Cyn pinched the bridge of his nose.“So how do we dismantle this thing?”
“Very carefully.Your inclination will be to destroy it with your Dragon fire, but you’d detonate it instantly.Which is what Brom saw.”
Ruby snapped her fingers.“When Garnet defeated the monster, she didn’t lob flashy orbs at it.She used a gentle, beautiful orb.Maybe Brom had the answer and didn’t even know it.”
After she explained who Garnet was, Jay said, “Yes, gently release the orb’s energy, the way air releases from a punctured tire.You’ll need something that’s strong enough to penetrate the metal but leaves you with enough control to pull it back before crushing the tube.”
Cyn bared his teeth.“Like a Dragon’s fang, maybe?”
Ruby’s mouth dropped open.“You’re going to bite an explosive canister?”Her pulse kicked.“No… I’m going to bite it.Because it’s my destiny.”
Cyn got to his feet, pulling her up with him.“We have to go.”
Ruby wrapped her fingers around Cyn’s arm.“When Brom was trying to talk, he said ‘J-J.’We thought he was saying Justin, but he was probably saying ‘Jay.’If we hadn’t come here, we would have blown the damned thing up.”
Jay leaned back against the desk.“Should you approach the Concilium?”
Cyn’s expression shadowed.“Purcell has connections in the Guard.I don’t know who else might be involved.”
“If the solar storm is the key factor, you only have until tomorrow to destroy this object.Is there anything I can do to help?”
Cyn clapped his hand on Jay’s shoulder.“How long since you’ve fought?”
Jay rolled his eyes in thought.“Fifty or so years.But it’s like riding a bike, right?”
How weird to hear guys talk about that kind of span of time so casually.
“You’re out of practice dealing with demons and the like.But keep your phone with you.I may need your guidance.”
Cyn called Grayson once they said goodbye.She packed her bag while Cyn retrieved his clothes.When he returned, he wore the black pants and white shirt he’d had on before.He closed the door behind him, but his gaze went right to her.To the way she was taking him in, no doubt.
“You’re right, there is something magic here,” she said, slinging the bag over her shoulder as she came closer.
He skimmed his hands over her shoulders.“Does that mean you’re going to go back to hating me when we get to Miami?I’m not sure I could bear that.”He was serious.
“No, I meant that there’s something magic… here.”She gestured between them.“Us.”
A sound drew their attention to the sight of Grayson appearing out of nowhere.Holy… well, not holy exactly.Black, ethereal wings shimmered.He took them in with a curious expression.“Your energy has drastically changed from a few hours ago.”
She said, “It’s called forgiveness.You should try it.”
His eyes frosted over.“Holding on is a good reminder not to make the same mistake.Ready?”
All righty then.No forgiveness happening for him.
Cyn took her hand and led her over to him.“Let’s go.”
Seconds later, they were in Grayson’s condominium.She couldn’t stop staring as his wings shrank down to the tattoo on his back.His shoulders drooped, and he braced his hands on the back of his couch for support.
“Does Leaping take a lot out of you?”she asked.
He stepped away from her, bowing his head and running his hand back over his hair.“Leaping by itself is taxing.Bringing two people even more so.Twice in a short period of time… definitely.”He looked at Cyn.“But if you need help?—”
“I’ll let you know.We’ve been having demon trouble.We’ve handled them so far.But be on call.And if you start to feel unusually fatigued, or flu-ish, get out of here.Tell the other Caidos.The clerk at Sanctum said the place was fully booked starting tomorrow, solar storm panic.”
“I can already feel the difference,” she said.“In Chena, the energy was alive.Invigorating.Not here.”
The first faint hints of dawn lit the sky.They reached the car, and she pulled out Brom’s book as soon as they’d closed the doors.“There’s a new entry.Hopefully something useful.”
