“Good.” She smiled. “Go home and rest.”
“I shall escort you,” the officer said, stomping to my side.
“Thank you.” I turned and walked out of the office.
Chapter
Thirteen
“Cress?”
She stalked beside me down the corridor, her lithe, sexy catwalk gait completely at odds with the rotund cop she appeared to be. “Yes, Chosen?”
Up ahead, at the far end of the floor, I watched as Donovan walked slowly out of the meeting room. He turned and saw us coming. The tension on his face eased. He leaned up against the wall and waited.
“I think I’m about to have a proper breakdown.”
“Another one?”
My lips twitched. “Don’t be a bitch.” I walked a little slower. “I’m being serious.”
She let out a long sigh. “What is it this time?”
“I didn’t think any of this was real,” I whispered.
She frowned. “I don’t understand.”
I held my breath as we approached Donovan, waiting for us in the corridor beside the meeting room. As we passed the open door, I glanced inside. Richie was there, huddled in the corner. Moaning softly, rocking, hugging himself, eyes squeezed shut, tears pouring down his cheeks.
He looked real. He sounded real.
Donovan waited until we drew near, then stepped aside, moving to his usual position, just behind me, with Cress just in front. We walked into the elevator bank. Woodenly, I hit the down button. All the elevators were stuck upstairs.
Cress pushed the button again. And again. “What were you saying, Chosen?”
I hesitated for a brief moment. “All this time, I assumed you guys were hallucinations.”
“Really?” Cress looked amused. “Why on earth would you think that?”
“Well, for starters, because magic is not real.”
“Of course it is,” she replied. “Look at me. This is a simple glamor charm, and it fooled your employer.” She hit the button again. “I must admit I was a little shocked at how well that worked. In this realm, anyone can put on a uniform and sling a couple of firearms on their hips, and the rest of your people roll over and show their bellies like scared dogs.”
“You don’t even need a uniform,” Donovan rumbled softly, still on guard, eyes flicking left and right, checking the exits.
“Youdon’t need a uniform,” I said, turning to face him. “What did you do to Richie?”
“Nothing. I merely continued to emphasize my displeasure that he would dare to speak to you in such a manner. Or at all.” Donovan turned away from me and muttered something else under his breath.
“Sorry? What was that? I didn’t catch what you said.”
He turned back. “I said I may have also broken several of his fingers during the conversation.”
I pinched my eyes shut and counted backwards from ten. When I opened my eyes again, Donovan was still therein front of me, massive shoulders tensed, guarding all the exits.
Cress was still pushing the elevator down button. “That doesn’t make it come any faster, you know,” I said, my voice faint.
“No?” She swiveled to face me, outraged. “That’s absurd. Why not? How else will it know that someone requires its services urgently?”
