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It would take them at least a few minutes to get here.

But as a family’s minivan pulled out of the lot, a familiar red Aston Martin became visible.

Cyrus revved the engine, and whipped around the lot to come right up to the front door of Bennie’s Burgers.

The passenger door flung open, Cyrus leaning over to pop it open. “Get in, Ragdoll.”

No fucking way was I going to let her drive me anywhere.

38

TESS

I lingered by the picnic table for a long moment. It couldn’t take that long to walk back to Feverpoint. But Cyrus laid on the horn before shouting through the open door. “You’re burning daylight.”

Fucking bitch.

But despite my distaste, I didn’t see much of a choice other than accepting the ride. If Blade and Nash had sent Cyrus, there must have been a reason.

And it better be a good one.

Frowning, I stood from the table and walked over to the Aston Martin, trying to make out the stern voice mumbling over the car’s speaker. There was no contact name or number on the car display: just the word “UNKNOWN.”

As I plopped into the black leather seat, I slammed the door behind me, earning me a glare from Cyrus. But I didn’t have a chance to ask who was on the other line before Cyrus unmuted herself, lifting one finger to silence me.

“Enough. Tell your fucking masters I won’t play ball.” Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel as her voice took on a lethal edge. “We want answers. Now.”

I took in a deep breath, reminding myself that for once, it wasn’t me that her ire was directed at. But whoever was on the phone was either brave or stupid. Without another word, the line went dead, and Cyrus’s fist came crashing down on the dashboard. “FUCKER.”

My heart pounded as her chest rose and fell. I could see her trying to collect herself, but there was nothing calm about the way she shifted into drive and tore out of Bennie’s parking lot.

Her muttering grew more incensed by the second. “Those fucking assholes. Think they can fuck with me… I’ll fucking… Agh!”

Cyrus’ eyes flicked to me for just a second before returning to the road. Then, she gripped the wheel tighter, taking a deep breath before forcing her shoulders to relax.

“Fucking Oracle pricks won’t give us anything. Jackass birds want us to do their dirty work in the dark and stop asking questions.”

I waited a long moment, uncertain that she was even talking to me until her eyes flicked back to me again.

“Right…” I nodded, unsure how to meet her in her rage. “Could you ask for a meeting with them?”

I wasn’t quite sure how the whole “Oracle” thing worked — it seemed like the Freaks weren’t either — but the side eye from Cyrus told me exactly what she thought of the suggestion.

“Tried that.” She growled, though the sound was only half-committal. Like the surly attitude was a reflex, and acting like a human was a behavior that needed to be learned.

I must have shrunken back in my seat, because she quickly shook her head. “It’s not a bad idea. You just don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And you do?” I raised a brow. This was exactly the reason I’d been hesitant to get into the car. Cyrus’ default setting was venom: without even trying, her words poisoned everything in her vicinity.

“You know I didn’t mean it like that.” She grumbled, taking a hard turn onto the tree-lined path that led to Feverpoint.

“Then how did you mean it? You’re not being very clear.”

“I’m trying to be clear.”

“Well you’re not very good at it.”

She scoffed, as if she was the one who should be offended. But I continued. “How about you don’t ask for my help if you don’t want it.”