Page 114 of Amber Gambler

From Kierce’s tone, I couldn’t tell if he cared either way, but he held eclectic views on death.

“We can’t let him rot up there, no matter how much he might deserve it.” I unlatched from Kierce. “He’s still with SPD, and they frown on the murder of policemen. Even though it would prove impossible for human courts to convict Josie, the 514 is all about setting precedents lately.”

“I should have considered the location.” Josie showed not an ounce of remorse for Harrow’s plight. “The tree would be cut down so they could Jaws of Life him out, and that’s not fair to the tree.” She looped an arm through mine. “Probably should have gotten him out of the car first. I could have hidden him inside a hollow in the trunk.”

“Yes, well, you’ll know what to do differently next time.” I kissed her forehead. “Can you let him out?”

Bright, sharp magic spilled into the air, and the limb blocking the driver side door shifted down two feet.

“He can get out now.” She flashed a brilliant smile at me. “Let’s go see Matty.”

“I need to check something first.” I held up my hands to ward off her scowl. “I’ll bring Kierce with me.”

“Don’t let me catch you helping Harrow.” She honed her frown. “Or there will be consequences.”

With that, she flounced to the staircase where I watched until she entered his apartment.

Leaves scattered around us as Harrow shoved until his door gave way. He climbed onto a limb and sat. It was second nature to offer help to someone in need. But I was more afraid of Josie finding out I caved to assisting Harrow than him breaking his neck getting down by himself.

“What did you need?”

Kierce drew me from the spectacle, and I waved for him to follow me, grateful for the excuse to leave.

“I saw someone out here earlier. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t Little.”

Or confirm it was her.

“Little?” His forehead creased in thought. “What would she be doing here?”

“That’s a very good question.”

Honestly, the fire might give them a prime opportunity to ditch her and anyone else who wasn’t a favorite. I had seen it happen. Trimming the fat. That was what Blade called it. The guy who had been my Ian. He probably thought he was being clever. Big fan of cut, slice, and dice jokes was Blade. Usually in reference to kids who came up short.

Maybe Little thought we were good people, that our home was a safe place. Maybe that was all there was to it. She needed a refuge, and she made one nearby. But I couldn’t allow her to haunt the edges of our property until she gave me some answers.

“How have you retained your compassion?”

The question brought me up short. “Josie says I’m a sucker.”

“She is often jaded,” he said with a note of caution, “and Matty can be bitter, but you’re neither.”

“Have you learned nothing about the consequences of targeting my siblings?”

“I would never harm them.” He made it a vow. “Even with the truth.”

I believed him. I must have since the urge to defend them never rose. I was surprised not to bristle.

“I have a unique perspective.” I bobbed a shoulder. “So do you, for that matter. We see death in a light most people never will.”

“Your ability to peer beyond the veil,” he said, “has made you more aware of life’s fragility.”

“People who wish they had done life differently are left with only regret in death.”

I should have been kinder. I should have been more generous. I should have given more of my time.

The list of things the dead would do or undo given half a chance stretched as long as my arm.

“You want to die with no regrets.”

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