Page 84 of Awry
Fuck.And yeah, I would have already known that if I’d bothered to take the time to think about it.The awry avoided traveling through that section of North America.As did most other people, for that matter.
Chains and Breaker waited to run us off the road in neutral territory for multiple reasons.
“How the hell did the club princess give them the slip?”Coda says, talking more out loud than to me.
I blow out a long breath.“I gather it involved hopping on a random train and slipping through at least two borders undetected.”
“Yeah, I doubt she has a passport.”
“And getting it scanned?Would have put her right back on their radar.”
“Wily kid.”
“She’s awry,” I say.“We learn fast.”
“Or we die even quicker.”
Yeah, that.“It’s not Precious I’m concerned about.I’ll move her onto the property if I have to.”Despite the evidence of the two bodies and my recently dead aunt, the property— powered by the intersection point— offers a certain layer of protection to those invited onto it.And while there are obvious exceptions to that rule, none of those exceptions should affect my ability to keep Precious safe from her father.
“I’ll get the paperwork going,” Coda says.“Just in case.”
The awry have certain legal protections that can also be triggered, in some countries at least.Such as levels of diplomatic immunity and the ability to request protection from local law enforcement.Problem is, most local law isn’t up for fighting the forces that actively hunt and kill the awry.
“Guardianship?”Coda asks.“Or do you want adoption papers?”
With my level of diplomatic immunity, backed by my clout in the overall community of essence-wielders, I can simply take Precious as my mentee and expect most others to be … well … wary of what it might mean to cross me.But such paperwork and legalities mean nothing to the Cataclysm or within the Federation.
“Get it all ready,” I whisper.Then I strengthen my voice.“There are a few conversations I’m going to need to have before we’re signing anything.”
I honestly don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.I’m way, way out of my depth, and there are no shallows nearby.I just need to tread water.Until … until …
Maybe for the rest of my long existence …
I squeeze my eyes shut, achingly aware that I’m muddling things up in my head.I’m confusing my unleashed grief with my disconcertion over my abrupt ascension.I’ve latched onto this … I’ve latched onto Precious as if she’s some sort of life raft I can cling to while I get my bearings.
“It might not be … fair,” I murmur.“To drag Precious into all … of this …”
Coda scoffs on the other end of the line.“Where would she be right now if you hadn’t snatched her?Where will she be in a month, in six months, if you don’t take her in and train her?”
I press the heels of my hands over my eyes, massaging lightly.
“You don’t actually need me to paint you a picture, do you?”Coda asks, all snark fully back in play.
The reverent tone took a little longer to wear off than I’d hoped, but I find myself smiling sadly in response.“No.”
Precious isn’t my first rescue, and she isn’t going to be my last.Same with Coda.We’ve worked together for years now.I doubt the hacker could walk away any more than I could— and Coda hasn’t even been in the same room as Presh yet.Hasn’t felt the life-affirming energy radiating from her.
“Are you … are you really coming?”I ask, like an utterly needy bitch.
“Apparently.”Coda sniffs.“Gigi’s already sending me to-do lists.I’ll start digging on your aunt and the combat mage.And keep digging on the kid and her family.But give me something juicier to focus on.I know you’re holding back.”
“The berserker,” I say, as if the thought has just been fed through me even though my mind is scattered.“I was a little busy at the time, but I’m not certain I was facing off with a normal berserker.”
“Normal.”Coda snorts.“How would you know with a berserker?”
“Well, he … talked.And, like, remained somewhat … rational …” I can’t really believe I’m using that word in connection to what happened on the beach.“What are the chances that the Outcast cleanup crew took blood samples?And their medic —”
“Zephyr Rae.Club name Doc or Doc Z,” Coda interrupts, fingers once again flying over keyboards.“Not just a medic, she’s got her doctorate in emergency medicine and kinesiology.Not registered … but … let me take a peek … she’s a fucking pegasus.A pegasus!Brilliant, eh?”
