Page 18 of This Ravenous Fate
Elise considered herself willing to do anything for Josi, but she was glad she didn’t have to do that task for her anymore; shoes were so dirty and touching them had always made her hands feelcontaminated. Even now her fingers twitched by her sides, already uncomfortable at the thought.
“Ugh, fine.” Josi crouched down to redo the laces of her saddle shoe.
Elise watched her sister’s hands loop them slowly. Until she noticed something. “Josi, where’s your ring?”
Josi paused. She looked up, apprehension bright in her eyes. “Don’t tell Mother—”
“Did you lose it?” Elise asked sharply.
“I think I just misplaced it. I didn’t mean to—”
“Hey, hey.” Sterling stepped between them. “Josi, let’s go take a look at that candy out at the newsstand. I’ve got some nickels.”
Josi grinned and followed him toward the front door of the clinic.
“God, he’s the best friend a girl could ask for,” Thalia said.
Elise almost laughed. “Thalia—”
“I know how it sounds, but we’ve discussed it and he understands. I want to focus on my work now and I might be selfish, but I’d rather have him as a friend than not at all,” Thalia said.
Elise wanted to wince on Sterling’s behalf. But she touched Thalia’s hand and smiled gently. “I’m proud of you, too, by the way.” Elise gestured around them. “This is incredible, and Mr. Wayne says there are stories in the papers about it—”
“Oh, trust me, I’m still earning my place here. Dr. Harding never mentions me when he talks to the papers,” Thalia said bitterly. “I almost confronted him about it, but I’d rather not compromise my job. My mother is worried. She believes I’ll end up like her, used and discarded. She is a brilliant scientist who madeonemistake andyour father cast her out. As much as I hate to admit it, I have a better chance of making a difference here. Even if it means putting up with Dr. Hardass.” She rolled her eyes. “The man is insufferable and barely lets me touch anything, but other than that, the connections here are extraordinary,” Thalia said.
“I understand,” Elise said. “You’ve always wanted to change the world.”
Thalia nodded weakly. “Of course. Though it’s difficult to get people’s hopes up only to disappoint them in the end. Reapers are getting harder to differentiate from humans, and other countries are starting to see the United States as a breeding ground for evil. When I was in Switzerland, there were already talks of cutting ties with us because of how we’re handling the reapers here. It’s starting to feel oppressive. I don’t want to let anyone down,” Thalia muttered.
Elise understood that all too well. She laced her fingers through Thalia’s. “You won’t disappoint us, Thalia.”
“Okay, that’s enough of that. No more emoting.” Sterling returned with Josi, who had a lollipop and a red tongue from the candy. “We need to make up for our lost time,” Sterling said.
“Jazz club tonight? I can have Colm pick you up?” Elise asked.
Thalia nodded. “Yes, please.” She turned to Sterling, who had lifted up a giggling Josi. “Unhand her.”
“Unhand me, stupid!” Josi squealed at Sterling.
Elise fell into a fit of laughter, all earlier gloom chased away by her sister’s mirth.
8
Night fell over Harlem, and the monsters came out to play. Normally, Layla would join in for a hunt, or help Valeriya settle new clan members in, but since Mei had her covered as payback for ruining her bed, she gratefully lounged on her new sheets and ate chocolate-covered strawberries. A silver Saint ring twisted between her fingers as she chewed, the seal staring up at her with annoying radiance.
Layla smirked and shoved it back into her pocket. Pulling the ring from Josi’s finger as she slept had been a last-minute decision. Just something to keep the older Saint girl up at night when she realized reaper hands had touched her younger sister after all.
Only minutes into her peace, she heard a quick knock, followed by a note slipped under her door.
Layla—
Pick up the package at the port at 10 p.m. Ask for Visily. Say you’re there for Vex.
Layla stared at the neatly scrawled message for a solid minute. Then she burst out laughing. “I cannot believe this fool.” She tucked the paper into her pocket and pulled her coat on. She wondered what to do with the half-finished strawberries sitting on her nightstand. They were one of the few foods she had learned to tolerate since becoming a reaper. But the strawberries would only melt while she was away, so Layla took the bowl with her as she headed down the hall.
Valeriya looked up when she saw her standing in the door to her study. “You brought me a gift?” she asked.
“Yes,” Layla said a little nervously. She set the plate down and licked a spot of chocolate off her finger. “It’s my strategy to give you gifts because I know I will inevitably make a mistake in the future and this will help you remember you do not hate me.”
