“That’s a new color,” mumbled Anne, stepping back. She ran her hand across her side to find the knife wound gone, her flesh smooth again.
Con appeared from the back of the house.
“Nice timing,” muttered Anne.
Con was panting. “I found Fiona. She’s out back. Rune’s gone. Couldn’t find him. Did I miss anything?”
Catriona sat on the edge of the sofa, her eyes wide, breathing heavily.
“Are ye okay?” asked Broch, moving to her.
She looked at him. “Are you kidding?”
They all stared at her as she made eye contact with each of them in turn.
“I feel amazing.”
Anne laughed. She did, too.
Con left the room and returned with Fiona.
“It’s about time,” Fiona said, her focus on her sister.
Catriona stood. “Oh bring it, Fiona. I’m begging you—” She cocked her head. “Wait, is that my good black dress?”
Con moved to Anne. “All good?”
She nodded. “We’ve got a situation with the syphoning, though.”
“How so?”
She sighed. “Let’s just say I don’t think I’ll be going back to New York any time soon.”
“No?” Con grinned. “Pity.”
She punched him and he spun away, laughing.
Anne turned to Catriona and Broch.
“So, what did we learn here today?”
Catriona looked up at her. Anne could see her hands were still shaking with adrenaline.
“I sucked the energy out of someone until they died, and right now I’m having trouble feeling bad about it.”
“Didn’t die. He was rebooted,” corrected Anne.
“That’s what you keep saying. And I couldn’t do it without your help.”
Anne grimaced. “Right. For some reason, at least for now, it looks like it takes you and a Sentinel to complete the job.”
“That’s awkward,” said Catriona, echoing Anne’s thoughts.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Anne was surprised to find Michael at her house when the group returned for their debriefing. He stood in the driveway, his arms crossed against his chest. Anne watched Con glower at him from the SUV as they pulled into the drive.
Here we go.
“Con, don’t—”
Anne saved her breath. Con was striding towards Michael before she could finish her sentence, let alone get out of the car. He hadn’t bothered to open the car door, but just phased through it to piss off Michael.
The bickering had begun.
“To what can we thank your presence here with us?” asked Con, stopping in front of Michael, a tad too close.
The Angelus arched an eyebrow. “You haven’t changed, I see.”
Con scoffed. “Why would I mess with perfection?”
Anne turned and motioned for Fiona to get out of the car.
“Let’s go.”
“Who is that?”
Anne followed her gaze. “Michael.”
Fiona whistled. “Mama likey. I mean, your driver has that animal thing I love when I’m slumming, but that one smells like money from here.”
Anne looked at Michael. As usual, he was wearing a manifested suit that, if purchased, would cost as much as a small car.
“What’s he do?” Fiona asked.
Anne decided to deflect that one.
“He’s here to check you out.”
“He’s a doctor?” Fiona’s eyes widened. She ran her hand through her hair, pinched her cheeks and gave her armpits a sniff. “Could I get freshened up inside?”
“Sure. Go in. Jeffrey will get you whatever you need.”
“Another man? I can’t wait to see what he looks like.”
Anne chuckled to herself.
I think you’ll find him a tough nut to crack.
They got out of the car and Anne motioned to the garage. “Go in through there and call Jeffrey. Let him know what you need.”
Fiona grabbed Anne by the shoulder and looked into her eyes. “I like the way you roll, Carrot-top. Deep. I think we’re going to be good friends.”
Fiona released her and scurried into the garage.
Anne walked to Michael and Con who remained on the front step, trading barbs.
“Are you Vietnamese?” Con was asking as she approached.
Michael scowled. “No...”
“Really, because you Hanoi the hell out of me.”
Con turned and grinned at Anne and she rolled her eyes.
“Yikes.”
Con displayed his palms. “What? Come on. That’s funny.”
Michael caught her eye as she approached. “Save me. Why is he here?” he asked.
Anne sighed. “Ask your office. Someone sent him to be my backup.”
Con nodded. “Backup, front-up, a little side-action—”
“Con!” Anne pointed at Catriona and Broch. “Can you take the kids inside please and get them ready for a debriefing?”
Con opened his mouth and she threw up her index finger to stop him.
“If the next words out of your mouth are a run on the word debriefing, I swear to god I will cut you down.”
Con closed his mouth and, with a last sneer at Michael, headed for Catriona and the others.
Michael watched him go. “You used to date that.”
She sighed. “He’s not like that around me. You bring out the worst in him.”
“And it’s so difficult.” He kept his gaze locked on Con. “Somebody at the home office thinks they’re funny, sending him to you.”
“To be honest, there’s no one better. We’ve worked together for centuries. We know how each other moves.”
Michael arched an eyebrow. “Ick.”
“Shut up. Why are you here? To check out Fiona?”
“Yes. They let me know you’d captured her. You killed one?”
She nodded. “Joseph.”
“Rune’s still in the wind?”
“Yes. And there are more problems. It took both of us to finish him. Catriona and me.”
“Both of you? He was that tough?”
“No. We had to basically hold hands and syphon at the same time.”
Michael’s eyes widened. “Really? You tried individually?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. Maybe you have the power and she has the frequency. She’s like a power converter for you. An adapter for a plug you don’t fit.”
“Maybe. But that means we need to work together. That’s
