Page 22 of Seducing Jenny
“Much, much taller,” I agreed. “They used to tower over the walls.”
Now the gates were flush with the top edge of the city walls. Guards at the threshold wore casual clothing, no armor, no weapons on display. And the people walking by…were smiling.
I was impressed. “I think it’s safe to say that your sister has made some changes to Faithless.” I turned to Jenny. “Don’t forget, those who are not united can be possessed on Halla, so you’ll have to be careful.”
She nodded. “Thanks for the reminder.”
“Have you…given any thought to becoming united?” I asked casually, curious to know her thoughts. “For your safety, I mean. If you intend to stay on Orhon or Halla. For the future.”
Her brows lifted slightly. “Because ghosts might try to possess me?”
I looked away, suddenly uncertain. “Ghosts can get aggressive when they want something and you’re…well, you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you, Tiger,” she said softly. “As far as unions go, I haven’t even thought about it. I’m trying to stay focused on rescuing Mal. Are you sure Deacon and Jac will be able to help with that?”
“If anyone can, it’s them.” I didn’t mention that Mal’s past could complicate their willingness to help him, but figured we’d deal with that when the time came.
I parkedCheesecakenext to several other ships, and we disembarked for the line to get into the city, which appeared to be the protocol. Being in line with so many ghosts was always disconcerting to me, though Jenny didn’t seem to mind. With the exception of her palace-related events, Jenny always looked comfortable no matter where she was.
At the front of the line, however, the guards took notice of her species.
“My name is Jenny Hollinger,” she said calmly. “I would like to see my sister, Sarah Hollinger. I believe you call her Queen.”
The guard’s eyes widened as he gulped. “Right away.”
He put in a call, and within minutes, we had permission to fly into the gates and directly to the mansion of the city’s queen. Once we landed there,Cheesecakewas swarmed by Sarah, Deacon, and Jac.
Jenny ran out of the ship and hugged her sister tightly before anyone could get a word out. I laughed at the pair, before Jac did the same to me, choking me hard, but affectionately. He ruffled my hair then punched my shoulder.
“You’re a dead man, you know that, right?” he said to me.
“What for?”
He tipped his head to Sarah, who fixed me with an icy stare over Jenny’s shoulder. “You were supposed to keep my sister safe, and yet she ends up inIlliapol?”
Jenny pulled back from Sarah just long enough to defend me. “That was not Tiger’s fault. Not at all. Come on, I’ll explain everything.”
She linked arms with Sarah and the two of them started for the mansion.
“Don’t forget,” I called after them. “We’re on a time limit.”
Jenny acknowledged me with a nod, right before they disappeared inside.
Jac turned to me. “Why the rush?”
He stood almost a foot shorter than me, but he had a commanding presence. His taupe skin shimmered with blue undertones in the sunlight, and though we shared similar coloring, that was where the resemblance ended. His muscle-dense frame and violet eyes reminded me more of Mal. That thought was more distracting than I needed to be.
“Since Jenny won Illiapol, Justice has assigned a guard to her with the expressed purpose ofkeeping her safe, which is, inreality, an excuse to keep a tail on her,” I started to explain. “He thinks she cheated at Illiapol, and he wants to prove that she did, so he’s having her followed to gather any ounce of proof. He wants to make an example of her.”
Jac rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. “Why would he want to do that?”
“To ensure that no human, and no woman, ever dares to stand up to him again,” Deacon said in a bitter tone.
His Sellac heritage on his mother’s side shone in the pink tinge of his tan skin, but the rest of him resembled his father. He had long gray hair, hazel eyes, and a strong jaw that enhanced his handsome features. His strength was obvious in his character more than his body, but he was still physically stronger than most classed men with his privileged upbringing.
There was no shortage of disgust in his voice when he added, “There is no doubt Justice sees her victory as an insult. As thoughherstrength was abouthim.”
“That’s true,” I agreed. “So we’ve placed a donor at the mansion to act as Jenny’s double while we’re here. It’s working, for now, but we don’t know how long it will last. Which is why this visit needs to be quick.”
