“Whoever told you that was talking bullshit,” Finn lied. “I don’t associate with vamps, exiled or not.”
He had an excellent poker face, I’d give him that. I felt like saying something to further deny Marcel’s allegation, but I clamped my mouth shut. Too much protest would only make us look guilty. Still, it couldn’t be good news that Marcel knew about our ragtag crew. The only way he could know was if someone was spying on us. I thought of how Theodore had infiltrated Rita’s mind yesterday. Was the sorcerer somehow keeping tabs on us through his daughter? The thought made me shiver.
Marcel tutted at us. “You can make friends with as many vampires as you wish. They’ll not be a match for Theodore.”
Finn didn’t bother arguing with him. If Marcel knew about our alliance, then he knew. There were no clever comebacks that would change that.
“So,” Marcel went on, “how are you and Ethan Cristescu getting along? I seem to remember you two having quite the bone to pick with one another. Not to mention you both have a soft spot for this one.” His gaze flicked momentarily to me.
Finn’s jaw visibly tightened. I was surprised he allowed his temper to get the better of him when he bit back, “Fuck off, Marcel.”
The warlock laughed. “Oh my. Hit a sore point, have I?”
Finn shook his head and looked away. I studied him for a moment, confused as to why he was so pissed off. Sure, he didn’t like Ethan, but this seemed like more than that.
I was distracted from my thoughts when I felt a strange tickle in my throat. At first, it was only a mild irritation, but it soon transformed into a full-on coughing fit. I doubled over, and Finn rushed to my side.
“Are you okay, Tegan?” he asked in concern.
I couldn’t respond, because it felt like my entire throat was on fire. The next thing I knew, Marcel stood before me brandishing a glass of water. I grabbed it desperately and knocked the whole thing back in several long gulps. Strangely, once I downed the water, the burning vanished and my throat felt completely normal again.
“Thank you,” I said, handing the glass back to Marcel. My gratitude quickly turned to suspicion when I noticed him staring eagerly into the glass, as though inspecting whether I drank all of it. He’d put something in the water. I was certain of it. I was also certain he was the one who gave me the coughing fit, though I had no proof.
I stepped away from Marcel, almost falling back into Ira. The shapeshifter steadied me by placing both of his big, warm hands on my shoulders.
“What have you done to me?” I demanded, rage filling me as I glared at Marcel.
A slow grin shaped his lips. “Nothing, my dear. Absolutely nothing at all.”
Finn advanced on him, backing him into one of the cash registers. Some shoppers cast wary glances at Finn before hurrying out the door. Others stayed to watch the drama unfold.
Finn glared menacingly down at Marcel. “What trick have you played, old man?” He gripped the warlock’s button-down hemp shirt in his fist.
Marcel effected a startled expression. “Please, Mr Roe, this is a place of business. Try not to make a scene. I’ve played no trick. I swear I have no qualms with you or Tegan. It’s the vampires and their governor who I consider to be my true enemies.”
Finn glanced back at me, not letting go of Marcel. “How do you feel now?”
I took stock of myself, but I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. “Fine, I guess. It just felt like that cough came out of nowhere. I thought it might be magic or something.”
Finn’s glower intensified as he levelled his gaze on Marcel. “If we find out that you’ve done something to her, anything, I’ll be paying you another visit. And next time I won’t be quite so polite or understanding.”
Marcel paled just slightly at the threat. Finn stalked his way out of the shop, and Ira and I followed after him.
3.
When we got back to the car Finn swore loudly and banged his fists against the steering wheel. He started the engine and pulled away before I even had the chance to secure my seatbelt. His jaw was screwed up so tight it looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek.
“Hey, calm down. Don’t let Marcel get to you,” I said a few minutes into the drive.
“I never should’ve brought you there. We didn’t find any information on Theodore and who knows what was in that water.”
“I’ll ask Rita to make me something that will flush it out when we get home. It’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that.” His eyes flicked to mine briefly. “I’d never forgive myself if he poisoned you.”
“Well, thank you for caring, but you’re only letting Marcel win by getting angry.”
“He just aggravates me. He thinks he can go around sacrificing people in rituals without any payback. Well, not on my watch.”
“Nor mine. Marcel will get his, don’t you worry about that.”
That lured a hint of a smile out of him. “People should be more scared of you.”
“Yes,” I agreed, grinning as I opened my palm and summoned a few tiny sparks. “They definitely should.”
I thought we’d go straight back to the house, but instead, Finn pulled up outside of Pamphrock’s apartment building. “The governor wanted you to visit Rebecca. She’s been asking for you.”
“Really? That’s sweet. But I haven’t done much research into the spell yet. I’m not even sure if I’m the woman for the job, to be honest. Perhaps he should just pay Rita to do it.”
“He doesn’t trust Rita. She’s powerful, but she’s unpredictable, and he’s only just gotten his daughter back. He won’t allow unpredictable people around her. Plus, he’s also taken a bit of a shine to you.”
“Piss off, he has not.” I folded my arms across my chest, then glanced back at Finn and asked curiously, “Has he?”
Finn let out a big bellow of a laugh. “Christ, no, he hasn’t taken a shine to you in that way. He just thinks you’re a good, trustworthy sort. Pamphrock values having people he can trust on his side.”
“Oh, well, that’s cool, I suppose. It’s a nice contrast to the vampires who think I’m the ultimate betrayer.”
Finn chuckled. “If you ever take up wrestling that could be your stage name.”
I laughed as we pulled into the underground car park of a fancy high rise apartment building. We took the elevator up to the very top floor since Pamphrock lived in the penthouse. I stood in between Finn and a silent Ira as we made the journey up.
The elevator opened directly into the penthouse. “Very swish,” I muttered to Finn.
Pamphrock, dressed casually in jeans and a sweatshirt, was there to greet us. He almost looked like an ordinary stay-at-home dad. He welcomed us inside, giving Finn a firm handshake, Ira a respectable nod, and me a full-bodied hug. Well, it was certainly nice to have someone be pleased to see me after all the quiet condemnation from Ethan.
Pamphrock led us through his impeccably furnished penthouse to a large living area with a view looking over the entire city. Surrounded by toys on the carpet in the middle of the room was Rebecca. She looked like a little doll, all dressed up in a dainty ensemble that would put Shirley Temple to shame.