Page 149 of Coerced

That reminded me I still had Chance’s wallet and I handed it to John to pass along to him.

“Is that safe enough for our sheltered little cat?” Gigi asked.

“I sent her a list of Hubler’s known residences.” Travis shrugged. “She and Chance will be checking them out one at a time until they find her. Kerry and Rome didn’t see any danger in that, and neither did I.”

“And Chance will be with her.” Rome had finished his quiet conversation with Mira. “He’s smart and tough and doesn’t shy away from a fight. He’ll take care of her.”

“He’d better,” Gigi growled.

“One of you will need to tell Spin I want him to pick up Hubler’s trail and stay on it,” I said. “I wanna know where he is at all times, but Spin is to stay outta sight. Make that clear to him. I do not want him trying to take this guy on alone.”

“What about the rest of us?” Rome asked.

“The rest of us are gonna hold tight until we see where we’re needed. Either we’ll go after one of the Alchemists or we’ll rescue Mrs. Hubler and her children. And if we find other nephs at City of the Future, we’ll need to drop them off at an airport or outpost.”

“Where are we going to be waiting for the signal?” Gigi shifted in her seat so she could meet my eyes. “Back at the Sanctuary?”

“New York City. Boots said it’s a four-hour car ride from where we’re headed. I have contacts there and we can get flights anywhere in the world. That’ll help us move faster when we find out where we’re going next.”

“What about Gemma?” Gigi asked. “Do you want John to take her to the Sanctuary or—”

“Gemma does not leave my side.”

No way I am ever letting her outta my sight again.

“It’s a good plan, Kerry.” John suddenly gave me one of his rare smiles. “Thank you for not giving up on us. For believing in us even though we doubted you. And for not leaving us to do this without you.”

“Shut up.” I shot him a dark look. “Don’t be an idiot.”

“Kerry,” Gigi said, “if Gemma were here, what would she whisper in your ear right now?”

I glared at her, but her grin only grew. Rome was looking at me and I knew my face was red, but she was right. I had to do it. Even if itwasthrough gritted teeth.

“You’re welcome, John.”

40. Frenzy

Gemma

Bang!

“What the—”

“Wake up!”

“Incoming!”

I shot off my cot as the shouts turned into screams. Half a dozen lesser demons stormed through the door. My heart accelerated into warp speed. This was my worst nightmare, my greatest fear.

Evil had come for me in the darkness, and I was helpless against it.

“Grab your mattress and use it like a shield!” Jax shouted. “Rush them!”

It was a plan, at least. While I struggled with the awkward mattresses, he, Chance, Tara, and Maddy pulled theirs up and rushed into the whirl of wings and talons, trying to shove them back out the door. Spin pushed Monkey into the bathroom and shut the door, then ran past me, grabbed the mattress I’d half-levered off a bed, and jumped into the fight.

I glanced at the front door to measure how much time I had and caught a glimpse of Castle behind the demons. As he croaked out commands, his eyes - black as space and just as devoid of emotion - met mine.

A shiver shook me, but I wasn’t going to lethimknow that. I lifted my chin and went back to yanking at another mattress, but I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be able to use it like the others were. This wasn’t my memory foam at school. It was saggy and old, heavy with metal coils, and at least six feet long. All I’d manage to achieve with this thing was to trip myself or the others.

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