Page 22 of Commanding Chaos

I grabbed Chaos’s arm, digging my nails into his skin.

“It’s not me.” He pried my grip and squeezed my hand. “I swear.”

Peacoat landed a punch that made Army Jacket double over, clutching his middle. When he straightened, he pulled a pistol from the back of his pants and fired three times, hitting Peacoat in the chest.

“Holy shit.” Chrys moved next to me and gaped at the scene.

The crowd scattered, and Army Jacket picked up the shell casings, returned the gun to his waistband, and walked away as if he were on a Sunday stroll.

“Hurry up,” Shade said through clenched teeth. “I can’t hold it much longer.”

My hands…no, my entire body…trembling, I pulled the perimeter location powder from my satchel, recited the incantation, and blew it into the air. Of course it all fell to the ground. Chaos already informed Ember and me that no rift existed here, but the others were expecting one.

“It probably closed when the basilisk passed through.” I returned the empty bottle to my bag and adjusted the strap on my shoulder. “I’ve read that can happen when major magic crosses the threshold.”

“I’ve heard that too.” Miles gathered his daggers.

“I’ve read the same.” Chaos grinned at me, and I glared at him. We would have words when we got home.

“I’m losing it,” Shade said, his voice strained.

“Let’s move.” Ember jerked her head toward the van. “I do not want to deal with the police again today.”

Shade’s magic rolled away as we made it to our escape vehicle. He collapsed on the back seat, so Chaos sat in front and I joined Chrys and Miles in the way back, which was probably best. I was so pissed at Chaos, I wasn’t sure I could hold it in if I had to sit next to him.

“What the hell happened to those people?” Chrys stared out the window, watching the scene get farther away.

I felt Ember’s gaze flick to me in the rearview mirror before I saw her eyes. She was just as pissed as I was. Maybe more so.

Chaos turned in his seat. “I believe—”

Ember snapped her head toward him, giving him a look that could have melted skin from bone.

“They don’t like each other much, do they?” Miles asked.

“Not at all.” And at the moment, I didn’t like him much either. “My guess is that the basilisk’s magic affected them. It brought anger and chaos with it from the Underworld, and it bled into the crowd.”

Miles raised a skeptical brow. “Then why didn’t it affect us?”

“We’re magical beings.” I shrugged one shoulder dismissively. “Maybe we’re immune to its madness.”

Good goddess, the shit kept getting deeper. Forget the thigh-high boots. I needed waders.

I leaned my head against the headrest, closing my eyes and hoping to recharge my vim on the short drive home. I’d cast too many spells, one of them superfluous just so we could keep up this charade. Shade would be out for the rest of the night and half of tomorrow. If I’d worked sigil magic before this fiasco, I would be too.

The sun sank behind the horizon as we made it back to HQ, and Miles and Chrys carried Shade to his car to take him home while Ember, Chaos, and I headed upstairs.

“It’s nearly full dark. Now would be the perfect time to retrieve Mayhem’s skull.” Chaos grabbed his cereal from the pantry and shoved a handful into his mouth.

“Not tonight,” Ember said. “Not until we recharge, and definitely not before you tell me what you know about Boston.”

“I need sleep. Now.” I dragged myself through the kitchen and into the living room before pointing at Chaos. “I will have words with you once I can form a coherent thought.”

“I don’t require rest yet. If you’ll give me the keys, I can—”

“No, you can’t.” I shuffled toward the hall and turned around, resting my hand on the wall to keep myself upright. “You won’t leave this apartment, understood?”

He grunted. “What will you have me do while the two of you sleep?”

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