But he just needs to find JJ and bring him back here. Fifteen minutes, tops. Grimacing, he casts a quick spell to make himself invisible, peels open an invisible rift, and steps straight into enemy territory.
Councilwoman Nasir’s eyes are as cold as steel from behind her desk. “It’s been a full month since you lost the demon on the Redwater–Kingsborough border,” she says crisply, “and it still hasn’t been located.”
JJ’s throat feels like sandpaper. “Oh?” he says faintly. “Is there, um, any chance that one of the Chains picked her—pickeditup?”
“There is not.” Nasir’s expression doesn’t change, but her tone makes it clear that JJ just asked a stupid question. He fights back a wince. “Every Sanctum has operatives who monitor their local Chain, and no one in the tristate area has reported any sightings. No, the demon December remains hidden and unregistered—and that makes it particularly dangerous, as you of all people are well aware.”
Like he needs to be reminded. After all, the demons who killed his family were unregistered, too. “Understood, ma’am. So, uh, is Strike Team Kappa being assigned to track it down?”
Councilwoman Nasir considers him. JJ does his best not to fidget. He’s no stranger to being called into her foreboding office—out of the five-member Council, she’s the one in charge of personnel—but this time feels different.
Namely because Roma and Bryant aren’t with him. The very thought makes his stomach twist with anxiety. Normally, purebred Bryant does most of the talking when Strike Team Kappa is called in to give mission reports, and whenever she falters, Roma’s clever understanding of Sanctum politics can carry them through any sticky spots.
Usually, it’s like JJ isn’t even there. Considering his low status as a neophyte hunter, he thinks that’s probably by design—and since that low status makes him an easy target for punishments, he also thinks it’s probably a good thing.
Now, though, he’s alone. And based on Councilwoman Nasir’s disapproving eyes, he hasn’t done much to impress her so far.
“No,” she says eventually. “There’s no reason for me to assign this to Strike Team Kappa when it was already assigned to youweeksago. When we sent you out in late December to dispatch the summoner and bring back the demon for testing, it was with the tacit understanding that you would actuallycompletethat mission, not leave it half-finished. The fact that the three of you haven’t made any steps to locate the demon in question reflects poorly on all of you.” Her eyes narrow. “Especially you, Julian. Losing the demon was your blunder, and I expect you to redeem yourself from it.”
The words slice through JJ like knives. Not only is the Sanctum going to actively start searching for Desi again, not only is Strike Team Kappa in hot water because of JJ’s decisions, but?—
But above all, knowing that he let the Council down—and, by extension, let Roma and Bryant down—makes him want to crawl into a hole and never face them again. “Understood, ma’am,” he manages, struggling to keep his expression neutral.
“Hm.” Councilwoman Nasir turns back to her files. “I expect Strike Team Kappa not to neglect its other duties while you search for the demon, and when you find it, you’re to report its location to me immediately so we can send another strike team after it—one that won’t make mistakes. Until then, you’re dismissed.”
“Yes, ma’am,” JJ repeats, and he quickly backs out of the room, fumbling the door open behind him and sliding it shut as soundlessly as possible. Swallowing hard, he turns blindly in the direction of the nearest staircase and starts walking.
The fact that Desi is still on the Council’s radar is a really bad sign. JJ thought that “losing” her would mean her file would simply be forgotten, or that they’d assume a nearby Chain picked her up. As far as he knows, the Sanctum has never had such a pronounced interest in a runaway neophyte demon before, and the thought makes him feel sick to his stomach.
Maybe it would’ve been better for him to send her to the Chain. Maybe it would’ve been better for him to claim he’d killed her in the first place. Maybe?—
There’s a quiet whistle from ahead. Startled, JJ looks up to see Chester hovering just out of sight around a corner, motioning JJ forward.
A little bit of the tension in JJ’s chest eases as he breaks into a jog to reach him. “Hey, man,” he says, slipping down the side hallway and clapping Chester’s arm in greeting. “What’re you doing here?”
“Bryant told me you got called to the principal’s office,” Chester says, nodding down the hall towards Nasir’s door. “You okay?”
JJ’s eyes burn. He scrubs a hand down his face, letting out a slow breath. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Uh-huh,” Chester says, and he positions his fingers like he’s viewing JJ through a camera. “Now, give me the line again, but withfeelingthis time.”
JJ scowls at him.
Chester raises his eyebrows back. “Well?”
JJ wavers briefly before looking away. “Nasir is pissed about the demon I lost last month,” he admits quietly. “The Council thinks Kappa should’ve tracked it down by now. Said it’s a failure that reflects poorly on us.”
Chester’s eyebrows furrow. “Since when is that your responsibility? As long as it’s not wreaking havoc around Redwater, it’s not really our problem. I’ve never heard of a strike team being expected to track down a neophyte demon after it escapes.”
“I…” JJ’s stomach churns. “I don’t know. Maybe there was something special about—about it.”
Or maybe they already know JJ is lying to them. Maybe they’re waiting to see how deep of a hole he’s going to dig himself.
Maybe they’re watching for him to slip up and lead them straight to Desi. JJ silently resolves to take a new route to Cass’s safe house the next time he goes, maybe even reinforce his cloaking spell.
Anything to keep the Sanctum away from her.
Chester’s jaw twitches. He lowers his voice. “Nasir calledyouin, not Roma and Bryant. You think she’s pinning the blame on you to avoid pinning it on them?”
