But then there was Desi, all bright eyes and excited banter and a smile that could light up a blackout. And then there was Cass, biting and sarcastic and fierce andcaringand?—
And beautiful, if JJ is being perfectly honest with himself. He dismissively acknowledged that Cass is attractive from the very start, but there’s just something about the way he holds himself, something about the way he moves?—
Something about the way he goes soft whenever Desi is nearby, all gentle hands and warm hugs and fond smiles that make his eyes crinkle in the corners. Something about the way he looked atJJlast week, those same eyes deep and dark enough that JJ could barely breathe.
Like stargazing on a cool winter’s night and suddenly becoming aware of how vast and infinite the universe really is. Like knowing, despite all that fathomless distance, that JJ is still exactly where he’s supposed to be.
For two days a week, at least. Letting out a slow breath, JJ summons his burner phone from the gap in spacetime where he stashes it, swipes into the only entry in his contact list, and presses the button to call Cass.
He picks up within two rings. “If you’re asking whether you should bring more strawberries on Tuesday, the answer isno.Nobody needs this many strawberries, Jackson. Frankly, I’m shocked they let you walk out of the grocery store with all of them.”
Despite himself, JJ’s lips twitch. “But Desi said she likes strawberries, remember? And they were on sale.”
“Doesn’t mean we neededthirteen boxes.”There’s a brief pause. “Is something wrong, lackey?”
A few short weeks ago, that nickname sounded condescending. Now, though, it almost feels like a private joke. “I’m getting sent out on a long-haul mission,” JJ admits quietly. “Probably won’t be back until late next week. You and Desi might have to go to the aquarium without me.”
Cass scoffs. “Don’t be stupid. Desi wants to go to the aquarium specificallywithyou. We can wait.”
The words make JJ’s throat feel tight. “Thanks,” he croaks, and he swallows hard. “Can I—can I talk to her?”
There’s a quick beat of silence. “Sure,” Cass says, and he raises his voice. “Desi! JJ is on the phone!”
JJ hears the pitter-patter of little feet racing down the hallway before Desi’s cheerful voice sounds over the line. “JJ! Hi! I miss you!”
JJ’s eyes sting. “Hi, sweetie,” he says. “I miss you, too. Are you having a good day?”
“Thebest!Cass made pancakes this morning with those strawberries you brought us—they were so yummy! And then we got some new books from the library, and…”
JJ listens closely as she tells him all about her day, dreading the moment when he’s going to have to break the news about their aquarium plans. She’ll understand, of course—she always understands when he has to reschedule—but the disappointment is always clear in her voice.
And even though the Sanctum is JJ’s home, even though Roma and Bryant and Chester are his family, even though they gave him a home and apurposewhen he had nothing and no one?—
JJ would give anything to be with Desi and Cass instead of here right now.
15
It’s a sunny day in early February when Cass strolls into the esteemed Outpost Office of Gregorio Ricci, Personnel Department. “Gregorio! Fancy meeting you here.”
Gregorio blinks slowly at him from behind his desk. His Outpost is small and cramped, barely larger than a walk-in closet, but Cass knows that Gregorio likes it that way. Fewer demons dropping in to visit. “Yes. Fancy meeting me at the Outpost where I’ve worked every weekday for the past two centuries. Incredible.”
Cass snorts, strolling up to his desk. “Yeah, yeah. What’s good, man? How’s Micah?”
“Micah’s fine. Everything’s fine.” Gregorio shrugs one shoulder. “You know Redwater. Nothing ever happens.”
Vividly, Cass thinks about Desi and JJ steamrolling their way into his life. “Don’t I know it,” he lies.
“So I presume you’re here to make life more interesting, then?” Gregorio asks, pulling a familiar form out of a drawer. “Where are you headed this time?”
“Actually…” Cass hesitates, considering.
Cass has known Gregorio Ricci for almost two hundred years now—it’d be difficult to avoid him, since he’s in charge of tracking Redwater Chain members who go abroad. Usually, Cass is in his Outpost with predictable frequency, filling out the paperwork to hop over to a different country every time there’s a revolution to join or a tyrant to be overthrown.
Today, though, he’s looking for something else—something he’ll need a bit more finesse to acquire. “No campaign for me this time. I’m, uh, actually in the market for a new identity package. Birth certificate, driver’s license, passport. You know. The works.”
Gregorio pauses. “Well, that’s not my division,” he says, eyebrows furrowing. “You’ll want Nathaniel’s Outpost over by Lakeside.”
Cass arches an eyebrow. “Have youeverseen Nathaniel complete his paperwork correctly? Even if those forms are his specialty, I figured I’d have better luck with you.”
