Sweet Ruin(52)

He traced to the rooftops to pursue her, traveling from one building to the next. At first she strode through the neighborhood. Then she paused, seeming to catch a scent. She took off in a sprint, scanning each street she passed.

No doubt she was frantic to find Nïx and divulge everything she’d learned about Rune. He felt an unexpected sting over that, but reminded himself all was fair in love and war.

Wait—wasn’t that the Valkyrie’s scent? Yes, there Nïx was, silently trailing Josephine, with that bat on her shoulder.

Eyes locked on his enemy, he fingered the flights of his arrows, selecting one-and-done.

Rune nocked it and drew his bowstring, fingers to his chin. Had there ever been an easier shot?

Yet his fey curiosity stayed him. Perhaps he should eavesdrop on their conversation, to uncover how much Nïx knew of the Møriør’s plans. Secrets there for the taking. He could always kill the Valkyrie directly after.

Follow Orion’s orders to the letter and make the shot? Or listen in?

Old habits . . . He returned the arrow to his quiver, then dropped to the ground to spy.





TWENTY-FIVE




After leaving Rune, Jo had picked up Thad’s scent, but it was always just out of her reach.

Was he in a departing car? A trolley heading away from the Quarter? No, the opposite direction!

She sprinted toward the Mississippi, following his trail to a riverside industrial lot. Stacks of rail containers bordered a worn-out patch of cement. She traced past the perimeter fence into the middle and scanned the shadows. Where was he?

She’d lost the thread altogether. “Damn it!” Somehow she would find him.

If possible, she was even more determined to reach Thad, to make sure he was safe. Rune’s memory of being separated from his beloved “dam” had devastated Jo. And then to learn of her death, to feel his grief . . . she’d woken in a panic to find her own beloved brother.

Alongside her worry for Thad, she hurt for Rune, the involuntary killer who’d only wanted to save his mother.

What won’t we do for the people we love?

She hoped Rune had gotten revenge on that vicious queen for his mother’s murder—if not for more. Magh’s mention of Rune’s “new occupation” had given Jo chills. . . .

“Oh, Shady Lady.”

Jo spun around to find that black-haired woman standing behind her. Nïx. Jo had never heard her approach.

So this was Rune’s target. “What do you want?” Jo peered past her. “Where is Thad?”

“I have our handsome lad tucked away.” Nïx was carrying that bat again. Tonight she had two boots on. Her eerie golden eyes glowed even more brightly than before.

Her T-shirt had writing on it, but Jo couldn’t decipher the words. “Tucked away where?” If need be, she could take this . . . Valkyrie.

A breeze flowed off the water, ruffling Nïx’s wild black hair. “He’s safe. Well, safe-ish. Perhaps, Josephine, if you cooperate, I will allow you to see him.”

“Allow?” This bitch had no idea. Jo didn’t cooperate; she squeezed till things broke. She Hulk-smashed. If Nïx didn’t take her to Thad, the Valkyrie would learn a lesson she’d never forget. “How do you know my name?”

“I’m a very important oracle, a leader of the Vertas army, and a soon-to-be goddess. Just have one teeny-weeny task to complete.” She gave a laugh. “I’ve been watching you for some time. Oh, the things I know.”

“You’ve spied on me?”

“Did you ever see that movie Broken Arrow? Naturally you have—it’s a cinema classic. Anyhoodles, I would never let my nukes out of my sight. Except for when I would.”

She was a nut-job. “Why would Thad be with you? Does he know what you are?”

“He does. And I know what he is.”

Jo’s mouth went dry. “What do you think he is?” Is Thad like me? No answer. “All you need to know is that he’s good.” Charity work, community service, generosity.

Nïx grinned. “If you say so.”

“What does that mean?”

“I have plans for Thaddeus this Accession. We all have parts to play.”

Plans? Plans? The Valkyrie was freaking dead. “No one makes plans for him—no one. Get me?” She closed in on Nïx. “You are going to take me to him. Now.”

“Not possible.”

Jo stared down the smaller female. “You say you know me? Uh-uh. Otherwise you’d know I’m about to break all your bones, one by one, until you tell me where he is.”

Nïx remained amused. “Break all my bones? One by one?” Lightning flashed nearby. “What a fascinating idea.”