Chapter 18

• Standing in a room filled with criminals had rattled me, I won’t lie, but when I likened them to the wizened old farts I have to deal with constantly at the office, the tension eased. Well, except Mrs. Harper. I love Mrs. Harper; she’s a sweet old woman. As the familiar feeling of authority covered me like a warm blanket, I hate to admit it, but I actually enjoyed discussing our plans. And now, I’m weirdly giddy about seeing them come to fruition, almost like when Penny and I used to steal sweets from my mother’s room when we were younger. We’d run and hide, our little hearts racing with excitement, not because we’d succeeded, but because doing something naughty and not getting caught felt exhilarating.
• The crippling fear of being caught is still there, of course, but it’s balanced by the thrill bubbling up inside me. Not that I’d ever tell Andronikos. His ego is big enough already and doesn’t need more inflation.
• We drove in silence to Andronikos’ penthouse. It was already evening and I was exhausted. Today had been filled with meetings and my throat could use a break. When we get to Andronikos’ house, my first priority would be finding some warm water and honey to soothe it. Surely, there’s honey hidden somewhere in that fancy apartment of his. He might be a demon but I doubt he’s taste buds are that bitter.