Page 93 of Dead End

“Then why didn’t they come while you’ve been away?” Kane asked.

“I have a couple theories, but the important part is that they’ll be here sooner rather than later.”

Goran ate faster.

“Where are Kami and Libby?”

“Libby is at the coffee shop, and Kami’s at the library,” Kane said.

“They’re working,” Goran added.

My mouth fell open. “They got jobs?”

“I offered to foot the bill while they figured out their next steps,” Kane said, “but they didn’t want to take any handouts.”

Goran raised his hand. “I volunteered as tribute.”

“Where’s Claude?”

“He went with Libby to give her a helping hand,” Goran said with a snort.

I wasn’t sure how people would feel about the revenant’s gnarly fingers touching their pastries; I assumed he would stay hidden behind the counter.

I splayed my hands on Kane’s chest. “As happy as I am to be back, I have to stay focused on the plan.”

Kane cocked his head. “There’s already a plan?”

“I came up with it between the underworld and here.” Which meant it would need a few tweaks, but it was a start. “I need you to call an Assassins Guild meeting. Have them come to the Castle.”

“Okay.”

“And I’m going to invite the Arrowhead Pack.”

“Not okay.”

I looked up at him. “Why not?”

“They’ll bicker. It’ll be distracting.”

“We need them both, Kane. Every last one of them.”

He closed his eyes, mulling it over. “Fine. What time? Some of the assassins don’t roll out of bed until the afternoon.”

“We need to meet now. They can nap when they’re safe.”

His mouth tightened. “Understood. I’ll contact the guild. You handle the pack.”

“Where’s my phone?” I hadn’t bothered to take it to the underworld. If I’d known it would only be a temporary trip, I would have.

“Right where you left it,” Goran said.

I hurried into the kitchen to call West.

“The chief will want to be part of the meeting,” West said, once I explained my intentions.

“No. We can’t have the police attending what’s essentially an Assassins Guild meeting. I need her attention where it already is, on the regular residents.”

“Whatever you say, Your Majesty. See you in twenty.”

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