Yeah, so there’s some history in this little trio. Technically, we’ve all buried the hatchets from past encounters (me taking Nico’s eye, Nico helping to imprison me, Tina having a part in Nico’s mother’s death—I mean, I could go on, but you get the point), but there’s always a hum of underlying tension when we meet.
And more so right now.
“Then feel free to turn around, go home, and not return here in the near future,” Tina responds.
“No,” I manage. “Nico is one of the good guys now.”
Nico’s eyebrow goes up at that. “I always was. Though I didn’t always show it.” He lowers his voice. “There is a new shitstorm brewing. It seems like we barely got past the last one.”
“What do you know?” I demand.
Nico holds his hands up, surrender style. But his single eye is sharp and I know he’s not gonna give away more than he feels is necessary. “Since shuttering my previous business—”
“The contract-killing economy has tanked since the Triumvirate took over,” Tina observes snarkily.
Nico ignores her. “I’ve been doing some private investigation work.”
“You’re kidding!” Tina laughs. “Werewolf PI! Private Dick...Dick.”
I smother my own laugh, because Nico does not look amused.
“I’m here because of a client, okay? He gave Hermes something a long time ago and now he wants it back. Also, I noticed Cassie in there the other day and…” He frowns at us. “Why are you letting her hang out here? Did she and Greg break up? Someone needs to watch out for her.” His tone is accusatory. Like we’re parents letting our toddler play in the street.
He has a soft spot for Cassie after the two of them did time together in a monster jail.
“We can’t get Cassie out,” I tell Nico. “It’s a long story.”
“She’s drugged,” Tina adds. “That’s pretty much the whole story. And if she doesn’t stay drugged the withdrawal will kill her.”
Nico growls low. “Hermes.”
“We’re working on a plan to get her away from him,” Tina says.
I shoot a look her way. Does she not understand that we’re withholding information?
Nico nods. “Does this have anything to do with the black smoke monster that ripped through the club two days ago?”
“How do you know about that?” I demand.
“Everybody knows. The club was packed when it happened. Also, it made a memorable exit.” Nico points to the plastic covered hole in the club’s wall.
“And that’s why you’re here,” I say, my suspicions confirmed. “Your client wants Pandora’s Box.”
Nico grins in his lopsided and oh so charming way. For a moment time rewinds to when we were both new students at Mount Olympus Academy, both enrolled in the spy class. He looked at me with two eyes and that lopsided smile and I thought, Ooh, I could have some fun with him.
I gotta say, when I’m wrong—I am really wrong.
Now Nico’s eyes twinkle as he shrugs and says, “Actually, I’ve been told the name is a misnomer. It’s actually more of a jar.”
“I know it’s a jar,” I growl.
“Whoa, Mavis, lighten up,” he says. Imagine, Nico, the king of brood, telling me I’m a buzzkill. Risking life and limb, he throws one arm around Tina while the other snags me. “Monsters coming out of mysterious portals is not standing on the street type talk. Come on, a friend of mine works at a bar down the street. I’ll buy the first round.”
I jerk away from Nico but don’t rip his arm off. Tina amazingly leans in and smacks her lips against Nico’s before pulling away. His eye opens in shock.
“You invade my space, I’ll invade yours,” she tells, flashing her fangs at him as he reaches up to wipe away the blood oozing from a cut at the corner of his mouth.
The old Nico would’ve shifted into a werewolf and done his best to draw some blood of his own. But this new more zen version merely lifts his eyebrows. “Message received.”
At the bar Nico and Tina each order a beer, but I need something stronger after breathing the same air as Hermes. The adrenaline from our encounter has faded, so the shakes are gone, but they’ve been replaced with a bone-deep weariness. I feel like I’ve been wrung out and hung up to dry.
I don’t like feeling weak. Broken.
Especially not in front of Nico and Tina.
Two quick shots of tequila put some fire back in my blood. At least until Nico frowns and asks, “You okay, Mavis? Outside you seemed a little pale...”
“I’m fine,” I snap at him, maybe a little too abruptly. Forcing a smile, I dial it back a bit. “It’s just work, you know. We’re overcrowded right now. The harpies are trying to clear up the streets before that big Humans First rally. And, the harpies have their own big religious ceremony or something planned for the same day. So it’s just crazy.”
Nico’s waitress friend passes by and I snag her arm. He failed to mention that this bar, The Hatch, is also vegan and entirely staffed by chicken shifters. When I grab her, the girl actually gives a little squawk of alarm.
“Hey, sorry, but could I get one more shot?”
She looks to Nico, apparently because he has to give permission before I can drink more.
I tighten my grip on her arm. “Unless you want to add wings to the menu, I suggest you get me my drink.”
“Um, I really really hate to agree with Nico, but maybe take it down a few notches,” Tina says as the chicken shifter scurries away. I turn to face Tina, unable to believe that she of all people is telling me to chill out. “This isn’t the time to fall apart, kitty cat. Pull it together.”
She’s right. And I know it.
I turn to Nico who has stayed remarkably silent throughout. “You want to know what’s going on? Edie and Val are gone,” I tell him. “They went into the same portal that monster came out of. That’s why I’m on edge.”
“And they haven’t returned?” He frowns. “I assumed the monsters were maybe some sort of witches’ creation—like remember that brother and sister pair our first year at MOA?”
“The Bloomers,” Tina says. “What a pair of idiots.”
“I remember them,” I add. “They got expelled for using some of Kratos’ hair to create an illusion of him that came to class in his place—”
Nico cuts in, “And announced that his dick had fallen off from too much jerking off and class was cancelled until further notice.”
We all laugh together, remembering.
“Do you remember the look on his face when he walked in and saw his duplicate?” Tina laughs.
“He tried to punch it out and his fist went right through it,” I say in between giggles. “But the Bloomers can’t be behind this monster. First of all, I know for a fact that they’re behind bars at Underworld Reformatory. And anyway, their monster was an illusion. But that hole in Hermes bar is very, very real.”
This sobers us quickly.
“Maybe the portal leads to some sort of prison,” Nico suggests after several long moments of glum silence. “It was meant to keep those monsters sealed away, but now they’re out while Val and Edie are the ones trapped.”
“That makes sense,” I say. It would also mean that Val and Edie are probably okay. As long as none of those monsters were left behind.
“That makes no sense,” Tina says. “What is that based on? The portal could open on Pluto and those creatures could be space aliens!” She folds her arms and mumbles, “Making all kinds of assumptions. Idiots.”
“It does makes sense,” I argue, “because the gods created the portals. Unless Hermes has been to outer space, then there aren’t gonna be any portals to Pluto.” But Tina just rolls her eyes.
Nico stands, “Yeah, well...I gotta get back to work. But look, when I find that portal, I’ll give you guys a chance to open it before handing it over to my client.”
“Um, no way,” Tina says, standing too. “We’re gonna get that portal and you can tell your client that I’m ready to sink my fan
gs into anyone who messes with it again.”
Again Nico surprises me by simply laughing. I can’t get used to this happy version of him. “Yeah, that’s not actually how working together is supposed to go.”
“Who is your client?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Nope. I’m not giving you girls anything, now. But whatever, may the best supe win.” He shakes his head. “Can you believe that’s what we’re called now? Supes.” With that he gives us a tip of an imaginary hat and leaves.
The chicken arrives at our table, dropping a bill and my shot. “You better tip well,” she says.
My eyebrows go up at the amount of the bill. So much for Nico covering the first round.
Tina looks over my shoulder. “That dickhead didn’t pay.”
And then because the first two shots blunted the edge of my nerves but didn’t get rid of them entirely—I throw the shot back.
9
Back in my office at UWR, my head hurts with the beginning of a hangover. With the buzzy effects of the alcohol gone, it’s impossible to feel anything other than depressed.
“We can’t beat him,” I say. And then as I collapse into my chair, something else occurs to me. “We didn’t even ask Hermes about Val and Edie!”
“Look,” Tina tells me, her voice kind. “We didn’t ask about Val and Edie because that shit stain of a god wasn’t gonna tell us anything anyway.” She swipes some papers from my desk and perches on the corner of it. “Also, I have daddy issues too. All the most interesting people do. But Hermes doesn’t get to win.”
“I think he just did,” I say quietly. “We can’t hurt him without hurting his workers, and I don’t want innocent blood on my hands.”
“You’d be surprised how good it tastes, actually,” Tina says, ignoring my grimace. “Look, I’m not good at all this comforting crap. I don’t have the personality type. I’m more of an ‘attack the problem’ kind of girl.”
“Really?” I ask, eyes wide in fake shock. “But you seem so nurturing. I mean, to plants, anyway.” I prattle on, my fatigue warning me that I’m getting close to collapse.
“So, I’m in,” Tina tells me.
I blink. I must have missed something.
“In what?” I ask.
“You know that idiot plan you had about recruiting prisoners to find our siblings? I’m in.”
“But you said that was the worst idea you’d ever heard.”
Tina shrugs. “It still is, but desperate times, and all that. We have to get Hermes to talk.”
“And rescue Cassie,” I add.
Edie will kill me if I don’t try to get her out of there. But honestly, it’s more than that. The weird little seer has a gift for worming her way into people’s hearts. I could tell from the way the others took care of her at the club that she’s doing it there too. If Hermes touches her again...
“Sure, we can save the seer along the way.” Tina interrupts my dark thoughts. “Who were you thinking of recruiting for our little squad?”
I scrub my face, trying to get my head back in the game. “Well, there are a few. That bear shifter from the club, her boyfriend has a major beef with Hermes over her. There’s also a witch who pretty much hates all the gods.”
She nods her head. “I can work with that.”
“Oh, there’s also this pixie girl who got turned into a vamp…”
“Weird, but I’m into it,” Tina tells me.
“I’ve got some dirt on her brother so I think I can leverage that and convince her to help.”
“Blackmail, I like it.” Tina eyes the folders I hand her, looking at each inmate. “We need an in,” she tells me. “Someone who can get next to Hermes without putting him on high alert.”
I lean forward, a bubble of hope rising in my chest. We’re the good guys, I remind myself. We can’t let Hermes get away with this shit.
“I know just the guy.”
I have Kalinda bring Mac to my office, using his nonviolent categorization as an excuse. He sits across from me, eyeing Tina warily. She sits on my desk, legs crossed. Fangs just visible.
“I’m not going to mess with Big Daddy,” Mac says.
“We’re not asking,” Tina says before I can answer. “We’re telling. Otherwise, you’re going to get locked up here for a very long time.”
Mac shakes his head. “What is this now, bad cop, worse cop?”
“This is your reality,” I tell him. “You have a choice. Help us get to Hermes and I’ll lose your papers, or don’t help us and I’ll lose the key to your cell.”
“Great choices. Usually, I like to get boned, but in this case…” He plays with the collar at his neck. “You’ll have to take this thing off.”
“Not until we need to,” I say. “For now, go back to your cell…”
“Oh no.” He shakes his head. “I want an upgrade. I’m sharing with three other people and one is an ape who doesn’t understand the concept of modern plumbing.”
I rub my face. “You can hang in the exercise yard for now.” I call in Kalinda and ask her to escort Mac there.
Tina jumps up. “I need a blood break. Get your list together and we’ll figure out how to set them loose when I get back.”
Without another word, Tina’s out the door. It closes behind her with a soft thunk.
Alone once more, Hermes crowds my head. I hesitate all of three seconds before reaching into my bra and then popping two more pills.
Tina’s lunch takes longer than expected. But that’s okay; once the pills hit my system, I start feeling good. Not wanting to wait around for her, I put together a rough plan for the prison break.
Although I want to do it right this minute, we need to be a little more strategic. There are layers upon layers of security in this place. Even I don’t know what all of them are. Our best chance of getting through all of them is three nights from now. As luck would have it, the First Brood on staff will be light that night. It’s the harpies’ annual something something. That’s not the name, but only harpies can pronounce the actual name—it’s a guttural mix of consonants that goes on for much longer than seems possible. They’re all supposed to go. The ones that stay on staff will be taking breaks to go to a prayer room that will be set aside for them.
This has all been kept hush-hush, of course. You don’t exactly want to announce to the inmates or anyone else that your prison is gonna be short-staffed. But I know because I am “essential personnel.” I guess I should feel guilty about using that to my advantage. But I don’t. Or, maybe I do. But I feel way worse about leaving Cassie in the lurch and Val and Edie who knows where.
I just gotta keep everyone I release on a short leash. Sure. No problem.
Tina still isn’t back, so I get busy writing out notes. Back at MOA I was in the spy discipline. But I was a double agent, working on behalf of the monsters the gods were determined to keep beneath their boot heels. One of our favorite modes of communication was notes sent on magical paper. Once read, the note would almost immediately turn to ash.
I still keep some on hand. Without overthinking it, I make the notes simple and snappy. Bait the hook and then cast the line.
Then it’s time to deliver. I swing by Shauna’s cell first. I let her know that we have her brother and that it’s possible he might be the first one we execute, if the Triumvirate decides death is the best route for our most unruly supes. Then I drop the note and leave so she can have some time to think about it.
I follow a similar pattern with the other two, Griff the bear shifter and Tamika the witch.
By the time I get back to my office, I’m feeling good. It’s been a productive afternoon.
And then Tina comes in and shits all over everything I’ve done.
“So wait,” she says after I’ve given her the broad details of my plan—since these are the only details that exist so far. “You’re going to break out four prisoners and just hope the harpies are too busy praying to pay attention?”
“I don’t think they actually re
fer to it as praying,” I say.
Tina glares at me in a way that tells me she’s not taking that bait. “They sure as shit are going to refer to this as a prison break—”
“Don’t say it out loud!” I say, hopping up from my desk. Quickly I go to my office door. We closed it, but it’s not soundproof or anything and Kalinda has been in and out of here all day.
I crack the door open and try to oh so casually peak out. Phew. No one is there.
Meanwhile, Tina continues her lecture. “And what’s with the notes? Are we in middle school? Do you like me? Circle yes or no.”
“The notes self-destruct, so there’s nothing to circle.”
“Then it’s worse than middle school. How do you know if they're in?” She looks at me like I’m the dumbest person she’s ever met.
“They’re in. Trust me. I chose people who—”
Tina interrupts, talking right over me. “No and no and no. I hate all the godsdamn assumptions. Get a verbal confirmation.”
I grit my teeth. “Can you just trust me here?”
“No.”
We glare at one another. And I’m just about to tell Tina to walk if she doesn’t like the way I’m doing things. But then I remember...Edie.
I’d like to say I could save her on my own. But the truth is, I barely made it out of Hermes’ club without having a total mental collapse. And we only exchanged words! How am I gonna survive an actual fight?
I need Tina. Edie needs Tina.
“Okay,” I say. “Peace offering.” I look down at my watch. “Griff, Tamika, and Shauna have their bi-weekly role-playing session together this afternoon. It’s supposed to help them learn how to relate to humans in the real world.”
“Ugh. That sounds awful,” Tina says.
I bite my tongue to keep from telling her she might learn something. Instead, I force a tight smile. “How about we sit in so you can see them face-to-face? And if possible, we can pull each one aside for a moment to get some sort of affirmation. Okay?”
Tina sighs heavily but at least she gets to her feet and heads for the door. Right before opening it, she turns to me. “I thought your sister was an idiot.”
Squad Goals Page 6