Page 15 of Glimmer and Burn (Unity #1)

Kylin watched the exchange with indifference, before saying, "It reads like an experiment. This is a list of items, equipment, tools, that sort of thing, but here,” he pointed at the page, “It says: final testing has proved successful. Subjects 1-15 did not survive the process, however, subjects 16-32 show promising recovery. We have identified the problem as a conflict with the fae’s metabolism and the fae that survived have all shown favorable results in further tests, provided they survive injection.

We can proceed with production on schedule.

” Kylin stopped and handed back the paper like it was cursed.

“It’s signed. That’s his mark on the bottom.

And, if I’m not mistaken, this address is one of his buildings. ”

Miranda snatched it before Drake and set it in her pocket.

“We have him, then,” she said, heart racing.

She was expecting the note to be bad, but not the casual account of killing fifteen fae for an experiment.

Though she did not wish to delay her mission a moment longer, her conscience was tugging at the back of her thoughts.

“I imagine most of the subjects were willing volunteers. He’s good at getting people to do what he wants, however dangerous.

And, of course, we don’t tolerate Watchmen in our territory, so there has been no outside investigation into these victims,” Kylin said, clearly disturbed.

“The Night Court tolerates Unity, as a kindness to the other courts, but Graves has been promoting a secret campaign about the fall of Unity. How the Night Fae will triumph as the true power of the city.” His lips curled with distaste.

“But killing his own kind to get there? He’d lose most of his support if this got out, not to mention the Watchmen would have to act, whether we like it or not. ”

“And if we expose this there’s no way he’ll marry my sister.” Miranda grinned. “But how do we do that?”

“I don’t know, but you better do it carefully and strategically. Don’t let anyone know you have this and don’t sell it to some paper or newssheet. You must outsmart him or he’ll only find a way to cover his tracks. He is no fool.”

“We’ll be careful, thank you, Kylin,” Drake said.

Kylin looked down his long nose at Drake, his smile strained. “Yes, well. You can make it up to me after you paid for your first shipment. Good night.”

With that he left, slipping back out into the bustling streets.

Miranda worked her lip in her teeth while she considered what this meant.

Her plan had been to figure out what she had and then turn it in to the Watchmen, but now they would need more.

They had to make sure Graves never got the chance to cover his tracks.

Then there was the experimentation itself. What was the purpose?

“Miss Wilde?” Devin’s voice returned her to the room, he was already hovering by the exit, pacing. “We got what we came for, I’d like to see the back of this place.”

Miranda rooted her stance. "We can't turn this in to the Watchmen. Not yet.”

Baring his teeth, Devin returned to her side so they could keep their volume low.

“Oh, and why's that?” Drake’s tone was still clipped, still on edge.

“It’s not wise to linger here, even in this meager bit of privacy.

” He glanced at the walls like they were full of eyes waiting to turn them in to Graves.

“We have to find out what it’s for,” Miranda said, slow and calm.

She was resigned to the idea, but she didn’t like it.

She had proof that Graves was connected to several murders, which was more than enough to serve her purpose.

But…there was a greater evil at work. If she exposed the nature of the experiments, before Graves could have it hidden or destroyed—and he would as soon as the news was leaked—then they risked some other lunatic picking up where Graves had left off.

“Pardon?” he snapped, rubbing at his temple.

“The experiments. We have to figure out what they’re trying to do first.”

Drake laughed without humor. “I thought you wanted to end your sister’s engagement then get back to life as normal.”

“I do. I don’t want to investigate this psychopath, but I don’t believe we have a choice.”

“We?” He shook his head. “No, we’ve gotten the translation. Now, I can use it for revenge. Your contributions are no longer required.”

She crossed her arms, jaw tensing. “Then someone else continues his experiment and more people die.”

“Listen, sweetheart, you may be cursed with a bloody conscience, but I hold no such qualms about letting nature take its course. I am here for one reason.” He stared at her, resolute. Except, she wouldn’t accept that he would let such atrocities slide.

“You can still do what you like with… him ,” she said, casting her eyes around to make sure they weren’t being overheard, “All I’m suggesting is that we get at least some tangible information on his plan before we move forward. This could affect the entire city, you included. Your club, included.”

She tried to appeal to his selfish nature, hoping that she could get him to agree.

They could go their separate ways here, but he was the only other person who knew what she was doing and she feared that taking things a step further would require their continued partnership.

She couldn’t collect this information alone.

It was her turn to manipulate him into agreeing to work together.

He shook his head, sighing. “I’m not a monster, I know that it’s the right thing to do.”

“Then why are you resisting me so much?”

“Because this is going to be dangerous and the last thing I need to worry about is babysitting.”

Miranda stepped forward, nearly lunging. “Babysitting? I could level you without breaking a sweat. If anything, I’d be babysitting you.”

Drake hung his head, his posture loosening.

She stepped away again, not expecting him to be defeated so easily. He hadn’t even baited her since they arrived here.

“You do realize that this will make us a target,” he said coolly.

Her heart squeezed. Did he care about her safety? Genuinely? She refused to believe he was trying to be noble and spare her from danger. He wasn’t…he was an asshole. He didn’t do nice things or care . Miranda’s thoughts sputtered along with her attempt to retort.

“I see there is no arguing with you, since you’re about as moveable as concrete.

I want it known that I did try to stop you.

Besides," he smiled, some of his humor returning and Miranda wasn't expecting how relieved she felt.

"I was the one who duped you into working together in the first place. Reap what you sow, I suppose.”

“Fine,” she said, raising her chin in the air to hide her unease.

“Fine,” he agreed, crossing his arms.

“I don’t suppose you have a plan then, love?”

“I do, actually,” she said, earning a raised brow in return. “My parents are throwing an engagement party. It’s at his mansion in the Ring. I can get you inside. Then we can look around while he’s distracted.”

He laughed now, with more mirth than before. “ That’s your plan. To sneak into his heavily guarded home and rifle through his drawers?”

She rolled her eyes. “It gets us in his territory. All we need is a mention of what this experiment is about and then we get out of there and let the Watchmen take over.” She paused, but quickly added, “Or you can kill him, I guess. Though in the middle of a ball is not ideal considering the amount of potential witnesses.”

“And what about the address? I’m sure there’s plenty of information to be gathered at the source.”

“True, but I don’t have an easy way to get into whatever this address turns out to be.

I have a personal invite to his home, I think we should pursue that connection before we lose our chance.

If we’re discovered snooping at this building, we end up in his sights and there’s no way we’d make it to his private office at the ball. ”

Devin rubbed at the back of his neck, some inner battle waging in his silence. Miranda bobbed on her toes, never good at waiting for others to catch up to her.

Finally, he said, “This is not a good idea. For a multitude of reasons.”

“Oh? Name one.”

“The first is me not killing the bastard while he cuts the cake.”