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Her lips twist with displeasure. “I’m coming with you.”
I lean down to kiss the corner of her frown. “Of course you are.”
As I straighten, Marc joins us, and his gaze jumps from Pen to me. “What’s going on?”
“Chief Lynch has some questions.” I motion for us to head toward the stairs. “He’s requested we debrief him on our progress.”
Now Marc’s expression matches Pen’s. “And we’re just going to roll over and say, “Yes, sir”?”
“This affects more than just us. All of Clearhelm is at risk.” I catch Marc stifling a yawn. “You need to get some more rest before your shift at the cabin tonight. We can drop you off on the way.”
Marc hesitates but nods, running a hand through his hair. “Keep me updated if something else comes up, and don’t let Lynch guilt you into falling in line.”
“Pen will be there to kick me under the table if I start making promises,” I assure him.
“I’ll call a car to take me to the Bone Yard.” Marc brings out his phone and brings up an app. “No reason for you to have to double back to city hall just to drop me off.”
Pen catches his hand. “Text when you arrive at the Harbor, so we know you made it there safely.”
“Deal.” He pulls her in for a quick kiss before we part ways and head for the SUV.
As I drive, Pen seems lost in thought, her fingers drumming on her thigh.
I place my hand over hers. “There was nothing we could have done for Tammy.”
“I know.” Her restlessness stills. “But it worries me. What if Pride has already been killed, too, and we don’t know it? Bailey’s life could be the only thing standing in the way of the Wild Hunt.”
A shiver goes down my spine. “That’s a terrifying thought.”
“At least we know where he is.” She stares out the window. “I’m worried the wards won’t work against the black dog. Or Bailey’s going to do something stupid.”
“We have to hope he values his life enough to listen. Short of incapacitating him, there’s no other way to make sure he stays put.” When she remains silent, I squeeze her hand. “No breaking Bailey’s legs.”
“I wasn’t thinking that,” she says, but I hear the lie under the words.
With another squeeze, I return my hand to the wheel as city hall comes into view, and I concentrate on parking.
Chief Lynch has an office at the Clearhelm Police Department, but he spends most of his time here, kissing up to the elected officials.
Inside, the familiar bustle of activity comforts me with the reminder that, despite everything going on outside, everyday life continues.
We weave our way through the building, heading toward the back, when Julian steps into our path from an open door on the right.
The incubus, who acts as a liaison between the Others and humans, wears his white hair short on the sides and long on top, with a hint of pink at the tips of his curls. Matching pink eyes sweep over us, and a mouth made for pleasure curves in welcome.
“Congratulations on winning the mayoral election, Sharpe.” He claps me on the shoulder, while his voice fills me with a desire for nights on the beach surrounded by a silk-draped cabana. “It will be good to have someone in the seat who actually gives a damn about Others.”
“Oh, I appreciate that.” His words catch me off guard. With everything else going on, the election got pushed to the back of my mind. “However, I’m still considering whether it’s the right move for me.”
“Ahh.” Dismay crinkles his brow. “That’s understandable, but unfortunate to hear. The High Council hasn’t been too happy with what’s happened under Berdherst’s and Bailey’s command, and they’ve threatened not to honor the accord if the next mayor is cut from the same cloth.”
My stomach drops. The accords struck after the Resurgence are part of what has kept the balance between the Others and humans.
If it no longer holds, there’s nothing to stop demons from flooding the human world in search of a more habitable biome. Nothing to stop them from displacing the humans who occupy those places, either, which would lead to the war we’ve all been desperately trying to prevent.
Worry fills me. “Are the accords so fragile?”
“A lot of promises were made that have not been upheld.” He glances down the hallway toward Lynch’s and the mayor’s offices. “The agreements have already been breached on the human side, but the High Council doesn’t want another war. Someone like you as mayor would help mend their faith.”
