Page 28 of Amber Gambler

Farah had the willpower to follow me to Bonaventure, but that was no guarantee this girl would too.

“Take someone with you.” He wiped his hand on his pants. “She ain’t right, that one.”

“I will.” I puffed out my cheeks. “I owe you.”

“You’re running up quite the tab, but I know you’re good for it.”

He winked and then he was gone, his hazy blue remnants streaking toward the landing.

A faint scratching noise, like nails on a chalkboard, lifted the hairs on my nape as I rose to investigate. No sooner had I swung open the door than Badb shot past me, aiming for her cat bed. She snuggled into the soft fabric with a rustle of feathers.

Without the leaf.

“What did you do with it?” I planted my fists on my hips. “You heard Moore’s warning last night.”

As usual, when faced with consequences of her actions, she feigned ignorance. But I was onto her tricks. She understood me as well as any person. She just chose to ignore me.

Shining black eyes gazed up at me while I glared down at her. “I know that you know I mean the leaf.”

When her poker face held, mostly because I had to blink sometime, I gave up and called Harrow. “Hey.”

“I might have a lead on one of the girls.” I kicked off my pajamas. “Are you coming with me?”

“I’ll be there in ten.”

Once I had clothes on, I turned back to the crow, who continued to act innocent in herstolenbed.

“I’m heading out.” I grabbed my purse and keys. “See you later.”

A caw of protest brought her to her feet, giving away her game.

“Too bad you don’t understand me or I might invite you along.”

Before she could rush me, I slipped out and shut the door behind me with a thud.

“Sorry, girl,” I yelled through the wood, “I don’t speak crow.”

That would show her who was boss. By the time I got home, she ought to be ready to negotiate.

With time to spare, and the cover of darkness to conceal me, I approached the burning tree. I stopped at six feet out, not wanting to risk tripping an alarm if I bumped against the ward Moore had set earlier.

“Kierce, I don’t know for sure you did this, but if you did, do you think you could come back and help me figure out what to do about it?” I tipped my chin up, staring at the moon. “Badb misses you, and I…”

The rumble of Harrow’s car interrupted me, and I pivoted to go.

“Frankie.”

A shiver coasted down my spine as I turned back to the tree. “Kierce?”

For a full minute, I strained my ears, barely breathing, but all too soon headlights illuminated the trunk. I had no choice but to leave or risk Harrow learning a new secret. To protect Kierce, I crossed the street to the wagon.

Quickly, I cranked her so he would find me idling and assume I had always planned to drive.

Sure enough, he parked and strolled over, letting himself in with a faint smile. “You hate it.”

“Midnight drives? Nah. They’re relaxing. Not as good as running but there are fewer mosquitos.”

“The Chevelle.”

---