“I can’t leave an evidence trail about my pack.”
“Then I’ll reach out to the PIA’s permanent liaison officer in MI6 and hope for the best. I might have something for you by tonight, but I can’t guarantee it.”
“I’ll take anything you can give me.”
“Anything else I should know?”
Patrick ran a hand through his hair. “We went to one of Jono’s old neighborhoods yesterday and ran into one of his old friends. The guy didn’t come right out and say it, but there’s discord happening within the London god pack and probably the packs in this country in general. If we’re walking into the midst of a civil war within the werecreature community here, I want to know.”
Nadine frowned as they approached a fork in the path, opting to veer left. “Aren’t you in the midst of your own civil war? Now you’re going to deal with two?”
“Yes, but I only started one of them.”
Nadine snorted. “I’d say don’t start any, but this is you we’re talking about.”
Patrick would’ve argued, but he figured she had a point. “We’re staying at the Sanderson if you need to find us.”
“Mobility?”
“Two cars. It’s me, Jono, Sage, and Wade.”
“Isn’t that your whole pack?”
“We left a proxy dire holding the line back in New York, and the valkyries agreed to come guard her. The fae and the Night Courts should help with any gaps in the defense of our territory.”
“Was that wise?”
“Doesn’t matter. We had no choice. The Morrígan’s staff needs to be found.”
Nadine hummed thoughtfully, mouth twisting a little as she processed the information. Patrick had seen that exact look of concentration on her face plenty of times before.
“My superiors out of Paris won’t like the sleight of hand we’ll be pulling on the WSA, but I’ll let Franklin deal with them. Count me in for whatever your plan is.”
“Right now—”
Patrick cut himself off as recognition burned through his magic, the particular sting ofwerecreaturemaking him skim the area. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as his magic coalesced on the warning coming from behind them.
“What is it?” Nadine asked, keeping her stride even. Despite her high heels, Patrick knew she’d kick them off in an instant to fight, then moan about their loss later. “Soultaker?”
“Werecreature,” Patrick said.
“And me without my silver bullets. Should I shield?”
“No. Let’s loop around and head back to the WSA.”
“If we stay on this path, it’ll take us back to the street.”
Patrick nodded and let her lead the way back to the WSA. The werecreature at their back never retreated, and Patrick resisted the urge to turn around and confront them. He couldn’t risk interacting with werecreatures so close to a government building.
They dropped the wards once they reached the street. The bubble of silence popped, and the sound of city traffic rushed back into Patrick’s ears. They walked in silence back to the WSA, keeping their pace even and unhurried. When they reached the main entrance to the building, Patrick pulled his visitor’s badge out of his pocket and clipped it to his lapel again. Nadine dug hers out of her purse and clipped it to the collar of her sheath dress. The werecreature couldn’t follow them inside, but Patrick almost wished they would try.
“Let me get the door for you,” Patrick said.
He knew Nadine was perfectly capable of opening her own doors, but he used the opportunity to look behind them, catching a glimpse of a blond-haired man in dark jeans and a polo shirt, sunglasses perched firmly on his nose to hide his eyes. Patrick committed his face to memory before they entered the building, wondering how the London god pack had found him so quickly.
Nadine took off her sunglasses and tucked them into her purse, the questions in her eyes going unanswered for now. The WSA might be their country’s allies, but some secrets could only be shared between the two of them.
Patrick’s phone buzzed in his pocket as they climbed the main staircase. He took it out and unlocked it, reading the text that had come through. The words on the screen made him want to scowl. Jono’s update was succinct and annoying.
