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“It is interesting work,” Orrin said.

“I bet,” Grove chimed in as he started fidgeting again, turning around in a slow circle. “Lots of traveling—and you get to see a lot of treasure!”

“Is it low stress?” Clarence asked. “With nice coworkers?” When Orrin looked at him, Clarence glanced at me and paled. He scooted closer to Grove bumping into him.

While I was pretty sure it was all a part of the show, I couldn’t help but feel that his anxiety seemedtooreal.

Orrin, however, relaxed a little—seemingly even more reassured by my squadmate’s obvious rejection of me. “There are many benefits,” he said.

“Oooh, are you paid in gold—oof!” Grove appeared to trip and he fell into Orrin jostling the other fae, hitting him just right so he tipped forward, and the chain of a necklace briefly hung from his neck. I saw the shape of the necklace pressed against his shirt. The imprint was shaped similarly to Gisila’s necklace.

Yep, he’s armed and ready for another attack. How do we warn Team Watchers? Also…why have they been quiet? They never gave us the check in signal…

I glanced at Binx and was surprised to see she was looking at me—as if waiting for a cue.

I don’t know what to do!

Grove backed off so Orrin could stand upright, and he brushed himself off where Grove had touched him, his lip curling slightly.

Binx rolled her eyes at Grove, then turned to Orrin. “Did you see anything odd atLuxe Sejour?”

“Odd besides fae acting like humans?” Orrin asked. “No.”

Something felt off. I couldn’t sense any blood, but the situation didn’t feel right. I looked past Orrin at the SUV.

Why aren’t they doing anything? Did Sarge tell them to stay silent because of Orrin?

“I think the plays are fun,” Grove grumbled.

“They are an excellent way to build rapport with humans,” Clarence said.

Orrin shrugged. “Regardless, I shall take my leave so you can continue on with your patrol.”

He’s trying to get us to move on, but can we risk leaving him when Team Watchers hasn’t acknowledged us?

Binx glanced at me, worry creasing the wrinkles in her forehead.

Time to use my status as the designated wet blanket!I kept my gun pointed at Orrin. “We will be staying here. Enjoy your evening walk.”

Orrin’s slight smile fell off his face. “I see.”

The feeling of wrongness grew and my instincts screamed at me to prepare for a fight.

And still, nothing from Team Watchers. What’s going on?

“Clarence,” I barked. “Radio.”

“W-what?” Clarence stammered.

Grove must have figured out what I wanted because he popped his radio off his belt. “What about our radios? They’re cool—right?” He grinned winningly before pressing the button that made feedback crackle through all our radios. He pressed it again, pointedly putting his back to the SUV.

“You’re going to upset Sarge if you keep doing that.” Binx shifted her weight back and forth, her worry growing as our radios were silent.

Something’s wrong. Team Watchers are either unconscious or unable to answer.

Orrin sighed. “It would have been easier if you just left. I already wasted enough time on your compatriots, I cannot afford to lose any additional minutes and I must finish it tonight.”

I had just enough time to flick my gun’s safety off before Gisila’s necklace glowed bright enough that it was visible under Orrin’s shirt. I felt a swell of magic—so much of it that I couldn’t tell the necklace’s magic from Orrin’s.