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"I don’t care if she is a scientist"

I heard Jessie’s voice as if she were speaking inin the next roo olf," she continued "Who knohat ht tempt her to the dark side?

Remember Zee?"

Jessie had once been betrayed by her closest friend I couldn’t expect her to have faith into realize I held no one’s trust Nobody wanted me here Except maybe Damien, and he had just left

I waited for Edward to tell Jessie, again, to leaveso to protect his own interests, but that protection was the only nicety I got froh the house "Forget about Zee"

"I can’t" Jessie’s sigh was heavy with regret "Killing your best friend, even when she is a wolf god, is so you don’t put behind you in a few months"

"You can try"

Silence descended, broken only byout Which meant

Edasn’t even here

I slammed out the front door and sprinted across the street The antiques shop was locked, no shit So I hurried to the alley, then around the back, where a wooden staircase led to the second floor

Seconds later, I knocked No one answered, though I could have sworn I heard a muffled sound from inside

My hand tested the brass knob Locked Notwent crunch I stepped into an empty apart area with a bed, kitchen table, and sink all in one room Three doors were placed at intervals opposite the entrance One led to a bathroo board, the third held Nic

All tied up and nowhere to go

He scowled at aff tape Edward had bound his hands into the prayer position,it impossible for Nic to open the door and escape the closet, even if he could ith his feet anchored sole to sole

"What did you say to hi really annoying to warrant this treat, but with tape over hisover, I ripped it free with a single yank

"Hell Shit Damn! That hurt!"

"One quick yank alorks best"

"How about we test that theory on your mouth?"

"No, thanks Where’s Edward?"

"He was going to call "

I crossed to theand gazed at the still and silent street Edward hadn’t been at the cabin; he wasn’t here; his car res away caught one outside for better cell service If I wanted to cut Nic loose, I’d better do it quickly

I found a knife in a drawer next to the sink and sawed at the bindings on Nic’s hands The knife was dull; this could take more time than I had If I distracted him, I could rip the tape with my bare hands

"How did he convince you to step into the closet and let him tie you up?" I asked

"Very funny He said he wanted to talk to me, then rapped me on the head"

While Nic spoke, I severed the tape with one yank, then paused to peer into his eyes Two injuries in such a short period couldn’t be good And if you added how I’d knocked hiain -

"You sick to your stomach?" I demanded "Dizzy?"

"Just finish There’s no telling what he’s got planned for ue, to say Edouldn’t hurt hi

"Mandenauer’s flipped his lid," he muttered

"This is pretty ht Nic’s incredulous expression "I warned you He’s not a ed and the binding around Nic’s feet carabbed h shake "We have to leave right away"

I laughed

"I’uns and aents - don’t they strike you as a little over the top? I feel like I’ve stepped into a lost episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

Little did he kno close to the truth he was

"What were they shooting at e got here?"

The lies came so damn easy, I didn’t even have to think about them anymore before they fell out of my mouth

"Re you about?"

"Uh-huh"

"The virus needs to be eradicated before it spreads"

"So there were five agents with guns in the woods blasting infected wolves?"