He shook his head.
She clucked her tongue. “I’m in trouble because I bit my dad while under a fever, and you’re an advisor to the president because you’ve killed tons of people.” She leaned toward him, gaze intense. “You believe in hell?”
“Yes.” He had to concentrate to keep his brogue at bay. Tension lifted the hair on the back of his neck, and he paid heed.
“Me too.” Her shoulders slumped, and her gaze dropped to her knees. “At the worst of the fever, I almost died.” She lifted her gaze, her lips twisting. “I didn’t see a light, Deke. I heard a darkness.”
Chilled nails ticked down his spine. “And now?”
She rested her chin on her hand and let out a low sigh. “I don’t hear anything and just want to go shopping.”
Now that sounded like a normal kid. His body relaxed. “I’ll see what I can do.” He rose and edged around the coffee table. “Give me a little time.”
“Okay.” She scratched her elbow.
“Call me if you need anything.” He passed the sofa and headed toward the door, his heart heavy. Poor kid. They had to be able to figure out the brain scans and whether the colors really meant anything.
A wisp of sound.
He partially turned, only to be attacked by a hurtling female body. Pain thumped into his shoulder. All instinct, he pivoted and shoved. Hard.
Sally flew across the room and smashed into the couch, bunching instantly to leap toward him again, nails out, teeth bared. Saliva slid down her chin.
He settled on his feet, waited, and took the hit by grabbing her arms. A quick turn, and he planted her on her face.
She struggled, spitting, an inhuman snarling jerking her body.
Holy fuck. The kid probably weighed a hundred pounds, but her strength was beyond what it should be. “Restraints,” he yelled toward the closed door.
Sally kept trying to turn her head toward him, teeth snapping. He clasped the back of her neck and held her still. “Take it easy, Sally,” he tried to soothe like he would a wild animal.
She kicked and howled.
A Secret Service agent ran inside with zip ties.
“Stay away from her mouth,” Deke ordered. Shit. He was tying up and might have to gag the president’s daughter.
The agent’s eyes widened, and she handed over the ties. “Did she bite you?”
“No.” But she’d hit him hard enough to bruise his shoulder.
“I thought Sally was better,” the agent said.
Deke nodded. “So did I.” Fuck, was he wrong.
The agent lifted both eyebrows. “I just received word.” The atmosphere thickened around Deke. “And?”
She leaned over to whisper in his ear. “The president is dead.”
Chapter Eight
Week 2
50 people dead
Likelihood of Scorpius Containment: Probable
Nae man can tether time or tide.
