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“We have,” Groza said, her voice growing sharper. “They said they wanted to speak to her, or at least that’s what Lola, who seemed to be running the show, said.” Groza and Duncan both turned and stared at me.
What? Did they think I had some idea of why they wanted me? Like I was behind this?
“I can’t even begin to imagine why they’d want to talk to me. I’ve never spoken to them, ever.”
“Well, they won’t giveuswhat we need. They wantyouto go collect it,” Groza said, as if spinning her web of lies once again. And who was falling for it? Duncan. I could see it in the wariness of his gaze.
I hated her. No, that was an understatement. When I saw her, my blood turned into the poison she’d tried to kill me with.
A rage filled me. I didn’t care how dark this meeting turned.
Suddenly Death was in the room with us, standing beside Groza. I jerked in surprise.
Kicks rested a hand on my shoulder, physically checking in.
I looked up at him, giving a tiny shake of my head, trying to tell him I was okay. It wasn’t as if I could tell him Death was standing beside Groza, eyeing her up like she were a rump roast cooked to perfection.
Death hadn’t come with her booming steps that usually preceded someone dying. But when she turned her gaze from Groza to me and grinned slightly, it was all too clear. The slightest nod and Death would kill her. That was it—one sign from me, Groza would be dead, and no one would ever know why.
Death was granting me a favor. The biggest threat to my life would be dead in seconds if I chose.
“What?” Groza said. “Can’t even come up with a good lie?”
Duncan was saying something to Groza, trying to get her to soften her insult. I barely paid them any attention, more concerned with the choice I had.
One. Little. Nod. That was all it would take.
I felt Kicks squeeze my shoulder, silently checking in again as he tried to figure out what was wrong with me. Duncan was watching as well, as if he too sensed something was going on beyond his awareness.
Groza carried on some more, but her words did not matter. The only thing that counted was Death, who waited for a sign.
I shook my head slightly, declining Death’s offer. It wasn’t because I didn’t want Groza’s death on my hands. After she’d tried to kill me, I wasn’t sure it would be wrong to finish her off. As long as this woman was alive, she’d try to kill me, and I knew that for a certainty.
No, the problem was that being indebted to Death didn’t seem like the right move. What kind of IOU would she hold after she killed my arch-nemesis? Everything had a price, and this one could be steep. I wasn’t willing to risk finding out what the cost was after the deed was done.
Death shrugged, as if she didn’t really care either way, and then she was gone again.
“What is the deal with her now?” Groza said. “Is she becoming deaf and mute on top of being useless?”
Duncan stepped in front of her, and I wasn’t sure what he said. I didn’t care. I didn’t want Duncan acting as if he needed to intervene for me. He didn’t. Kicks had also edged closer, as if he were going to rip the two of them apart.
But I was free. I didn’t live in her pack anymore. She held no power over me, only what I allowed. Groza didn’t realize it, but I’d spared her life moments before, and even now, I could sense a weird burning in my fingers that might’ve turned her into a pile of gray crumbs.
I stepped forward, making sure I was the sole focal point of Groza’s when I spoke. She needed to see my face, my eyes, and know that I held no fear or reverence of her. Duncan stepped back a little, as if he could feel some other force building in the room.
“If you want my help, I’d lose that look of condemnation and superiority. I don’t owe you anything. I came here as a favor.To be honest, you didn’t deserve to be heard out after the many things you’ve done.”
“I haven’t—”
“Stop,” I said, and she did. “I’m done speaking with you. I’m going to leave now, but know this: I could’ve killed you tonight but I spared you. If you cross me again, I won’t.”
Rage flared in her eyes and she jerked her arm forward, as if she had thoughts of grabbing me but didn’t.
I looked down at her hand, the one back at her side, and then met her glare.
“That might’ve been the best choice you’ve ever made.”
“You can figure out your own problem.” Kicks was by my side, a hand on my back, encouraging me to leave. He didn’t need to put the effort out. I was leaving on my own.
