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With some difficulty, I hauled it over my head, struggling to thrust my hands through the sleeves then pushing them up because they were way too long for me. The wool smelled of Tao—the musk of wolf combined with exotic wood and Oriental spices—and for some reason it made me feel safe. The world might be going to hell, but I had my friends—and that was all that mattered.
Soft footsteps echoed across the night. I blew out a breath that flicked the sweaty strands of hair away from my forehead, then pressed the button and lowered the window the rest of the way, watching Uncle Rhoan’s approach through the side mirror.
“Have either of you been in there?” he said, his silvery gaze sweeping us both as he leaned down. His expression was dark, to say the least.
“I went in there briefly as an Aedh,” I admitted, knowing it wasn’t the time for all-out lies. “I wasn’t in time to help and there was no one else in there, so I came back out.”
“And you didn’t touch anything?”
“Other than the floor briefly when I shifted shape to see what scents haunted the room, no.”
“Good. Now, would you like to explain just what the fuck you’re doing here?”
I retreated from the anger that was practically boiling from him, even though his voice was calm. “We were just following him.”
“Risa, I said we’d deal with it. You haven’t got the training to handle this sort of stuff.”
I might not be trained, but I sure as hell was more capable than him when it came to sensing soul stealers. I wisely kept the words inside, though. Taking that particular tack wouldn’t gain me anything more than his fury. And he was angry enough as it was.
“Go home, Ris,” he said, slapping the car with his palms. “I’ll contact you when we have any news.”
He stepped back. I glanced at Tao, who grimaced but shoved the car into gear and left.
“Well, that went surprisingly well,” I commented once we were out of earshot.
Tao gave me an incredulous look. “The man was barely resisting the urge to rip you out of the car and spank you!”
“Ah, but he didn’t, so I consider that a win for our side.”
“It’s hardly us and them. You’re on the same side, remember?”
“Yeah, but they won’t let me help.”
“With good reason, I’d say. They’re the professionals, not us.”
“I promised Mom I’d investigate this.” Which wasn’t exactly the truth. All I’d really promised was to see the little girl and advise the parents as to her state. But after seeing her, after feeling what she’d gone through, I couldn’t let the matter drop. Her death haunted me, and her pain wouldn’t ease until I knew who—or what—had caused it.
And stopped them.
“Then what’s our next course of action?”
I smiled at his use of our. Whether I liked it or not, he was going to help, and that was both scary and comforting. “We need to stop and get Ilianna her ice cream.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “I know that.”
I smiled. “Azriel said—”
“Azriel?” Tao interrupted. “As in the reaper? You spoke to him in there?”
“I called him. Apparently he’s tuned to my Chi or something.”
“Oh, that has to be fun,” he muttered darkly. “You have a reaper at your beck and call.”
“Trust me, this is one reaper you would not want to play with.”
He snorted softly. “I can’t see a good reason to be playing with any of them.”
“It’s not like I actually have a choice in this.” And to be fair, neither did he, apparently.
