“Yeah, big deal, I’m a nutcase who sees the past,” Rory snapped. “Who cares? My magic’s worthless outside the antiques shop.”
“Not worthless,” Arthur said tightly. “Priceless. What if you can see how the relics were created—and how to unlock their magic again?”
Rory sucked in a breath. “Nah, that’s impossible, I couldn’t scry a relic.”
“Are you certain?” Arthur said fiercely. “You went into the ring. A little more control next time and maybe you see what you want?”
Rory shook his head rapidly. “What if I start scrying and can’t get back out? I wouldn’t even try.”
“Maybe not,” said Arthur. “Or maybe Gwen sees your magic and decides to tell Mansfield what you can do, and they force you to scry relics until there’s nothing left of your sanity for me to overprotect.”
Rory’s stomach clenched. “I wouldn’t—”
“Mansfield would make you.” Arthur’s face had gone hard. “Torture is feared for a reason, Theodore, and I will be damned before I let it happen to you.”
Rory swallowed hard, but it was him or all the innocent people in New York. “I’m not gonna put the city in danger to save my own skin,” he said tightly. “You’re gonna take me, and if you don’t, I’ll break into Mansfield’s place myself. And good luck opening that safe before me and Jade.”
Arthur froze. He looked over at Jade.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “But Rory’s right. That relic controls thetide, Ace. If Rory wants to help us, if he can crack that safe, we owe it to millions of New Yorkers to let him.”
Arthur sucked in a breath. He looked between Jade and Rory, and his jaw tightened. “I’m getting a drink. Andneitherof you is invited.” He stormed out of the study—straight through the shimmering image of Zhang’s reappearing astral projection.
Rory scrambled around Zhang. “Get back here, Arthur!”
“No magic lurking in Hell’s Kitchen,” Zhang called behind Rory’s back. “Your Mrs. Brodigan is fine. Apparently, the action was here.”
“Apparently.” Jade raised her voice. “You might give Ace a moment, Rory.”
“He’s being so stubborn! And he’s treating me like a child when he’s acting like one—”
“He’ll see reason—he’ll understand he must let you help,” she said. “But this is hard for him. He’s good at throwing himself into danger. Terrible at letting anyone else take a risk.”
Rory huffed but paused at the study’s open pocket doors. He looked at Jade suspiciously over his shoulder.
“He’ll come back,” she promised.
Rory folded his arms. “He better.” He wanted Arthur back, and not just to yell at him for stomping away. The thought of breaking into that room with the amulet had his skin crawling, and he already missed Arthur’s steadying presence.
He went to the table and picked up his tumbler, pretending his hands were steady. “Mrs. B.’s really okay?” he said to Zhang.
He nodded. “No one followed her home from church. No one was near her place.”
Rory let out a breath. “Thanks,” he said, chest tight. Gwen had told that Mansfield fella Mrs. Brodigan was harmless. Maybe there was a chance they’d leave her alone. “What’d it mean to you that Gwen wants a list of German buyers?” he said to Jade. “Is it ’cause of the war?”
“In a sense.” Jade slipped off her heels, and Zhang’s projection settled at her side as she tucked her legs up on the settee. “Gwen has a score to settle with a German baron.” She added, in a darker tone, “And make no mistake, this baron wronged her.”
“We don’t know if Zeppler’s name is on that list,” said Zhang. “But she could be setting a trap.”
“He’d deserve it.” Jade pulled her legs in tighter, curling up next to Zhang in her men’s trousers. “Baron Zeppler killed two of our friends, including the love of Gwen’s life, and left her suffocated by her own magic. I wouldn’t mind a clear shot at him myself.”
Rory swallowed. “Lucky us, the subordinate paranormals,” he said stiffly.
“If it’s any comfort, I’ve been stuck out of my body on the astral plane,” said Zhang. “The first time I touched a relic, it took me days to find my way back.”
“And if I were ever foolish enough to touch a relic, my magic might kill everyone unfortunate enough to be nearby,” Jade added. When Rory winced, she gave him a sympathetic smile. “It’s what happened to our friend Philippe. Ace didn’t want to tell you that Philippe killed another paranormal and himself after a relic corrupted his fire magic.”
Rory sighed. “Guess the relics are bad news for all of us.” He dropped into one of the chairs around the study’s large table. “Maybe I should find them all so we can bury ’em at the bottom of the sea.”
