“ You see, I’ve read Mr. Grumbine’s treatise on auras, and while it does depend on the shade, a green aura can be a mark of deception or dishonesty. I shoot Kiernan a smug glance. While I’m certain this… Rysa Walker
“ I nearly miss it, given Tate’s need for speed, but as we zip by the guy in the alley, I catch a brief glimpse of his face. It’s Kiernan. How did he get out before we did when he was behind us? A few s… Rysa Walker
“ You need one of those recap sequences, Trey says. Like, ‘Hi, I’m Kate. Here are a few things you might need to know.’ Charlayne smiles. Previously on . Or, Ben says, ‘ The Timeline So Far,’ like on . Rysa Walker
“ I’m not following any of this, you know. Beecher who? Henry Ward Beecher. Another slug from the bottle. He’s a preacher. Hey, that rhymes. Well, that answers any questions about whether the alcohol is… Rysa Walker
“ I’m not sure why he’s flustered until I realize there are now five of us and the table is set for four. Pru waves her hand dismissively. Don’t bother. The dark-haired one is just my bodyguard. He can… Rysa Walker
“ Charlayne is in front of me, holding a rifle identical to the one in my hand, raised to shoulder height and pointed at Kiernan, who’s sitting on the bed. He looks more bored than afraid. Rysa Walker
“ I pull my T-shirt over my face and am about to plunge in when it occurs to me that I’m approaching this, as Kiernan would say, far too linearly. Rysa Walker
“ And don’t get all pissy if they laugh at you. Why should I take it personally? I didn’t pick this costume, so they’ll be laughing at you, not me. A faint ghost of his old grin surfaces, but disappears… Rysa Walker
“ So why didn’t he vanish? Charlayne nods toward Kiernan. After Max took his key, he should have disappeared, right?I would have, Kiernan says, except someone was wise enough to give me a backup when I… Rysa Walker
“ Kiernan, the less you know, the better. You’re always telling me to just trust you and do what you’re asking, and I do— He snorts. When it suits you. Okay, but I do when it seems important. And this i… Rysa Walker
“ Kiernan gives him a suspicious look. You performed at the Expo? Yes, Bess answers. Along with his brother, Dash. They headlined as The Brothers Houdini on the Midway Plaisance. Really? Kiernan shakes… Rysa Walker
“ Kiernan spins around nervously, eyes flicking between the door we just entered and one at the other end of the room. You forgot to mention the guards. , Pru!Why? You’ve got a gun. And Evie says your f… Rysa Walker
“ Do you still have the tux you wore as Boudini? It’s in the loft at the cabin. Why? You’ll need it in order to pose as a server. Unless you’d rather be a male companion? No thanks. An evil little part… Rysa Walker
“ But then he rolls his eyes and gives me a half smile. Fine. But if you must give me the Mark of the Beast, at least put it where I don’t have to see it constantly. Such as? If we want to be in keeping… Rysa Walker
“ Kiernan hoists one of the bags and slips the strap over my shoulder. I grab the other one, and soon I’m loaded like a pack mule, lugging two bulky military duffels in addition to my backpack.Trey lean… Rysa Walker
“ I don’t know anything for certain. You and I could both explode in the next two seconds. Or the swimming pool over there could have a clone of the Loch Ness monster swimmin’ about on the bottom, ready… Rysa Walker
“ An annoyed huff when he sees Trey suggests Max considers him an add-on rather than true Fifth Column. But he probably thinks the same about me. Too bad we can’t just step aside and let Max save the da… Rysa Walker
“ Kiernan reaches to pull out my chair, but I beat him to it and then nudge the chair across from me out about six inches with my foot. He pulls it out the rest of the way and says, Thank you, dearest,… Rysa Walker
“ The manager is busy, and our policy is absolute. No respectable establishment— The man breaks off in midsentence about the time I feel a hand on my elbow. Kiernan leans in and plants a quick kiss on m… Rysa Walker
