Page 145 of Coerced

As she took off, John helped me into my boxers and pajama pants with a soft chuckle.

“April Fools.”

“What?” I growled.

“It’s April first. Look at your chest.”

I glanced down and saw the “special surprise” Mira had worked into my armor. Slightly impressed on my left pectoral was a quarter-sized heart made of words. Even though I was looking at it upside down, I could clearly read, ‘Property of Mira Kuznetsova.’

Nonplussed, I didn’t know whether to laugh or curse.

“I like your lady,” he said. “She has a wicked sense of humor.”

“She’s not my lady.”

“Your heart says otherwise, but whatever. Unlessyou’rethe uninterested party?”

I bared my teeth at him, but he only smiled.

“I’m going to bed,” I mumbled. “Thanks for your help.”

“Anytime.”

38. See You in Pittsburgh

Kerry

Khiem Pham was the picture of defeat. His back was bent and his eyes were dead.

Well, heishere for the rest of his life.What does he have to hope for?

“Why did you start dating Zoe Becerra?” I started off with.

“My master told me to.”

I made sure the master was the necromancer, then double-checked that Pham hadn’t been enthralled or coerced byanymeans into serving him.

He hadn’t. He’d done so of his own free will.

Stupid. Got what you deserved, didn’t you?

“Why did he target Zoe?”

“She could give us what we wanted.”

“Be specific.” I rolled my eyes.

“She could read and write and wield power.”

This is gonna take all day this way.Let’s change tactics.

“Answer yes or no to my questions. Did you hope she would transmute the dead into living people?”

“Yes.”

“Did your master zombify her?”

“Yes.”

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