’t understand.”
“Cut the crap,” Isabella snapped, her gun now trained on him. “You’re alive because Alyssa’s desperate. Don’t make her regret it.”
Leon chuckled softly, his gaze sliding to Isabella. “You always did have a flair for dramatics.”
“Focus,” I said, stepping closer. “You said you could help me find Ethan. I’m calling your bluff. Where is he?”
Leon’s smirk faded, replaced by a calculating look. “And if I tell you, what do I get in return?”
I gritted my teeth. “You’re not in a position to negotiate.”
“Oh, but I am,” he said smoothly, leaning forward as much as his restraints allowed. “You need me, Alyssa. Without me, you’ll never find Ethan in time. So, let’s talk terms.”
I glanced at Isabella, whose expression screamed Don’t do this. But I turned back to Leon, swallowing my pride. “Fine. What do you want?”
“The artifact,” he said without hesitation.
“Absolutely not,” I said, my voice firm.
“Then we’re done here,” Leon said, leaning back with a smug look.
“Not so fast,” I said, stepping closer until I was towering over him. “You’ll tell me where Ethan is, or I’ll make sure you never leave this room.”
Leon raised an eyebrow. “That’s cute, but we both know you’re not a killer, Alyssa.”
“Wanna bet?” Isabella chimed in, her finger twitching on the trigger.
“Enough,” I said, my voice cutting through the tension. I crouched down to meet Leon’s gaze. “You don’t need the artifact to help me. You need me. The Circle wants me alive, and that makes me more valuable than any artifact. Help me find Ethan, and I’ll consider giving you what you want-after he’s safe.”
Leon’s eyes narrowed, studying me. “You’re smarter than you look.”
“Flattery won’t save you,” I said. “Do we have a deal or not?”
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Fine. But if you try to screw me over, I won’t hesitate to return the favor.”
“Duly noted,” I said, standing up.
“Start talking,” Isabella said, her gun still trained on him.
Leon licked his lips, his expression serious now. “The Circle doesn’t keep their captives in one place. They rotate locations to avoid detection. But if Ethan’s alive, they’ll have taken him to the Black Spire facility. It’s their most secure base.”
“And how do we get there?” I asked.
“I have a contact who can get us close,” Leon said. “But it won’t be easy. The Spire is a fortress, and once we’re inside, there’s no guarantee we’ll get out.”
“We don’t have a choice,” I said, determination hardening my voice. “Ethan’s life depends on this.”
Leon smirked again, his confidence returning. “Then let’s get to work.”
As I turned away, my mind racing with plans, a single thought nagged at the back of my mind. What if Leon was leading us straight into a trap?