“Sure. We love gossip,” Gregorio says, and he arches an eyebrow. “So?”
Cass sighs, shrugging expansively. “You know what? Sure. Sure, I trust Roma. I don’t trust her enough to let her into my safe house yet, but that’s really more paranoia on my part than anything else.” He leans forward, eyes narrowing. “But she helped me break JJ out of the Sanctum, and that means a lot to me. So if anything—and I meananything—happens to her, then I’ll personally make sure you regret it.”
Gregorio doesn’t back down. “You’re just adopting hunters left and right, aren’t you?”
“I’m an equal-opportunity demon,” Cass says briskly, and he makes a show of checking his watch. “Is that all? You just wanted to pick my brain about Roma?”
Micah’s lips pinch together. “And to see how you’re doing, too.”
“And to check on those new identity packages,” Gregorio adds. “I can put the paperwork through off the record, if you need.”
Cass gapes at him. “What part of this conversation makes you think I want you anywhereneartheir new identities?”
Gregorio scoffs. “Who else is going to file them for you, Chin? You’re wanted for questioning by the Chain. You might not be a fugitiveyet,but no demon in their right mind would help you.”
“I can figure it out myself.”
“And how long will that take?”
Cass fights back a flinch. Truth be told, when he created his last secret identity from scratch, it actually took years to get all the individual pieces together without arousing suspicion.
But he doesn’twantto wait years to get these documents for Desi and JJ—especially JJ. In fact, the sooner Cass gets him a new identity—with all the perks that entails—the sooner he can broach the idea of taking a step further in their relationship. And above all?—
Gregorio’s voice is quiet. “Look, Micah and I could get in trouble just for talking with you. Since new identity packages aren’t my division, the Chain would know I cooperated with you if I tried to snitch, and that could cost me my job. And it’s not like you’re going to put your current address on the forms, anyway. There’s really no way this could circle back to you.”
Hypothetically, at least. The part of Cass that’s always prepared for the worst argues that the offer itself could be a setup, that the Chain could’ve put Gregorio and Micah up to this clandestine meeting, that they could be actively plotting against him?—
But the more reasonable part of Cass knows it’s unlikely. He may have never fought a war side by side with Micah or Gregorio, but hehasknown them for almost two centuries. That level of subterfuge would be out of character from Gregorio and downright shocking from Micah.
Even if Cass doesn’t love the idea of them knowing Desi’s and JJ’s new identities, it looks like his best option is to trust the Conspiracy Couple for now. Reluctantly, he nods. “I’ll consider it. Thanks. Anything else you want to know?”
“Nope,” Micah says, and he expertly flicks his wrist, breaking the soundproofing spell and unlocking the door at the same time. “Enjoy the rest of your day, yeah? And tell the little one we say hello.”
Privately, Cass is sure that he’s going to do no such thing, but he nods anyway. “Sure,” he says, and he snaps his fingers, sliding his glamour back into place. “See you when I see you.”
And, with one last awkward wave, he shoulders his way out of the Outpost and heads down the sidewalk, feeling disconcertingly like he said more than he should have.
30
Okay, so I’m just finishing Season Five,” Roma says, “and I’m genuinely appalled at Amethyst’s behavior? Like, I know that the injustice of the discrimination against ice wyverns is half the point of the show, but Snowstorm hasalwayshad Amethyst’s back. How could Amethyst forget that so easily? It’s infuriating!”
JJ laughs, kicking off his sneakers and sitting cross-legged on the couch across from Roma’s armchair. This is his first time seeing her in person since before he defected, and finally getting to hug her tightly and thank her for helping Cass with the jailbreak made a weight lift off his shoulders that he didn’t even realize was still there.
No matter how much has changed—and how much he’s lost—he still has one of his best friends here with him. Roma’s studio apartment is a bit minimalist, just like her old room back in the Sanctum, but her proud smile when she gave JJ the grand tour made his chest feel warm.
Andhe got her to watchWyvern Academy.Wonders never cease. “Yeah, Amethyst definitely makes some questionable decisions,” he agrees.“Especiallyin the finale. But she gets better in the next season—like, she has a whole redemption arc and everything. You’ll like her again soon.”
Roma doesn’t look convinced. “If you say so. It’s still giving me anxiety, though.”
JJ grins. “Looks like defecting is more entertaining than either of us ever thought.”
Roma casts an indecipherable glance around her apartment. “Yeah, I guess,” she says, throwing one leg over the side of her armchair and fidgeting like she just can’t get comfortable. “I mean, don’t get me wrong—I’m eternally grateful to Obie for setting up such a solid safe house for me. I wasn’t aware before now that he apparently owns, like, half of Redwater, but?—”
“He doesn’t ownhalfof Redwater,” JJ argues. “Maybe, like, a third of it.” And learning that Obie actuallydoesown a sizable amount of property in town—apparently bought for mere pennies back when Redwater was first founded—is one of the more bizarre pieces of trivia that JJ has learned about Cass’s friend group over the past few weeks.
JJ’sfriend group now, too. Or so Cass insists, at least.
Roma’s lips twitch. “Regardless,” she says, “the apartment is nice. But I feel like I’m going out of my mind here, man. I’ve watched five seasons of cartoon dragons in less than two weeks. That’s not normal behavior. I’ve just felt so—soconfinedto this one room.”
