Page 10 of Kingly Bitten

But do the Vigils know that?I wondered, thinking back to Officer Gerald’s behavior earlier. He’d been utterly calm. No outward signs of expectations at all. He could be an excellent actor. Although, I doubted it.

Which meant I might have a card to play here.

“Show me your watch.” The words were for James because his arms were free. Unlike Gretchen, who held their child.

James didn’t hesitate in complying; my word was law around here.

Another card I can play,I thought, my mind working through a plan faster than I could speak.

His screen showed nothing.

I checked mine and saw that the countdown remained. Which meant the fail-safe I’d engaged earlier was working, because the updated timeline had appeared on my wrist.

Good. I can use that.

“Act normal and let me take the lead.” I’d no sooner finished speaking than the elevator down the hall opened with an echoingding.

There was only one way on or off this floor, and it was via the elevator.

Which meant a Vigil was coming.

I straightened my spine, pasted a bored expression on my face, and eyed the pup in Gretchen’s arms.

I’ll just have to make this work, I decided, clearing my throat. Acting wasn’t one of my skills, so I’d just fall back on what I excelled at—leading.

“Of course, we can allow that,” I said loudly, ensuring my voice carried. “But you understand what will need to be done afterward.” Pitching my voice low, I added, “Say, ‘Yes, Doctor Calina. We know what needs to be done.’ And say it with confidence.”

Gretchen did precisely as directed.

James followed suit just as Officer Gerald rounded the corner. I ignored the gun at his side and arched a brow, my expression one Lilith had given us all a thousand times before. “Are you here to be my guard while I complete the requisite actions?” I asked him, using my standard emotionless tone.

He paused, his silver hair gleaming in the low lighting. It had been black when he’d first started here. But like all Vigils, he aged. Meanwhile, my face remained stuck at twenty-two years of age, something he had definitely noticed over the last two decades.

“Well?” I prompted when he didn’t reply. “I don’t have much time to get this done, Officer. You’re either my guard or you’re not. That’s why you’re here, right? To prove your loyalty by using your watch?”

The plan formed while I spoke, my mind running a mile a minute to stay one step ahead of everyone else around me. I was banking on Officer Gerald’s inability to see through my strategy. As he’d fallen for all the brainwashing created by Lilith and her supporters, I suspected this just might work.

“Don’t just stand there,” I continued, threading my tone with impatience. “I’ve already tested Gretchen and James. Their watches worked on my door, which means they’ve been approved to help me execute the necessary tasks for the doomsday sequence. Now I need proof that your watch works as well. Then we can begin while you guard the door.”

He gazed at me warily. “The procedure states to kill everyone in the building.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” I snapped, pretending to lose my patience. “I have the necessary serum in my office. But it’s not to be distributed until after the tasks are complete.”

“What tasks?” he demanded.

“If you don’t know the answer, then you’re not meant to know,” I said through my teeth. Then I showed him the countdown on my watch. “This started when I woke up this morning. Because I’m in charge. Who do you think initiated the detection protocol?Idid.”

Not a lie since it was very likely my unsecure connection that had allowed someone to track us.

“Nah, only the Goddess has the power to enact that protocol, Sunshine.” He lifted his gun. “I know my job.”

I glared at him. “To what? To shoot me before I’m done transmitting research files? Sure. Go ahead. It’ll be your funeral in the end.”

He studied me for a beat. “What files?”

“My task, Officer.”

“Yeah?” He started to lower his gun. “You got proof?”