I’d always found ways around people overhearing me speak to animals. It felt uncomfortable, like I was standing in front of all these people in my underwear, to speak rat out in the open.
I steeled myself and let out a series of squeaks and chirps. Hey, rat.
It whipped its head in my direction and chirped. You speak rat? How about that!
I kept my eyes straight ahead as Viktor whooped. “She can! She can speak wit da rats!”
I gulped, my throat tight. Guess my secret was out in the open now. I spoke again. Listen… this man here, you live in his house, right?
The rat squeaked. Yessiree!
I nodded. Have you, uh—seen him hiding gold anywhere?
It tilted its head, pink nose twitching. Gold?
I bit my lip. Ur… round, yellow metal coins?
Oh! The rat crawled forward on the goon’s huge hand. Yeah, he’s been shoving bags of that stuff into some of my holes in the wall and under the floorboards.
I pressed my eyes shut tight. If I passed this on to Ludolf, I’d seal Mr. Medes’s fate. But if I lied for him (and knowing Ludolf, he probably already knew where the gold was hidden and this was just an elaborate test) the shifter boss would come after me, or worse, Peter.
With my stomach twisted like a whirlpool, I thanked the rat, then turned to face Ludolf, careful to avert my eyes from the cowering Mr. Medes.
“The gold’s hidden in rat holes in the walls and floor.” My voice was flat. I felt like throwing up… or taking a shower because my skin was crawling… or both.
Ludolf’s eyes lit up, and he laced his long fingers together. “Delightful news!” His lip curled back as he turned to face Mr. Medes in a quick jerk. “Turns out we’ve found the gold, Mr. Medes!”
The man let out a cry.
I didn’t turn around.
“Take him away. I’ll deal with him later.”
I hung my head, my eyes down, and trembled with a mix of fear and anger. I hadn’t lied. Mr. Medes, whoever he was, had double-crossed Ludolf—that was his own mistake. But still… I felt bad.
Who knew why he’d done it? Maybe he had a sick kid or was just sick himself of Ludolf taking a cut of his hard-earned money. I hated that I’d helped Ludolf Caterwaul.
I shook my head. This was how it happened. This was how Ludolf sucked you in to his grasp. I’d always been so proud of my independence and, even if just in my head, had judged those who’d indebted themselves to the head shifter. I sighed. I understood now, how easy it was.
If I’d remained free of Ludolf’s grasp for this long, it wasn’t because I was so much smarter or tougher or more self-made—it was because he’d allowed me a longer leash. And the time had come to rein me in.
Mr. Medes let out a strangled cry that was suddenly cut off as the door clicked shut. I shuddered.
Ludolf’s gaze swung back to me, his eyes reflecting the firelight, features alight with a devilish glee.
“My oh my, what a gift you have, Jolene.” His mouth split into a grin, his teeth small and slightly pointed. “I suppose I owe you one.”
17
HELP?
Knock Knock Knock!
I peeled my blurry, burning eyes open. What time was it?
More knocks sounded, and I pushed myself up to sitting on my crumpled mess of a bed. The blanket wound around my legs, and mascara stained my pillowcase. Urg.
I groaned and tried to push my hair back out of my face, but my fingers got stuck in it. Oh, right. The night came rushing back to me.
After Neo and the boys escorted me out of the sewers—this time without nearly drowning—I’d barely made it back home before collapsing under the crushing weight of exhaustion, spent nerves, and a general desire to erase the night from my memory. I certainly hadn’t taken the time to take off my makeup or let down my hair.
“Jolene?”
I pressed my eyes shut tight at the sound of Peter’s voice. Not who I wanted to see in my current state. Then again, the longer he stood outside yelling my name, the more likely some of Ludolf’s spies would notice and report back to him.
I staggered to my feet and stumbled past my kicked-off heels to the front room. I glanced at the mirror on the wall beside the beaded curtain and grimaced. I resembled a raccoon who’d gotten in a really bad fight—I tasted my own breath—over a trash can feast.
I trailed one hand down the rough plaster wall as I descended the steep, narrow staircase, just in case I lost my balance. I took a deep breath before unbolting the metal door to the street, and blinked in surprise at the sky behind Peter.
It was dark out, the street lit only by the flashing neon signs of the night market. Dawn had just been lightening the sky when I’d flopped down on my bed. Had I really slept through the whole day?
Peter’s eyes widened for a moment, no doubt at my wrecked appearance, but he immediately softened his expression and held out a paper cup of coffee.
I sighed, and my shoulders relaxed. “You’re an angel.” I stepped aside and waved him in. He dipped his tall head and clomped up the stairs, followed by Daisy, who glared at me up and down. She woofed.
Looking good. Is a rat living in your hair now?
The mention of rat made me think of the one I’d interrogated last night for Ludolf. I was in no mood. I glanced up the stairs at Peter’s back, and finding him far enough away to not overhear, growled back at Daisy.
Careful, or I’ll tell him you’re in need of a good de-worming.
Her ears flattened before she bounded up the stairs behind her partner. I trudged up behind them.
“Have a seat.” I gestured
