A Vigil in the Mourning (Soulbound #4) - Hailey Turner Page 0,42
Patrick scowled as they left Au Hall behind, ducking his head against the fierce wind. Wade kept pace as they hurried down the block for the underground entrance that would lead back to the parking garage.
“What now? Are you going to the bar?” Wade asked.
Patrick sighed as they descended into the slightly warmer underground area, trying to ignore the headache growing behind his eyes. “Eventually. I need to set up a meeting with the SAIC out here about Westberg first.”
“Are you going to tell them his campaign manager is a god in disguise?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because most people don’t believe in gods, and I tend to not trust anyone in the SOA out of principle.”
“Is that why you brought me along?”
Patrick glanced over his shoulder at the dark-haired teen. “You’re pack, and I trust you.”
Wade seemed pleased about that. “Does that mean I’m going to the SOA with you?”
“No. You’re going back to the hotel where you’ll stay put this time and do some homework.”
Wade groaned. “That’s not fun.”
“Work never is. Welcome to adulthood.”
“Adulthood sucks. I want to return it.”
Patrick snorted out a tired laugh. “You and me both.”
8
“How are things in Chicago?” Jono asked, pressing the mobile tight to his ear. He peered out the front door of the ground-floor landing in their building, eyeing everyone milling about on the pavement.
“A mess, like usual. I’m going to be here at least through Sunday,” Patrick replied. He sounded annoyed and tired, but with no underlying hint of pain. Jono had gotten adept at parsing out the tone of Patrick’s voice when he was trying to hide a wound.
“Do you think you’ll come home next week?”
“Depends on what happens with the case.”
Jono didn’t ask, well aware of Patrick’s reticence to speak about anything work related over an unsecured line. “I’m about to head out to work. Ring me later?”
“Always.”
“Love you.”
“Stay safe.”
Patrick ended the call, and Jono shoved the mobile into his back pocket before opening the front door. He ducked his head against the cold wind and jogged to where everyone was gathered on the sidewalk. Slowing to a stop, he turned around and stared at the building.
“Is this really necessary?” Jono asked after a moment.
“Yes,” Sage replied flatly.
“Did you talk to our landlord?”
“Gargoyles are allowed to choose what building they want to live on and the owners have to let them. Most people consider their presence an asset to the property value,” Tiarnán said.
Jono eyed the trio of gargoyles sniffing about the front of the building, their stone bodies moving with a surprising smoothness as they searched for the best perches. “They eat pigeons and leave feathers everywhere.”
“They also eat vermin.”
“Does that include trespassing werecreatures?” Marek wanted to know.
Tiarnán’s violet-eyed gaze was steady when he turned to look at Jono. “They don’t care for the taste of your kind’s blood. They’ll tie themselves to the building’s thresholds and settle in tonight. As guards, there are none better for living in a city.”
“If you say so,” Jono said, though he wasn’t sure if their neighbors in the building would appreciate the new arrivals. He wasn’t sure how Patrick would like their presence either.
But as Sage had said, Patrick wasn’t here, so it was his decision to make, and he knew better than to stand in Sage’s way when it came to legally protecting their pack.
“Right, that’s sorted then.” Jono extended his hand toward Tiarnán. “We appreciate you letting the gargoyles know the building had room for them.”
They might have an alliance with the fae, but Jono still knew better than to outright thank them. Tiarnán grasped his hand in a strong grip. “I hope they serve you well.”
The fae lord returned to his town car after the handshake. The dwarf driver chauffeuring him about barely waited for the door to shut before pulling onto the street and driving away, taillights bright in the darkness.
“Shall we?” Sage asked, hiking her tote bag higher on her shoulder.
Jono nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
“I still think I should go with you,” Marek said.
“If things go tits up, I’d rather not have to worry about your safety. We’ll ring you when the meeting is over.”
Marek made a face but didn’t argue. Sage had already laid out the reasons he was staying behind before handing him her engagement ring for safekeeping. In the event she had to shift tonight, she hadn’t wanted to lose it. She kissed Marek briefly on the mouth before following Jono to the Mustang.
“I’m driving,” Sage told him. “Did you take your potion?”