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poked each other at seeing the handcuffs. Ivy nixed it, though, pulling Nick s truck into Burger-rama
saying that Squirrel s End smelled like us, and only the sanitation practices of a fast food place would
hide that we d been there and stop the trail cold.
Whatever. I was bone-tired, aching from our street brawl, and thirsty enough to down a two-liter bottle
of Coke by myself. And why in hell hadn t I at leastbrought my pain amulet? It had been stupid going out
like this. God help me, but if the Weres didn t kill me, I could probably do it myself.
Brett and I both jumped at the high-pitched shriek from the kid at the top of the slide behind him, and
our eyes met briefly. The primary-colored play equipment was literally crawling with screaming,
runny-nosed kids in open winter coats, throwing the tops that came with the mini-meals this week at each
other.
My pulse slowed, and as Jenks charmed the ladies behind the counter into flustered goo, I tried to look
cool and professional among the plastic toys and paper hats. It wasn t going to happen, so I tried for
dangerous. I think I managed cranky when several children went wide-eyed and silent after passing my
table. My hand lifted to hide the scrape on my face I got hitting the pavement, and I tried again to brush
my jeans free of the dirt from the alley. Maybe I looked worse than I thought.
Brett looked great, having sat most of the scuffle out. The clean smell of woodsy aftershave came from
him, and the light glinted on the silver of his short hair. Though small, he looked like he could lope from
there to the state line without stopping apart from the cuffs.
I smelled the hot meadowy scent of Jenks before I saw him, and I straightened, sliding down to make
room. Jenks set the cardboard tray with two large coffees and a weenie-sized cup of steaming water that
was an odd shade of pink onto the table.Herbal tea? I thought, claiming a coffee. Since when did Jenks
like herbal tea?
I looked up from trying to pry the lid off my cup when Jenks pulled it out from my fingers.  Hey! I said,
and he put the lame cup of pink water in front of me.  I don t want tea, I said indignantly.  I want
coffee.
 Diuretic. Jenks sat beside Brett.  It will do more harm than good. Drink your decaf tea.
Remembering our argument and thinking this was his way of getting back at me, my eyes narrowed.  I
almost died back there, I said irately.  If I want a damn coffee, I m going to have a damn coffee.
Daring him to protest, I took my coffee with a huff.
Brett watched the exchange with interest. Eyebrows high, he reached for the second coffee, and Jenks
intercepted his reach. The Were hesitated, then settled into his plastic seat with nothing.  What are you
going to do with me, ma am? he said, the light twang in his voice obvious among the midwestern accents
around us.
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How in hell should I know? Oh, I ve got big plans for you, I lied, surprised at the ma am.  Jenks wants
to string you up as an object lesson. I m halfway to letting him have his wish. I leaned back, tired.  It
works great when he murders garden fairies.
Brett glanced warily at Jenks who was nodding zealously and I felt a weary lassitude slip over me.
Crap. Why did the Brimstone pick now to wear off? A chill ran through me, tight on the heels of the idle
thought that taking it to get through this week might not be a bad idea.
The Were s eyes traveled over me, hesitating at my torn turtleneck before rising to my face. From there,
they never moved, but his focus kept shifting as he monitored the room by the sounds behind him. It gave
me the creeps.
I sent my eyebrows up wishing yet again that I could do the one eyebrow thing casually tearing three
packets of sugar open at once and dumping them in not because I liked it but because the coffee smelled
that old.  I know where it is, I said lightly.
Just the fact that Brett didn t move said volumes. Jenks scowled, clearly not liking what I was doing, but
I didn t want a hostage. I wanted to send Brett back with a message that would buy me some time and
space. Now that the island Weres knew we were still in Mackinaw, they would keep looking until they
found us. That we had Brett for a hostage wouldn t stop them he had screwed up royally, and unlike
the fairies that Jenks was used to dealing with, I think the Weres would just as soon see him dead but
maybe a show of goodwill and a big fat lie would buy us time enough to get my con in place.
I hoped.
 Sparagmos told you where it is, Brett said, his disbelief obvious.
 Of course he did, Jenks said, breaking his silence.  We ve got it, and you don t.
Na, na, na, na-a-a-a, na.  I can put my hands on it, I amended, nudging Jenks s foot.Shut up, Jenks . I
liked him better quiet. This was the last time we took a hostage.
Brett looked relaxed even though his one hand was cuffed under the table. Behind him, kids were
fighting, hurting my ears.  Give it to me, he said.  I ll take it to Mr. Vincent and convince him to leave
you alone.
Jenks jerked into motion, reaching for Brett. The Were blocked it. Someone hit a coffee and it spilled.
Gasping, I stood when it threatened to run into my lap.  Damn it, Jenks! I swore, pulling every eye to
us.  What in hell are you doing?
The restaurant was abruptly silent. A unified,  Ooooh, rose from the ball pit, and I flushed. Clear in the
silence, the person coming over the loudspeaker wanted to know if he could substitute bottled water for
the pop. I winced apologetically to the offended mothers speaking in hushed voices to their soccer-mom [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]