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I snapped my fingers. "Because! IPCA helps the Dark Court, and the Dark Court makes sure all the Light Court and other paranormals stay here forever! IPCA never has to lose control. Reth himself said the Light Queen would never attempt to make another Empty One. "
"But even if the Dark Court manages to leave, the Light Court still has you," Lend said.
"It was pretty clear from the conversation we overheard that one way or another I'd be dead. "
Something smashed to the ground. Jack looked at me, all the mugs forgotten. "I'm not going to let anyone kill you. " He grinned. "If I don't get to, no one should. "
"I'm touched. " But I couldn't help smiling back at him.
After a few seconds Lend said, "But what about all these disappearances she has listed? What do they have to do with anything?"
"I wish I knew. " Actually, I kind of wished I didn't know any of this. Lend and I were cursed to the ultimate long-distance relationship, we weren't any closer to Raquel, IPCA had gone crazy, powerful immortal creatures and a covert international government agency were gunning for my death, it looked like I would have to help Reth's side no matter what as the lesser of two evils, and I was pretty sure there was no way I would be getting those car-financing back-pay checks from IPCA now. The rate my luck was holding, Reth'd probably make me a permanent brunette by tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Six
ICE, ICE, BABY
What time is it?" I asked Jack.
He leaned into the kitchen. "We've got about twenty minutes before David's friend said Raquel's trial starts. "
"Do you know where she's being tried?" Lend asked.
"Central Processing. " I tried to keep the sadness out of my voice. At least I wouldn't have a hard time finding it. "I'm going to go to the hearing. "
"What?" Lend, Reth, and Jack all said at the same time.
I shrugged. "Either all IPCA is in on this and we're completely screwed no matter what, or Anne is acting on her own, in which case we might have an advantage with our new information. Regardless, that's the only place we know for sure Raquel will be before she potentially disappears forever. I'm going to go, and I'm going to get her back. "
I expected Lend to freak out, to yell that I couldn't do it and it was too stupid to even consider. Which was why his soft voice saying "Okay" caught me off guard.
"Wait, okay? Seriously?"
"Seriously," he answered. "I want this stupid curse broken more than anything. And I know you need to help Raquel. If anyone can do this, you can. "
I beamed, suddenly flush with warmth that he believed in me that much.
"What can I do?" he asked.
"For this to work, we need to find a computer system to break into. " I looked up at Jack. "I don't suppose either one of you have previously undisclosed hacker abilities?"
Jack shook his head. "Not one of my many talents, sadly. But if you have a cherry stem I can show you a really cool one. "
"I'm not great," Lend said. "You need Arianna. "
"I think you're right. Jack, can you take Lend back and bring Arianna here?"
"But-" Lend started.
"No, there's not anything you can do here. Go back home and figure out what, exactly, your mom and the others want me to do. If I'm going to make a decision about them, I need all the information I can get. Also please put some clothes on because sleeping, nude Lend is a huge distraction I can't deal with right now. "
He laughed. "Okay, fine. Be careful. And come back soon. "
"I will. " I stood and walked into Raquel's bedroom, then into her walk-in closet just to be safe. This wasn't a good time for Lend to pass out.
"I'll be back!" Jack yelled out. I was about to go tell Reth my newest Save Raquel plan when I noticed half her closet was filled with the clothes I'd left behind. It was touching that she'd kept them, and just what I needed to cheer me up. Bleep if I was going to stage a rescue in a freaking pantsuit.
". . . for the unauthorized release of a Level Seven paranormal, for the aiding and abetting of known IPCA fugitives, and for-" Anne's voice grated to a complete stop as I walked into the room.
