Page 66 of A Sin So Pure

It’ll need to be gutted, but the building seems to be salvageable based on the whispers of the authorities gathered around.

So, there’s that, at least.

I watch the response team scour the rubble from the sidelines. The rope they put to block pedestrians hits my hip every few seconds in the breeze, which carries with it the bitter scent of burned metal and charred wood.

The human authorities are well paid to keep their eyes off our business, but this will be harder to sweep under the rug than a few dead bodies. Still, my people have jumped into action as they were trained to.

“They’re not as shaken as I thought they’d be, given the circumstances,” Imogen murmurs, scanning over the fewmembers of House Pride who are chatting with Josie and the police.

When we heard the news, she’d demanded she come with us, wanting to help in what ways she could. I didn’t have the nerve to say no.

“Especially Hattie.”

“Hattie’s a survivor. She doesn’t fear death in the same way others do,” I say.

My boot taps against the pavement, my impatience physically overwhelming me. I had told Josie I’d let the professionals assess the damage first, but it’s been a half hour. I’ve given them enough time.

I lift the rope barrier and step into the rubble.

Hattie had acted swiftly when the flames broke out during the shift change, using her magic to transport as many as she could from the building. She was hacking up half a lung and covered in soot by the time she made it to our apartment in Anwynn, but she’d been successful in getting everyone to safety.

She’d had a furious glint in her eyes as she described what happened to us, one that I’m sure I’ve been wearing since the words hit my ears.

Was I grateful no one was hurt? Yes. Of course. It could have been a terrible tragedy otherwise.

But was I also pissed that we lost hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of product? Also, yes.

“Ma’am, you can’t go in there.” A human fireman steps in my way. “It’s not safe.”

“This is my building. I’ll do what I like,” I say with authority.

“I’m sorry, but rules are rules,” he says, puffing out his chest. His thick mustache hides his mouth, but I can tell he’s frowning. “Let the men do their work.”

I smile, sweet and saccharine. “Step aside.”

“What she means is,please, step aside.” Imogen appears at my side, gripping my arm. I’m hit with the force of her magic, and it nearly makes me stagger. Pride had me trained against compulsion since I was young, but there’s no denying she’s as powerful as they come. “We want to take a quick peek. We won’t be long.”

Of course. Not long at all.

I have to focus to shake away the yielding thoughts that her magic spurs. Meanwhile, the fireman’s eyes glaze over and he’s nodding, waving us forward with apologies. Then Imogen’s pulling me along, shooting a cheeky grin over her shoulder.

“See? Told you I could help,” she says.

I shake my head. “I had it handled.”

“Sure.”

I tug Imogen to a stop. “How many times have you been on this side of the Veil?”

Her expression falters, confusion twitching across her features. “Not many.”

I cock a brow. She huffs.

“Okay, only once with my mother. And I didn’t even get out of the car.”

“I have been here over a thousand times. They may be humans, Imogen, but this realm isn’t a playground. Don’t forget that.”

She nods, and I let go of her hand as we head into the disfigured building.

---