07-16-2014, 12:29 AM
Camila’s reply was promising and Damien masked the smile that he repressed. The woman was driven by something, and she had no time for games. Perfect. He had grown weary of dealing with politicking moguls and self-serving opportunists. Would they never been content? Had he not shown his devotion to the greater cause? It sickened him, just as the Senators had.
He listened to Camila’s information carefully and pursed his lips in pensive thought. Truly, he had expected no less. When threatened by the lion, gazelle flocked together. Good. They had realised that they were no longer the hunters but the prey.
But what to do? He could not allow them to leave Mexico City; that was certain. His hand was around their throats and he would not allow them a moment’s respite. However, it was too soon to launch a direct assault. The recruits were still raw and he would not risk a bloodbath. Assassination was not an option either. The downside of revealing his gift meant they would not be caught off guard. He did not regret the decision. The people’s allegiance and faith was his strongest asset. The death of Guitterez had tripled the number of volunteers and he saw hope shine in their eyes instead of grim acceptance.
“Oakland,”
Rosita called out in a voice louder than necessary. She still did not understand that the pattern he wove would stop him from hearing anything outside its boundaries. The concern in her voice made him frown and spin on his heels.
Allowing the pattern to fade, he addressed the severe woman’s furious gaze. “Yes?”
Her footsteps were heavy as she crossed the few yards that separated them to whisper in his ear. “The American Embassy has been destroyed,”
to the thunder she saw in his eyes she quickly added, “Not us. In fact, there seems to be very little trace of what happened.”
Damien nodded without a word, dismissing Rosita by turning back to Camila. “Forgive the interruption, something has come up.”
He said in way of explanation. Gone was the honeyed words and soothing smile. Titanium would have bent under the weight of his anger.
News of this would prove difficult, particularly given his history. It was a well aimed attack, but he would not be daunted by the threat of the North. “The cartels have just signed their death warrants,
” he announced to those around him. “Camila has given us vital information; see that she is given the respect you would give to me.”
“The United States Embassy has been attacked,”
he said without preamble. “They seek to use my past against me. It will not work. Prepare to secure the city’s perimeters. Nobody shall enter or leave without my permission.”
To Rosita he said, “Ask your father to prepare a national broadcast for tomorrow morning and make sure it will be seen in every corner of the globe.”
To Camila he directed his next words. “Your desire may come sooner than you thought. Come, we have work to do.”
He listened to Camila’s information carefully and pursed his lips in pensive thought. Truly, he had expected no less. When threatened by the lion, gazelle flocked together. Good. They had realised that they were no longer the hunters but the prey.
But what to do? He could not allow them to leave Mexico City; that was certain. His hand was around their throats and he would not allow them a moment’s respite. However, it was too soon to launch a direct assault. The recruits were still raw and he would not risk a bloodbath. Assassination was not an option either. The downside of revealing his gift meant they would not be caught off guard. He did not regret the decision. The people’s allegiance and faith was his strongest asset. The death of Guitterez had tripled the number of volunteers and he saw hope shine in their eyes instead of grim acceptance.
“Oakland,”
Rosita called out in a voice louder than necessary. She still did not understand that the pattern he wove would stop him from hearing anything outside its boundaries. The concern in her voice made him frown and spin on his heels.
Allowing the pattern to fade, he addressed the severe woman’s furious gaze. “Yes?”
Her footsteps were heavy as she crossed the few yards that separated them to whisper in his ear. “The American Embassy has been destroyed,”
to the thunder she saw in his eyes she quickly added, “Not us. In fact, there seems to be very little trace of what happened.”
Damien nodded without a word, dismissing Rosita by turning back to Camila. “Forgive the interruption, something has come up.”
He said in way of explanation. Gone was the honeyed words and soothing smile. Titanium would have bent under the weight of his anger.
News of this would prove difficult, particularly given his history. It was a well aimed attack, but he would not be daunted by the threat of the North. “The cartels have just signed their death warrants,
” he announced to those around him. “Camila has given us vital information; see that she is given the respect you would give to me.”
“The United States Embassy has been attacked,”
he said without preamble. “They seek to use my past against me. It will not work. Prepare to secure the city’s perimeters. Nobody shall enter or leave without my permission.”
To Rosita he said, “Ask your father to prepare a national broadcast for tomorrow morning and make sure it will be seen in every corner of the globe.”
To Camila he directed his next words. “Your desire may come sooner than you thought. Come, we have work to do.”