Page 140 of Burn Like An Angel

Ripley rests her head on Raine’s shoulder. “We swapped one prison for another.”

“You’re safe, fed and have around-the-clock security.” Warner stares at her in the rearview mirror. “That’s a damn sight more than those trapped in other institutes or transferred from Harrowdean.”

“Hey,” I snap at him. “She’s allowed to feel frustrated.”

“We’re doing the best we can. This is a complex investigation.”

“You need to do better.”

The dick doesn’t deign to respond.

Merging through the dense traffic, we’re deep in the business district, surrounded by cloud-kissing buildings on all sides. Bystanders wear pressed business suits and carry extortionately priced coffees on their morning commutes.

It’s places like this that gave birth to Incendia Corporation. All the country’s wealth and power concentrated into a handful of streets and buildings. Millions of lives dictated by the select few privileged enough to rise to the top.

“Jonathan’s firm is half a mile from here, in Canary Wharf,” Ripley observes.

“My team is monitoring your uncle personally,” Warner attempts to reassure her. “If he steps even a toe out of line, we’ll know about it.”

“Comforting,” Xander chuffs. “Because none of these people have done anything criminal under scrutiny before, right? They’ll stay on the straight and narrow now.”

His sarcasm aside, Xander makes a good point. Surveillance isn’t enough. We’ve warned them about Jonathan Bennet and his connections to the conspiracy they’re attempting to unravel.

“Look.” Warner sighs audibly. “We’re up against decades’ of corruption here. This conspiracy goes right to the top of the government. You need to be more patient.”

The monstrously huge building he drives up to silences our conversation. I’m gawping at the sky-high slab of polished steel and impenetrable tinted glass as the SUV slows to pull in.

Countless burly security officers surround the building, all wearing dark sunglasses and visible earpieces to match their stern expressions. Warner waves to one as he stops for a retinal scan before entering the underground parking garage.

We all pile out together on high alert. Raine unfolds his new white guide stick then takes Ripley’s arm with his spare hand. Resting a hand on her lower back, I follow Xander and Warner over to the elevators.

The ride up to discover our fate is fraught with nail-biting silence. We’re all balancing on a razor’s edge, instinctively closing ranks in the small space. Ripley and Raine end up sandwiched between us.

I have no idea how many witnesses are cooperating with their investigation but given that we haven’t been hauled in front of the authorities until now, Sabre must be combing through countless interviews and testimonies.

“What if they want to prosecute?” Raine whispers.

Considering his question, I study the back of Warner’s head. It’d be easy enough to knock him out. I doubt we could take his whole team or their reinforcements, though I’d give it a damn good shot.

“We handle it.” Xander’s voice is impassive, betraying nothing. “Like we always have.”

Translation—he goes full feral and butchers anyone standing in our way. Xander’s ability to switch his humanity off would terrify anyone else. For us, it’s like having our own personal army.

“Great plan.” Ripley scrubs her face.

“I’m aware.”

“Sarcasm, Xan. You need to rein in the stabby attitude.”

I snort at her words. “Like that’s gonna happen.”

The floor we arrive at is brightly lit with plush carpets and numerous rooms off the long corridor, hidden by frosted glass. Warner gestures for us to follow him, tucking the special black pass he scanned in his pocket.

We’re taken to an empty conference room fitted with a long, wooden table and several chairs. Ripley steers Raine to the nearest seat, glancing up to ensure we’re following. I brush her shoulder as I pass.

“Wait here.” Warner ducks from the room.

Arms folded, I lean against the wall, unwilling to relax. Xander moves to stand beside the window, studying the impressive skyline beyond. We’re high up, enough to see the wispy clouds.

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