Free Public Enemies by Ann Aguirre Page B

should probably get up and cook something, but right now, life felt overwhelming, just too many problems without solutions. If my phone hadn’t buzzed, I might’ve lain there until I fell asleep. But the text made me sit up and take notice.
    Come out. I’ll be there in five.
    Kian never came across like that, so I got dressed in a hurry and brushed my hair. Not exactly high style but it sounded like we had trouble. I half suspected Aaron had turned into a monster and tried to kill him or something but he seemed to be uninjured when the Mustang pulled up. The kid was in the backseat, surprising me.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” I demanded.
    In reply, Kian sealed up the car using the gel that supposedly guaranteed privacy for a limited time. I wondered how safe it was with Aaron listening. He might be working for the Harbinger, but Kian didn’t seem worried and they’d spent more time together. I guessed if Aaron was reporting back, Kian would’ve caught him by now. Anyway, maybe I was just being paranoid. The Harbinger probably had more esoteric methods of spying on us.
    He started the car without answering, slicing into traffic in an urgent twist of the steering wheel. A glance back at Aaron provided no clues. The boy was oddly impassive, all sweetness and innocence, like he was just happy to be included. He smiled at me when I turned. His bruises had faded a little, shifting from black and blue to green, still shocking against his clear skin.
    â€œHow are you feeling?” I asked the kid, giving up on a straight answer from Kian.
    â€œBetter. I’m eating three times a day and sleeping in a bed.” The fact that he thought those things were worth mentioning made me so sad.
    Kian spoke then. “Raoul called. We’re on the way to meet him.”

 
    I CONFESS, I DO NOT TRUST YOU
    â€œRaoul.” It seemed best to make sure we were on the same page, but I wasn’t sure how much context I should give aloud.
    â€œMy mentor,” Kian confirmed.
    Right. The one who stole an artifact and is currently AWOL from the game. That meant we were taking a big risk in meeting him, as countless immortals would be paying attention to our every move. Trepidation made me sweat, though the car heater wasn’t fully warmed up yet. But I knew how Kian felt about Raoul, and that when the older guy split, it felt like he’d lost his only friend. So he had to be dying to see him.
    â€œDon’t think I’m unwilling, but … why am I going? It seems like additional risk.”
    â€œWe’ve taken precautions.” That was all he said.
    I didn’t realize my muscles were clenched until my shoulders started aching. I took a breath, willing myself to relax. Kian seemed to pick up on my mood and he moved his hand from the gearshift to touch my knee briefly.
    â€œTrust me, okay? I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
    â€œI’m not worried about me ,” I muttered.
    If shit went horrifically wrong, I had no doubt that Kian would throw himself under the bus to save me. In fact, that was my worst fear.
    Aaron craned his neck as we parked. Kian ran around to open my door. I didn’t dally on purpose, demanding chivalry, more that I was weighing risks and trying to come up with a potential defensive strategy, should this go pear-shaped. Once I was on the sidewalk, Aaron hopped out and I saw that Kian must’ve taken him shopping, as he had on khaki pants that fit, new running shoes, a blue quilted jacket, and a gray beanie. Actually, he was a really cute boy, which made me think that was why the Harbinger stole him.
    Horrible thought.
    Kian led the way, his head on swivel, as we rushed down the sidewalk. We made a couple of turns, and he kept checking behind us the whole way. As for me, I peered like a weirdo into shop windows, searching for stray reflections. I went sharp with anxiety when a stray movement flickered in my peripheral vision. When