“Please say something,” I whisper, unable to bear the intensity in his dark gray eyes.
“I can’t,” he says softly. “I’m still trying to decide whether you’re hopelessly naïve or… extremely courageous.”
“Can I be the tie-breaker and go with… extremely courageous?”
The barest hint of a smile twitches his lips, and I bounce on my toes, my stomach swirling with nerves. Goddess, I’m like a kid on Christmas, hoping against the odds she’ll find a new bike under the tree instead of the usual five-dollar Starbucks gift card and pair of fuzzy socks…
“Okay, Miss Avery. If youinsiston chasing down trouble, I suppose the least I could do is make sure you arrive there safely.”
“Really? You’ll take me?” I ask, my grin stretching ear-to-ear now.
But before I can kick off the celebratory dancing, Draegan holds up a finger, effectively putting my party on pause.
“But only because I’m heading into the city anyway,” he says.
“Hey, I’ll take it any way I can get it. Got big plans tonight? A date, perhaps?”
Beneath his dark gray skin, a hint of color stains his cheeks, there and gone in a blink. “Hardly. I’ve got a meeting in midtown with another investigator.”
“Are they still harassing you about my so-called missing persons case?”
“Yes, but this is about another matter—the unsolved case of a murdered judge. Not our doing, but the feds have been circling us like vultures anyway.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He rises from the chair and squeezes my shoulder, the briefest flicker of kindness shining in his eyes. “Right now, I just want you to focus on what’s going on with those mages. Gut feelings are important, but you’ll need to keep a clear head tonight, too.”
“Thank you. I will. I promise.” In an uncharacteristic show of appreciation for the broodiest, grumpiest gargoyle to ever brood and grump, I fling myself at him and wrap my arms around his waist, squeezing tight.
He gives me a quick, awkward pat on the head, then says, “Go get changed, then meet me in the car—we need to leave soon or I’ll miss my meeting.”
“Can we fly?”
“No.”
“Can I drive?”
“No.”
“What? Why not?”
“Aren’t you a little young to have a license?” he teases.
“Aren’t you a littleoldto have a license? That salt-and-pepper hair of yours is looking a little saltier these days. When was your last vision test, anyway? Elderly drivers are a danger to themselves and others.”
“If that’s how you feel, perhaps you should stay home tonight after all. I wouldn’t want you to compromise your impeccable safety standards by getting into the car with an ancient—”
“Never mind, never mind.” I flash a beatific smile. “This is my shutting-up-and-showing-respect-for-my-elders face.”
“Hmm. You’realmostcute when you do that.” He rolls his eyes and turns on his heel, bringing up his human glamour, impeccably suited-and-tied, as always. “The car leaves the garage in five minutes, Miss Avery. With or without you.”
Chapter Eighteen
JUDE
“You know the best part about a hard night’s work?” I take a liberal puff of my witchweed ciggy, grinning as the potent herb buzzes through my bloodstream. Fast-acting stuff, that. “Smoke breaks.”
Next to me, Auggie leans back against the metal prep counter and sighs. “Personally, I could use a drink. Should’ve brought a flask. Mental note for next time.”
