Page 128 of Hellbound

Then Tori was at her door all but demanding she join her outside for some sun. But Marian didn’t miss the shift in the traveler’s demeanor, the way everything about her seemed so subdued when before she’d crackled with energy.

Now they sat joined in mutual unhappiness. They’d seen each other’s wounds, their sadness. Neither spoke of them, and neither of them knew what came next.

Paul came down some time around nine, and Marian’s hackles went up in anticipation of bad news. Instead, he’d brought a mixed bag: Greg Bjernsen had run off and no one knew where to. But he’d confirmed through a source that Verinne was carrying on as usual. She’d been seen at her company headquarters for a meeting.

“She hasn’t tried to leave the country yet, which means she’s not running scared,” Paul had said as he moved through the kitchen like a cyclone, knocking back two shots of espresso between bites of flaky pastry. Someone was in a hurry to go get his bike. “We’re going to have to make a move soon, though. Vale will figure it out.”

Vale.

Would that name always elicit such ferocious feelings in her? There was so much anger, so much hurt. And then something else entirely, something new and ugly and far too vulnerable for Marian’s liking.

And since they didn’t have new marching orders yet, she was forced to sit there and obsess over them instead of hyper fixating on Vale’s next plan.

“We should find more movies to watch,” Tori said as her eyes slowly opened. There was a dreamy quality to her voice as she unfolded her legs. “Something super soft. Like Hallmark stuff. I don’t want to have a single real thought today.”

Before Marian could decide what she thought of that plan, a set of car keys sailed over Tori’s head and landed in her lap. She squeaked in surprise before turning in her chair.

Vale strode out of the house dressed as down as Marian had ever seen him in a tight-fitting charcoal tee and black jeans.

“Get dressed,” he said.

Tori picked up the keys to the Audi they’d stolen yesterday.

“Why?” She asked warily.

“Because Paul is taking you home in thirty minutes.”

Tori bolted up out of her chair like it was electrified.

“I’m going home?” She shrieked. “Really?”

Vale’s face remained impassive.

“For a few days, and on two conditions: you keep your phone and its new GPS tracking application on you at all times, and you’ll stay close to home until Paul returns for you. Marian will need you when we’ve formalized a new plan to take down Verinne.”

Vale then produced Tori’s phone, its pink jewel case glittering in the morning light. He set it on the table beside her coffee.

Marian watched shock and elation play across Tori’s face.

“But why?” She glanced at her phone. Some of the awe in her eyes faded. She held up a hand. “What the hell am I saying? I don’t care. Yes to your conditions. Can Marian come?”

Marian blinked in surprise.

Vale responded for her. “Marian stays with me.”

His words sent a shiver down Marian’s spine. Tori arched a brow at her.

For once, Marian was OK with the terms. She couldn’t imagine herself in Tori’s home, pretending to be normal while still being on-call for a murder.

Marian shook her head before Tori could ask her whether she intended to challenge Vale’s decision. “I’ll be fine. Besides, Vale and I need to have a chat.”

Tori didn’t press the issue. She snatched up the keys, coffee and phone, and then stared open-mouthed at Vale, like there was something she wanted to say but couldn’t get it out.

Maybe “thank you.”

But those words never came, and Marian couldn’t help but enjoy the sight of the traveler flashing Vale a smile that managed to be both grateful and bitter.

“I’ll text you. Call me if you want to bitch about him,” she said to Marian before looking pointedly at Vale. “Give Marian her phone back.”