Page 68 of Cold Curses
Truth.
Despite my defenses, monster kicked, and I kicked back. The armory was beneath us, and we could both feel the buzz of the sword and the creature it held. And that buzz seemed stronger than the last time I’d been here. Was I more sensitive to it because I knew more about its relationship to monster, or had it actually gotten stronger? Maybe because of the pulse of magic? Or the unregulated ley lines?
And then I realized what I was hearing: They were calling to each other. The monster in me and the monster in the sword were communicating.
“You do look a little tired,” Mom said. Her voice was smooth and relaxed, which was a harsh contrast to my racing thoughts and galloping heart. “And your magic seems…frazzled.”
Wait,I told it.You have to wait.
But it was tired of being patient.
“I am frazzled,” I admitted.
“Do you want some blood or food? Or you could take a nap.”
I felt disconnected, like I was experiencing three conversations at once: me and Mom, me and monster, monster and the thing it wanted.
“I have to get to the office after this,” I said over the roaring in my ears. “But thanks.”
She nodded. “That was Roger on-screen.” Her gaze slid carefully, neutrally, to my dad’s face. “The mayor has agreed to temporarily suspend the contract.”
Dad sighed, and I expected they’d had several conversations about this since I’d seen them last. And he wasn’t happy about the results, but resigned to it.
“You’ll be careful,” he said.
“Obviously. In the course of helping our daughter save the city.”
Good strategy, I thought, actively trying to disconnect my mind from monster’s. And hoping that would give me some space.
“I’ll coordinate with Roger,” she told me.
“That’s great. Thanks for the help.”
“Of course. And I’m excited to get out there again. Training in the gym just isn’t the same.”
“I’ll go see Lulu, so I can get to the office and help with that,” I said. “Is Alexei still here?”
“He left a few minutes ago. He wanted to shower and change clothes.”
Good. He would have needed a break.
“Okay, then. I’ll come by before I leave.”
And I tried not to run out of the office.
* * *
I left them to what sounded like further negotiations for Mom’s reengagement as Sentinel.
I walked carefully to the staircase, focusing all my attention on the stairs leading up to the second floor—not those running down to the basement. And then I lurched forward and only just managed to grab the newel post instead of hurtling fifteen feet to the floor below.
Monster hadmovedme.
“Ms. Sullivan?” a vampire at the security desk asked, and I heard her chair scrape back.
No,I told it, and plastered on my best smile, looked back. “I’m fine,” I said, locking my knees to stay upright. “Tripped over my own feet. New shoes,” I added, and made what I’d said sound like truth.
“Oh, okay,” the vampire said, then tended to a ringing screen.
