the Alouette, another reminder the Splinter group is seeping into my city. It also proves that what I’m about to do is absolutely the right decision.
Kyra half-glances at her wristlet. “Positive. Three sixty-five Fourth Avenue.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I can’t imagine living like this. Stacked on top of another family with no privacy. It’s like being at school all over again.”
“I don’t know. It’s not that bad.” Kyra turns to my older guard. “Where do you live Dawson?”
“A few blocks over. In a house much like this.”
Sometimes I forget my male guards have families. They rarely speak of them. “I’m sure your home is lovely,” I say and glare at Kyra.
I squint at the house. “Does she know we’re coming?”
“No.”
“Ring the bell.”
A deep boom sounds inside the house. We wait a few seconds, listening, and then I hear it: feet rushing down a flight of stairs. The door flings open, and Lena stands before us. “Kyra! I thought you weren’t coming today.” Her hands fly to her mouth, and she blinks in confusion. “Lark! What are you doing here?”
Her voice is a little too high and her hug a little too enthusiastic.
Kyra taps her foot. “You’re being rude. Invite us in.”
“Of course.” Lena holds the door open and motions us up the stairs. “Timothy isn’t here right now. But if I ping him, I’m sure he’ll hurry home.”
“No need,” I say, taking in the home’s meager furnishings. “It’s you we want to see.”
“Can I get you a drink? Something light to eat?”
“No, but you can tell me where Ryker is.” I smile sweetly.
Lena’s mouth drops open before she quickly snaps it shut. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen Ryker since he was kicked out of our house.”
“I know that’s not true. I saw the two of you together, but you don’t remember, do you?”
I jerk my head and Kyra walks toward our old housemate. Lena’s eyes grow wide, but she doesn’t pull away when Kyra lazily drapes her arm over her shoulder. When Kyra told me she believed Lena had been hiding the boys, she was livid. But not for the same reasons as me.
“Has he contacted you?” Kyra asks.
Lena grimaces and her jaw locks shut.
“Someone tongue-tied her,” Dawson says from his station behind me.
I circle Lena and she spins with me. “He was here, wasn’t he? I can see it in your eyes.”
She shakes her head vigorously.
“Lena’s lying,” I singsong. “You’ve always been a little too…”
“Bitchy?” Kyra offers. The anger in her voice radiates across my skin and I draw it into my core.
I tap my finger against my lip. “I was going to say ‘mean girl’, but bitchy works.”
Lena scuttles backward, slowly, like a crab. Her chest heaves.
“Do you fear me?” I ask, closing the distance between us.
She shakes her head again, but she’s lying. The fear radiating off her oozes into me and I savor it.
“Oh, Lena. That wasn’t the right answer.” I flip my hand over and a ball of energy bounces in my palm. “Ryker told you what I am, didn’t he?”
She keeps her arms tucked into her sides, as if trying to become as small as possible. “Please don’t hurt me,” she begs.
A knot forms in my stomach as I stare down at my former housemate’s quaking figure. The energy ball blinks out, and I run my hands over my face. What am I doing?
“Leaders don’t hesitate, Lark.” Dawson’s voice booms from the corner of the room.
This is wrong. So, so wrong. I don’t need to hurt Lena. I take a half-step away from her.
“Is this how you show strength? I thought you were a leader, Lark,” Dawson chides. “Malin would never back down.”
My gaze flits between my guard and the girl on the floor. Dawson’s right, I need to show strength, but at what price? What has Lena done besides love the wrong boy?
“Please,” Lena whimpers. “I don’t want to die.”
As she speaks, her fear floods my body, and I gasp. Horror follows and my blood sings. It’s absolutely intoxicating.
“I could,” I whisper. And looking down at Lena, I realize it’s true. If I wanted, I could end her life.
The thought sends a thrill rippling through me.
“Please,” Lena begs. “Please, Lark. “
Across the room, Dawson gives a curt nod.
Kyra stands at my shoulder, her breath ragged in my ear. “You’re not going to hurt her, are you?”
“And if I did?” I challenge. “Would you be disloyal and try to stop me?”
Panic radiates from Kyra. “No. Never.” Her eyes search the room madly. “It’s