It takes a while to bring Clem up to speed on the plan to infiltrate Sparkle.
“So you’ll be placing bugs in the heart of Sparkle City. Even inside Ronald DeVine’s tower?” she says, frowning.
Jax nods. Clem’s brows draw tighter. “What if they see you, Jax?”
“They won’t, I’ll be wearing the portal cape.”
“It’s not foolproof. I saw your boots sticking out.”
“First time I’d worn it. I won’t make that mistake again.”
Clem is still frowning.
“The portal cape gets more efficient the more often you wear it,” I reassure her. “It needs to get to know your personality.”
“You mean it’s got consciousness?”
“The cape is a sentient being of sorts, yes,” I answer.
“Wow, that’s wild,” Clem murmurs.
“We’re as sure as we can be that your old boss, Marsha Winters, is a malefic, possibly even the ringleader,” Jax says. “And that Ronald DeVine, as the mayor of Sparkle, is utilizing malediction to remain in absolute power. We don’t know exactly what they are planning, but we do know they intend to resumeliving on the Earth’s surface. We believe their game plan is to find a way to harness the monsters ability to breathe Earth’s air, then destroy the Labyrinth in an almighty war. Now they know that Sammy and Arlo’s youngling could potentially breathe Earth air, they’ll stop at nothing to find out how. That’s why Sammy has to hide. And that’s why breaking into their headquarters, gaining access to their secrets, is our only chance to outsmart them.”
“I get that. I just wish it wasn’t you doing it, Jax.”
“Jax knows Sparkle inside out from years of searching for your mom,” I explain.
“I’m the only logical choice, Clem,” Jax agrees.
“But if they catch you, what then?”
“They won’t. I have superhuman skills, thanks to my inner wolf. Plus, the portal cape will keep me invisible. They’ll never suspect it’s weedy little Jax Summers. They believe I’m doing my job down here, like a good little peripheral. Thanks to virtual Jax beaming up to them.”
“Where’s virtual Jax kept?” Clem asks.
“In a computer on my desk.” I try not to puff up with pride as Clem gives me an admiring look. “You did that? You coded in a fake Jax? You’re so clever Otis.”
“Yeah, well.” I try to shrug it off like it’s nothing, when really, it’s my finest achievement. “I’d like to take full credit, but there’s also the runes that I added to the coding, so I’m not honestly sure if it’s magic or coding that makes it work. But it does.”
“That’s incredible.”
I flush with pleasure, but try to look modest.
“Okay, well, now you know the whole story, I’m off.” Jax unfurls from his chair. “I’ve gotta walk all the way back to the station and grab my bike, thanks to Otis dragging my ass here,” he grumbles.
“Admit it, you feel better getting it off your chest,” I challenge.
“Yeah, okay. You win.”
Clem and I see him to the door and they hug again. Then we watch him amble down the alleyway, hands in his pockets, but his step is lighter, his head held higher than I’ve seen in a long while.
I close the door and turn to Clem, and she runs into my arms.
“Thank you so much for making him to talk to me,” she says as I pick her up and she nuzzles into my neck. “It all makes sense now.”
“He thought you’d judge him, I guess, either for taking drugs or being a werewolf, or both.”
“He should know me better than that. Though I accept I did make a fuss about wolves initially. But I don’t care. Whatever—orwhoeverhe is now, I’ll always love him.” She pulls back and tilts her head. “I guess I’ll have other questions as time goes on, but right now, there’s something more pressing,” she murmurs in my ear.
