“Then I’ll ask them for one of their cars.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can and I will.”
The sad thing was, they’d probably give it to Luca.
Nox took a drink of water. “You can’t.”
A tick jumped in Luca’s jaw. “Like hell I can’t.”
“Luca…”
Luca flared his nostrils. “No. You’re not talking me out of this. I mean it. We’re going.”
“You don’t have that option anymore.” Nox set aside his water bottle. “The Anubis can’t keep you well. If you leave, you die.” Nox took Luca’s hand.
He resisted for a moment before giving in. “Then don’t get rid of the Anubis. Stop taking the Rakta.”
“I’m not even sure that will make a difference.”
Luca frowned. “Why?”
“Because I didn’t feel it. Even when Tanner attacked me. Even when I thought he might hurt you, there was nothing. And you know how protective of you it is, Luca. If there were a functioning grain left, it would have at least tried, and it didn’t.”
Luca’s expression crumbled. “That doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”
“No, but if it is, it’s too weak to keep your cancer away.” And Nox would never survive the grief if Luca died.
“I don’t think I care anymore.” Luca wiped his eyes.
“How can you say that?”
“You’ll never be safe if you’re with me.” A new trail of tears made a path down Luca’s cheeks. “And if you die because I can’t leave, then what’s the point of living anymore?”