Page 55 of Court of Evil

Taking off my glove, I lay my hand in hers, meeting her gaze, but I’m not seeing her—I’m seeing her memories. She holds nothing back, and when I lean away, I know this woman is someone I should trust.

She has earned it.

Nodding, I get to my feet. “We will go then. Where is this man you wish for me to free?”

“I couldn’t see everything, but I saw a great skyscraper in the city.” I know it annoys her that she can’t help. She’s the type who wants to save everyone, unlike me.

“The southeast tower.” Ronan groans. “Great . . . It’s filled with hunters.”

“It was not inside. It was . . . below. Hidden,” Althea offers.

“I’ll figure it out.” If she says this is important, then I will trust her on that. We will go, and after, we will find Black. Time is running out, and I’m growing impatient, so I nod at Simon and his mate, telling them goodbye, and head to the door, my team in tow.

“Oh, and Tate?” I glance back as she sips her tea. “Trust those you surround yourself with, no matter how hard it is. You will need to before the end. You will become so much more than a hunter. You will become our champion, our protector, and our scribe.”

I don’t know what she means, but when she smiles at me, I have a feeling I will find out.

CHAPTER 24

The fae rips open a portal, and we walk through, taking our time. The southwest tower is in the middle of the city, so we spy on it from the coffee shop across the road. We definitely get some looks, and I don’t blame them since the guys around me are insanely beautiful and inhumanly big, but I ignore the whispers and focus on the building.

“Under it,” I murmur. “A basement? Maintenance?” I muse out loud. “It would have to be hidden from the other hunters and humans around here, not to mention other monsters, but have easy access—” My eyes land on the subway and I smile.

“Tunnels.” I sip my coffee as I nod. “They are hiding in the tunnels. Okay, so we?—”

“Excuse me?” The quiet, unsure voice has us all whirling around. I reach for my blade while the others draw their magic, all but Ronan, who is trying very hard to drink his coffee and not let it go through him.

The girl is young, her bright blonde hair vibrant. Her cheeks heat as she glances at us. “Sorry, I was just hoping I could give you my number.”

I roll my eyes and look away, assuming she means the fae, Tem, or even Addeus. “Erm, you?” she squeaks, and I look backas she thrusts a piece of paper towards me. Blinking, I take it in confusion, and she grins and giggles before hurrying off as I gape at her retreating back in shock.

Ronan snorts, and his coffee squirts all over Addeus, who grabs him with a roar. Sighing, I pocket the number and glance at the building.

“Alright, enough fighting. Let’s go,” I say after observing the subway entrance. I haven’t seen any hunters go in or out, but that doesn’t mean anything.

Standing, I throw some bills on the table and leave the boys rolling around on the floor, fighting. I walk out into the street, ignoring the traffic as I cross. Horns blare, and I flip them off as I reach the subway entrance then descend the stairs. I hear the guys hurrying after me, their footsteps chasing me. At the turnstiles, I scan my card and move through, only to stop as I glance back.

Ronan floats over it, the fae frowns, Tem hops it with a grin, and Addeus snarls at the machine, banging his fist into it. Rolling my eyes, I go to scan my card when the fae flicks his fingers and all the stalls magically open, then he walks through with a cocky grin. I throw him a glare. Poor Addeus has to move through sideways, grumbling the entire time.

This world was not made for a man of his stature.

Before we get shouted at or ticketed, I hurry down the stairs to the right and onto the platform. It’s busy at this time, and I glance around, searching for what I want. People move out of our way as I walk farther down, until we are at the end of the platform. I see a small walkway leading deeper, and a few feet down is a door. It has an emergency sign, but painted under it is the hunter symbol.

Bingo.

Ignoring the gasps and calls, I hop down onto the line, my boots hitting the metal hard. I keep my back to the wall and pullmy gun as I move to the door. I glance back to see the others doing the same, though Addeus is having to hunch. Smirking, I crouch before the door and look for any traps or wires. Nothing buzzes, but that doesn’t mean anything.

“Addeus,” I call. “Come here.”

He slides past the others, knocking the fae onto the track before he is at my side. “Can you sense anything? Any traps, cameras, or tricks?” I ask. It’s worth a shot, right? If the hostage inside is important, then they would at least have it wired or be able to monitor it.

“I sense people inside. I can hear their heartbeats. There are many, but they are farther in.” He closes his eyes and presses his hand to the door.

His eyes glow brighter, that blue ring appearing, and I swear I hear electricity crackling through him. “There are cameras, but I have knocked them out. There is an alarm too, which I have disabled.” He drops his hand. “Now it is just the people inside.”

“They will have noticed,” I murmur as I twist the handle, and it opens. I peer inside before looking back at the others, an idea coming to mind.

“Fae, if I make a deal with you, will you glamour all of you and hide behind me?”

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