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“I’m not saying it’s a perfect system,” she goes on. “You get the wrong people at the top, it’s a fucking shit show. Lance’s father was one of those.” She swallows hard, taking a moment to process some emotion before turning back to me with a small smile. “But you get the right people in charge and you might actually find they’re helping more people than your pals in uniform.”

Again, I want to argue but the words taste bitter in the back of my throat, and I can’t seem to push them forward.

“So, you ask me how I do it and the answer is, I have complete and utter faith in the man at the head of The Daos, detective.”

It hits me like a bullet to my chest in that moment that I, too, have complete and utter faith. Not in The Daos, although I trust them more than the cop in me would like, but in the leader of The Talons, whose bed I’ve been warming and who’s slowly burrowing her way into my heart.

33

HARVEY

"Where are we going?” Mabel asks, glancing nervously out the window of the SUV. It’s just the two of us in the car, the look of surprise on her face when I told her I was taking her out the house was priceless. Neither of the girls have left the mansion since they arrived and although it took some convincing, Annika relented when I told her my idea. Of course, she wanted to come with us, but I told her that it was best for her to stay with Keeley while her sister was away.

“I told you, it’s a surprise.” It’s still light out as it’s the height of summer, and the evening breeze is a welcome relief from the heat of the day.

“I don’t like surprises,” she grumbles, hugging her middle.

“Relax,ursa. Do you really think I’d take you somewhere bad?”

“How should I know,” she snaps, her anxiety presenting in defensiveness. “I don’t really know you.”

“Yes, you do,” I say gently.

We pull into a plain car park on the outskirts of the city, technically in Dao territory but as I’m here to meet their firstlady, I’m not too worried that I’m intruding. Mabel’s head is darting around trying to find some clue to where we are meant to be. The truth is, I didn’t tell her where we were going because I was worried she’d say no. I’m confident that Elle wouldn’t force her to partake in anything she didn’t want to, but being around people her own age with a common interest seems to be a good idea for this girl who has been forced to grow up too soon.

“Come on, ursa.” I get out of the car and round the front to open her door. She steps out tentatively and follows close behind me as I walk to the unassuming, single storey, concrete building across the parking lot.

Once inside, I follow the sound of raucous laughter and the incohesive clang and beat of musical instruments at the end of a long hall. A scream travels from the door we’re heading toward and Mabel gasps behind me, her hand darting out to grip my own. It’s immediately obvious the screech was a happy one but still, my steps falter. Mabel has always kept a wary distance of me but in a moment of fear, she reached for me. I squeeze her hand and turn to her with an easy smile.

“It’s okay. I’m right here.”

She nods but doesn’t let go of my hand, looking small and meek as she walks with me. I’m now worried that this is too much too soon but push on knowing that I won’t be leaving her line of site for a single second until we get home.Home. Because apparently, I live with Annika now. When I push through the door into the vast sports hall, we’re met with a cacophony of sound. About thirty teenagers are arranged in small groups making as much noise as possible, there is singing and instruments playing in warring songs and the overall atmosphere is joyous.

Seeing the youths, Mabel drops my hand immediately and looks around with wonder, watching them all in their groups. It takes me no time at all to catch Elle’s eye across the room andgive her a wave. She looks different from the two times I’ve seen her before, in jeans and a t-shirt, almost makeup free, and her hair pulled into a simple ponytail. Hayden is with her and gives me a friendly nod as we approach.

“Harvey, glad to see you.” Elle smiles at us.

“Thanks for letting us gate-crash,” I say.

“You must be Mabel.” Elle doesn’t try to shake Mabel’s hand or take a step closer than where we’ve stopped. “I’m Elle, this is my husband, Hayden.” She jerks her head where Hayden leans on the wall behind us.

He dips his chin and tips an imaginary hat. “Miss Mabel.”

“I’ve just got everyone into groups to practice, each group is going to put forward their idea for a song to perform at our next showcase. You feel up for joining one? I’ve got space over here for you.” She gestures to the group nearest us, made up of three girls and one boy, they all look up and smile at us, waving Mabel over.

“Uh…” She looks up at me, uncertainty mixing with something I hope is interest in her brown eyes. I give her a slight nod and wink and she looks back to Elle. “Sure.”

Elle makes introductions and Mabel sits down with the group.

“Is your dad staying?” the boy asks as she takes her seat.

“He’s not my dad,” she mumbles with a frown.

“Your boyfriend?” the same kid asks with terrified concern at the prospect.

“Gross!” Mabel’s face twists and I hear Hayden snort behind me. “He’s my…um—”

“Personal security,” I answer for her. “And yes, I’m staying.”