“We’re on a case,” Saint said, and Teddy winced.
“Which case is that?” The question was a pleasant inquiry layered on top of a sharp knife. “I wasn’t aware of a new case at the Worthingham Country Club. Maybe I should look it up?”
“Uhh…w-well…”
Teddy swallowed and turned, finding Kellan’s dark eyes already fixed on him from inside his prominent features. He shivered at the anger hiding behind his calm facade—a thin wall of glass hiding a storm.
Teddy didn’t want Saint to be caught in it.
“I’ll catch up,” Teddy said with a smile, giving Saint an encouraging nudge.
Saint pursed his lips but nodded and walked away, only he did so slowly, still watching them.
Teddy was reminded of Saint’s words in the car.
He was always watching.
How much did he actually see?
“What do you want?” Teddy asked once Saint was out of earshot.
“Now, now,” Kellan said, one hand in his pocket, “be nice. Did I teach you nothing at Nexus?”
“You taught me a lot. I don’t think being nice was on the list,” Teddy muttered.
Kellan laughed into the distance, smiling to himself and shaking his head as he stepped closer. The crunch of gravel made Teddy’s heart shake but he raised his chin and squared his shoulders, acutely aware of Saint in the background.
When Kellan moved his gaze back to Teddy’s again there was barely a mask of civility left. “I don’t think your time in Slatehollow recently was good for you. It seems like you’re getting ideas again.”
Teddy felt his blood run cold.
“I consulted on a case. That’s all,” he said, making sure to keep his voice neutral.
“And you didn’t see anyone interesting while there, did you?” Kellan asked, matching his tone like he always seemed to. Teddy didn’t know if it was to simply mock him.
Teddy swallowed down the bile. “I saw a cursed cursebreaker and helped free him, if that’s what you mean.”
“It isn’t.” Kellan took a few steps closer.
“What, then?” Teddy asked, lifting his head up to meet Kellan’s eyes now that he was close enough to tower over him. Teddy wasn’t short by any means, but Kellan was unnaturally tall, almost offputtingly so.
“I remember every team we dispatched, Damir,” Kellan said, looking between his eyes. “I know all about Slatehollow’s band of misfits…and their animal specialist.”
“Leave him alone!” Teddy spat, unable to keep up the act whenever that button was pushed.
Kellan chuckled lightly, patting him on the shoulder and brushing imaginary lint off. “Calm down, Damir. People are watching and you’re making a scene.”
Teddy’s chest was heaving, his skin crawling where Kellan’s hand rested as Kellan leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I have nointention of clipping the bird’s wings. But you have to keep your end of the deal, my boy.”
“I am,” Teddy said quietly.
“I don’t like to be ignored. Do we understand one another?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” Kellan said, leaning back and adjusting Teddy’s collar. It took everything in him not to flinch. “That’s very good.”
“Damir!” Saint called from the front door. “Are you done? I could really use your help.”
