Page 15

“Quite a night,” I said, flicking the door closed behind her with a theatrical little flourish, like it would do anything to shut out the hell I was now in.

“Did … did my father …”

“Blackmail me? Threaten me? Waste some perfectly good brandy? All three.” I gestured to the manila folder. “At least I’m gainfully employed.”

She glanced at the dresser and back to me. “You’re working for him?”

“Yes,” I said. “I suppose I should thank you for the career opportunity.”

“I … I wouldn’t think working for my father was your … scene.”

I laughed bitterly. “You think he gave me a choice?”

Her expression finally reflected her understanding. “He’s forcing you. Because of me.”

I nodded.

“Let me guess … if you don’t, you’re dead?”

I gave her double finger-guns. “Bingo.”

She muttered under her breath. “I’ll talk to my mother. She can—”

“She can what, Kara? Who do you really think has the power between your parents?” I turned away, pacing through the large room with angry energy, spinning on my heel to face her again.

“Your mother might be a scary bitch with hobbies dating back to her ancient Egyptian roots, but your father is the one running the empire here, isn’t he? ”

“Um … I think they run it together, actually.”

I waved a hand indifferently. “Well, we’re both fucked then.”

“I’m sorry,” she said again, eyes on the floor between us.

I sighed, pushing my hands into the pockets of my slacks. “No, I’m sorry. I’m the one who bonded you. It’s not your fault. If anyone has a right to be angry, it’s you.”

“My mother … she told me some things. About previous warlocks. Did you know that my power grows, because of you?”

I’d sensed she was more powerful, but I’d put that down to it being Halloween. It wasn’t anymore, but when I then checked, she was still registering at the cusp of the top quartile. “Yeah, that tracks. So what?”

“She said it’s like a feedback loop. My power feeds yours, yours feeds mine. We’re both stronger because of it.”

I checked my own power, and it was still reading double what it had in the past, yet so far behind Kara as to be laughable.

“Great,” I said, not bothering to hide my sarcasm. “Two inexperienced supes against the world. Fighting the good fight on your father’s behalf. What a happy story.”

Kara winced at the bite in my words, but soldiered on. “My mother also said that when you add more, the power grows cumulatively. We all gain.”

I blinked at her. “What do you mean ‘add more’?”

“Bind others.” She chewed her lip. “This is why warlocks are so feared. You’re like a snowball rolling downhill. A hive mind’s nucleus.”

I shook my head. “I’m not going to bind more.

I don’t even know how I bound you.” I frowned as I heard what I’d said.

If I didn’t know how I’d bound her, how could I stop myself binding anyone else?

Fuck, it was lucky I hadn’t bound her mom .

That would’ve been interesting in a very-brief-life-expectancy kind of way.

She looked disappointed. “Maybe we can figure it out? If you gain power, even my parents won’t be able to control you.”

“It sounds like that’s what you want.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “If your father kills me, you’re free. Why don’t you want that instead? Why do you suddenly care?”

Her chin came up, emerald eyes flashing. “I don’t want you dead !”

“Is that you talking, or the bond? You can’t even be sure, can you?”

Kara shook her head. “You’re wrong. I still have my own mind. You’re a fucking asshole for binding me without my consent, and I hate that you’re a bartender and a teaching assistant .” Her usual venom made a solid comeback. “See? I can say what I think.”

“Congratulations. Seems my lessons weren’t completely wasted after all.”

Kara gave that the contemptuous look it probably deserved, but part of me was relieved to see it.

“I know you’re just provoking me, but the truth is, I …

actually want you to succeed.” She waved a hand.

“I admit it’s as much for me as it is for you.

There’s an appeal to power that is difficult to resist.” She gave a small shrug.

“I suppose I’m still my parent’s daughter, but that doesn’t mean I want their version of the future.

I think you could … do real good with your power. ”

I scoffed. “Yeah? What makes you think that? Hundreds of dead students might be inclined to disagree, if they weren’t, like, dead .”

She took a step closer. “Not your fault,” she said, vehemently. “ You didn’t kill them. I saw your remorse, the pain you’ve buried within. The care you showed Emma and that fae prick, Paul.”

“Still my best friend you’re talking about.”

“Well, I never said you were perfect. Terrible judge of character.”

“Must be to have bonded you.”

She gave me a tremulous smile, which caught me off guard. I found myself smiling back. It was weird—particularly the bit where it felt natural.

“I suppose it doesn’t hurt that the bond is pulling me to you,” Kara said, taking another step closer. There were only a few feet between us now. “And perversely, my mother helped. She made me see some things.”

“Dare I ask what?”

Kara hesitated, then continued in a more serious tone.

“The world’s changing. Last night was just one example.

There’s growing resistance on both sides—supes and norms. The pendulum has swung, the liberal times of ’99 replaced with a harsher, self-interested, resentful mentality.

My mother thinks we’re on the cusp of war, and if last night is anything to go by, she’s not wrong. ”

“Why doesn’t that make you run a mile?”

“Because I think you could make all the difference.”

I stared at her. “We’re not going for a fucking Nobel Peace Prize here! Do you have any idea what your father has asked me to do? I have to go bully some journalist into looking the other way, and kill them if they won’t!”

“It’s just a step in the process. It’s not the endgame. Don’t you see? Bind one or two more, and you’ll be the dominant force in the world. You can dictate things anyway you want.”

“That’s not how peace is made. Didn’t you learn anything in my philosophy classes?

You can’t dominate people into being liberal!

And you think other supes like your father will sit back and let me get that kind of power?

As soon as I show any inclination to grow stronger, I’ll be dead before I’m a threat. ”

Kara’s jaw tightened. “If he does, I’ll never speak to him again.”

“That’s a great comfort, thanks. Also, something tells me he won’t really care.”

She sighed. “Maybe you’re right. But we can fight this. Together, we can make a difference.”

“Says the girl who argued that Rawls was ‘out of touch’ with the needs of supes.”

She had the decency to look abashed. “My father may have influenced that. And … well … I actually agreed with your review of my paper.”

“You did, did you? My life is complete.”

“You’re still a jerk,” she said, but it lacked her usual venom.

“I’m sorry you’re stuck with me.”

“It’s not so bad. You still have good bone structure.”

I wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, and she went on before I could figure it out.

“Anyway, I figure it’s best we don’t stay. I do still have an apartment in the city.” She arched a perfect eyebrow at me. “Unless you want to have breakfast with Mom and my father?”

“I think we can agree on that, at least.” I pushed my hand through my hair. “But I’ll get a hotel room. Things are complicated enough as it is.”

“I’d rather you didn’t. Housekeeping won’t take kindly to me sleeping outside your door.”

She was serious; I could see it in her eyes. I shook my head and barked a laugh. “We really are both fucked, aren’t we?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think there’s still some fun to be had.”

“Fine, whatever. Let’s get out of here.” I picked up the cursed manila folder and glanced at my dirty jeans and T-shirt, draped casually over a chair, figuring I wasn’t leaving much behind. My phone was in my pocket. “Wait … isn’t your car back at the uni?”

“One of them. I have another here.”

“Of course you do. Little rich girl.”

“Be grateful for it. You’re a kept man, now.”

I scowled at her, but she smiled beatifically and turned for the door.