I felt acceptance roll through the task force.
Something about it, though, didn’t seem quite right to me, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
She bought a prophecy. I heard her say so. That’s the important part.
“As a result we’re going to be on high alert,” Captain Reese continued. “The oracle specialist who was scheduled to fly in to help us with the oracle is seeing if he can change his schedule and get in earlier. We’re mobilizing all task force members, and the Cloisters will be supplementing with additional guards and defensive measures. I want you all to carry your cellphones with you, because when we find Considine, you’ll be called in no matter what shift is on duty.”
Captain Reese looked directly at me. “And wewillfind him. Considine might be an elder vampire, but make no mistake, he’s one of ours.”
Sarge fidgeted next to Captain Reese, his boots making slushy noises from the half-melted snow on the sidewalk. “Our shift isn’t over just yet, but instead of returning to the Cloisters as we usually would by now, I want us to stay out on the streets. Grove, Binx, April, Juggernaut, and Medium-SizedRobert, I want you all to check on Tutu’s with Captain Reese. Sunshine and a team of evidence processors will go with you, to confirm Gisila wasn’t sniffing around Goldstein while we’ve been occupied here. The rest of you I want to stay here with me. We’ll reconnect at the end of the shift. Dismissed.”
Sunshine hopped off her bench, disappearing from my sight.
“So we’re staying here,” Orrin said.
I glanced up at the sky, blinking when a fat snowflake landed on my cheek. “Sounds like it.”
“Jade.” Sunshine elbowed her way past Brody and Binx and scanned me from head to foot. “How’s the head?”
“Fine,” I said. “I don’t need more potions if that’s what you’re asking.”
Sunshine nodded and she mashed her lips together. “Look…I don’t think you should head back to your apartment after your shift.”
I blinked. “What do you mean?”
“It’s too risky.” Sunshine fiddled with her black gloves. “Gisila has a serious vendetta against you for ruining her plans. She might decide to make a go for you out of spite. You can’t be alone.”
“Bravo, that is exactly what I wished to say.”
I recognized the faint British accent, so I wasn’t surprised when I turned around and found Killian Drake—dressed in a crisp suit with a wool topcoat—approaching me, hand in hand with a bundled-up Hazel Medeis.
I bowed my head. “Your Eminence, Adept Medeis.”
“Thanks for calling, Jade. How are you holding up?” Hazel let go of her husband’s hand so she could get closer to me, peering up into my face as she searched for signs of injury.
“I’m fine,” I said. “There have been no breakthroughs—besides finding proof that Considine was likely given a potionthat rendered him unconscious when Gisila took him, and the possible idea that Gisila might have an oracle under her control.”
Killian checked his cellphone. “I’ve got Drake vampires out looking for him, and my siblings are calling in their own reinforcements. We’ll cross reference with the Cloisters’ efforts, but I imagine as soon as Considine wakes up, he’ll make his presence known. For now, you are my main concern.”
I started to shake my head, until Sunshine loudly cleared her throat. “The only real way to get Considine under control would be to get you, too.”
“But Gisila isn’t doing this to control Considine,” I said. “She wants to break into Tutu’s.”
“Perhaps, but the brownie is right. Gisila hates you. Walking around alone is too great a risk,” Killian said.
“We wanted to invite you to stay with us—in House Medeis,” Hazel said. “Drake Hall would also be plenty safe for you, but it’s out in the country. I figured you’d want to stay within Magiford.”
“That’s a great idea,” Sunshine said. “I was going to say that you should come home with me, but I don’t know if my family would be able to keep you safe.”
“They’re right.” Orrin said, surprising me.
“You’ll be safe inside a wizard house—not even a dragon shifter in their dragon form could touch you there.” Killian shifted and snow melted on his dark hair. “And a rotating basis of Drake vampires are stationed there for additional protection.”
Surprised by the offer, I hesitated.
They’re right. Slayer practices would say I shouldn’t risk being alone now, and wizard Houses are fortified. But…
“Thank you for the kind offer,” I said. “I’ll check in with the Curia Cloisters. If I can’t crash in the department’s break room today, I’ll reach out.”
