Page 64 of Another Damned Storm

One could argue there was a fine line between the two.

“If you want the final satchel of pixie dust, you will come find me the moment he steps foot in this realm again,” Hook said firmly. “And you’ll tell me precisely where he is at that time.”

“We’re going to try to catch them in the act?” I asked. As far as plans went, it wasn’t the worst.

Hook didn’t respond.

The demigod licked his lips. “Is that all?”

He nodded.

“The bag, is it actually the last of the pixie dust?” Criton asked.

Another nod. “It is the remains of the pouch I reserved for traveling here.”

Criton’s face broke into a smirk. “Do you have it on you?”

“Do we have a deal or not?” he snapped.

“Oh, we have a deal.” Criton reached out his right hand.

Hook hesitated, and I couldn’t blame him. Somehow, some way, it felt like a set up. When he did finally shake on the deal, Criton’s smirk turned sly.

“What if I told you he’s in Charleston right now?”

The sonofabitch. “Where?” I blurted.

22

HOOK

“We need to go,” Never said.

I caught her by the wrist. “Wait.” While I had no reason to doubt Criton was telling the truth about Thrain’s presence in the human realm, that wasn’t the deal we’d made. “I believe you misunderstood the arrangement, Criton. I don’t simply want to know that he’s in this world. I was clear about being alerted the moment he steps foot in it. Telling me he’s here now and has been since you dropped in does little to help me.”

Never started to protest but stopped when I squeezed her wrist, despite the need to argue bubbling through our connection.

He rolled his eyes. “I didn’t misunderstand anything. I was just hoping to move things along. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“I mean it, Criton. Timing is important.”

Never tugged free of my grip. “Which is why we need to get back. If he’s already there, that means he’s raining demons down on that park again.”

I wasn’t sure that was quite how the storms worked, but rather than respond to the worry coursing through her, I squared my attention on Criton. “Watch him. The next time heleaves Othrys, find out exactly where he goes and come find me.” I tipped my face toward the sky. “Until then, it’s probably best if you keep a low profile.”

“I always do,” he replied. “But you do know I can only find you if I can, well, find you.”

Translation: I would have to remain unwarded for the duration. It wasn’t ideal, but so few things were in reality. “I will make myself available.”

With that, he vanished in his unique way.

“If you aren’t protected, there’s no point in draining your energy keeping these wards charged,” Never said, starting to slide the bracelet off her wrist.

I reached out to stop her. “Leave it on.”

“Why?”

“The council may or may not know we’re here, and if they don’t, I’d prefer not to tip our hand just yet.”