Consequences Page 11

“Yeah, sorry. How have you been?”

  “You know, same ol’, same ol’. Maybe a little intrigued by the rumors flying around about you though.”

  “Rumors?” I had a sinking feeling. What could he have heard already?

  “You know, that you’ve betrayed us all and have partnered with a jinni.” He laughed. “Absurd. They’re even saying you’ll be put on trial.”

  “Trial?”

  He gave me a curious look. “Doesn’t that suit tell you anything?” He shook his head. “In theory, Guardians who turn bad or lose their minds are put on trial and their powers are stripped from them … but it never happens. Still, you must’ve been up to something to send everyone’s jaws wagging.”

  “I moved in with a jinni.” My voice sounded weak and my head spun. They were going to strip me of my powers? I was doing this for them.

  Marshall laughed. “No, seriously, what’s going on? Where’s the suit?”

  “What do you mean? You haven’t seen Quintus?”

  “No one has. A sideline story is that you killed him.”

  “I haven’t seen him since I left.”

  His eyes widened and he took a step back, his hands floating up. “Wait, you’re serious?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “You’re living with a jinni?”

  I sighed. “I love him.”

  “You’ve switched sides?” Astonishment was too small a word to describe what passed over his face.

  “It’s a long story, and I have somewhere I need to be.”

  Marshall leaned back and shook his head. “I don’t believe you’re the enemy now.”

  I straightened my shoulders. “I’m not! I may not agree with every single one of the guardian ideas and restrictions, but I am not the enemy. The institution has gone too long without being questioned. Nothing changes if no one ever speaks up.”

  “What about the suit?”

  “I haven’t seen Quintus in a couple days, and I don’t think he wants to talk to me. I’m sure he’ll turn up. He’s upset.”

  Marshall nodded slowly. “You aren’t the only one who isn’t happy with the ways of our world, but no one has taken this bold of a stand. There are people who would help you. Keep that in mind. Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll rally forces. It’s about time someone shook up these old bureaucrats.”

  “Even if that someone loves a jinni?”

  He thought for a moment then smiled. “Love is love. Who cares what you choose to love so long as you love something.”

  I wished what he said was that easy. “I’ll talk to you later, Marshall.”

  He handed me a business card with his number on it and headed away in the opposite direction. A few blocks later I found the Office. It wasn’t even 9:00 a.m., and I wasn’t sure if it would be open this early, but I was in luck. The door was unlocked. The room was dark and smelled like stale beer. It was filled with mismatched tables and chairs. One man sat in the corner under a dim lantern with a newspaper, and a handsome man came out from a back room behind the bar. He had short blond hair and wore a snug green shirt and jeans. As I got closer I noticed glinting silver eyes and ever so slightly pointed ears. Very cute.

  “As much as I hate to send a pretty woman away, I think you’re in the wrong place.” Humor danced in his eyes as I sat down at the bar anyway.

  “This is the Office, right?”

  “We don’t get many guardians in here. What can I do for you?”

  I stared at him somewhat amazed. “How can you tell I’m a guardian?”

  His laughter had a melodious quality to it that played on the air and tickled my ears. “I’m an elf—well, half. You may be able to hide your light, but I can see your aura. It’s a little different than most, but still identifiable.” He leaned in and traced an invisible line around me. “So what are you doing here? Am I in need of saving?”

  “You tell me.”

  “There’s something else familiar in your aura, but I can’t quite place it. You aren’t a full guardian, are you?”

  “Can you be a half guardian?”

  He cocked his head to the side. “I guess not. So please tell me you’re here for me and not one of those wannabe tough guys.”

  “You’re funny. I’m looking for Femi.”

  His eyebrows shot up and his flirtatiousness evaporated. A different spark filled his eyes that made me smile. “What do you want with her?”

  His protective tone and the seriousness in his eyes gave me the overwhelming sense I could trust him. “We’re friends. I need to talk to her, and I couldn’t get to my cell phone.”

  He studied me for a moment. “She hasn’t mentioned any guardian friends.”

  “She called you a couple days ago and wanted to know if anything strange was happening. That was for me.”

  “So what do you want?”

  “If you think she’ll be in, I can wait. Otherwise, could you call her and let her know Olivia is here?”

  He produced a cell phone and hit one button before pressing it to his ear. “Hey. I have someone here to see you? …No, it isn’t Michael Fassbender. I don’t even know who that is. It’s a guardian... She doesn’t look like she has dimples... Yes, Olivia... Okay, okay, I understand.”

  He ended the call and looked at me. “I’m supposed to make sure you stay here and protect you.” He tilted his head to the side. “What have you gotten Femi involved in?”

  “It’s a long story that only three people know. It’s not that I don’t trust you or appreciate your help, but it’s going to stay that way.”

  He nodded. “The name’s Sy.” He held out his hand. “You don’t seem dangerous and Femi likes you, so can I get you something to eat?”

  “That’d be wonderful.”

  By the time Sy delivered two pieces of toast with perfect circles cut out in their centers and an egg nestled inside each hole, Femi came charging through the door and strode across the room.

  “What on earth are you doing here?” She plopped down beside me, somewhat out of breath.

  “I needed to see you and Holden’s crony was in the room with my cell phone, so I tracked down the Office.” I smiled.

  Femi shook her head. “Are you eating this?” she asked as she slid my plate in front of her. “Holden’s going insane. You need to tell him where you are.”

  “No.”

  “Olivia, this isn’t a joke.” Her head snapped up and she glared at the bartender. “Sy!” She waved him away. I didn’t even realize he was listening. “Seriously, call Holden now or I will.” Femi put her cell on the bar between us.

  I gave her a long-suffering look, but picked up the phone and dialed Holden’s number. He answered in half a ring. “Did you find her?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Olivia? Where are you?”

  “None of your business.” I was met with silence. I knew he was trying to control his temper, but I didn’t care.

  “Tell me where you are. I’ll come and get you.”

  “No. I have plans for today.”

  “I forbid you to look for Juli—”

  I hung up the phone and shoved it back to Femi. Forbid? Yeah, that wasn’t going to work for me. Immediately it rang again. “Don’t tell him where I am.”

  “Don’t put me in the middle of this.”

  “I’m not. This is between me and Holden, and I’m making a point.”

  She answered the phone with a wary hello. “I can’t tell you where we are.” She made a face at me. “Look, I promise I’ll bring Olivia home safe, but not right now. She’s determined.” She hung up the phone. “I don’t envy you tonight. He’s pissed.”

  I laughed though I felt no humor. “He’s not my favorite person at the moment either.”

  “So what happened?”

  “He wants to hide me away and not let me do anything. He assigned me a bodyguard and has stopped listening to what I have to say. He isn’t interested in looking for the missing guardians. He wants to use me to rule all the jin
n and gain infinite power. Just to name few issues we are having.”

  “And the point you’re making?”

  “If he changes our agreement, I don’t have to listen to him.”

  Femi shook her head while she ate my eggs. “He cares for you more than I believed any jinni could.”

  I nodded and felt a little guilty. “That doesn’t mean he can use me to political advantage.” The image of all of my photographs lining the walls of that building filled my mind. “Or hoard me away in some climate controlled warehouse.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Other than that, how’s it going?”

  “Fine. The jinn have accepted Holden and me, and now Holden’s planning a revolution.” I rolled my eyes. “The demon was a little trickier, and I think there’s something up his sleeve. He gave in to all of Holden’s demands a little too easy.”

  “So you came here to blow off steam and piss off Holden?”

  “No. I need to find Juliet before Holden or Baker does.”

  Femi leaned back, her eyes contracting. “The psycho bitch who started all of this. Why?”

  “She’s my best friend. Holden and Baker want to kill her, but I know I can get through to her. I need the chance to talk to her.”

  “She tried pretty damn hard to kill you. I think I’m with them on this.”

  “They’ve poisoned her mind. That isn’t who she is.”

  “That isn’t who she is?” Femi echoed. “Would you like to see who she is, Olivia?”

  I narrowed my eyes. What did Femi know?

  Femi hopped up from the stool and snatched the paper out of the hands of the man who’d been reading it since I walked in the bar. She brought the paper back to me, slapped it down, and tapped a pointed fingernail on the headline “Twenty-three slain in Millennium Park.”

  I scanned the article. It was terrible and tragic, but how could she know that was Juliet or even jinn related? “You can’t know that was her.”

  Femi shook her head. “You want me to help you find her?”

  “Yes.”

  “And what’s your plan when we do?”

  “I’m not sure yet. I promise I won’t do anything rash or crazy. I need to talk to her.”

  “And after that, you’ll listen to whatever Holden, Baker, and I have to say about what should be done with her?”

  I shook my head. “That kind of defeats the purpose. I don’t want her killed.”

  “I’ll make sure you get to talk to her, then we’ll see.”

  “Fine.”

  Femi waved Sy back over. “Can we get two coffees?”

  “Sure thing, kitten.” He dodged as she took a swat at him. “So this Holden you speak of wouldn’t be the North American Jinn Commander, would he? Because I know you aren’t so stupid as to get involved with anything that has to do with jinn, are you, Femi?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I have exceptional hearing.”

  “One and the same,” I told him. “But I promise Holden will not hurt Femi.”

  “And how can a painfully new guardian stop him?” Sy asked me with a frown.

  “I’m tougher than I look.” Femi and I both laughed, and Sy frowned.

  “This isn’t funny—”

  “Sy,” Femi interrupted, “you don’t understand.”

  “Holden’s my boyfriend. I promise Femi isn’t crossing him in any way. She’s not in danger from him.”

  His mouth fell open. “But you’re a—”

  I nodded.

  “He’s not as bad as everyone makes him out to be. I sort of like him.” Femi stepped up to Holden’s defense. Despite how irritated I was with him, it made my heart warm that I wasn’t the only one who saw his potential. “You’d probably like him too.”

  Sy gave her a dubious look to which she winked.

  “Maybe we could go on a double date sometime,” I suggested. It was clear that they more than liked each other.

  “Now that’s the first good idea I heard today.” Sy flashed an adorable grin at Femi as he leaned in close to her.

  “Ugh. Don’t encourage him.” She pushed him away laughing. “We don’t have time to date. We have ass to kick and names to take.”

  Femi and I left once we had our coffees. Femi drove us to the park, saying there was something I needed to see. It was still buzzing with people and sectioned off with police tape. A heavy jinn presence hung in the air and my stomach twisted.

  “You coming?” she asked looking back.

  My limbs felt heavy. I didn’t want to see whatever she was going to show me. My legs knew that and didn’t want to move, but I forced myself out of the car. A little girl was skipping along the perimeter of the scene and I recognized her as a faery of some sort.

  Femi led me straight to her. “Isabelle, show Olivia what you showed me.”

  The little girl looked up with milky white eyes. She grabbed my hand and a vision filled my head. It was a typical day in the park. Tons of people milled about living their lives. A moment later, Juliet walked up. She looked different—wild and filthy. She began to cackle and anger spread from her. Fists began flying and strangers attacked each other. Then someone produced a gun. I tore my hand from the faery. “Enough.”

  “Was that Juliet?”

  “Yes,” my voice came out threaded.

  “There have been three others like it and she can show any of them to you. Now do you understand?”

  I rubbed my hand where the little girl touched it and nodded at Femi. “She needs to be stopped.”

  “She needs to be put down.”

  “I still want to talk to her.”

  “Fine.”

  “Thank you for your help, Isabelle.” The faery averted her eyes back to the ground and skipped away. “Creepy, aren’t they?”

  “What kind of faery was that?”

  “I guess it’s a faery, but they’re called Recorders. They’re living breathing histories of our world. They’re everywhere and see everything of importance.”

  “It must make bounty hunting easy.”

  Femi laughed. “I wish. Most bounties don’t rank on the importance scale and it isn’t easy to get a Recorder to help you. I had to practically offer my first born to get Isabelle to show me the murders.”

  “Okay, so where do we start with Juliet?”

  “The warehouse.”

  “Great, let’s go.” I jumped up ready to get started.

  “No way am I taking you back there. First of all, we don’t know how many jinn might still be there. Second, if those signs are still on the walls and ceiling, you can’t get out, and third, Holden will kill me.”

  “But—”

  “No. Let me do a little investigating. If I get a promising lead, I’ll tell you about it. There’s no point in grasping at straws.” She patted me on the back. “Now you have to go back and deal with one ticked jinni.”

  Femi drove me back to Holden’s apartment and took me all the way to the door. The minute I opened it, I was hit with a wall of indignant rage. Holden sat on the couch as still as stone.

  Seventeen

  Jace was pacing the room when I got back to his house. He looked up as I walked in. “We’re out of time.”

  “What happened?”

  “Olivia made a very public display of her loyalties. The whole Abyss is buzzing about the guardian who switched sides. We have to go to the elders now.”

  “Won’t that hurt her?”

  Jace shrugged. “She has declared her side, Quintus. There’s nothing we can do for her now. We need to go to the high council and tell them what you know.”

  “But—”

  “It’s time for phase two. Olivia has turned herself into a distraction, and we will fuel that fire and start to look into the council’s involvement in the disappearances. You can come out of hiding and start talking to people.”

  “I learned a few things today that might help us. Ezra assigned all the missing guardians to Chicago and al
l of them had specific talents and had been a guardian for a significant number of years.”

  Jace took a deep breath and crossed his arms. “How did you find this information while you were supposed to be hiding?”

  “Doesn’t matter now, does it?”

  “I suppose not. This isn’t something we need to share with the high council. I will arrange for a meeting and call for you when it’s time.”

  As soon as Jace left I was bombarded with guilt for betraying her. I didn’t want to help their case against her and turn Olivia into a distraction. She may have left us, left me, but she was still a good person and was doing nothing more than following her heart. But I was in too deep to back out now. We needed to put an end to innocent guardians being killed, and I was old enough to see the big picture as I was sure Jace did. It was an acceptable sacrifice to lose one to save many. Nevertheless, guilt ate at me. I could imagine the hurt and disappointment she would feel. This would push her closer to Holden.

  After an hour of restless pacing, Jace called for me. I arrived in what looked like a courtroom. In front of me sat all four high elders: Ezra, Phillip, James, and Constance. They studied me with no expression. “Jace says you have information to share with us about the defunct guardian?” Constance broke the silence.

  I nodded once.

  “What is your connection to this girl?” Phillip asked, almost bored.

  “I assigned Quintus to train her and keep an eye on her,” Ezra said and I could hear a bite in his words. I couldn’t tell if it was because I didn’t come to him first or because this upset his plans for Olivia in some way.

  “So you can give us an idea of what happened?” James asked, pushing glasses up on his nose. No guardian needed glasses. They were left over from his human life and he had yet to shake the image of himself as a wearer of them. I don’t know why, but I found that amusing. Olivia could have managed to get rid of the glasses within a week.

  “I can tell you what I know.”

  “When did you learn she had left with the jinni?” Ezra’s intense eyes bored into me.

  “A couple days ago.”

  “Were you held prisoner?” The mocking in his tone was hard to miss.

  “No.”

  “Were you gravely injured?”

  “No.”