my shoulder to ease some of the stiffness. “This is our only possible lead on the nameless threat, right? If we go back, we’ll have to talk it over with my mother, and she’ll say no to confronting him. But if we play this right, we’ll get the scoop on Von Alston without revealing we’re with the Watchers, in case we do need him as an ally in the future.” I turn to Doug and wait expectantly.
He puts his hands out. “I don’t like this plan at all. It didn’t work in A New Hope.”
I tie his wrists together, making sure the rope is tight enough to look convincing but loose enough that he can slip out. “They rescued Princess Leia!”
“Obi-Wan Kenobi died, though, even if it was on purpose. And I’m not really sure who’s who in this scenario. I’m obviously a Han Solo type. You’re maybe a Luke Skywalker. Good hair. Better at fighting than you have any right to be. A bit on the whiny side.”
“Just for that, I’m declaring you the C-3PO of this mission.”
“Hey now! That’s not fair.”
“Whatever you say, 3PO.” I fiddle with my ruined hair in the rearview mirror. I’m not really sure what vibe to go for. Polished and professional? Gritty and tough? Probably the latter, given the visible bruising. And, sadly, I know exactly who to channel. It’s not hard. We have the same face.
I pull my loose red curls back into a ponytail and grimace in pain as I slip on Artemis’s nicest black leather jacket. She left it behind … on account of it was hidden at the bottom of my closet. With my hair in a severe ponytail and the black leather zipped up, I’m my twin. Stronger. Tougher. Willing to throw her own sister off a moving vehicle in pursuit of her own goals.
We could have been doing this together. Should have been doing it together. Instead, she’s somewhere with Honora and a truck full of pilfered demons. I should have punched through that windshield after all. Imogen was right again—my instinct was correct. I can’t understand why Artemis is doing what she’s doing. You don’t have to love demons to know you shouldn’t work for zealots and drug dealers.
I put the car into drive with more force than is strictly necessary. We debated putting Doug in the trunk of the car, but that seemed too mean. Even having his wrists bound is obviously triggering for him after all his years in captivity. Especially after such a recent run-in with Sean’s people.
I reach over and squeeze his hands. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
“What about Chewie?”
“Chewie?”
Doug nods toward the kitten.
“First of all, we are not naming our new cat Chewie. Second of all, I don’t intend to stay in there long enough for her to miss us. And I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’re only how we get inside. We’re not keeping up the ruse any longer than that. I won’t risk you for anything.”
Doug swallows audibly, but he nods. “Thanks. I’m sorry for complaining about how you taste so often. I really do trust you.”
That makes one of us.
I drive carefully, every nerve on alert. I learned how to drive in the last couple of months, but I don’t technically have a license, which is why we always have Cillian or Imogen drive. The Von Alston address is in a posh, sprawling neighborhood of estates outside the city. It takes ten minutes of winding up a narrow lane before we even get to the gates. The decorative iron flourishes have protective runes and symbols worked in. Not much use now that magic’s dead, but this Von Alston fellow obviously knows his stuff.
In addition to the runes, there are several cameras, a far less magic-dependent protection. I roll to a stop in front of a control panel. There’s a camera mounted there, and a small television showing the feed of us.
“May I help you?” a polite voice asks over a surprisingly smooth intercom.
“I heard you buy exotic animals. I’m looking to sell.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
I reach for Doug’s shirt collar and yank him closer to the camera. “Yeah. Here he is.” I’m met with silence. “Fine, there are other buyers.” I shove Doug back into his seat, mouthing sorry when my head is turned away from the camera, and put the car in reverse.
The gates buzz and open. “Master Von Alston will see you.”
“Lucky me.” I put the car back