Page 90 of Eight of Swords, Part Two

‘He’s... y’know.’ Rike seems a little annoyed. ‘Kade, come on.’

The shift in Kade is immediate. He squares himself to Rike as though Riley were standing behind him. ‘What the fuck are you talking about?’

Rike gives Kade a wide-eyed look. ‘That he’s... y’know.’

‘Stop saying that!’

‘OK, well, I don’t wanna say it out loud,’ Rike snaps in a harsh whisper, shooting an emphatic look at the doors. ‘He hears everything!’

‘Tell me what you think you know,’ Kade demands, watching carefully for the answer even if it’s not given verbally, ‘about Riley.’

‘I feel like we’re talking about two different things, man.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘That he’s not human,’ Rike tells Kade, almost no voice behind it, only mouth and breath, as if that’ll help keep it secret. ‘Riley isn’t human.’ He stares at Kade, seeking recognition. ‘Seriously?’

Kade struggles to reconcile what he expected Rike to say, something worth punching him for, with what he actually said. Rike is a good guy, but Kade thought the same of Seth.

‘Riley’s human.’

Rike gives Kade a look of deferential pity. ‘Whatever you say.’

The doors of the Watch open before Kade can put breath behind further questioning. Rike heads quickly inside, dodging Kade, no doubt by design.

Riley is waiting with Cole and Finn when Kade follows Rike.

‘Status update?’ Riley asks Rike.

‘Estimated two days until full repairs are complete, sir. No structural damage. Minimal replacements.’

‘Heard.’ Riley gives a nod. ‘Dismissed.’

Rike seems relieved.

Kade waits until he’s gone before speaking.

‘Did you hear that?’ he asks Riley.

Riley is reading something on-screen. ‘Hear what?’

Kade knows better than to push. Riley either did hear and doesn’t want to talk about it in front of Cole and Finn, or he genuinely didn’t and Kade should shut the fuck up.

Either way, it can wait, and Rike was clearly talking shit.

‘Never mind.’

‘So. Tonight.’

It throws Kade instantly. ‘Tonight... what?’

‘Tanner wants to take you to the Estate.’ Riley points at something on-screen and Cole nods, typing fast, blue monitor light shifting across his brown face. ‘Tell me your thoughts.’

Two paths lie ahead.

Kade walks the less-trodden way.

‘I want to go, but I know you don’t want me to.’