Ashton turned to Anna and said, "Hey, can you give me a moment alone with Tarek?"
Anna gave him a curious look but nodded. "Sure, I'll wait outside."
Ashton watched her leave, then turned back to Tarek, his voice serious. "Alright, let's get down to business."
Tarek gulped down hard, sensing hostility within Ashton's eyes for the first time since they had met. He had only seen the kind and considerate side of his and hence was a bit taken aback by the sudden change in Ashton's demeanour.
"What do you mean?" Tarek looked up at him, his expression guarded.
"Let's talk about what's really going on here," Ashton replied. "I don't believe you're telling us everything you know about the Cult."
Tarek's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about? I've told you everything I know."
