“I see,” Nick said. “Well, that makes sense. Alan’s no use to you now.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Nick was in yesterday’s clothes like she was, and he looked as if he’d slept less than the few hours she’d finally caught sitting up on a sofa, but his voice was very clear. “Oh, I don’t know. You openly despise Alan for years, and then suddenly you’re homeless and friendless and you discover a burning desire to go out with him? That’s awfully convenient.”
“I’m sorry,” Sin said. “Are you still cranky because you’ve lost your pet? Tell me, do you think that you’ll be over it soon? How long does it take to replace a really good pet—was Alan special enough to wait a week before you get a new one?”
Nick moved in close to her, tall and strong enough so simply doing that seemed threatening, and Sin held one fist clenched and positioned to punch him in the stomach.
“I never called him that.”
“I never called him a meal ticket, either.”
“And yet the evidence is against you.”
“What about you, Nick?” Sin demanded. “Isn’t the evidence against you? I know your kind don’t have the same feelings as humans. I know you think of humans as jokes, as pets, as playthings. You threw a tantrum and you fought a duel, you lashed out; that’s what demons do. They don’t care! I don’t know how you felt about Alan. You don’t know how I felt, but I can tell you, and it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. I loved him, and he’s as good as dead, but I still love him. If there were any way to save him I’d do it, if there were any bargain to make I would make it, but there is nothing I can do and there is no time. I love Toby and Lydie as well; they’re my first responsibility, and I have to get them away from danger. If Alan was here he would understand, because he did anything he had to do to protect you. Now shut up and get out of my way.”
She shoved Nick aside. He didn’t stop her, and she made for the door.
She was stopped at the threshold by his voice. “Did you tell Alan?”
“Tell Alan what?”
“How you—what you thought of him,” Nick said roughly.
Sin looked at the painted wood of the door frame. “Yeah.”
“Good,” Nick said. “He would’ve liked that.”
She didn’t know what to say in response. She bowed her head for a moment, then went to get the kids.
Lydie was awake. When the door opened, Sin saw her freeze and clutch Toby tighter. Then she recognized Sin and sat up.
“I’m so sorry,” Sin said. “I should’ve got you out earlier, but I’m getting you out now. Give me Toby and grab your things.”
Lydie threw herself off the bed and began stuffing all their loose clothing in the bag Mae had given them. Sin lifted Toby in her arms and he started to fuss, cranky and scared. Sin rubbed his back and tried to soothe away the low, continuous whine.
“Want to give me that bag?”
“No,” Lydie whispered, and then more firmly: “I’ve got it.”
Sin gave her a smile. “Then let’s go.”
She was calculating as they left the bedroom: The money she had would keep them in a hostel for a few days, and by then they would have a flat. She’d just have to make another appointment to dance, and fast.
The important thing was that they would be safe.
The front door opened before she could reach it, and Anzu stood in the doorway and stared, horribly close to her. Nick strode into the hall to her side, and even though it might pique Anzu’s curiosity, she was glad to have him there. Lydie immediately hid behind him.
“What’s going on?” Anzu asked, sounding faintly puzzled.
“They’re leaving,” said Nick. “Get out of the way.”
Anzu did not move, and, somewhat to Sin’s surprise, he did not look at Nick.
He looked at her instead.
“Why are you leaving?”
“I don’t think this is the best place for Toby and Lydie to be right now,” Sin said honestly.
“Why not?” Anzu asked. “I have no interest in hurting them. What use are they to me? I don’t take bodies under sixteen. None of us do.”
Toby was full-on wailing now. Sin could not fight with him in her arms. She did not even dare raise her voice, but no matter whose body he had, at that moment she would have loved to kill Anzu.
“He’s scared of you,” she pointed out, and tried to control her voice, give a performance that would get her by him. “He’s scared of both of you,” she added, glancing at Nick. “And even if you don’t mean to hurt them, they might get hurt in an accident around you guys.”
Anzu gave Toby a considering look that had her baby cringing back, whimpering into Sin’s neck.
“They might get hurt in an accident anytime at all,” he said softly.
Sin did not let herself react as if it was a threat. “That’s true,” she said. “But it’s more dangerous around demons. Since you have no interest in us—”
