While Hansel’s eyes remain flat, an amused smile plays at his lips. “A Were. I’ve never met one before. I thought you were all extinct.” He exaggerates his pronunciation on the last word.
“There are plenty of us left. We just like to stay far away from dickheads like you.”
Hansel’s eyes narrow. He’s used to people groveling in fear around him. I level my own gaze at him, letting him know I’m not scared of him or his psycho sister.
I’m not sure if it’s because he believes me, or the wailing sound of sirens from outside that inspire him, but after a long pause, Hansel removes Gretel’s arm from his shoulder. “Time to go, poppet.”
She pouts, reminding me of an evil gremlin.
“Don’t worry, Red. We’ll catch up. Soon.” Hansel throws over his shoulder as he leaves, Gretel begrudgingly at his heels.
Once they’ve exited the Poison Apple, it’s like a collective breath is let out from all the humans. Chatter starts at a dull buzz as if no one is sure what to do next. But Rap does.
She easily steps up on a stool then onto the bar. Poising two fingers in her mouth, she lets loose an ear-splitting whistle. Everyone quiets.
“Apologies for the interruption, folks. Let’s get this night back on track with some free drinks, shall we?” Then Rap casts a terse nod at Cinder and Goldie who square their shoulders, preparing for the battlefield of liquor hungry freeloaders.
Then Rap jumps down and walks past me and Red toward her office but not before she orders in a steel tone, “Both of you, in my office, now.”
Chapter27
Warding against Danger
RED
Rap is going to fire me.
And then when I try to find another job, she won’t give me a good reference. She’ll tell all prospective employers that trouble follows me. And then I won’t be able to pay for my tuition and I’ll have to either drop out or go back to using magic money to support my human existence. I’ve been so happy, so safe here, I’m not ready to lose it all.
The long walk to Rap’s office feels like a death sentence. I can’t stop trembling. My brain races too hot and fast.
Not to mention, Goldie and Cinder are probably livid, trying to figure out how I’m connected to mages and why we went to the same school together.
“Hey,” a low voice interrupts my doomsday spiral. I look up at Brexley who is staring at me with genuine concern. “Everything is going to be okay.”
“Everything is ruined,” I say, my words coming out in a pained whisper.
We are in Rap’s office with the door closed behind us, before he can respond. We could sit in the two green fabric seats in front of her desk, but I remain standing. Brexley does the same.
Rap leans over to brace her hands on her desk, giving both of us the stink eye.
“What do they want from you?” Rap demands more than asks.
“I don’t know,” I shake my head. I slip my shaking hands in the pockets of my pants to make them steady.
“Look, it’s better if you just tell me—”
“I’m telling you. I honestly don’t know. I’m not exactly friends with the deathly hallows twins as you could see, so I have no idea why they want me.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Brexley adds in a calm, even tone.
Rap heaves a deep sigh and pinches between her eyes.
Here it comes.
“This isn’t going to work,” Rap starts.
I absolutely hate that a hot tear slips out of my eye. Brexley raises a hand as if he wants to comfort me, but then doesn’t. The no touching rule is still in place. The twins sucked away any arousal in my body as effectively as Hansel can drain me dry of liquids.
