The Shadow Circle

Chapter-34

I went straight up to Arianna's room.

"Kes?" She called.

"I got you food," I said and held out the steaming plate in front of me. "You need to eat."

"Because we're going to have to run?" She asked.

I had to smile. This was a Seran problem, both of us were curious little shits.

"You heard."

"I heard."

"Tochio thinks Kai is here, he'll be here soon," I added. "I want to get the fuck out before he arrives."

"Did he do that to your hand?" She asked.

"He nearly cut my finger off," I said breezily.

"Kes," she whispered. "This is my fault."

"Nope, it's his fault. Don't worry, I'm going to fuck him up soon enough," I smiled.

She shook out her light hair and took the plate from me. "He's not going to drink the poison, he'll find another way out."

"How do you know about the poison?"

"I eavesdropped, remember? And I saw the vial."

"Oh, the vial was filled with water."

Arianna scowled. "What are you doing?"

"I suspected he wouldn't drink it so I poisoned his food and distracted him with the vial," I shrugged. "I saw him eat the food, he's going to sleep for a while now."

Her eyes widened and she looked at me, absolutely horrified.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry, Kai told me it's a barbiturate derivative, he'll be fine."

"Because Kai is so trustworthy."

"Fair enough," I admitted. "but Shah is a powerful ally, Kai wouldn't let me kill him and he doesn't seem that bad."

She stared at me. "What has happened to you?"

"Hey! We need to leave," I reminded her. "Preferably before that psychopath drops by."

"Right," she nodded and started eating her food while I threw in all her toiletries and clothes. My phone started ringing.

"Kai," Ari said and nudged the phone towards me.

"Hello?"

"Kes," his warm voice greeted. God, I missed him.

"Lie," I smiled.

"What?"

"I said Kai."

"I'm sure. How are you, how is everything going?" He asked.

"I did as you said, I saw him eat his food. How is everyone?"

"Elizaveta's worried about you. Ryo and Julian are fighting as usual. I'm tired of kicking their asses."

"Did Julian send the information to the Circle?"

"Yes, he did. I hope nothing goes wrong. If it backfires, we'll be dead and so will Shah."

"I know. But it was the only way I could get him to help," I sighed. I liked his voice.

"Julian got in touch with Evans. He's tipped off the Indian Police, he'll be caught with the arms the minute he steps across the border. In about three hours from now. Problem is, I can't find Tochio."

I looked at Arianna. "Well, that may be because he's on his way here."

"Do you need me there?"

I was so tempted to say yes. I didn't relish the thought of encountering Tochio one bit and if anyone could take him on, it would be Kai.