Page 23 of Vipers and Vendettas

The others disappear, but I can hear Jack in my ear, telling me what’s going on. My job might be to keep watch on this wing, but he needs my fae knowledge in case they get stuck.

Minutes go by, and I stare at the time counting down on my watch. We only have a tiny window before this place is swarming with supe cops.

‘Come on,’ I whisper, listening for Jack’s voice to tell me they got it.

Instead, I hear a yell that echoes through the halls.

I push my earpiece further into my ear, trying to glean anything through the static that’s suddenly all I can hear.

They’re jamming us. I switch to the next channel Jack and I decided on, and I hear him.

‘… now! They’re everywhere! Go now, Vick! Get out of?—’

I don’t hesitate even though my friend is likely being captured. He would never want them to get me as well. He made me promise to go if he told me to. I already have the link key in my hand. I put it on the door, and I think of the next street over. I chose somewhere close and concealed. They’ll expect us to go as far as possible with a decent link key like the one Jack gave me, so I use it like it’s a cheap piece of crap to keep them guessing. I tear open the door, and dart through, grabbing the link key and balancing it on a radiator pipe where it won’t be noticed in case Jack makes it here. I hope he does, or he’s toast. I go through and close the door behind me, severing the link.

I take a deep breath, and I don’t run when I join the main street, but I keep my head down and my hood up. I don’t go to my apartment. I travel straight through the Veil and hide in one of my spots, taking out the earpiece and throwing it away.

I wait there until it’s almost ten. I make sure I’m alone, and I walk off the stoop, going to work the same way I do almost every night.

As soon as I get inside Spice, I run to the bathroom and throw up. I put the lid down and sit for a minute, trying not to hyperventilate.

No one saw me. I made sure I didn’t get caught on camera. No one knows I was there. I try not to think about Jack. He can take care of himself. If they didn’t get him, he’ll contact me later.

My phone vibrates, and I frown, relief washing over me as I see it’s from Jack.

‘The eagle has landed.’

A chuckle erupts from me, and I put my face in my hands, almost bursting into tears. I don’t even know the rest of the team; I only care about Jack.

‘You’re an ass,’ I type out.

I leave the cubicle and wash my face. In the changing room, I throw on my short black skirt and white blouse from my locker. Then I put on a little make-up before I go out and start my shift. It’s a Saturday night, so the place is hopping, and I find myself run off my feet for the next few hours, delivering so many drinks that my head’s spinning by the time it quiets down.

At three, I grab my stuff, put on my coat, and go looking for Stephan. I find him already waiting for me by the door.

‘Ready?’

I nod, and we leave, walking down the street side by side to the alley in silence.

We don’t say anything for several minutes, but he keeps looking behind us as if he’s on high alert.

‘What is it?’ I ask, his actions making me worry.

‘Nothing,’ he says.

‘I’ll be safer in the know,’ I huff.

He sighs. ‘The guy you photographed last night tried to get in the club again this evening.’

My heart hammers in my chest, and I’m suddenly inordinately glad that Stephan is walking with me.

‘Mark turned him away at the door,’ he continues. ‘As far as I know, he left, but I’m glad we talked this morning.’

‘Me too. Thanks for doing this, Stephan. I am grateful.’

‘Anytime, Marie. You just let me know.’

He travels through the Veil with me and the short way to my building. I think he’s going to leave then, but he doesn’t. He climbs the stairs and takes me right to my door.