“He’s the most adaptable,” he explained, as if discussing lunch options rather than a potential death sentence. His eyes met Seri’s. “And can be left to fend for himself the longest with minimal gear.”
I couldn’t decide if I should be flattered or offended by that assessment.
“Either he goes with you or you don’t go at all,” he finished, his tone making it clear this wasn’t up for negotiation.
I watched Seri’s face carefully. Big bro hadalmostnailed it, trying to honor our girl’s metaphorical wings while providing protection for her while she flew, but then he’d ruined it with the ultimatum.
To my surprise, she nodded and, just like that, I was drafted intoOperation: Rescue Foster. Fang-tastic.
Ko held out his favorite knife, the one withSerafinaetched on the handle, and I took it without comment. It was a great blade, perfectly balanced and sharp enough to split starlight. Casimir handed me his handgun, the one that lived on his bedside table and stayed loaded with silver-jacketed rounds. Against Arabesque or her Gravewrought, silver might not be as effective as it was against shifters, but it would still hurt like a bitch, maybe slow them down.
My boxers were cool and all, but had no pockets, so a weapon for each hand was it.
“We need a plan, right?” I scratched the back of my head with Cas’ gun butt. Yeah,me. Wanting a plan. World was ending. “I mean, maybe we could—”
“No time, Zoodle!”
Whatever brilliant strategy I was about to suggest was cut short when Seri wrapped her hand around my elbow. Her eyes met mine, and I caught a flash of something that might have been fear or determination or both.
“Here’s our plan. A. We leave. B. We find him. C. We come home. Questions?”
“Uhhh.”
“Okay, good!” she chirped, fuckingchirped, before she went dead still. “Wait! Simmy, my hat!”
“You…” My whole body stuttered. “I don’t have time to armor up or grab Lurleen—”
“Who?”
“His rifle,” Cas and Ko chorused.
“—or even snag a moon-damned comms unit, but you have time for Simmyto find your fang-rotted hat?!” My voicemighthave spiraled higher than normal at the end.
Too late, anyway. Cas was already plunking her “Pest Manager” cap on top of her knotted curls. Then he leaned down until he was nose to nose with her, wearing his ‘Do not test me. I will kill you’ face.
“Both of you back alive, Serafina, or I willnevertrust you to do this again.”
“WHAT?!” My eyes bounced from his face to hers and back again before seeking wiser counsel. “Ko, c’mon, bro.Saysomething!”
“You always crawl out, Z. But ifshedoesn’t? Don’t come back.” Ko tapped his blade. Just once. “Cas and I won’t be here.”
I didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe. Just held the knife and let the words land where they would. He meant it. Not like a threat. Not even like a warning. Just fact.
I didn’t know how to carry something like this, didn’t know how to holdanythingwithout breaking it in some way eventually, but I wanted to.
Cruor, Iwantedto!
My grip tightened on the hilt. Like that’d be enough. Like I could promise something with just my hands.
Then Seri’s fingers dug into my forearm as she stepped into the shadow cast by the open bathroom door, and my eyes stayed locked on Ko’s until the darkness swallowed me whole.
19. Burning to Death
Foster
I streaked through the undergrowth, each leap carrying my wolf form closer to the border.
Or so I fucking hoped.
