Page 17 of Code Name: Phoenix

“Oh, can it. We’re just talking,” Dana snaps back, surprising everyone, me included. The other two men chuckle, which sets my nerves at ease, but not by much. Dana’s eyes round as she looks back at me, probably realizing our situation, as she mouths,Sorry.

For all five and a half feet of her, she is strong, but I know her better than anyone. Her strength is on the outside. On the inside, she’s just as anxious as I am. Settling back into her seat, she takes a deep breath.

“You okay?” I ask. Dana is a tough one, but I know she’s worried.

“Yeah, you?” she asks back. I’m silent. I don’t know what I am. “Jessa? That was Jack. What’s going on?”

Our eyes lock in a tempest of confusion.

That was Jack.

“I have no idea.” The sheer absurdity of our situation gives me pause.

The van makes a few jerky stops, and I remember that I need to say my piece before we stop for good, because we will most likely be separated. “Look, I need to tell you a couple of things. It’s important.” Dana straightens in her seat to listen further, and I know the guys around us can hear as well. I don’t care. It will be better for Dana if they hear me say this. “First, I don’t think these guys work for Maxwell.” At my words, Dana releases a relieved sigh, and I continue, “Next, whatever they ask you—anything, no matter what it is—tell the truth. Tell them what you know.”

“What?” Dana’s eyes go wide. The largest of the men turns to look at me, no doubt checking to see if I’m up to something, but I hold firm.

“No matter what the question is, Dana. Tell them everything you know.” The van slows to a definite stop, and I speak quickly before we are separated. “Don’t let that Jekyll guy intimidate you. Just answer their questions. Please, Dana,” I plead, hoping to get her to agree before the doors open.

“But why? Won’t that be bad for you—and Zane?” The confused look on her face breaks my heart.

As I open my mouth to respond, the door slides open, pouring the day’s bright light into our dark space. Squinting in the direction of our exit, my eyes fall on Jekyll. He’s blocking the sun from my line of sight with a wolfish grin.

“My, aren’t you a smart little bird.” Jekyll’s gaze travels past Dana and lands on me, and my breath catches in my chest. As uncomfortable as it would be, I almost want Jack to be the one standing here right now.

Then Jekyll shifts his focus to Dana and arrogantly answers her for me. “Haven’t you figured it out,sweetie? Your friend has been keeping things from you. Probably to protect you. You are on what we like to call a need-to-know basis, and your friend here has decided you don’t need to know much. Isn’t that right, Blue Jay?”

I wince at his new nickname for me and look to Dana, silently asking for her temporary forgiveness until I get the chance to speak to her again.

“You don’t need to interrogate her. She’ll tell you everything she knows,” I say in her direction. Then I look past Jekyll for a glimpse of Jack, but he is nowhere to be found.

“Grizz, take this one inside. Room two.” He leans into the van, unhooks Dana, and guides her out into the open.

Jekyll stands still for a moment. It feels like he is waiting for something. Then, as soon as the shuffle of feet fades away, he looks back to me. I’m still secured in the van, and he ever so slowly leans into my space.

His eyes begin at my chest and slowly roam up to examine my face. He’s so close I can feel the heat of his breath on my cheek.

As if sizing up dessert, he slowly licks his lips as he takes me in completely. The realization that no one else is around sinks in.

“I find you fascinating, Blue Jay.” Tension fills his expression and his tone. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Slowly leaning closer, he inhales, as if he’s committing my scent to memory, and my skin prickles under his scrutiny. “Tell me how you go from being dead to sitting here inmypossession?”

“I—”

“Jekyll,” Jack bites out from behind him, and I clamp my lips shut. Jekyll mutters something under his breath, and I get the impression my being alone with him out here was not part of Jack’s plan.

Jekyll slowly steps back and straightens. But he keeps his eyes on me, and I will myself to hold his stare and not look over at Jack.

“I was just having a little chat with ourprisoner.” Jekyll emphasizes his last word to remind both Jack and me of the gravity of our situation and my place among them.

I don’t need any reminders.

I know what I am.

I’m already planning an escape.

“Where do you want her?” Jack steps closer to the van and looks inside. It isn’t lost on me that he isn’t making eye contact.

“Lock her in her quarters. I want to talk to the snippy one first.”

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