Bitten in Two

of hel . Where the people who live or work around the site die earlier than usual for explainable reasons, so that site die earlier than usual for explainable reasons, so that the life-sucking characteristics of the canals aren’t ever pinpointed.”

Yousef began to talk rapidly and grabbed at his own arm. Cole translated. “Then, when the boiling began in al the vats during my grandfather’s time, and the vat outside this house began to burn people to the bone, was that substance shooting into the air hel fire?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Demons ride it straight from their world to ours in petrified bone ships they cal Rin- Chaen. If we looked around the tannery long enough, we’d probably find theirs. It explains why none of us have seen the plane portal we assumed they came through and left guards beside—

because they didn’t use one. Of course they had to close the canal behind them, because they were cal ed here, and that’s part of the deal. But if we opened the canal, it’s a different story.”

Yousef’s skin had begun to look a little gray where it met his beard. “What happens then?” he asked.

I counted off the possibilities on my fingers. “Al kinds of hel dwel ers could escape without finding themselves beholden to anyone. We could be looking at a potential invasion from hel . Or, we might succeed in our mission and retrieve the Rocenz. In which case the other half of the demon’s contract is met.”

Yousef was nearly bouncing on the bal s of his feet now.

“What does that—I have no idea what that means!” Vayl had barely blinked during my explanation. Now his unwavering gaze broke and he moved it to Yousef. “We promised the demon the chance to snatch souls in exchange for her cooperation, four specific ones. She has promised to harm no one in the Trust. But that does not mean the kloricht standing with her, or perhaps crouching on the other side of that lid, have our best interests at heart.

His eyes cut to Cole. “And you are no longer in the Trust, which makes you doubly vulnerable.”

I snapped, “Cole! Say you want to be back in the Trust.” When he gave me a look his mom must’ve seen every time she demanded obedience from him and he ran right into the street instead, I suddenly felt like I had a lot in common with her. He said, “No.”

“Why not!”

“A Trust is like a family, which I have. And yours is headed by Vayl, who I don’t like.” He turned to my sverhamin, adding, “No offense.”

“None taken,” Vayl replied smoothly.

Cole went on. “So don’t think by yel ing at me you’re going to make me cave. I’l find my own way. And I’l be in charge the whole time.”

“Yeah!” I fumed. “Until some mucus-dripping bal -ripper ganks your soul and feeds it to the family for dinner. Then guess who’l be in control!”

Cole crossed his arms and refused to talk anymore.

Which was fine, because if he had I probably would’ve punched him.

Typical y, Vayl had moved beyond our petty bickering and decided scouting was in order. Which meant during our argument he’d been inching toward the corner of the building. Now he leaned around to take a long, hard look.

When he got back he didn’t seem any happier.

“What did you see?” I whispered.

“It is just an innocent-looking circle of concrete covering a vat standing no higher than your knees,” he said.

“Are you tel ing me my theory’s crap?” I asked hopeful y.

He shook his head. “We must get in closer. The sign, if it is present, could be on the other side.” My stomach rol ed. He meant hel sign, which could work as a lock to seal nearly any portal. Because it was painted with the blood of an infant.

Without even looking back to check that we were fol owing, Vayl led us into the open. This time I came second, with Cole at my shoulder and Yousef bringing up the rear. I watched the shadows for signs of movement, the windows for the surge of bodies that signaled ambush.

Every muscle in my back clenched, waiting for a bul et, or more likely an arrow, to split my spine.

Would you pull yourself together? You’re out of range, rabbit. Granny May looked up irritably from a hand she and Amelia Earhart were clearly winning. And even if you weren’t, you’d still have to do this. So pull your head out of your ass before you let one of these fine boys down!

I nodded, just like I’d real y heard her, and kept moving, pretending the dye pools to my left were just buckets of dirty water. We moved completely into the alcove this time, not touching the smooth-wal ed tank as we spread out, taking turns watching for Kyphas’s charge and scanning the vat for graffiti. The top was unmarked, but grimy enough to support a healthy layer of moss. Instead I saw it had become a graveyard for the skeletons of smal creatures that had made the unfortunate decision to rest on it temporarily or use it as a transbuilding highway.

Yousef said something to Cole, speaking so quickly now that he had to ask him to repeat himself. “What’d he say?” I asked.

“He wants to know if he can stand guard. Preferably from the car.”

Staring at the tiny bleached skul s, I could hardly blame him.

Vayl said, “Tel him to go back around the corner of the building and to cal out if he sees anything moving.” As soon as Cole started translating Yousef began to shake his hand grateful y. He waved goodbye to us and ran out of sight. Back to his house if he had any sense.

Vayl said, “You must tel me how you and Yousef came to meet sometime, Jasmine.” Mild. Slightly amused. Except for the gold flecks in his dark green