would have. “Just because you found out about—”
“I helped you with it!”
“Doesn’t mean you get to bring it up whenever you want. You do it again and we’ll really test your immortality theory.”
He turned and stalked off before I could say another word.
CHAPTER NINE
I followed Cyrus into the elevator and down to the garage beneath the Elite Hands of Justice headquarters where they parked their cars. He passed many different colors and makes, jangling keys in his hands. There were only six active members of the EHJ right now—seven if you counted Cyrus, I guess—so why did they have so many cars? Did each have one for each day of the week?
“Where are you going?” I asked, trying to catch up with him. “I thought we were jumping into the fray, talking to other magic-users, all hands on deck and all of that hero nonsense.”
“Look who’s eager all of a sudden,” Cyrus said. “Go on and get started, I’ll catch up with you later. I’m sure you’re planning on batting those big brown eyes to get what you want, so I’ll just cramp your style.”
Seriously, what was his problem? “You know, I have other methods of getting information besides my looks.”
“Really? You seem to play the pretty-but-brainless card a lot. Or maybe that’s just when I’m watching.”
“Brainless?” I said. My voice was loud—it bounced off the garage walls, and Cyrus stopped walking. “You don’t live to be as old as I am by being brainless. I’ve forgotten more about magic than you’ve ever known. If I act pretty but stupid, it’s because I know that’s what will get me what I need. Sometimes acting stupid is really quite smart. Maybe you’ll learn that sometimes it’s good to give people what they want—and then take everything you can get.”
Cyrus turned back to me. “First of all, not all men favor looks over smarts, Fantazia . . .” He sighed. “But we can continue this discussion later. I’ve got something I’ve got to do.”
I fought back irritation. “Wesley wants us working on this case together, not me doing everything while you go bet on horses.”
“And now you’re citing the Old One’s orders?” He chuckled without mirth. “Who are you and what have you done with Fantazia?”
“All I want is to get this done and over with so I can get back to my life. The sooner we get started on tracking the loser who’s doing this, the sooner we can beat him to a bloody pulp and haul his sorry carcass off to jail. You know, for someone who’s suddenly decided to be a hero, you don’t take the job very seriously.”
He walked up to a big black car and clicked a button on his keys. An alarm chirped. “Look, teacher’s pet, we’ll start busting heads later. If you’ve got a lead that you want to track down on your own, fine. Go. I’ll catch up with you. But I’ve got something I have to do first. Alone.” He swung himself into the car, cranked the engine and roared off.
I stood, coughing in the fumes and scowling. If he thought he was going to go lollygag all day while I did the work, he had another thing coming.
My eyes fell on a silver car that I recognized as one of Lainey’s. It looked small and plain but sturdy. I’d overheard her saying once that she felt more comfortable in less expensive vehicles than those the rest of the members of the Elite Hands of Justice drove—that is, the vehicles the EHJ drive when they aren’t being chauffeured somewhere or aren’t transporting themselves by less mundane means. Sure, I might be able to guess at the timing and just pop into existence wherever Cyrus ended up, but frankly, following him to his destination like a normal person might be a little subtler. I could take him unawares, maybe learn more about whatever he was doing. That seemed like a good idea, seeing as he was about to become my partner.
“Hey, Lainey, I’m borrowing your car,” I said to thin air, as if asking permission to no one was somehow made it less like stealing. I snapped my fingers, and the keys instantly appeared. With a grin, I went over to the car and got in. “I’ve never driven before, I hope you don’t mind.” Hey, aren’t all kids supposed to do stupid things to annoy their stepmothers?
I said to the car, “It’s my first time driving, so be gentle with me and I’ll