Leander took a moment to rein in his temper.“On the contrary.I’m not under contract, forced to perform like a circus animal.I think you chose poorly.”It was an unkind thing to say, especially given Creek had never had a choice, and Leander had played his part in Creek’s arrest.They’d both been feather-brained ignoramuses in school, but Leander’s idiocy had had far more serious consequences.
Creek ran his fingers through his hair, flicking water off.“You arrogant ass,” Creek said, but he sounded weary.
“Being right so often breeds arrogance.”
Creek stared at him, and Leander stared back.So many of their childhood friends were gone—some to violence, some escaped the old neighborhood, and others died while trying to find a more chemical path to happiness.Leander wondered if his magically enhanced tonics had eased any of his old classmates and friends on their journeys to the infinite.
Probably.
He wasn’t a good person, and he wouldn’t lie to himself.
“Druwolf put a contract out on the boy.”
Leander blinked, not sure why Creek would say such a thing.“Here I thought you had learned how to lie.Apparently not.”
Creek grimaced, running his fingers through his wet hair again.“He’s getting more paranoid, and the rumor is the boy has powerful magic.His parents did.Druwolf won’t let anyone challenge him.”
“Or you hope I’ll drive a wedge between Tecca’s boy and her employer.Why?Are you worried these new protests will drive more people to shelter under Druwolf’s protection?”
“Fuck, yes,” Creek blurted.“And I’m worried the conflict is driving the anti-mag to write new laws, and I’m worried you’re still an ass who makes all the wrong choices and then pretends you didn’t fuck your life over.I’m worried about all kinds of shit, Leander.But I’m not trying to drive a wedge.Shit.Salem is the last bit of Finn and Tecca in this whole fucking world, and what kind of danger is he in?Hell, even that name.Salem.What kind of idiot with magic names their kid Salem when they’re trying to fly under the radar?”
“They made a bet,” Leander said softly.
Creek huffed.“Of course they did.And Finn got to give his kid the world’s worst name for an illegal magic user.”
Leander wrestled with grief at the memory of Finn’s ridiculous smile.He’d been dead longer, but Leander's would always grieve.“Druwolf likes the name.He says it reminds us of how long mundanes have been trying to kill us.”
“Druwolf kills more magic users than mundanes do.”Creek took a step back into deeper shadows, and Leander glanced over.Half a dozen heavy hitters stood on the stairs, their guards gathered around them.Cold and darkness pulled at Leander, and he edged away from Creek, eager to get out of the reach of his shadow magics.But in trying to escape that touch, he moved into the light.A guard stared at him, catching Cadell’s attention.Leander didn’t know what sort of magic he wielded, but there was something colder and darker in his eyes than Creek had ever projected with his shadows.
Cadell stared at Leander for a few seconds before nodding slowly and then moving to his car.The other Family members were moving to their own vehicles as drivers pulled up to the curb.Leander kept his gaze on the funeral, but he also watched the dark shadows Creek had pulled around him like a cloak.
A red-haired man broke away from the Family; Victor darted between cars as he crossed the road.Like most in the Family, he kept his magics private, but Leander often suspected it was some physical gift because he was unnaturally graceful.
“Leander!I didn’t think you’d come.”He stopped under the shelter of the fire escape and removed his hat, shaking the rain off.
“She was one of us, even if I resented her very existence,” Leander said.Creek had vanished like his shadows when the sun touched them.
“Yes, yes.You and her and Finn—all very sordid.”
Leander pinned Victor with a flat glare.
“We need to talk about making some moves.You should come to Druwolf’s next Wednesday.”
Leander grimaced.“My magic isn’t useful in a fight.Druwolf can confirm as much.”Druwolf knew the magical talents of all his people, even those who hid their gifts from even the closest Family members.Leander was fortunate he had only ever shared a fraction of his flora gifts with anyone.Not even Finn had known the whole truth.
“It’s not always about magic, you know.I might want you there for your sharp mind or...”he gave Leander an amused look...“your charming personality.”
Leander crossed his arms.
“You have a habit of seeing strategies the rest of us miss.Wednesday night.I’ll tell Druwolf I invited you.And if you want to stay overnight.”He raised his eyebrows.
“Not interested.”
“You could kill these rumors about your obsession with Finn by taking a few tumbles.Hell, maybe it would actually help you get over him.He’s been dead five years, and now the woman you hated because of him is gone too.It might be time to move on.”
“With you?”Leander put every bit of disgust he possessed into his voice.
“I’m offering a quick fuck, not a ring.Get over yourself.”Victor rolled his eyes.“Wednesday.See you there.”Putting on his hat, he darted back across the street.Unease wrapped around Leander’s spine.He wasn’t one of the inner circle, and he had avoided making himself interesting because he wanted to keep it that way.Finn and Tecca had been part of Druwolf’s circle, and now they were both rotting in the ground, or would be soon.Tecca had yet to be buried.
