Uh, before you go, have you given any more thought to making that list of, ah, curses? Glenn asked hesitantly.
I came to an abrupt halt six inches in front of him, since he wasnt moving out of the doorway. Ive thought about it, and Im not doing it, I said, trying to be calm and reasonable, but Id just about had it.
Rache is not making you no list, Jenks said hotly, making Ivy brush his dust from her.
Why not? Glenn asked, and Ivy cleared her throat in warning. No, really, Glenn asked again, appearing truly at a loss. If its common knowledge, whats the big deal?
I refused to back up, and my face flushed as I put my hands on my hips. Its not all common knowledge, I finally said, and what they dont know, I dont want to tell them. Move, will you? I have to talk to my bodyguard about upping his surveillance.
Glenn glanced at Ivy, then said to me, Rachel, Im under a lot of pressure here.
Oh, for the love of Tink! Jenks said.
Why is everyone afraid of what I can do all of a sudden? I exclaimed, backing up to the center counter.
Again glancing at Ivy to gauge her control, Glenn caught his own rising temper, calmly saying, Because theres a goat man strung up in a city park, surrounded by demon symbols and marked with the demon word to make it public. The sooner you give them the list, the sooner you can get on with your life.
My lips pressed together as I remembered the DMV office. I didnt want to give up that part of myself. Not to the I.S. or the FIB, where anything or anyone would have access to it.
Jenks darted into the air when Ivy jerked into motion, but she was only going to the window, jamming it all the way open to get a better airflow. The autumn-night rain slipped in with the scent of decaying leaves, and my shoulders lost most of their tension.
People are scared, Glenn said, calm again and not simply masking his anger. You say you can do demon magic but wont. You have demon books you wont share the contents of. Youre registered in their database.
That wasnt my idea, I muttered. And Ive got almost no magic anymore. See? I neutered myself! Angry, I shifted my weight to my other foot and glared up at him. Theres nothing to be afraid of, I finished, depression starting to take hold.
Rachel, Im sorry, he said when he saw my mood shift. Im not afraid of you, but its easy to be scared. Understanding is harder. Just make the list. I dont care if its complete. Ill take it in, and then you can get your life back.
I looked at Ivy, my gut saying no even if it sounded easy. I was getting tired of having to bargain for every little thing I deserved, like a license or the ability to make a plane reservation. But still . . . And when they find out I didnt tell them everything, theyll use that against me, I said softly. No.
I looked at Ivy, my gut saying no even if it sounded easy. I was getting tired of having to bargain for every little thing I deserved, like a license or the ability to make a plane reservation. But still . . . And when they find out I didnt tell them everything, theyll use that against me, I said softly. No.
What is the problem? Glenn said. Dont get mad. Im trying to understand!
He really was, and Ivy moved from the window to tug him out of my way and back to his chair. Shes right, she whispered in his ear, and I felt my own neck start to tingle. If anything ever comes across an I.S. desk that looks like something Rachel admits she can do, theyll say its her even if shes wearing charmed silver, because shes an easy target.
Glenn slumped, looking beaten as he stared at the floor. Okay, he said, then looked at me. I see where youre coming from, but I dont agree with it. Ill stall them. Asking you for it wasnt my idea.
Finally I could smile. I know. Ill be right back. Save me a slice of pizza, okay?
Let me know if Wayde needs anything from me, Glenn said, but I was already in the hall, headed for the stairway. Ivy had been kicking out Im-hungry pheromones for at least an hour, and I had to get out of there for a while.
Will do! I shouted over my shoulder, making my sure way through the dark. There was no way I was going to make a list for the FIB or the I.S. Id rather live off the grid. Driving was overrated, and maybe I wouldnt have to pay taxes this year.
I couldnt help but wonder, though, if what I was really fleeing was seeing Glenn and Ivyhappy togetherand knowing it could have been me.
Chapter Five
Arms swinging, I entered the sanctuary, dimly lit by the TV, on in the corner where the new furniture set was. Pixies perched on the backs of the chairs in rows, cheering when the crocodile took down the zebra. Pixies and nature shows went hand in hand. Who knew?
I wasnt in the best of moods. I knew Wayde was going to take whatever I said as me telling him he wasnt good at his job. He was, but he needed to be better than good until this was over. The sight of my desk, unused and gathering dust, didnt help. Ivys piano, seldom played but utterly dust free, didnt help, either. Kistens pool table, the felt still burned and charred from a white charm a coven member had thrown at me, slid my mood clear back into depressed.