Page 120 of Villainous Rise

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“Interesting,” he said. “Very well, Annie. I’ll look into your deaths.”

I couldn’t help the small sigh of relief that escaped me. Whatever game Wraith was playing, at least he’d agreed to help. That was all that mattered.

Havoc gave me a questioning look when I went to retrieve him but I just shook my head.

“He agreed to help us,” I said softly as we approached the view screen.

Havoc nodded, his posture relaxing slightly. “I’ll send over all the data we’ve collected so far,” he told Wraith’s shadow.

“I have one condition,” Wraith’s modulated voice cut through the room.

My body tensed immediately, the brief moment of relief evaporating. I should have known it wouldn’t be that simple.

Havoc scowled. “What condition?”

The shadow on the screen shifted, and I had the distinct impression Wraith was leaning forward, focusing directly on me rather than Havoc.

“I’ll only communicate with Annie,” he said. “All information, all updates, all communications, they go through her alone.”

I blinked in surprise, my mouth falling slightly open. Me? Why would he want to deal exclusively with me? Unless he was just toying with us. Trying to see how much he could rattle us.

“That’s not how we operate,” Havoc said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. “Annie is my Keeper, not a field agent.”

“Those are my terms,” Wraith replied, seemingly unmoved by Havoc’s tone. “She becomes my point of contact, or I walk away. Your choice.”

“I can handle it,” I said quietly to Havoc.

Havoc was clearly unhappy with Wraith’s demand, but we both knew we needed this information.

“I don’t like this arrangement,” Havoc said finally. “But given the circumstances, I’ll agree to your condition.”

The shadow on the screen shifted slightly. “A wise decision. Send the files directly to the secure channel I’ll provide. I’ll be in touch.”

With that, the screen went dark, the stylized “W” flashing briefly before disappearing. The abrupt end to the transmission left the room feeling oddly empty.

I leaned against Havoc’s desk, trying to process what had just happened.

“What’s his deal?” I asked. “Why me specifically?”

Havoc ran a hand through his hair, his expression troubled. “I wish I knew. Wraith has always been particular.”

I frowned at him, my curiosity piqued. “What exactly did you promise him last time? What’s the payment he’s asking for?”

He turned away, busying himself with shutting down the secure communication system.

“For your own safety, I’m not going to tell you.”

Well, that wasn’t ominous at all. Nothing says “everything’s fine” quite like your almost immortal, chaos-wielding dad refusing to tell you something for your “safety.”

“That’s not fair,” I protested. “I’m the one who has to work with him now. Shouldn’t I know what I’m getting into?”

Havoc faced me, his blue eyes unnervingly intense. “Annie, there are some things in this world even I don’t mess with. Wraith is one of them.”

“But—”

“No.” His tone left no room for argument. “Just be careful with him. Don’t volunteer information. Don’t make promises. And for god’s sake, don’t try to outsmart him.”