“Yeah, we complete each other, two halves of a magical golden amulet coming together,” I tried to joke but my words came out flat and sharp. I didn’t disagree with what she said. In fact, it made a lot of obvious sense that all the Orders seemed to miss. But I didn’t like the feeling of her talking about my life like she knew me.
Mika shook her head, a smile tugging up at one corner of her mouth. “Not two halves, you are two wholes that belong together so you can both amplify into so much more.”
I grabbed my bag off the ground and pulled it into my lap. “Thanks so much for the reading. I really appreciate it, but I got to get going.”
Mika cleared her throat and began rapidly twisting the ring on her forefinger again. “It was a really good reading though. Epic even.” She gave me an uncertain smile.
In my haste to stand and get away, I stopped myself. “Thank you, seriously,” I said, putting as much sincerity into my voice as I could. “I really appreciate the gift. This was way better than you trying to kidnap or kill me.”
Her nose wrinkled as she reared back. “What?”
“Maybe have your brother give you the cliff notes on some of the things you’ve missed,” I said. After two steps I paused and turned back. “Actually, if you could tell your brother about all that destiny of love stuff that would be great.” She gave me the thumbs up and I headed toward my car. Calan fell into step with me.
“Are you okay?” he asked in a low voice.
Thankfully I was saved by a phone call on the company cell. That meant we had a job.
I flashed him a grin.
10
"This isn’t a good idea,” I said, walking down the locker-lined hallways of the high school.
In the car, Emma had changed into her combat clothes. I’d convinced don to add a plate armor chest protector, leading by example by putting mine on as well. It could be an easy in and out job, but I wasn’t willing to chance anything.
Next to me, her Kukri in hand, I had to admit she looked a force to contend with. That didn’t mean I wasn’t prepared to tie her up, throw her in the car, and take her home.
“Krystan and Travis deserve time off with the baby, and my godson is going to need a college fund.” She paused. “Or more likely therapy. Lots and lots of therapy.”
“Because of his celebrity mashup name? Or because of who his parents are?”
“Yes. The answer is yes.”
The farther we went into the school, the more on edge we became, careful not to make any noise. Yet classroom after classroom, we found no sign of a threat.
“How many did he say were in here?” I asked Emma. She’d been the one to speak to the principle, who said the kids had spotted a demon dog roaming the halls. They’d quickly evacuated the school, and by the time we got there, everyone was gone.
“Just the one, but isn’t that strange? I thought demon dogs traveled in packs?”
I nodded. “In most cases yes, but in their new environment who knows what patterns they are evolving toward.”
“Why are most of the lights out?” I asked.
“Apparently, it’s part of their evacuation procedure? Turn off the lights as the leave the school,” Emma said. Some illumination came in through various skylights but the hallways were mostly shadowed.
“Want me to turn them on?” Emma whispered.
I shook my head. It would attract attention to us, and I was still betting on the element of surprise.
A thud followed by some scratching came from off on our left. I stopped, throwing my arm in front of Emma. She tossed my makeshift barrier a pointed look of displeasure. I dropped my arm.
When the door swung open to a classroom on our left, I raised my broadsword as I stepped in between Emma and the threat, ready to cut it down.
“Calan,” Emma screamed.
I halted my swinging motion just in time as a young teenager threw his arms up to protect his face.
If I hadn’t already been on edge, I certainly was now.
