“The queen of the peris was kidnapped three weeks ago,” I explained. “The divs are taking the opportunity to create whatever chaos they can.”
“Parvenah has been kidnapped? Who holds her?” A blue fume surrounded him, as if he were ready to launch into battlethen and there. “How did the peris keep that a secret from us? Wait. How do you know that your information is accurate?”
“No worries.” Spin held up a hand. “A friend of ours took care of it and freed her. She’s rallying her troops and getting the divs under control as we speak.”
“Good. The divs running loose in the world is thelastthing we need right now,” Ray said with a frown. “Too many in the Dark World are already stirring over something big. I have a bad feeling that a war is brewing.”
“Uh, we may know something about that,” I told him.
“Oh?”
“Well,” I began, “we’re in the middle of a rescue mission to get one of our friends back. So far, it’s involved Solomon’s djinn, a demon prince and his shadow, peris, divs, a miracle worker, an archangel, the sheba, and a group of humans called the Alchemists.”
Ray stared at me for several long moments.
“Tell me,” he finally said. “Tell me everything you know.”
46. Brave Little Cuss
Kerry
When I told him that we were about to leave and why, Hank decided to take Lilas back to her mom, even though it meant he and Gina would be stuck at the Sanctuary until the lockdown lifted.
As the kids said goodbye to each other, I told Hank and Gina about Jax and Gigi going over to St. Pat’s and asked if they wanted me to call them back. Gina was Gigi’s warden, after all.
“The only way into the Sanctuary now is through a portal.” Gina gave me a small smile. “I’ll need to take Hank and Lilas to St. Pat’s anyway, so I can connect with her there before we leave.”
Then she ’ported out with Hank.
Hinge was heartbroken.
He begged and pleaded and even offered to wear clothes and a hat to hide what he was. Rome knelt down next to him and explained that the wardens at the Sanctuary would put him out of his misery sooner than shelter him.
I got what Hinge was feeling. How often did he get to hang out with kids his own age? Especially a pretty girl?
Gina popped back into the room and laid her hand on Lilas’ shoulder.
“I’ll see you again soon, Bertie,” Lilas smiled and squeezed his skeletal fingers. “I’m sure of it.”
“Farewell,” he murmured and bent his skull over their joined hands.
Then they were gone.
Hinge curled up in a corner and the purple lights of his eyes dimmed down to almost nothing. I figured he was either pouting or asleep. I wondered if I should talk to him, but my instincts warned me to leave him alone.
I wouldn’t want someone fussing over me. And what comfort could I give him? I wanna smash the world right now.
Since it looked like I was stuck with him for a while longer, I figured I’d better make a plan. Get some clothes and a hat like he’d suggested, or a hoodie. A little skeleton bouncing along with us wasn’t something humans would overlook or ignore.
I turned to ask Mira if she could do the shopping—and nearly collided with Gina and Lilas.
#
Mira
Gina and Lilas suddenly re-appeared in the middle of the living room. Gina, bent double, held one arm against her stomach and pushed Lilas away with the other.
“What the—”
