I run a brush through my long black hair, pulling it back into a tight French braid. I pull on jeans and find my favorite sports bra in a pile of laundry on the floor. I put it on and pull on a black T-shirt. Grabbing leather boots, I rush back down the stairs.
The guys already have on their concealment charms, masking their wings with magic and making them look human.
“Weapons,” I say, looking at Jacques, who also put on jeans and a black T-shirt. We match, right down to the exact shade of denim, but I don’t have time to worry or even care about that right now. “You’re sure we won’t need any?”
“If it’s a golem, they will be pointless.”
“Okay. Then let’s go.”
Gemma rushes forward. “Wait!” She pulls her arms in around herself. “That’s it? You just rush off without a plan?”
“I have a plan,” I tell her, slipping my boots on. “Kill the golem.”
“Be careful.”
I nod, realizing how scared she is. Not of the golem, but of losing me or any of the guys. “I will be. And one of us will call when we can. Hold down the fort, okay?”
She gives me a wry smile. “Okay.” Then she throws her arms around me and I awkwardly hug her back. I’m not a touchy-feely person.
“I got your keys,” Thomas says, holding up my purse. “And your badge…if you want it.”
I bite my lip. I can’t really go about this as a cop. The golem is attacking people for apparently no reason. It’s already killed one person. It’ll kill again, and doing things the legal way will slow me down.
Plus, how the hell will I explain that I used magic to stop a monster that’s actually a six-foot clay sculpture? Oh, and my four gargoyles helped me take him down.
I can’t, so I won’t.
“No. Leave it. Ace the witch is going after this fucker tonight.”
Thomas beams. “I like Ace the witch better. She’s more badass.”
“You’re wasting time,” Gilbert says, pushing past Tom. “You’re not getting laid any time soon so give it up.”
“Hey now,” I say, taking my purse from Thomas. “I’m fine with the flattery.” The guys follow me through the house, and I grab my black leather jacket on my way out. I live on the outskirts of town, and the closer we get to the historic district, the more tense I become. I listen to the police reports, feeling so torn.
I know what’s going on.
My fellow officers don’t.
I should warn them.
But how?
I grip the steering wheel tighter as I slow, seeing flashing lights ahead. I feel like a big fucking fraud as we pull over and park along the street. People are gathered around outside, gawking like idiots. Police push them back, and I duck my head, recognizing the officer only a few yards away. We don’t work at the same precinct, but I’ve met him before.
And his wife…who just gave birth to twins.
“Okay,” I start, turning around to face the guys. “The last reported sighting was four blocks away. Should we split up?”
“That’s a terrible idea,” Hasan spits, raising an eyebrow. “We’re stronger together.”
“True.” I nervously pull on the zipper of my jacket. I’m not scared to fight the golem, but I’m terrified I won’t be able to find it in time and more innocent people will die. I turn on my police radio, listening in on the chatter.
“Is there a way to attract a golem?” I ask Jac.
“They’re typically created with an intention. We find out what it wants, we’ll find it. But from what they reported, it seems set on destruction.”
Nodding, I start forward, and we duck into an alley to avoid being seen by the police. As I dash across the street, I see a car dented and smashed, like the Hulk angrily ran down the street, hitting anything in his way.
