Hellbender - Dana Cameron Page 0,96

better chance of surviving than he did, despite the rocks, the waves, and the height. He could try to do it and think he was saving the world . . .

“I do not trust people,” he said, “but I think you are not a bad choice to be the one deciding. It’s as close to a fair chance for the rest of us as I can think.” He put his hand on my shoulder. I tried not to tense. “Do you want to go back now? The others are worried.”

“No, thanks. I’m going for a walk. You can reassure them if you’re truly concerned.” I smiled; he was very convincing when he wanted to be. “You solicitousness is deeply gratifying, Dmitri Alexandrovich. It is a comfort to me in this time of grave concerns and fear.”

He laughed again. Danny had told me no one used that kind of archaic address anymore, that it was just in old Russian novels, but I didn’t care. I had learned it from a Russian novel.

“I only ask that, once you have ascended to be queen of the world, Zoe Richardovna, you will remember that it was poor Dmitri Parshin who was there for you.”

“Remember the little people, that it?” Dmitri towered above me by about a foot and a half and outweighed me by a hundred pounds.

He bowed, a sweeping gesture. “If you would be so kind.”

We set out for Carolina’s retreat in upstate New York, following much the same route as I had the day before. When we rendezvoused with the Free Pack, Passey growled at me. I ignored him, as if he was beneath my notice. I was learning from the best, Senator Knight and Carolina Perez-Smith. I did notice some of his fellows making gestures, but whether they were blessing themselves or trying to avoid the evil eye, I did not know. They did not like the look of Max, who was so eager for retribution he hadn’t smoked since we left, or of Claudia Steuben, who was dressed in black and ready for battle. Her serenity scared me.

Gerry was more like a football player before a game, pumped up and pacing, until Toshi irritably asked him to stop “jumping about.” We all had our ways of warming up, I guess.

A group of oracles, including Rose and Ivy, were near our landing spot, ready to lend their talents. One was known for luck, so his presence was very welcome. Some were able to communicate with others and helped keep us all on the same page. Danny and Vee were with them, to help with the more mundane aspects of communication and monitoring the emergency channels. Only a small group of us knew she was there in case I needed her gift to help boost my powers.

Will dogged my steps, as did Adam, who had insisted to Representative Nichols that he be the one from her office to “observe.”

I was glad to have allies.

The main goal was to rescue the prisoners and raid the lab. After that, it was about locating and containing Carolina herself and any Order personnel.

We approached cautiously, and slowed when we saw too many cars, too many lights.

“There’s some kind of event tonight,” Senator Knight said. He was at the most casual I’d ever seen him, in a sports shirt, pressed khakis, and lace ups. “My informant did not tell me. This will complicate things.”

I did not think his informant was any longer in Edward Knight’s good graces, and suddenly I knew who it was. Zimmer—“Clean-head” as I’d once called him—had done dirty work for Knight; sometimes this involved beating me up. Old as the senator was, Zimmer’s evilness didn’t bother him.

It stank to me.

“We need a distraction,” I said. My gaze traveled to the large barn and the door covered with hateful trophies.

Passey shot me a look of pure joy. “We will set fire to it.”

I reached out to the barn and sensed many beating hearts in there. “Wait. I think the prisoners may be in there, so check for hidden rooms if you don’t see them at first. Remember, this is a rescue—and we’re rescuing the Normals, too.”

Passey frowned with distaste.

“Even if they’re not there, keep in touch,” I continued. “I need all the information we can get.”

He looked at Senator Knight, who nodded slightly. Passey nodded, gestured, and they took off with a troop of his werewolves.

To hell with them both. “Will, please go with him? I don’t trust either of them.”

“I’m not leaving you!”