Page 58 of Torn Ivy
Josh raises an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”
“A perfect death,” I say slowly. “I have an idea about that. But first, we need to get to Cathy before The Syndicate does. Where is she?”
Josh nods. “At home. She said she had something to take care of.”
“Then we need to move fast.” I turn to my guys. “Ready?”
Katie nods grimly. “Be careful. The tides have turned with this shift in the hierarchy. You need to be?—”
“Better?” I say bitterly.
She nods.
“Wonderful,” I mutter.
“We’re not losing her,” Tate says firmly, his hand finding mine. “We can do this.”
“The Resistance will help,” Josh adds. “We’ve been watching some of The Syndicate’s other operatives for a while now, wondering what was going on with them. We’ve been learning their patterns. They’re strong, but they’re predictable. Everything has to be just so with them.”
“Life’s influence,” I murmur. “They’re like those twisted plants, too perfect to be natural. No variation, no chaos, no...”
“Balance,” Katie finishes. “Exactly. They follow protocols because they can’t conceive of alternatives. It’s all black and white to them. No grey areas.”
“Then we use that rigidity against them,” I say. “They don’t live long enough to hurt anyone else.”
27
IVY
Travellingthrough Bram’s shadows feels natural. The Fae part of this power, which I still don’t understand, recognises the space between realms, understanding it not as darkness but as another form of balance. The natural counterpoint to light.
We emerge in Cathy’s back garden, materialising behind her prized rose bushes.
Stepping toward the back door, I test the handle. It’s open, and I shake my head, my mouth in a grim line. She never was all that concerned about security. I can see why now, knowing that she works for The Resistance. But still. That should make her more security conscious.
“Cathy? You here?” I call out.
She enters the kitchen holding out something that looks like a laser gun. She lowers it when she sees me. “Ivy? What are you doing here?”
“We came for you?—”
“You need to leave. There are creatures coming?—”
“You know?”
She huffs at me as I cut her off, much like she did to me and her eyes narrow as she takes in our group. “Of course I know. I’m not some helpless civilian, Ivy. I’ve been preparing for this.”
I blink, taken aback, but then shake my head at myself. I should’ve known. The Resistanceshould haveknown… Something doesn’t add up here. “Preparing how?” I ask suspiciously.
She gestures to the strange weapon in her hand. “Prototype. It is designed to disrupt supernatural energy signatures. Should incapacitate most threats, at least temporarily.”
“Impressive,” Torin murmurs, eyeing the device with interest.
“We don’t have time for show and tell,” I say, forcing us back on track. “The Syndicate is coming for you, Cathy. We need to get you out of here.”
She shakes her head firmly. “No. I’m not running. They want to come for me? They are more than fucking welcome.”
I press my lips together at my aunt’s brash attitude. I suddenly see her for what she is. A badass bitch. It’s not that she didn’t care or love me. She works for a supernatural agency tasked to take down The Syndicate. Simple, really, now that I know. I can see everything a lot clearer.
