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I peeked hesitantly out, scanning up and down the street to make sure the faerie really was gone, then sat down. My heart was racing.
"Did you know her?" David asked, frowning.
"No! Never seen that one in my life. "
"I wonder what she was doing here. "
Reth's warning about my safety flashed through my mind. "Looking for me?"
"I dunno," Arianna said, tracing patterns into a thin sheen of ketchup she'd poured onto the table. "She didn't really look like she was searching for anything. She just sort of walked down the street casually, not even looking from side to side. "
"It can't be a coincidence. How many faeries do you get here?"
David shrugged. "I have no idea, actually. For all Arianna and I know, she could be here constantly. She looked like a normal person to me. "
"Hotter, though," Arianna added. "So should we tell you any time we see someone who's really hot?"
I glared at her. "Yeah, that'd be really helpful, thanks. "
"Still, you're right. This is unusual. " David frowned thoughtfully. "I'll ask Nona about it. "
"Fat lot of help she'll be. "
"Why?"
I shrugged. "There've been a lot of weird paranormals in here lately. And Lend and I caught her talking with Reth in the kitchen the other night. "
"Really? That . . . that is weird. " Scratching at his stubble, David stood up. "I'll go talk with her right now. Been meaning to, anyway. I still haven't been able to see Cresseda, and Raquel was saying something about missing fire and earth elementals. " He gazed at a spot on the wall, lost in his own thoughts, then shook his head and smiled reassuringly at me. "I always want you to feel safe here, Evie, and you know I'll do whatever I can to make sure that's possible. "
"Thanks. "
Brilliant. Just what I needed-further confirmation that something was going on. And even less of an idea what it was. I stood and turned to go up to the apartment, only to find Grnlllll standing by the counter, black eyes staring intently at me. Then, she did the creepiest thing I'd ever seen her do.
She smiled.
Something was definitely up.
Chapter Seventeen
Grim Prospects
I'm not sure I should go. "
Jack rolled his eyes, stepping into my room all the way and letting the door close behind him. "Is this because of your jumpy boyfriend?"
Lend had texted me a couple of times since Monday, but he wouldn't get here until tomorrow night. It felt like I was betraying him again, going out on a mission Thursday afternoon. On the other hand, he knew I was working with IPCA. And I hadn't told him I'd stop.
"I don't know," I muttered.
"Look, if you don't want to come, no big deal. I'm sure those families being held captive as troll slaves will totally understand that you're moping because of your stupid relationship problems. "
I glared at him. "Fine. " I'd agreed to this troll mission from the very beginning when Raquel asked me to come back, and they'd finally pinned down the area of the city where they thought the trolls were. Jack had been there with a faerie the day before to scope out sites to make a door. It'd be low impact, in and out. I didn't have to confront anyone or anything, just see a troll, note the location, and report back to IPCA. I was helping people. It was important.
Feeling grouchy and sick to my stomach, I stood up and took Jack's hand. I resisted the temptation to close my eyes as we entered the Paths. Maybe if I pretended not to be scared, I'd get over it. Jack seemed unusually eager, pulling me along.
"Your hand is all sweaty," I complained, wishing I could take mine out of his to wipe it on my pants. "Nervous or something?"
He let out a quick, high laugh, but didn't answer. After a few minutes he slowed, frowning in concentration as he held a hand up and felt around the nothingness.
