Feeling a little anxious, are we? I thought sourly. “It shouldn’t take long. Oh, and I’ll make up a list of in-the-know contacts for you tomorrow. I’d appreciate the same from you.”
Pike’s hands went to his narrow hips, that USB still in his grip. “Okay,” he said slowly, gaze going to Jenks, again hovering impatiently at the window. “But the fewer who know she’s a church mouse, the better. My brothers . . .”
“Won’t be a problem even if they do find out,” I said, eager to end the conversation. “Trust me, I don’t want this getting out any more than you do.”
Nodding, he dropped back, clearly not going to accompany me into the lobby. Trent was inching his way closer and I wanted a shower using my own soap in the worst way.
“Relax, Pike. I’m surprisingly good at keeping secrets,” I said, my smile widening as Trent moved gracefully among the chairs. “Let me see my to-do list.” I held out my hand, and its smooth shape filled my grip, still warm from his body. “I still want coffee when we talk this over. Say . . . Junior’s tomorrow? Noon.”
“Good God, I’m taking meetings with a demon,” he muttered, but he seemed grateful as I tucked the USB in my pocket and headed for the door. A flash of worry went through me at what I had gotten myself into—and then it was gone as I left the room and returned to my life.
“Trent,” I whispered as Jenks dropped down, a hand to his nose as he got a whiff of me. “I am so glad to see you.”
Beaming, Trent stared at my wild hair as he took me in his arms, pulling me almost crushingly close. “My God. I missed you,” he said softly. “Do you want to get something to eat, or just go home?”
Home. It had a whole new meaning now. I wouldn’t let go of him. Tears pricked, and I sniffed them back, saving them for when I was alone in my new tower room that looked out on the city that was mine to protect.
“Rachel?” Trent tightened his grip, and we rocked apart, both of us smiling through the tears. I knew he wouldn’t kiss me here where everyone was watching, but then he pulled me close, and my breath came fast when his lips found mine and I lost myself, pulse racing as my fingers spasmed and he broke from me.
“Good God, find a hole in the ground, will you?” Jenks muttered, but his dust was a clear silver, tingling of magic as it spilled between us.
“Do you have everything? Can we leave?” Trent asked. “I’ve never picked anyone up from jail before. Wow, your hair is . . . amazing,” he added, and Jenks muttered, “Good save, Cookie Man.”
I glanced at the one-way glass, the faint tingling at my neck telling me that Pike was still there. He will always be there, I thought as I turned my back on him and slipped my arm around Trent’s waist. “We can leave,” I said softly. “I have everything I need.”
Jenks’s wings rasped as he darted to the door to run vanguard. I exhaled a breath I felt I’d been holding for six weeks. From beside me, Trent did the same, our fingers tightening on each other.
Sure, Ivy and Nina were still VIP hostages in DC, hopefully oblivious that Constance was a mouse and that Pike and I were playing a careful game. But that was something I was going to change before the sun went down. Secrets were lies, and lies killed friendships. I wasn’t alone. I’d never been alone, and as I walked beside Trent with my head high, I vowed that I wouldn’t let a secret make me alone.
Al, I thought as Trent opened the door for me. I stepped out, shivering despite the sun as Al’s remembered rage slipped through my mind. Alcatraz had been a warning, but it was a warning I wasn’t going to heed, and I wouldn’t apologize for it. Hodin had been there when I needed help, and Al hadn’t. Sometimes it was that simple.
My frown eased as I looked up at the distant buildings, hearing the traffic and breathing the good Cincy air tainted with commerce and the clean smell of the river. It was more than Trent and Jenks coming to pick me up. I could feel the entire city waiting to see what I did next—if I was truly Constance’s plaything, or if perhaps, she was mine. Enough people trusted me, were willing to stand with me, had stood with me. That was more than enough for me to find my courage.
Because this, I decided as Trent held my hand and Jenks flew at my shoulder, this was my home, and from here . . . I could do anything.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kim Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Hollows series, including American Demon, The Witch with No Name, and The Undead Pool. She has published more than two dozen books—from young adult to speculative thriller—has written short fiction for various anthologies, and has scripted two original graphic novels set in the Hollows universe. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook. Kim was born and raised in Michigan and between other projects is currently working on a new Hollows book.
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