The crab clicked its claws again, then jabbed one to the left. Oops! No, I mean it was that guy… or, hm, it could’ve been him… or him.
I blew out the breath I’d been holding and rolled my eyes. Great. So it could’ve been any police officer then?
The crab clicked its claws. It’s a little blurry from in here!
Eep! Peter and Daisy had nearly reached the tank—they were just a couple of round tables away. Seeing my chance, I yanked the door open and slipped out, closing it as quietly as I could behind me.
12
ESCAPE
After a quick peek over the railing, I realized the sea was way too far below for my liking. I kept my back pressed to the wooden side of the ship and edged my way along the narrow passageway behind the cabin.
I glanced toward the door, pleased that I’d managed to escape, then rounded the corner. My stomach sank. I’d successfully ditched Peter. Not my proudest moment.
Most of the time I didn’t mind having to hide who I was—it was just how you survived as a shifter, and I’d gotten used to it. But it was times like these I wished I was just a normal witch. One who could show my true self to the guy I liked.
My heels clicked along the wooden planks as I came around the side of the cabin toward the deck. Maybe I could just leave and catch up with Peter later. My feet were starting to hurt as the spell on them wore off, and I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to keep this mask on.
I paused at the edge of the crowd gathered on deck. To my left, a couple of officers took statements from an older couple, their magical quills scribbling out notes on scrolls that hovered by their shoulders. The ship bobbed gently and bats winged their way overhead, silhouetted against the foggy moon.
I took a deep breath and blew it out. I lifted my chin and started across the deck. If I looked purposeful and like I knew what I was doing, maybe no one would stop me. It’d had worked most of the time growing up in the Darkmoon District.
I headed toward the gangway that led back down to the dock. I made it about halfway across and had passed through the thickest part of the crowd.
“You!”
Goose bumps prickled my arms as I recognized Bon’s voice. Snakes! I kept walking, head high, as though I hadn’t heard.
He snapped his fingers a few times. “Miss! In the black dress. Hey!”
A few people looked up and behind me at him. I winced but kept going, sliding behind a man in a tuxedo, then picking up my pace.
A few cries sounded behind me, and a moment later, the short inspector shoved a couple of young guys out of his way and bounded in front of me, forcing me to stop.
He scowled. “I’ve been yelling for you to stop.”
I blinked innocently at him. “Sorry. I didn’t hear.” Thank the seas Daisy wasn’t around to call me out on my lie.
Bon narrowed his eyes. “Likely story.” He jerked his chin at my face. “Take your mask off.”
I glanced around. A few men and women looked my way but lowered their eyes when I turned to them. I cleared my throat and leaned closer to Bon. “Hey. It’s me. Jolene. It’s fine.”
He scoffed. “I don’t know who you think you are, but everyone’s taken their masks off and you need to as well. In case you didn’t hear, there’s been an officer killed. The Officer of the Year, in fact.”
I rolled my eyes, and after a quick glance around again to make sure Zale or Eve or anyone else I knew wasn’t nearby, I reached up and briefly lifted my mask so he could see my face. I raised my brows. “Jolene Hartgrave?” I waited for a flash of recognition, but Bon just continued to glare at me. I huffed. “I work with Peter—I mean Officer Flint?”
His nostrils flared.
“Oh, for sand’s sake!” I stuck a hip out. “I’m the pet psychic. We’ve met several times!”
“Ohhhh. That Jolene Hartgrave.”
I sighed. Finally. I dropped my arms to my sides.
“Not ringing a bell.” Faster than I would’ve thought him capable of, Bon reached up and snatched the mask off my face.
I gasped and lunged for it, but he turned, holding it behind him. He held up his other hand, much too close to my face. “I’m a busy man and I don’t like being toyed with, miss. We’ve got a serious job to do here tonight and no one’s getting away with hiding anything—including their faces.”
I clenched my hands into fists and gritted my teeth, seething at the impossibly irritating man. I could probably pummel him—but not with so many cop eyes turned my way. I struggled to slow my heaving breaths and tried for polite smiles at the attention we’d attracted. Don’t mind me, officers, I’m just going to have a few words with your inspector… and my fists will be doing all the talking.
Bon and I scowled at each other. Even for him, he was in a foul mood. I remembered the way Chief Taylor had treated him earlier and couldn’t entirely hold back a grin—I guess Bon had reason at least to go around abusing what little power he had.
He shook a stubby finger at me. “Now go give your statement.”
I held my hand out. “That’s my property. Can I at least have my mask back?”
He grinned. “No.” Then he strode away.
I was left standing there with my jaw dropped. What an insufferable little twit! I huffed, gathered up my skirt, and stomped toward the gangway. Now that I’d been unmasked, I had to get out of here. Will’s parting words sounded in my mind—don’t take off your mask. Was he just a harbinger of doom or what?
I passed the skirt to one hand and held the other hand to the
