A Dangerous Were
Never steps over to me, hoisting me into an upright position and half-dragging me to a stone bench where I can collapse more comfortably.
“Used the song, didn’t you?” she asks.
The second woman steps forward, magenta eyes less than an inch from my own, her brown hair swinging in her face.
“Are you hurt? Are you trapped? Do we need to bust you out of here?” the other woman asks, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Never swats at the other woman, rolling her eyes.
“This one,” she tells me, gesturing with her thumb at the magenta-eyed individual.
“What are you both doing here? And, um, you know, who are you?” I say.
“I’ll assume you meant her, since no one could forget such a devastatingly talented Were as myself.” Never throws her silvery hair over her shoulder, attempting a wink.
At least I think she’s attempting a wink. It’s always tough to tell, since one of her sockets has a silvery metal eyepatch covering it.
“Danger. Nice to meet you.” The second woman shoves a hand forward for me to shake.
“You’re the valkyrie wolf!” I shout.
She titters, eyes gleaming and smile growing.
“That’s me! Hopefully you’ve heard good things?”
“Starla is going to be mad she missed you. She thought you sounded cool. Starla! She’s up in the office with her dad right now. She was supposed to be getting some information from him for our … mission.” The word sounds so serious, but I suppose it’s accurate. “How much do you know?” I ask Never.
“Jackal gave me the highlights. He, Exos and Ji-hwan decided that my personal brand of mayhem might come in handy for a plan they were considering implementing, and Feral very wisely suggested we bring in the portal-fiend here so we could do some quick travel and not risk getting caught.”
“Thank you,” I tell them both.
She smirks.
“Happy to oblige. I get to wreak a little havoc, and everyone in your crew can be in sight of an audience, so you’re all above suspicion.
Plus, I do love an opportunity to set things alight.
We portaled to the guys, and your little pooch here was bouncing around, fit to be tied.
I could tell he wanted to come along. I swore to your mate that I’d keep Sparky McFlames here with me so he’d stay safe. And I did!”
“Easy peasy!” Danger adds.
I nod along. Feral had said as much, but seeing the distraction was different than what I’d envisioned they’d come up with.
“Okay, then, and again, I really am trying to sound polite here because I do appreciate it … what are you both still doing here?”
“We wanted to stick around long enough to make sure none of you all needed backup,” Danger answers at the same time Never blurts out, “Why set a fire if you’re not going to watch it burn?”
Never clears her throat.
“I caught Jackal outside a little bit ago. Once he was sure the guests had spotted him at the scene of the crime, he went looking for … whatever it is you all hope to find … and then found me to let me know you all were good. We were just prepping to portal out, drop the dog back off with the young hyena shifter, when we heard you. I’d be more than happy to storm the manor if you need assistance? ”
Never cracks her knuckles. I reach up and place my hand over hers.
“No, thank you. It may be hard to believe this with the fire the guys had you set, but we’re trying to be somewhat incognito about our investigation here. They just needed enough of a distraction to poke around without looking suspicious. And we did find some clues.”
“Clues you need me or Hugh to look into?”
I tilt my head, considering.
“Maybe.”
I mention the crest and remind her of its connection to Ivyrn Works.
“We know Leon was working with some supernatural being whose real identity he didn’t know.
I’m not understanding how the crest could be from Claude’s family but also be hanging over the door to Councilman Taylor’s study.
As far as I’m aware, Starla’s never mentioned Claude or other family here, aside from her father.
It’s not as if she’d like this side of her family, but it would be odd she hadn’t brought it up when she saw Claude and his sister in attendance, if they’re related. ”
Never taps her chin.
“We’ll do some digging. Sure there’s nothing else you need? I love to make a scene.”
I laugh.
“If anything, I need to sneakily get back inside and rendezvous with Starla once she’s out of her father’s office.
I can’t very well go back in the same way, and if I go around to the main entrance most people will probably be trying to leave.
They’ll notice me coming from elsewhere and trying to barge in.
I was seen inside when the flames started, but if I come in from either garden now, they could assume I was meeting whoever set the fire. Which, I guess I am.”
Danger’s eyes gleam.
“This calls for a pocket portal! Single use. I’ll set it here, and have it open up inside the manor. I’m not familiar with the layout, but if you can describe it and how you got to the office, I can put you in an adjacent hall. You can wait for Starla there.”
My heart gives a squeeze. I’m still slightly wobbly on my feet from siren-songing my way into the office, a feat I still don’t fully understand.
But the door was magic, and I was desperate.
I do my best to describe the second floor to Danger. I still haven’t explored all of it, so I just have to hope I come out somewhere close enough to Starla to spot her when she leaves the office but don’t end up somewhere even more dangerous, like Councilman Taylor’s personal rooms.
When I’m finished, the valkywolf removes a small, dark circle from her pocket and sets it on the ground. It begins to grow in size, glowing and shimmering.
“Just step through, but be quick,” she tells me.
“One last thing. You’ll make sure Pickles gets home safely?” I say, missing the dog already.
Never salutes me.
“Course I will. Hero of the downtrodden, right? Not to mention, Jackal’s niece seems quite taken with him. I’d wager that girl will be asking for her own puppy on her Christmas list this year.”
I groan, even as relief hits me. I hope Zyra doesn’t, because I might get held responsible for that one.
I give Pickles a squeeze and pass him off to a beaming Never.
“Thanks again, guys. See you soon?”
“Count on it,” the Were responds.
“You never know,” Danger adds, pressing a spare pocket portal into my hands. With nowhere else to put it, I tuck it into my dress.
I step into the portal, hearing a snippet of Never’s response.
“Never know. I bet I can make use of that phrase someho—”