CHAPTERTWELVE
The longest fifteen minutes of my existence were spent inside the glass box while Cassander and Finn fought to save our lives. The constant scratching on the glass by nightmare nails sent me into chills. Watching Megan chop off black leathery fingers when the golems stuck their spindly digits into the small holes in the glass made me curl my own fingers into protective fists. The eyeless golem heads that sporadically flew up into the air were enough to send anyone to counseling for the remainder of their life.
I leaned against Megan when the fighting ceased, my body sagging against hers. “That was rough.”
She turned her head and lifted a brow. “Really? You didn’t do anything except stand there like you were going to faint.”
“I survived,” I hissed, thumping the side of my head on top of hers. “That’s enough for now.”
Megan hummed and watched as Finn and Cassander walked toward us inside our protective glass. “What about the ‘master.’ Isn’t he coming soon?”
I jerked upright. “I forgot about him.”
Cassander waved a bored hand. “He’ll be unconscious for a few weeks. The juice it took when the golems were activated will knock his weak ass out.”
Megan blinked. “You make no sense.”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. It’s still true. He’s not coming today.”
Finn flicked the lock on the door, kicking golem bodies aside to open it. “Ready to leave, Mina?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
They were still monsters, life savers or not.
And I was stuck with them for now.
“Can I leave too?” Megan drawled. Her sarcasm was lost on no one. “Or do I need blonde hair and a name that rhymes with Nina?
Finn’s lips twitched. “Get your ass out here.”
Megan and I walked out of the enclosure, and then I not so subtly yanked the stolen blades out of her hands.
I shrugged when she glared. “They aren’t yours.”
Her pout was pretty and subtle. “Those would catch a fine price. I’ll need some cash to get a new bracelet.”
“Get a job,” Cassander muttered. He walked into the enclosure and, ever so carefully, picked up Poppy’s limp body in a child’s hold against his chest. Her head tilted and thumped against his shoulder. The monster peered down at her in his arms, his forehead wrinkling. “Fuck, she’s tiny.”
Finn snorted. “And deadly.”
Cassander’s brows furrowed even more, his expression troubled by his friend’s words. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“What?” Finn muttered, his confusion clear.
“Nothing. Let’s go.” He charged out of the glass enclosure while still carrying his cargo delicately, taking extra care with her. “I can take her to God. I have my own train here.”
Finn nodded in agreement. “He contacted her before we arrived here. He’s worried. You’ll want to call him on your way and let him know she’s okay.”
I held up her knives, asking in silent question what to do with them.
Cassander turned and popped a hip in my direction. “My coat pocket.”
I placed them in his fur coat as safely as I could. I peered up into his steel eyes, and stated honestly, “Thank you for what you did for me today.”
His smile was honest and sweet. “You’re welcome. And we aren’t as bad as what you think, Mina. Give us a chance, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
My lips thinned. “I’ll think about it.”
