Nina tucked the bag in an inner coat pocket. Good. Im looking forward to seeing how you work, she said calmly. I want a list of the curses you can do on my desk by tomorrow night. Early.
They thought I was going to work for them? Fuming, I stood on the sidewalk. Ivys eyes were black, and Jenks almost dripped sparks. I was not going to do this. I was not going to become one of the I.S.s elite hit squadas flattering as that was. Theres always option three, I said tightly, and Jenks hesitated. Ivy, too. Theyd been sending hand signals to each other, planning something that would probably end with me in the hospital or in jail.
Ninas benevolent smile pissed me off. Option three?
I sent Jenks the signal to stand down and fumbled in my bag, not taking my eyes off the woman. Behind her, I.S. agents were slowly dropping back. Finding my cell, I flipped it open and scrolled through the numbers-called list. The one I wanted was at the bottom. I hadnt realized it had been that long. A HAPA hate crime is the FIBs jurisdiction, not yours, I said as I texted HAPA @ WASHINGTON PARK to Glenn, thumbs moving fast, and Nina sucked in her breath, her eyes going black.
You wouldnt dare, Nina said, and I fought to not back up as I hit send. The FIB cant find their asses in a chair! They dont even want these people caught!
I think they do, I said, and she stepped toward me, her hands rising in wicked claws.
Ivy shifted forward and Jenkss wings clattered. I shut my phone, heart pounding as I took up a stance, smelling the spicy, complex scent of Were behind me. The vampire stopped, her jaw clenched as she evaluated us and her own people quietly retreating. Ivy shook her head at the incensed vampire. If the head of the I.S. had been here in person, we could be in trouble, but here, in the sun in a body he wasnt familiar with and had a responsibility to keep unmarked, he was at a disadvantageand we all knew it.
Too late, I said, and Ninas hands shook. I dont like being blackmailed, I said, not knowing how we were going to get out of here without setting her off. Didnt watching the coven teach you anything?
Must be calm and controlled. Relaxed and matter of fact, I thought as my stomach knotted. I was used to dealing with out-of-control vampires. I could do this. Hey! Leave the body, I said to the gurney guys still in the gazebo, trying to distract Nina by doing something not focused on her. The FIB will want a look at it first.
I turned to Nina. You should stick around. Im sure the FIBs Inderland specialist will want to talk to you. Get your take on the situation. Detective Glenns a very reasonable guy.
Do you have any idea what you have done? she nearly spat at me as she halted an unsafe four feet away, anger flowing from her like a wave. Any show that HAPA is still active will increase their numbers. Theyre like a pestilence. Given the right conditions, they bloom like fireweed. Youve just destroyed the facade of decades of peace between us and them!
Us and them? I felt sick. I knew the unrest existed. We all did. I saw and ignored it all the time, wanting to live in a world that accepted us as we were, hoping that if I believed in it hard enough, it would happen. There was a reason most of Inderland lived in the Hollows, away from humans, and it wasnt the lower property taxes. But the disfigured form of a tortured man hanging six feet away was too much to pretend away. Your fake peace is making the right conditions, not me, I said, heart pounding. A cooperative venture between the I.S. and the FIB to take down a hate group is better than a decade of your fake peace. You should just go with it, Nina. Make lemonade.
It wasnt the best thing I could have said. She jerked into motion and I found myself yanked out of her reach by Wayde. I gasped as I stumbled and then found my balance, but Nina was walking away from me and back to the street, her hands clenched and her stride showing her anger.
It wasnt the best thing I could have said. She jerked into motion and I found myself yanked out of her reach by Wayde. I gasped as I stumbled and then found my balance, but Nina was walking away from me and back to the street, her hands clenched and her stride showing her anger.
I gave Wayde a weak smile and pulled away from him, thankful for his quick reaction. It could have been me she had been going for just as easily. Maybe he was better than I thought. Fuming, Nina stormed across the park, I.S. officers fleeing her path. Thanks, I whispered, and he winced.
I shouldve kept my mouth shut, he said, shooting a quick glance at the knots, and I shrugged. Perhaps, but there was no sense in crying over squished tomatoes.
Ivys steps were slow as she came down from the gazebo, the I.S. gurney guys thumping behind her. Jenks was laughing, but I was more than worried. I was still going to have to find and catch these guys, but with the FIB involved, I might survive being successful.
Dont worry about it, I said to Wayde as my phone hummed and I saw it was Glenn. Smiling weakly, I showed Ivy the screen and flipped the phone open. He was either going to be really happy or really pissed. I just hoped the I.S. wouldnt take my license away.