What? How could Marcel know about the alliance we’d made with Ethan?
“Whoever told you that was talking bullshit,” Finn lied. “I don’t associate with vamps, exiled or not.”
He had an excellent poker face, I’d give him that. I felt like saying something to further deny Marcel’s allegation, but I clamped my mouth shut. Too much protest would only make us look guilty. Still, it couldn’t be good news that Marcel knew about our ragtag crew. The only way he could know was if someone was spying on us. I thought of how Theodore had infiltrated Rita’s mind yesterday. Was the sorcerer somehow keeping tabs on us through his daughter? The thought made me shiver.
Marcel tutted at us. “You can make friends with as many vampires as you wish. They’ll not be a match for Theodore.”
Finn didn’t bother arguing with him. If Marcel knew about our alliance, then he knew. There were no clever comebacks that would change that.
“So,” Marcel went on, “how are you and Ethan Cristescu getting along? I seem to remember you two having quite the bone to pick with one another. Not to mention you both have a soft spot for this one.” His gaze flicked momentarily to me.
Finn’s jaw visibly tightened. I was surprised he allowed his temper to get the better of him when he bit back, “Fuck off, Marcel.”
The warlock laughed. “Oh my. Hit a sore point, have I?”
Finn shook his head and looked away. I studied him for a moment, confused as to why he was so pissed off. Sure, he didn’t like Ethan, but this seemed like more than that.
I was distracted from my thoughts when I felt a strange tickle in my throat. At first, it was only a mild irritation, but it soon transformed into a full-on coughing fit. I doubled over, and Finn rushed to my side.
“Are you okay, Tegan?” he asked in concern.
I couldn’t respond, because it felt like my entire throat was on fire. The next thing I knew, Marcel stood before me brandishing a glass of water. I grabbed it desperately and knocked the whole thing back in several long gulps. Strangely, once I downed the water, the burning vanished and my throat felt completely normal again.
“Thank you,” I said, handing the glass back to Marcel. My gratitude quickly turned to suspicion when I noticed him staring eagerly into the glass, as though inspecting whether I drank all of it. He’d put something in the water. I was certain of it. I was also certain he was the one who gave me the coughing fit, though I had no proof.
I stepped away from Marcel, almost falling back into Ira. The shapeshifter steadied me by placing both of his big, warm hands on my shoulders.
“What have you done to me?” I demanded, rage filling me as I glared at Marcel.
A slow grin shaped his lips. “Nothing, my dear. Absolutely nothing at all.”
Finn advanced on him, backing him into one of the cash registers. Some shoppers cast wary glances at Finn before hurrying out the door. Others stayed to watch the drama unfold.
Finn glared menacingly down at Marcel. “What trick have you played, old man?” He gripped the warlock’s button-down hemp shirt in his fist.
Marcel effected a startled expression. “Please, Mr Roe, this is a place of business. Try not to make a scene. I’ve played no trick. I swear I have no qualms with you or Tegan. It’s the vampires and their governor who I consider to be my true enemies.”
Finn glanced back at me, not letting go of Marcel. “How do you feel now?”
I took stock of myself, but I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. “Fine, I guess. It just felt like that cough came out of nowhere. I thought it might be magic or something.”
Finn’s glower intensified as he levelled his gaze on Marcel. “If we find out that you’ve done something to her, anything, I’ll be paying you another visit. And next time I won’t be quite so polite or understanding.”
Marcel paled just slightly at the threat. Finn stalked his way out of the shop, and Ira and I followed after him.
3.
When we got back to the car Finn swore loudly and banged his fists against the steering wheel. He started the engine and pulled away before I even had the chance to secure my seatbelt. His jaw was screwed up so tight it looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek.