"No, I'm not," I bit back, barely managing to control the anger that flared deep inside. "I won't let you use me like you do her."
Her smile grew, warm on the outside, calculating within. I had a bad, bad feeling that I'd managed to intrigue her further.
"Your mother helps us because we saved your life. Which means, technically, you owe us your existence."
"The only person I owe existence to is my father. If he ever bothers to contact me, I'll let you know. Until then, good-bye."
I walked away. Her gaze burned into my spine, the sensation like a knife, cold and sharp.
"We'll meet again soon, Risa," she said, her voice soft and yet carrying through the noise as clearly as a shout. "That I promise you."
Goose bumps ran across my skin. I slammed open the door and walked out into the night, taking several deep breaths to ease the hammering of my heart.
Damn, she was scary. And yet she'd been the epitome of politeness. I ran a hand through my hair, then called Uncle Quinn to let him know I was safe before heading home. Not surprisingly, Tao and Ilianna were waiting for me.
I flopped down onto the sofa and blew out a relieved breath. "Well, that was exciting."
Tao handed me a large glass of Coke, then parked his butt on the coffee table in front of me. "Were you right about what she wanted?"
I nodded, then scooped up my abandoned cake and began munching my way through the thick, gooey mess, filling them in on events in between mouthfuls.
Ilianna grimaced when I'd finished. "It's a damn shame no one seems to believe that he hasn't contacted you yet."
"Yeah." I dumped the empty plate beside Tao. "I wish there was some way we could find him. I'd love to know what he's really up to."
Ilianna said, "You don't believe either the reaper or the Director?"
I met her gaze. "Right now, I'm not sure what to believe. But I find it curious that everyone seems to know what he is up to, and yet no one seems to know where he is. I get the feeling there's a whole lot of information we're not being told."