Page 58 of Grace of a Wolf 2
Jack-Eye chuckles. "That's the best comeback you've got?"
"I save my good material for people who matter," I mutter, ignoring how his eyebrows shoot up. "Right now I'm busy tryingto find your king's missing girlfriend before someone drains her for parts. Or something."
Though, if my suspicions are right…
The pulsing changes direction slightly, and I make a sharp right turn.
"Do you always drive like you're stealing the car?" he asks, his knuckles white where he grips the seat. Good to know even a wolf fears car accidents.
I don't. But he should.
"Only when I'm stuck with backseat drivers." I tap the brakes just to make him lurch forward. "If my driving bothers you so much, you're welcome to get out and follow Caine's car."
"And miss this stimulating conversation? Never."
The fishhook tug feels like it's trying to yank an entire rib out. We're close.
I slow down, eyes scanning the street ahead. The strip mall on our left houses a pizza joint with gaudy neon signs, a laundromat, and what appears to be a vape shop with blacked-out windows.
Tempting. It isn't like I'll ever have to worry about cancer, and the flavored ones are quite delicious. Birthday cake in a puff? Yes, please.
"Hold on," I murmur, pulling into a parking spot.
Jack-Eye leans forward. "Are we here?"
"No. I just wanted a smoke break," I say, deadpan.
He stares at me, like he's considering actually believing my words. How cute.
I squint through my windshield, rolling the window down just a little, enough to let the air in. The taste of mixed energies washes over me—human mostly, stale and ordinary. But there, moving among them, a bright silver thread of something else. Somethingother.
My tongue slides over my teeth, a little sharper than usual as the urge to hunt rises. The tugging has ceased, leaving only the faintest vibration. "Whoever took Grace might be here," I say, keeping my voice low. "Or at least, someone connected to them."
Jack-Eye tenses beside me, and I can practically feel the predator rising to the surface of his skin. His hand drops to his waistband, where I know he's carrying at least one knife.
"Easy, big bad," I say, placing a restrictive hand on his arm. He's warm and surprisingly solid. Lycans have always been a dense breed, though.
In muscle, not brain.
Though… maybe both is more accurate.
"You don't know what we're dealing with. If you go charging in teeth bared, we might spook him and lose our only lead."
His jaw clenches, but he nods. "What's the plan, then?"
"I track the signature, figure out who's carrying it. You stay in the car until I signal."
He barks a laugh. "Not happening."
"Wasn't asking permission," I say, already reaching for the door handle.
"Caine would have my head if I let you walk in there alone."
"Caine's not my alpha." I turn to face him fully, letting my glamour slip just enough for him to see what lurks behind my human facade; my slitted eyes are usually enough to get the point across. "And neither are you."
To his credit, Jack-Eye doesn't flinch, though his nostrils flare slightly. "Impressive party trick. Still coming with you."
I consider turning him into something small and warty for about three seconds, but decide it's not worth the energy expenditure.
