Page 29 (2/2)

I’d told Jo-Jo more than once that I didn’t want to rely too et me out of trouble, but that’s exactly what had happened since I killed Mab I’d thought, with the Fire eles would be easier for me, that I’d never run into soain As a result, I hadn’t given ic ever let me down or was somehow taken away from me But I should have known by now that easy just wasn’ttiic to bear to do what I wanted It took me a few concentrated tries, but finally I was able to for, slender Ice picks

"Are you okay?" Owen asked in a concerned voice, noticing the faint, weak sparks of ic "Normally, it takes you no time at all toat hi to worry about"

I slid the picks into the lock and started jiggling them around I wasn’t quite as masterful at this as Finn was, but a minute later, the tumblers slid into place, and the lock popped open I threw the picks down on the floor to ot to my feet

"Careful, now," I warned Owen as I twisted the knob "Vanessa’s probably expecting Dekes or his ainst the wall so he wasn’t directly in front of the opening I threw open the door and did the saainst the opposite side of the hallway

Good thing, since a ball of elemental Fire blasted out of the open doorway a second later

I could feel the intense heat of the Fire as it streaked past ht betweendirectly in its path, ould have been badly burned at the very least Dekes must not have fed off Vanessa in the last few days - or ic as he had mine, because it looked like she had plenty of eleoing, seehter as it suckedinto a wooden door at the far end of the hallway It exploded on i red-hot flames everywhere I heard Callie scream with fear and surprise, but since she and Donovan were around the corner, the ele them The sah The fla the walls, licking at the paintings, drapes, and furniture

Yep, Vanessa was definitely in the roo her to realize that ere friends, not foes

I waited a few seconds, then leaned forward so that she could see my face

Another ball of Fire immediately blasted out of the roo to keep ed eyebrows The flaain slathere I’d wondered before if Vanessa would have enough eleic had fully replenished itself It madeback

"Vanessa Suarez!" I called out "We came here to rescue you, not be burned to a crisp! If you want to get you and your sister out of here, stop using your ht now!"

No response

I waited a few ain

This tiesture and tiptoed forward so that she could see me and I could see her

Vanessa stood in thea sleek black pantsuit andwith her diamond-and-pearl choker and cuffs Another ball of eleh I enty feet away froic The feel of it lashed against rind my teeth in discoan to itch and burn, the way that they always did when I was exposed to Fire ic

Two elements always complemented each other, like Air and Fire, and two elements always opposed each other, like Fire and Stone Vanessa’s ic was the antithesis of my own cool Ice and Stone power, hence my discomfort But she wasn’t my enemy, not like Mab had been, and I wanted to help her, not hurt her Now the only question hether I could convince her of that

Vanessa’s eyes narrowed at the sight of me Surprise and wariness flashed across her face, while black fire burned in the depths of her gaze as she decided whether to go ahead and toss the ball of Fire at me and toast nition

"You!"

"Me," I agreed "Back froain"

"You’re the woht The one that Dekes said had Ice and Stone ic How did you - " Her eyes narrowed a little ic You used your Ice power to make me think you were dead Clever Very clever"

"I do try"

"What the hell are you doing here?" she hissed

I grinned at her "Why, I’m here to kill your dear husband, of course"

Vanessa shook her head "Wasn’t one round with Randall enough for you?"

My grin widened "What can I say? I’m a slow learner and a sucker for punishment But before I track down your husband and ra by and see if you wanted soood deed for the day So are you co or what?"

Vanessa didn’t have to think twice aboutanywhere without Victoria"

"Good answer," I said "Because that’s exactly what I would say"

I eased into the rooers around the ele in her hand, ready to unleash her deadly power if we le" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>