Page 32 of Demon Huntress
Slade absorbed the words in cold silence. He understood her words, but they didn’t measure up against that morning he’d woken and found her gone. The terror he’d felt as he ran around the house screaming her name came back to him with visceral impact.
He’d been absolutely sure she’d been kidnapped or killed. His mind automatically went to the worst possible place. Flash had calmed him and showed him some of her things were missing. He had still struggled to believe that she’d simply left without telling him.
Slade noticed a few people in the coffee shop watching them, so he gestured to the corner of the alley, and Jenny nodded, sighing. Slade almost grabbed her when she rolled her eyes to give her a hard shake.
“Jenny! Do you understand how terrified I was when I woke up and found you gone?”
That gave her some pause. He saw the look of regret flash across her face.
“I’m sorry, Slade. I really am. But I knew I’d never get out of there if I told you. You’d probably lock me up if you couldn’t argue me into a standstill.”
“You might be right there,” he muttered.
“You’re too overprotective,” Jenny said in a reasonable tone. “You need to trust me. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
Slade sighed, looking at the ground for a few seconds as he gathered himself.
“What about your undercover work?”
“What?” Jenny asked, the color draining from her face.
Slade sensed her uneasiness, which was not quite fear but definitely rising anxiety. “I know what you’re doing at Phar-Scape.”
“Do you?” Jenny snapped, hurling her coffee into a nearby bin. “You can’t possibly. How do you even know I was there?”
“Not only have we had our own operations going on there, but Flash also confirmed it for me. He saw you there. What the fuck are you doing in such a dangerous place?”
“Construction work,” Jenny said casually. “Putting steel girders into concrete, smoothing grout, re-designing plumbing systems. You know, the usual.”
“Will you be serious,” Slade snapped. “Did you know the company was dirty when you applied there, or is this your idea of a good first job?”
Jenny sighed. “I knew they were bad.”
“What the fuck?” Slade cried. “You’re admitting to this? Why the hell are you doing this?”
Jenny regarded him with a calm, even gaze.
“I have my own interests there. Sorry, Slade, but there are things I need to do. Flash isn’t the only shifter to go missing, you know. Phar-Scape is involved. We know that much.”
“So, your best idea is to jump straight into the fucking fire?”
“Yes,” Jenny said coolly. “I was doing a good job of it until you showed up. If you tracked me and Flash saw me at work, that means my cover is compromised. I’m in more danger than I was before because of you.”
“Hold up,” Slade said, shaking his head. “I’m here to protect you, not hurt you. It doesn’t matter if your cover is compromised. You’re not going back there.”
“Excuse me?” Jenny asked very softly.
“My mind is made up. You can come along quietly or be dragged. If you force me to lock you up, that’s on you.”
Jenny stared at him in complete disbelief.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Jenny whispered. “Do you really think you’re protecting me?”
A horrible fear rose in him. The cauldron of his grief and doubt was manifesting into rage. He pointed it at everything that opposed him, even his sister.
I can’t lose you! I have to keep you safe!
Jenny hadn’t moved, but she had a look of urgency about her as if she could feel danger. Slade was so furious and frightened that he reached out and grabbed her arm.
