that leave you? How the hell are you gonna put that information to use?”
“I could give it to some allies I can trust.”
“Like who? Your helicopter buddies? The Gypsies?”
“At least the Amriany are up front about where their loyalties are.”
“We both fought to track down Cobb,” Rico growled. “We both stormed them houses, and both of us did what needed to be done even with Kawosa fucking with our heads! You, me, and Cole, we work well together. Now’s our chance to finally pull Skinners together into what they need to be instead of the splintered bunch of petty assholes that squabbled over the scraps left behind in Philly. Just think of what can be done if Lancroft stayed alive long enough to pass on how he managed to stay alive all them years.”
“How can you be sure the Lancroft we killed in Philly really is that same guy?” she asked. “Did you find his formula for living to be centuries old?”
“Not the whole thing, but we’re closing in on it.”
The Full Bloods were still roaming outside. Paige could feel the burning in her palms intensify as one of them came closer to the autobody shop. A deep, lingering howl was answered by scratchier ones that seemed to come from all sides. Heavy footsteps rumbled down the street above, and the heat in her scars faded. She knew it wouldn’t be long, however, before the freshest batch of Half Breeds would roll through the area like a storm of fangs and claws.
“Sounds like you got yer hands full there, Bloodhound,” Rico mused.
“I do.”
“Where are you?” When she didn’t answer, he asked, “What the hell do you think I’d do to you, anyway? We both fought and bled in the same battles. I carried you and Cole out of some death traps, and you guys saved my ass plenty of times. All I wanna do is help, just like I always done.”
“You want to help? Then I’ve got someone who needs help. He’s the guy who flew me into Denver. His name’s Adderson. You call him and tell him you want to help. He’ll put you to work.”
“You mean those guys in that helicopter?” Rico growled. “If they’re cops or military, they’ll just toss my ass into a cell.”
“They’re not cops. You said you want to be more proactive. You said you want to do more than you’re doing now. Call Adderson and tell him you want to join the IRD.”
“IRD?”
“Inhuman Response Division,” she explained, waiting for the inevitable backlash.
“Jesus Lord Almighty,” Rico lashed. “Are you kiddin’ me? If you think more men in helicopters are what’s needed, then just call an air strike to burn all those werewolves that are howling around you right now.”
“I’m not sure how far I can trust them,” Paige admitted. “Cole was almost killed when he was in their custody, but I’m not sure if that was the IRD’s fault.”
“You mean that place in Colorado that was leveled on the news?”
“That’s the one. Cole made it out, but—”
“Where is he?” Rico asked. “If he’s on the run, I can help him! I know all about keeping out of the cops’ sights!”
“No. Call Adderson. Check out the IRD. Things are taking a turn, Rico. You’re right about that. We do need to evolve, but Skinners aren’t enough to set things right again. I know Kawosa screwed with us. He’s here, Rico. If you stay away, he can’t screw with us again. Check out the IRD. If you think we can work with them, we may be able to put together some heavy artillery that can be enough to drop a Full Blood.”
“We were never supposed to drag the real world into this,” he warned. “Remember all the times that happened before? Panic. Confusion. Mass hysteria. Any of this ringing a bell?”
“Things have gotten beyond that already,” she said as she dropped back down onto the boxes where she’d been sitting. “There isn’t a precedent for dealing with something like this because it’s never happened. The Full Bloods are gathering, but there’s only two of them here. That’s all it took to tear apart this whole town.”
“What town?”
“Atoka, Oklahoma.” Even though she knew Rico had been tricked to cross her in Canada, it still felt like she was leaving herself open for attack when she said those words now.
“I haven’t heard anything about that place in the news or anywhere else,” he said. “You sure the problem’s that big?”
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s looking like nobody outside of