She returned to her seat, and we all looked at the guy in the leather jacket. I read his nickname. Angry Guy.

He straightened. “I’m familiar with law enforcement procedures and have access to old cases. I’ve collected all cold cases that could have something to do with the twelve.” His silken voice filled the basement.

I didn’t need Soleil’s jerk to know who the voice belonged to.

5

“We have our plan,” Fenton said. “We’ll meet weekly from here on out.”

“I’ll leave first.” I leaped up.

The vampire’s brows shot up. “I wasn’t done. But okay.”

I marched out of the basement, waiting on the other side of the metal door. Unlike a goblin, I couldn’t pull off the blur charm by myself.

Fenton whispered the deactivation phrase, and I was off without a goodbye.

Blood pounded my cheeks.

Devereaux was in the room the whole damned time. He’d heard my news about my deal with the twelve. Dammit all.

Fury pulsed in my very bones.

Not at him.

At the danger he was now in. Why couldn’t he just leave the mystery alone for once?

Okay… maybe some of my fury was directed his way.

I squeezed my way out of the tight lanes, not bothering to wait for Soleil. She’d heard Devereaux speaking. She’d know I’d want nothing more than to get out of there.

“Cerys!”

I flagged down a hire carriage.

It drove past.

Ugh.

I tried again, flinging shouted curses after another carriage when it passed me by.

“Cerys.” Devereaux gripped my shoulder, turning me.

I glared up at him. “Why weren’t you in your long coat?”

A long coat would have been recognizable.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the offer?” he growled.

I pulled my tote higher. “Why didn’t you just respect my wishes and not get involved?”

At least he didn’t try to deny it. “Because you’re too important and you were in trouble. I couldn’t stand by. Asking me to do nothing was unfair.”

“We haven’t even gone on a single date,” I seethed. “Don’t you see that you could’ve been safe? You weren’t on their radar. Now you will be, and I can’t protect you anymore.”

This wasn’t a conversation to have here, yet I couldn’t recall being so furious in my life.

Devereaux lowered his head. “Maybe we haven’t gone on a real date yet, but I don’t need that to know.”