Page 38 of Dead Heat

“I’ll neither confirm nor deny.”

“The lab tech figured when her body temperature exceeded 392 degrees that she’d found her way onto a rotisserie or a bonfire.”

My mind stalled on the implant revelation. “Did you have an implant in each of my parents? Is that how you knew for sure you’d killed them?”

She slotted her long, slender fingers together. Her nails were the color and sheen of a strawberry lollipop. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Fine, be that way. “If you’re not back for Aite, then why are you here?” Although I knew the answer, I was interested in her response.

She tapped those lollipop nails on the table. “You’re a clever girl. I think you know.”

“Is this Plan C? Mathis gave it his best shot, then Otto refused to betray me, and now they’ve sent a recruiter?”

“You can’t expect us to ignore the extremely important information that recently came to light.”

My hands clenched into fists under the table. “That family reunion was meant to be private.” Mathis had arranged for me to meet my parents’ spirits in an abandoned church in New York City. I’d barely seen them before I was thrust into the throne room of the underworld. That brief reunion was enough information for The Corporation to realize my true identity.

Posy’s mask was pure innocence. “Was it? I’m not aware that any such promises were made. There was no contract in the file. I checked it personally.”

“It’s basic decency.”

A little girl skipped past the table. “I love your hairband.”

Posy touched the sparkly piece. “Thank you. I made it myself. It’s natural mermaid fin.”

The little girl giggled. “Can I touch it?”

“Go on.” Posy tilted her head and the girl’s tiny fingers rubbed the material.

“Ew. Feels like sandpaper.” She skipped away in the direction of the restroom.

I glanced at the hairband. “It’s real mermaid fin, isn’t it?”

“Naturally. I skinned her myself. I have an extensive trophy collection at home.”

My stomach turned. “I didn’t realize recruiters were so active.”

She adjusted the hairband. “This was before I switched departments. I started in R&D, but science wasn’t my jam. I’m too much of a social butterfly.”

The realization slammed into me. “You’re a siren.”

Her dimples deepened as she smiled. “What gave it away? I haven’t even demonstrated my perfect pitch.”

I, too, had perfect pitch, but I wasn’t foolish enough to get into a music battle with a siren. My ego didn’t need the win.

“You gave me enough information to piece it together.”

She scoffed. “Can you believe people confuse sirens with mermaids? It’s so insulting.”

I wouldn’t make that mistake. Sirens were deadly. They thrived on blood the same as vampires. Mermaids, on the other hand, were basically water poodles.

“I thought everybody who worked for The Corporation was an avatar.”

“Have you forgotten Solomon so soon?” She clucked her tongue. “You must’ve buried his memory as quickly as you buried his body. Kudos, by the way. He made a formidable opponent. He couldn’t have been easy to kill.”

“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t kill him.” Solomon was a djinn who’d been killed by my friend Matilda, the Night Mallt, to protect me. Posy was right; I’d suppressed that particular unpleasant memory. I’d felt responsible for his death.

“Still sticking to that story? Really, Miss Clay, there’s no need. Now that we know your identity, we’re willing to forgive all your previous transgressions against our organization.”

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