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For the girls? Yes, I’d put up with Ellasbeth for the girls Soed a s deliciously along the small of my back as we passed the untouched trash cans, "I won’t "

"I can cook," I said, then louder, "I can so!," when he arched his eyebrows

"I’ve never seen it," he muttered, and Jenks darted to us

"Hey! You mind if I ride over with you?" he asked "Jumoke, ah, he said I could bunk with hiuarded? I turned to look behindto watch the church along with Belle," he added, andback "He wants to talk to his dad if that’s okay with you"

Squinting in the dark, I tried to find Bis, looking scary and sole "I think that’s a great idea," I said, again wondering howplace at the right tis fro to live at Trent’s It was te out I didn’t think any pixy or fairy would arden in the meantime It was Jenks’s by law, and even the pixies respected that, in awe that huhts and responsibilities

"Rachel, are you okay?" Trent asked, and I nodded, gazing at the church as if I’d never see it again The streetlight was brighter here, and I could just make out our names over the door The IS tape across the doorpaper fluttered under the bell

"Mind if I drive?"

"No, I got it"

Trent sighed as we headed for the carport, and rit in ht be the same, especially if the elves continued to refuse to follow him--because of me, because I was a deet behind, easy and satisfying Learning to understand those you hate and fear is harder I was pulling Trent down Making his life impossible

My boots were silent on the stone walk Three streets over I could hear shouting Sirens were co way to Trent’s "So the va it related to me, too

Trent’s hands dropped toCor, he eyedopen, surprised when I foundSix calls? I hadn’t been in the ever-after and out of service that long My eyes flicked to the DON’T CROSS tape as I read Edden’s na Mr Fish on the hood and flipping ht be about the church"

"I’ll drive," Trent said, his worry obvious, and I handed the keys over "Edden!" I said as Trent went to open the passenger-side door for me and I hustled around the front of the car "What are you doing calling a dead woman?"

"No," his preoccupied,into the seat, I held the phone closer "Edden?"

"Rachel!" Edden’s voice becaes?"

"Not whenmachine isparked it on the rearviewto reach you for an hour," the FIB captain complained "Why did you let the demons out?"

"I didn’t let them out, and I didn’t take your calls because I’ the irritation in his voice My jaw clenched at the thought of Al running around Cincinnati But if he was truly free, wouldn’t he go somewhere sunny?

"If you didn’t do it, who did?" Edden said, and I heard a door shut and a new silence

Griled the phone as Trent handed me Mr Fish "Landon," I said, pleased when the brandy snifter fit perfectly into the cup holder

"On purpose?" Edden barked, and then sighed, realizing how dumb that was "You don’t happen to knohere he is, do you?"

Trent settled behind the wheel, and we exchanged a worried look "No" Landon was AWOL? Great

"I could really use your help," Edden said, and then muffled, "No! You want them to end up as toads? Set up blocks and keep people back That’s it" There was a brief silence "Rachel?"

The car had started with a satisfying bru over us with a whine and a thump "Any leads on who blew up , I added, "Sorry, I’m retired"

Jenks er for hih-five

"Rachel," Edden complained

"No" Phone tucked between ed to lock my side of the top down "Ask Landon to help you"

"Rachel, the IS is focused on policing the soul parties in the big parks They’re ignoring everything, deuess how that’s going"

Trent leaned close as he turned to look behind us to back up, and I swear led as I breathed hi Career," Edden was saying, but I was still enjoying Trent "They let the big cats out of their enclosures at the zoo, and I’ve gotover the bus line The deers Sunrise is hours off, and I need your help!"

I pushedto decide if I wanted to tell Edden this o aith the sun, but my home had exploded and no one had ad inspector "And this isfor the stem of the rearview mirror

"It’s your problem because you’re the only one who can help!" Edden said "With great power reat responsibility"