The Unleashing
Page 54

She had no problem pretending these people didnt exist, but theyd gone too far. Much too far.
That was kind of brazen of your people, Brandt, Chloe told the older man. Just showing up to interrogate the new girl. But it makes me wonder why she bothers you so much.
You need to leave, Crow, the old woman said. Youre not welcome here.
Chloe pointed at The Silents Seer, Embla. Dont think, for a moment, that because youre a woman, I wont tear the flesh from your bones. Chloe leaned in a bit and whispered, Because we both know I will.
She shifted her gaze to Brandt. You need to start talking to me, old man. She lifted her hands. Its dark out. And my sister-Crows are free to roam. And we both know what damage they can do when theyre cranky.
Brandt stared at Chloe a long moment but said nothing. Go, Embla ordered. Go before I
Chloes blade shot across the room and tacked the edge of the old womans cowl against the wall behind her.
And no, Chloe said, I didnt miss. She smiled. I never miss.
Somethings coming, Brandt finally said.
Oh?
Something that hasnt been dealt with . . . by any of us. By any of us on this human plane.
What?
I dont know.
Brandt
I dont know. I was hoping that if Embla could look into her soul, we might be able to find out.
You could have asked. You should have. Chloe leaned back in her chair. What makes you think Kera Watson knows anything? That shes part of anything? Shes the new girl. Her wings just came out.
We dont know. But we had to find out.
Chloe leaned back in her chair. Youre so full of shit.
If she was a problem, we had to know. The balance must be kept.
Then keep it. Were not trying to fuck with it. Its not like any of us are trying to start Ragnarok. Ive got a book coming out in two months and a spread in Vanity Fair. The last thing I want is the end of the world.
Then you and your winged brethren better find out whats slowly but surely invading our world.
Why cant you?
Thats not our job. But murdering. Killing. Destruction. Thats what you people do.
Chloe stood and walked over to Embla, yanking her blade from the wall behind the woman. She slid it back into the sheath tied to her ankle.
You know, Brandt . . . normally Id be insulted by all that. Except that its absolutely true! Chloe moved toBrandts side. She placed her hands on the arms of his chair and leaned in until they were barely inches apart.
We are death, Brandt. We are destruction. And we enjoy every fucking second of it. Keep that in mind, the next time you and your Silent decide to come after one of my girls.
Chloe stood straight, kissed the tip of her finger, and pressed it against Brandts cheek. Then Chloe unleashed her talon and slashed it down Brandts face.
He didnt make a sound.
She walked around Brandts desk. Oh, and by the way. The only reason Voll is still breathing . . . is because of that destructive, murdering Crow youre so worried about.
She walked out of the office with a wave. Night, everyone!
Chloe moved down the hall and went out the back door in the kitchen to Brandts substantial yard. There, the majority of The Silent waited for her.
Chloe smiled. Hello, gentlemen.
She knew what they wanted to do. They wanted to combine their power, open a hole in this world that would lead to another, and send Chloe screaming into it.
But they wouldnt.
A whistle caught their attention and The Silent looked up . . . to see the trees above filled with Chloes sister-Crows. Waiting.
Chloe gave The Silent a fingertip wave of good-bye. Gentlemen.
Then she unleashed her wings and took to the air with her sister-Crows behind her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Leigh and Jace landed and released the new girl, who started swinging at pretty much everybody, missed everybody, then went and vomited in a clump of trees.
That was two times Erin had been forced to watch this woman throw up. Was that a medical problem? Should Kera see a doctor?
Once Kera was all vomited out, Tessa handed her a bandanna from her back pocket to wipe her mouth.
You okay?
Fuck off.
Calm down. Letting Leigh and Jace carry you was the easiest way to get you here.
Kera stepped in close to Tessa. Could they not have carried me from the ground in the same manner, rather than you throwing me off a building and hoping they caught me?
Probably. But this was more fun. She held up a small tin canister. Mint?
Kera snatched the tin, took two mints, and threw it back at Tessa.
Erin didnt know why Kera was so pissed. It wasnt like theyd flown her all the way to the Valley or something. In fact, they were still in Malibu at Solstice Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains. They were barely in the air ten minutes. So why she was freaking out, Erin didnt know.
Tessa motioned everyone to come close. This should be an easy job. Were after a necklace held by thirteen women. Easy-peasy.