CHAPTER NINE
hidden treasure
On the ride back to the dead-end woods, Iona swears Finan is not involved with Dea Vitae in any way. She and Gus share another of their furtive smiles when I suggest it, and after I blow up at them about being sneaky and gross, Iona reassures me I’m paranoid and that Finan is too “goody-two-shoes” to ever be involved in some silly cult. Iona admits that she has zero belief in the goddess Tiamat, “but I like money and power, and these people give me all that and more.” Plus there’s her Mt. Everest-size daddy issues, which I don’t want to hear any more about.
As they’re exiting the vehicle, Iona turns to me in her seat. “Once we have an idea of what island he’s on, we will move quickly. Be ready at a moment’s notice.”
I nod, overwhelmed by whatever the hell I
