Obie picks up where Cass left off. “But howmuchare they on our side? Are they genuinely trying to help you, or are they just looking out for their own interests?”
Ez scowls down at her hands. “I hate psychoanalyzing our friends like this. I’d like to think that demons can trust each other, but…”
This time, the silence lingers. They all know that some demons are pure evil at heart—the ones who committed the Jackson–Locke murders among them—and some are self-serving enough to sell out their own brethren to the Sanctum.
Trust is hard to come by these days. In fact, the only people Cass truly trusts outside of this room would be Maggie Khan—they’ve fought enough wars together for him to know her true colors—and?—
Well. His other trustworthy person would actually be Julian Jackson. But he’s actively trying not to think about that. “And it’s the worst possible time to doubt our friends’ loyalties, too,” Cass adds, unease churning through him. “Summoners are coming to Redwater in droves, the Sanctum is getting bolder, the Chain is up to their usual machinations. And don’t even get mestartedon Jackson.”
The last sentence slips out without Cass meaning to say it, and he knows it was a mistake the moment Ez and Obie sit bolt upright in their chairs. “What?” Ez demands, leaning forward. “What’s going on with the hunter?”
“Nothing,” Cass says defensively, resisting the urge to fidget. “He’s just—he’s just acting kind of weird. That’s all.”
Obie’s eyes narrow suspiciously. “Weirdhow,Cass?”
“Just—” Cass fights back a wince. “He’s just, um. Started to be more casual with me. You know. Remembering little things I say, and asking questions to keep conversations going, and even joking around sometimes. Like—like he forgets that I’m a demon and he’s a hunter. He’s just…” He gestures hopelessly, struggling to describe his hunter co-parent.
“Polite?” Obie offers, squinting at him.
“Why is that an issue?” Ez asks, bewildered. “It’s not like you hate each other anymore, right?”
“Well, no,” Cass hedges. “But at least it was normal when we hated each other. Natural. Not?—”
Not JJ quietly memorizing all of Cass’s usual orders at the food trucks they frequent. Not JJ bringing two bulging shopping bags full of strawberries to Cass’s safe house and bantering with Cass about how to eat them properly.
Not JJ taking Cass at his word when he said they could trust Micah and not questioning it again.
“It was easier when we hated each other,” Cass says eventually. “That’s how demons and hunters aresupposedto interact. It made sense.”
Obie looks unimpressed. “Yeah, well, demons and hunters don’t tend to mutually kidnap a demon toddler and then proceed to negotiate joint custody over her, either. You two threw out the script a long time ago.”
“And it looks like you’re going to be co-parenting Desi together for the long haul, right?” Ez adds. “It’ll make life a lot easier if you’re friendly with each other.”
“But what if JJ is beingmorethan friendly?” Cass blurts out. “What if?—?”
And then, with sickening clarity, he realizes what a grievous error those words were when Ez and Obie both snap to attention, eyes wide. “You think helikesyou?” Ez demands, thunderstruck. “Like,romantically?That’s the sort of thing youleadwith, Chin!”
“I don’tknowif he likes me,” Cass argues, his stomach twisting uncomfortably. It’s not a lie—after all, JJ certainly hasn’t said a word on the subject—but after everything the two of them have been through together, it doesn’t quite feel like the truth, either. “And that’s not the point. Even if therearefeelings involved, that doesn’t mean he should start acting on them!”
There’s a long moment of silence. Aloudmoment of silence.
A moment of silence that makes Cass sincerely fear for his mental and emotional stability going forward.
“Cass,” Obie says evenly.
Cass braces himself. “Yes?”
“Doyoulike JJ?”
“No,” Cass bites out, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ez raises her eyebrows. Obie looks unconvinced.
“I mean, I don’t think so,” Cass amends awkwardly. “I don’t?—”
Ez’s eyebrows continue to approach her hairline. Obie looks even more skeptical.
Cass throws up his hands in defeat. “It’s complicated, all right? We’ve had some intense experiences recently, between the Micah situation and Desi’s nightmare and—and everything. Prolonged eye contact and physical proximity. There might have been emotions involved.”
