Page 102 of Ice Princess

Uncle Stewart freezes and turns slowly around to face me.

“What did we do to Rebel’s family?” Those foreboding words that cast a shadow over me when I was seven return to haunt me now. An insidious fear winds its way around my spine and claws at my throat. “Tell me.”

Uncle Stewart extends a hand.

I stare at his grizzly palm, my eyes narrowed.

“Give me your father’s badge first,” he snarls.

My eyes whip up to his.

Smugly, he pulls his hand back. “Hand over your uncle’s political career. Fire your mother as chairwoman of the Society.” His grin sends another chill down my spine. “Then I’ll tell you.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY-ONE

REBEL

I slapthe radiator cap back on the car and stomp to the driver’s side so I can turn on the engine.

The car rumbles to life and I listen for the high pitched noise the client complained about. I diagnosed it as a radiator leak, but if the sound continues, I need to investigate deeper.

A throaty roar erupts in the mechanic bay as the engine throttles.

The high-pitched sound is gone.

Machine, 0

Human, 1

I wait for the thrill of another victory.

But the excited gush in the pit of my stomach is missing today.

To be honest, it’s been missing all week.

“If you’re scowling because of the other noises rattling under the hood, I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself,” April says, offering me a bottle of water. “The client only asked us to diagnosethatspecific sound.”

“I know.” I uncap the top and guzzle the water back.

April eyes me up and down. “Then why do you look so mad? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I bend into the car and turn off the engine. “The high pitched noise is gone for now, but I still want to take the car on a test drive to be sure. I’ll do that after our interview with the new mechanic though.”

“Hm.” April keeps on watching me.

I check my sparkly pink watch and notice a dirt stain on the band. Avoiding eye contact, I grab a nearby pink rag and wipe the plastic material. “Isn’t she supposed to be here for the interview by now?”

Silence meets my question.

My eyes bounce up to April. She’s staring at me with a crease between her eyebrows.

“What?” I ask, feeling like she can see right through my act.

“You’ve been extra testy since Monday.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I pick up my work tablet and log in.

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