I’m just a child and this is a matter for the Elder’s Council.
“I know this git down in New Orleans,” Keegan answers. “We aren’t exactly on friendly terms, but he might know something.”
“You think?” Shaye asks hopefully. “Would he help us?
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Keegan says looking sinister. “But he’s got his hands deep into the underworld. If there’s a guy out there taking jobs like this, he’ll know. We’ll have to make a personal appearance though if we want him to talk.”
Shaye’s in no condition to travel. That means I have to go. Pratt will never allow it. How would I explain the trip anyway? The truth is too ludicrous to consider. I contemplate my options. I don’t really have any. I have to go if there’s any chance it will help Shaye. I’ll probably be expelled, but it’s worth the risk.
“New Orleans, huh?” I ask.
“Aye. It’s home to many unsavory creatures of the underworld,” Keegan tells me. “The place is bathed in superstition and paranormal activity. It’s easy for them to blend in. No one asks too many questions or looks too hard.”
**********
“I need your help.”
“Do you now?” Nik asks, playing coy as he fills a mug with wolf’s blood. How fitting. “And what do I get in return?”
“My undying gratitude,” I tell him, trying to ignore his salacious gaze and failing epically. A glance at my reflection shows my cheeks have turned a deep shade of crimson. “I’m serious, Nik.”
I tell him about Keegan’s theory as we feed, devouring our lunch. He’s not as receptive as I’d hoped he would be. I’ll have to work on that.
“Why don’t you call your uncle and tell him what you suspect?” Nik suggests.
“And what? Tell him we hacked The Dwyer Group?” I ask, rolling my eyes. “Beauty idea! Might as well tell him I’m pulling a C in Chem while I’m at it.”
“Katia.” His tone implies that’s exactly what I should do. Like he’d walk away if it were one of his friends in trouble. Fat chance!
“No way,” I argue. “He’d never take us seriously anyway.”
“You’re worried about telling him your grades, but you’re willing to risk expulsion for a wild goose chase? You do know that makes absolutely no sense, right?”
“For Shaye? Yeah, I’d risk it.”
“Well, I can’t very well let you go alone, can I?” Nik asks, leaning in. When he does, his unruly hair slips over his eyes and the effect is unnerving. He looks up at me from under his dark lashes and I see worry in his eyes. I’m touched by Nik’s concern. Plus, he looks totally hot when he’s in protective mode.
“Afraid I’ll have all the fun?” I ask, trying to downplay the emotions roiling between us.
“Exactly,” he says, smirking. “Can’t have that, can we?”
“Well, don’t worry. I won’t be going alone,” I assure him. “Keegan is going with me.”
“No way,” Nik protests, looking put out. “You aren’t going to New Orleans with him. You barely know him. And what if Pratt finds out? Or your uncle?”
“I can’t worry about that right now. You can come with us, but Keegan is going,” I tell him firmly. “Without him, we’re nowhere. He’s not going to give up his contact. Plus, he says the guy would never talk to us anyway, which is probably true considering the fact that I think he’s probably a criminal.”
“All the more reason for you to stay here,” Nik reasons, “where it’s safe.”
I can’t believe he’s really going to try and play that card. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!
“I don’t have time for this macho pissing contest stuff. I’m going and Keegan’s going. End of story. Besides, he’s Shaye’s boyfriend so you have nothing to worry about.” I remind him. “Look, I don’t really know what we’re dealing with, but I do know we don’t have much time. Are you with us or not?”
“Shape shifting scumbag? Inevitable expulsion? Wouldn’t miss it for the
“I know this git down in New Orleans,” Keegan answers. “We aren’t exactly on friendly terms, but he might know something.”
“You think?” Shaye asks hopefully. “Would he help us?
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Keegan says looking sinister. “But he’s got his hands deep into the underworld. If there’s a guy out there taking jobs like this, he’ll know. We’ll have to make a personal appearance though if we want him to talk.”
Shaye’s in no condition to travel. That means I have to go. Pratt will never allow it. How would I explain the trip anyway? The truth is too ludicrous to consider. I contemplate my options. I don’t really have any. I have to go if there’s any chance it will help Shaye. I’ll probably be expelled, but it’s worth the risk.
“New Orleans, huh?” I ask.
“Aye. It’s home to many unsavory creatures of the underworld,” Keegan tells me. “The place is bathed in superstition and paranormal activity. It’s easy for them to blend in. No one asks too many questions or looks too hard.”
**********
“I need your help.”
“Do you now?” Nik asks, playing coy as he fills a mug with wolf’s blood. How fitting. “And what do I get in return?”
“My undying gratitude,” I tell him, trying to ignore his salacious gaze and failing epically. A glance at my reflection shows my cheeks have turned a deep shade of crimson. “I’m serious, Nik.”
I tell him about Keegan’s theory as we feed, devouring our lunch. He’s not as receptive as I’d hoped he would be. I’ll have to work on that.
“Why don’t you call your uncle and tell him what you suspect?” Nik suggests.
“And what? Tell him we hacked The Dwyer Group?” I ask, rolling my eyes. “Beauty idea! Might as well tell him I’m pulling a C in Chem while I’m at it.”
“Katia.” His tone implies that’s exactly what I should do. Like he’d walk away if it were one of his friends in trouble. Fat chance!
“No way,” I argue. “He’d never take us seriously anyway.”
“You’re worried about telling him your grades, but you’re willing to risk expulsion for a wild goose chase? You do know that makes absolutely no sense, right?”
“For Shaye? Yeah, I’d risk it.”
“Well, I can’t very well let you go alone, can I?” Nik asks, leaning in. When he does, his unruly hair slips over his eyes and the effect is unnerving. He looks up at me from under his dark lashes and I see worry in his eyes. I’m touched by Nik’s concern. Plus, he looks totally hot when he’s in protective mode.
“Afraid I’ll have all the fun?” I ask, trying to downplay the emotions roiling between us.
“Exactly,” he says, smirking. “Can’t have that, can we?”
“Well, don’t worry. I won’t be going alone,” I assure him. “Keegan is going with me.”
“No way,” Nik protests, looking put out. “You aren’t going to New Orleans with him. You barely know him. And what if Pratt finds out? Or your uncle?”
“I can’t worry about that right now. You can come with us, but Keegan is going,” I tell him firmly. “Without him, we’re nowhere. He’s not going to give up his contact. Plus, he says the guy would never talk to us anyway, which is probably true considering the fact that I think he’s probably a criminal.”
“All the more reason for you to stay here,” Nik reasons, “where it’s safe.”
I can’t believe he’s really going to try and play that card. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!
“I don’t have time for this macho pissing contest stuff. I’m going and Keegan’s going. End of story. Besides, he’s Shaye’s boyfriend so you have nothing to worry about.” I remind him. “Look, I don’t really know what we’re dealing with, but I do know we don’t have much time. Are you with us or not?”
“Shape shifting scumbag? Inevitable expulsion? Wouldn’t miss it for the
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