“Are you serious? You can do that?” Matteo asks as we put on our necklaces.
“It won’t like, make you disappear. It’s more like it keeps others around you from noticing you, but it’s not foolproof. If someone’s right up on you, they’ll see you, but it’s better than nothing.”
“I’ll take better than nothing right now,” I say. “How will we know when it’s working?”
“You won’t,” Seth says. “Butwewill.”
Cody gets in that familiar position on his knees, offering up his quiet chants. Once again, it’s like a wind encircles us, and then everything stills.
“Okay,” Seth says. “Let’s get to it.”
I text Malcom to let him know we’ve arrived, and we wait for confirmation from him before we exit the woods, slipping through the gate and heading for the house. When we’re at the basement door, I text Malcom again, and he opens it and escorts us inside. Matteo gets the door behind us, sliding a rock against the frame to keep it open.
“Hey, Seth,” Malcom says. “Surprised you’re joining us.Didn’t know you were a gamer.”
“Yeah,” Seth says. “Gaming’s not usually my thing, but—hey, are you sure we’re not gonna get caught?”
“Don’t worry,” Malcom says. “Alexei told me you already bailed on plans with some of the guys, and it’s lights out, so you won’t have an issue.”
He leads us through the basement, then up the stairs. When he reaches the door, Seth says, “Malcom, you’re going to go check and make sure it’s clear, then help us get to your room without being detected.”
Malcom stares at Seth for a few moments before finally breaking eye contact and heading through the door to do as instructed. Guilt nags at my conscience. It doesn’t feel right to push on someone.
“I don’t know how you can do that to a nice guy without feeling shitty about it,” I note, and Seth snaps, “Who the fuck said I don’t feel shitty about it?” He stares me down before turning back to the door.
Seth is so hard to get a read on, but it’s a relief when I see moments like this, where there’s more to him than his attitude and snide remarks.
While we wait for Malcom to return, we’re all on edge, surely fearing the same thing—that somehow he’ll accidentally alert a member of the Saints, and they’ll come running—but just a few minutes later, he returns and guides us farther into the house. He manages each turn first, inspecting before we continue on our route, until we reach his room.
As we enter, I stumble over the rug by the door, and Seth whispers, “Smooth move,” as he heads in and closes the doorbehind me.
“Okay, Malcom. Thanks for that,” Seth says before pushing. “Now game away and leave us alone while we play a little game of our own.”
As Malcom obeys, Seth texts the guys to let them know we’re in and the coast is clear.
The plan is that Seth will use his powers to crack the lock to Finnegan’s room. Then we’ll all rush in. Seth will use his powers to subdue Finnegan, and as we restrain him, he’ll set up a circle of protection to keep any of Finnegan’s goons from interrupting his work.
Seth receives another text. “Okay, the guys are in the house. When they get here, I’m gonna get Malcom to escort you out.”
“Wait, what?” Matteo asks, echoing my thoughts.
“Trust me. We appreciate that you got us in here, but this is too dangerous. And really, you’re both liabilities at this point. Alexei, you don’t know how to use any powers, and, Matteo, we don’t even know what the hell happened with you. It’s too big a risk.”
“That’s not what we agreed to.”
“Yeah, well, the Sinners and I agreed at the church we would let you come this far, but that’s it. Sorry, but there’s no point in putting your lives at risk.”
“That’s tough shit because you’re not gonna be able to make us leave,” Matteo insists.
Seth rolls his eyes. “Swear to God. Whatever. Your funeral.”
His phone buzzes, and when he checks it, he says, “They’re coming up the stairs. I’m gonna go greet them.”
“Should I add you in as a player now?” Malcom asks from the sofa.
“No, just keep on doing your thing,” Seth says as he cracks the door open. He starts out when there’s a sound…I know it from somewhere…but before I have a chance to pin it down, I see Seth flying toward me.
I throw myself out of his path, and he looks like he’s about to go flying out the window, but the same sound moves through the air before he ricochets off an invisible boundary and comes back toward me before dropping to the floor.
