“Gisila did this to intimidate me,” I said. “If I don’t wear the mask and I’m open about my work, I take her power away.”
“And leave yourself open to acts of revenge from those you deal with on your shift,” Mom said.
“My teammates face the same possibility,” I said. “They don’t hide their faces.”
“Yes, but your teammates all have Packs, Families, Houses, and Courts that can keep them safe,” Mom said. “You are a lone slayer in Magiford. You don’t have anyone you can trust in.”
“I’m not alone,” I automatically said, and then was pleased when I realized it was true. “Sunshine checks in on me and…” I kept my eyes glued on the screen. “I have a partner, now.”
Mom pressed her lips together and shook her head.
“Considine?” I broke and peered up at the vampire.
“The idea has merit,” Considine finally said. “But only because you are one of the most competent slayers I’ve met in my long existence.” He stared at my kitchen countertop, thinking. “We can take advantage of the many weaknesses Killian’s One gives him, and make it clear you are considered his ally.”
“Weaknesses?” I asked.
“He can’t be uncaring about humans anymore,” Considine said. “His One won’t stand for that kind of conduct. We need to get you to meet her…”
“Killian Drake’s One is his wife, Hazel Medeis, right?” I asked. “I met her—when we were dealing with House Tellier.”
“You met her professionally, but now you need her to take an interest in you,” Considine said. “You might as well meetthe Dracos offspring as long as they’re kicking up their heels in Magiford.”
“Dracos, as in the offspring of Ambrose Dracos?” Mom asked, eliciting a jump from me. I’d half-forgotten she was still listening.
Considine nodded to my laptop screen. “I am…involved in their lives. In theory they are powerful. In practice they aren’t very useful, except for the usage of their name. If we flaunt Jade’s connection to the upper echelon of vampires, that will eliminate the possibility of any half-intelligent vampire attacking her. Jade is competent. She can handle the stupid ones.”
“And what about werewolves? Vengeful wizards? Fae?” Mom asked.
“I already said I have shields in place over my apartment,” I said.
“Yes,” Considine agreed. “But not the strongest. I’ll get some fae out to complete additional ones.”
“You think that will be enough?” my mom asked.
Considine shrugged. “I am next door. I don’t think you or Jade would appreciate my other suggestions.”
“No, probably not,” Mom agreed. “Jade, are you okay with this? He’s pushing in.”
She means he’s pushing into my life.
I was surprised she was daring to bring it up in front of him, but it wasn’t like he was hiding his intent to enter my life, either.
Considine watched me, his gaze producing a weight on my shoulders I was determined not to show.
“I’ve trusted him to watch my back,” I said. “He likes playing games, but he won’t mess around with my life. Though that’s about the only thing I can trust from him.”
That hadn’t been true when we first met. He’d enjoyed ambushing me and half killing me to entertain himself.However, since we’d worked together to take down a giant snake that had attacked the downtown area, he’d grown much more…careful with me.
It was a carefulness I hadn’t trusted, but it seemed unlikely he’d joined the task force to try to kill me when he could have done so anytime he wanted as my next-door neighbor.
“Understood,” Mom said. “In that case, discarding the mask is an effective plan, but I’d suggest you think more about it before putting it into action.” Her eyes went beyond the computer—likely looking at whatever hallway Dad had disappeared down. “I’ll tell your father, but we’ll follow your decision.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Mom’s face softened, and she smiled at me. “Of course, Sweetie. Be careful. Remember, the entire O’Neil clan and the Carters will come for you if we get even a hint that you’re in trouble.”
I’m pretty sure that was a warning for Considine, not me.
