Page 31 of Evil Eyed
Not that they’d believe any of those details. If I tried to explain about the fae creature who lived in a swampy portal on the other end of the fountain outside our old townhome, I’d end up in a different kind of cell entirely.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” I whispered softly, not sure we could trust the driver of the car.
“They arrest you, and we immediately bail you out. It might take a few hours to get before a judge, but Boss Man should be able to get you out today. It could take months or even years before you’d ever go to trial. Plenty of time for new evidence to materialize, or for us to get some kind of plea deal worked out. Absolute worst case, you could always go to...uh…with Warwick.”
True. Worst case, I’d go to the Summer Isle for a while. But what about the guys?
:We’ve faced worse than some shitty human cops,:Aidan retorted. :Give us a little credit.:
:Chill, dude,:Ivarr replied.:You’re only making her more nervous.:In my mind, he glowed brighter, sending saves of warm, molten honey flowing through me.:D and I are already here.:
Knowing they were going to be close helped settle my nerves. As long as they didn’t try to storm the police station to get me out. Aidan and Keane followed this car, and Hammer and company had spread out up and down the freeway both ahead and behind us, casually make sure the road was clear of anything unexpected.
Vivi said we’d have to go through security at the door, which included metal detectors and manual bag checks. I didn’t think it’d be a good idea to have pockets or baggies full of suspicious white powder—even if it was just salt. Certainly no crowbar or spike would pass through security. So from a“facing the fae”perspective, we were going in completely unarmed.
Aidan was practically frothing at the mouth just thinking about it.
I did carry a simple leather sachet with a sketch book and supplies. I was an artist after all—that certainly wasn’t suspicious. I’d already painted a couple of landscapes in the sketchbook, including the cave where we’d faced off with Jonathan. I’d used that painting to travel to that location without moving, and though I didn’t necessarily want to go back there, the cave was better than the police station if things went south. I’d also added a rough sketch of the gazebo on the shoreline of the lake that bordered our new property. Hopefully I’d be able to concentrate enough to travel to either location in an emergency, and then we could regroup with the guys.
:Don’t forget about me.:Warwick cast a sparkling curtain of emeralds through my mind.:I’ll be hovering nearby and ready to pull you to the Summer Isle at a moment’s notice.:
The car pulled over and parked outside a modern-looking three-story building with a circular atrium tower in the center. Sheets of glass reflected the sky and sunlight so brightly that it was impossible to see what the interior of the building looked like.
“Here we go,” Vivi said brightly as she pushed open the door. “Thanks, Lars.”
“Anytime, Ms. Rourke.”
I scooted across the seat after her. “Where’s Boss Man?”
She linked arms with me and confidently walked toward the rounded glass doors. “He’s waiting inside. He came over as soon as he got out of court this morning. From now on out, don’t say anything out loud that you don’t want cops to hear. Even if they say we’re in a private interview room. The less you say, the better.”
I took a deep breath. “Got it.”
I felt a subtle tug or heaviness to my left. Glancing out toward the parking lot, I saw Doran’s bulk leaned up against a big black SUV. The reinforcements were here, armed and ready.I can do this.
Four decorative black columns lined the circular entryway. As we neared them, the hairs on my nape prickled.
:Stop,:Warwick said quickly.
I jerked to a halt, resisting the urge to whirl around and race toward Doran.:What’s wrong?:
:This building is warded.:
:Oh fuck no.:Aidan’s bond pulsed and swelled in my mind, a grim thunderstorm threatening to obliterate everything in his path.:What kind of ward? Will we be able to pass if we need to get her out?:
:It’s impossible to know for sure until she’s inside,:Warwick replied.:It’s very subtle, which makes me think it’s keyed to ward against fae.:
Vivi gave me a worried look, one eyebrow arched to silently ask what was going on. I gave her a smile. “Just a second. I’m admiring the architecture.”
:Does that mean you won’t be able to get me out in an emergency?:I asked Warwick.
:No ward will be able to keep a leprechaun from fulfilling a wish on his gold.:
So I still had two wishes, and he’d be able to get me out. Relieved, I started walking again, despite the bone-rattling roar inside my head.
That was Doran.:I can’t bear it, love. I can’t bear to know you’re in danger and alone and there’s nothing I can do to help you.:
:I’m okay.:I tried to soothe him but his gargoyle paced and thrashed inside my mind, wings straining, claws rending with fury.:Warwick can still get me out, just like he did from Fhroig’s lair.:
