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“Why did you go berserker, then?”
“Because the fairy would have killed me and Theo if she’d had a chance.”
“Is the monster in control right now?”
“No.”
His smile was sly. “So you managed to force it back after that fight?”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“Oh, I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m a shifter, and I know about managing those two minds. The point is this: You’re in control, and you always were. And yeah, that thought may not be comfortable. But there is nothing wrong with you.”
His eyes darkened, the blue swirling like dark ocean water. “You are exactly who you should be.”
• • •
Thirty minutes later, Petra, Connor, and I were in an SUV and approaching the site. Yuen, Theo, Claudia, and Gabriel would travel separately, and we’d rendezvous at Aqua, one of the skyscrapers that edged the park. They’d handle the magic and keep an eye on Claudia. We were responsible for helping round up the fairies—or taking Claudia down if this all went bad.
“Nearly there,” said the driver, a vampire named Brody, who was also one of Cadogan’s guards.
Adrenaline began to pump, speeding my blood. The monster knew a fight was brewing, and it knew what I’d been thinking. What I’d been feeling. It waited and it wondered.
We’d had to avoid Lake Shore Drive because of the intrusion, and he cruised up Michigan, which was nearly empty of people because of the relocation. We made it nearly to Randolph when the world rose in front of us.
Michigan Avenue became a hill, soft and green—and right in front of the SUV.
Petra screamed, and Brody slammed on the brakes—and we slammed directly into dirt and grass, the impact throwing all of us forward.
Air bags inflated, and the world went silent but for the roar of blood in my ears.
The prickle of magic and the scent of blood filled the car.
“Is everyone okay?” I asked.
“I’m good,” Connor said, working on his seat belt. “But my neck may never be the same. Check on Petra.”
I fumbled trying to unclip my seat belt, finally managed it, then lurched over the second-row seat to check on her.
There was no visible blood, but her eyes were closed. “Petra?” I patted her cheeks. “Petra? Are you all right?”
She opened one eye. “I’m fine. Why are you yelling at me? Ow.”
“Brody? You okay up there?”
“I’m—” He put a hand to his head, drew it back to find blood. “I’m just cut, I think. But everything’s attached.”
“Warn the other SUV,” I said. “Tell them Michigan is blocked. And let’s get the hell out of this vehicle.”
Connor wrenched open the door, helped Petra and me out of the car. My head spun when my feet touched pavement, but my legs held.
“You’re all right?” Connor asked, tipping up my chin to check my eyes.
“Immortal,” I reminded him.
“But not unbreakable.”
“I’m going to try not to get broken.” It was the best I could do.
