Page 73 of Black Bird

“I’m assuming not if Athan didn’t start with that.” She offered her a comforting smile. “We’ll know more when we get to the precinct.”

Sarah rubbed at her face and shook her head. “This is all my fault.”

“Stop, Sarah. Don’t do that. This isn’t anyone’s fault. I told you. Wren’s probably been followed for a while now. Both of you likely have. This was bound to happen eventually, I’m just glad the two of you are safe.”

“Yeah, well I thought having people watching us would prevent this from happening,” Sarah snapped. Rhaena didn’t take it personally.She understood her frustration and fear. “How did Wren end up being the one to kill someone? Isn’t that your job?”

“Like I said … I know as much as you do. The how and why is something we’ll have to learn when we get there. Are you ready?”

“I’m sorry … I—I know this isn’t your fault, I’m just … it’s been an interesting two days.” Sarah blew out a long breath and Rhaena raised a brow. Their eyes met. “I—I need my phone.” She disappeared down the hallway to Athan’s room and came back with her phone in the front pocket of the jacket. Poe screeched from his perch and Sarah was remarkably comfortable handling him and letting him back into the cage before closing him up.

“Wow.” Rhaena smiled as she leaned on the wall by the living room. “You two seem like old friends. That bird hates me.”

“He’s a sweetheart. They just have to build some trust. Ravens are extremely smart. They just look ominous.” Sarah shrugged, turning toward her. She paused and pink stained her pale cheeks when Rhaena crossed her arms.

“Ready?” Rhaena smirked.

Sarah cleared her throat, pulling a rogue strand of ebony hair behind her ear and nodding as she passed by her and toward the door. Rhaena followed behind, locking the door up for her and passing her the coffee she’d left on the table. “Thank you.” She hummed, flicking the lid open and sipping from it as they walked to the elevator. They stepped inside and the doors closed, a heavy silence passing between them as they started moving down.

“So?” Rhaena smiled, staring at their blurred reflection in the doors.

“I … tried.” Sarah sipped again.

“He wouldn’t?”

“He only let me go so far. Last night I—may have sexually assaulted his service weapon.”

Rhaena’s mouth gaped open, and she jerked her face toward Sarah who laughed through her nose with a mouthful of hot coffee. “Youwhat?!”

“Don’t judge me.” She blushed without looking at her.

She had no words. Couldn’t even bargain how that might even feel, but also couldn’t see it being a very comfortable ordeal. Rhaena shook her head slowly. “I—didn’t see that coming …. Sorry,” she chuckled. Sarah giggled back.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened, two people and their small dog entering as they exited. They decided not to continue the conversation on the walk through the parking lot to Rhaena’s truck. She unlocked it and they both slipped inside, Rhaena taking in every possible point of view before pulling out. She saw nothing. The first couple miles were quiet and then Sarah finally broke the silence, looking over at her. “Say it.” She smirked.

Rhaena raised her brows and shook her head, watching the road. “To each his own, I suppose. I just … didn’t thathurt?”

“I think I was too“in the moment”to really notice.”

“Where was he?” Rhaena asked, curiously.

“Under me?” Sarah’s face turned red. “I was sitting in his lap.”

“And he justwatchedyou?” Rhaena asked, glancing over.

“Umm …” Sarah bit her lip.

They pulled up behind a car at a red light and Rhaena gawked at her. “He did not.”

“He did. When it was over, I tried … I tried to kiss him but …” Sarah looked down at the cup in her hands.

“So … did he explain himself? That couldn’t have been an easy conversation.” Rhaena was treading as carefully as she could, not knowing what Athan had revealed. It was obvious that he didn’t tell her the truth, otherwise they’d be having a much different conversation.

“No. He was as vague as usual. He let me sleep next to him on the couch.”

“And that was it? He said he was almost across town this morning when Wren called. Why’d he leave?”

“He didn’t really say … I—” Sarah paused, looking over at her as the light turned green. “I told him what I told you about my blood. He said Brent admitted to dating me because Conrad made him do it. Brent said that he’d told him he was doing it for his mother. When I told Athan she had cancer, and that he probably wanted my blood to help her … he got really pissed and left. Said there was somewhere he had to go.”

---