Jenks snorted. Like you or that orange fuzz ball could catch me, he said, but he was going for altitude.
Glenn looked awkward when I turned back around, shifting from foot to foot, slightly flushed. I gathered up the dried amulets. Ill see what I can do about having these delivered to the FIB as soon as possible. It might take me a day, but as Ivy keeps pointing out, theyre only going to take you to an empty building by now.
Glenns attention flicked from the charms to me. Uh, whenever you can get to it, thatd be great, he said, actually dropping back a step. Thanks. Rachel, I want you to stay here
Stay here? My temper popped, and I smacked my hand down onto the counter. Jenks darted up, surprised, but Ivy chuckled, going to the fridge to give me space while I vented. You are not turning me into the chief cook who never gets off the boat, I exclaimed. Im going to be an active member in this run!
Ivy came out from behind the fridge door, raising a bottle of orange juice in a show of solidarity. Weve already been over it.
So dont even try telling her to stay home, Jenks added, grinning as I glared at the FIB detective frowning right back at me, his chest puffed out. Puff all you want, FIB detective. Youre not turning me into the librarian.
Ivy had her back to us as she poured out a glass. I knew she wasnt thirsty. She was trying to cloud her senses as I filled the air with my anger. Were good at watching her.
Glenn took a step back so he could see Jenks better. Against wackos abducting Rosewood syndrome carriers, to try to create synthetic demon blood? Rachel, I know you have a bodyguard and all, but how smart is it to put yourself where they can grab you?
She said shell be careful. Ivy leaned back against the counter with her ankles crossed, looking like sex incarnate as she drank her juice, her long, pale throat moving slowly.
Stifling a shiver, I looked away. Ill only go to secure sites, I said under my breath as I snapped up my spell book and crouched to put it away. This was a mess, and I wasnt talking about the kitchen. The I.S. had asked for my help. The FIB desperately needed it. HAPA was stringing their victims up to taunt me into finding them. They knew I had what they wantedwhat they were mutilating people to find. Promise.
I shoved the book into its spot, then hesitated, growing angrier as I looked at the demon curse books right next to it. Suddenly I was twice as set on not giving the FIB or the I.S. a list of what I could do. They could hire an intern and get it from the libraryI wasnt going to give them the rope to hang me with.
Never would I have guessed making it public knowledge that I could kindle demon magic would lead to this. It was no longer a secret that witches were stunted demons, so far removed from their original species that they were a species unto themselvesand clearly someone had made the correct assumption that the Rosewood syndrome had something to do with it. As one of the two people to survive the deadly but common genetic abnormality, Id made myself a target.
I have to call Lee, I whispered, then straightened, my fingers trailing from the demon books reluctantly. I couldnt feel anything from them anymore, and it sort of hurt. Glenn, can you make me a list of the Rosewood carriers in the city? Maybe watch them?
Immediately he uncrossed his arms, his belligerence at my resistance turning into concern for the masses. Seriously? There has to be a couple hundred at least.
The number was probably closer to a thousand. The genetic abnormality wasnt that uncommon, and it was only when the recessive genes doubled up that there was a problem. You dont have to watch all of them, I said. Just the high risk. The young, the stupid. My thoughts went to the man in the gazebo. He hadnt been stupid. Careless, maybe. Telling the general public might be a mistake, I said softly. No need to start a panic.
His reluctance was clear as he ran a hand over his short haircut. Ill see what I can do.
That didnt sound promising, and I began to get angry again. No, it was frustration, and he didnt deserve it since it was mostly at myself. I exhaled. Can you at least have the vulnerable people on a list so that when theyre reported missing they get attention?
Glenn nodded, looking at his phone for the right number. That I can do, he said, and Jenks hovered over his shoulder, probably memorizing the number for future use, until Glenn snapped his phone closed.
Call Trent about a memory charm blocker. Call Lee to warn him about a possible abduction. Talk to Wayde and tell him Im a target. My mind was swirling, and jaw clenched, I loosened my grip on the counter, not having realized that Id grabbed it. Ivy had, though, and she watched me in concern from across the kitchen, her orange juice in a grip just as tight. Excuse me, I said as I started for the hallway. I need to talk to Wayde.
First smart thing shes done all week, Jenks said, and I squinted at him.
Alone, I added, and he made a face at me before darting to Ivys shoulder to sulk. The last thing I wanted was Jenks making smart-ass remarks as I asked Wayde to step it up.
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.