“And technically the girl is human, so technically no underworld laws were broken…”
I fold my arms over my chest and grit my teeth, but I manage to refrain from calling out bullshit.
“Henry, consider this a warning. I would advise you to make better choices in the future. Perhaps listen to the council of your advisors more often.” Her eyes flick to Parker, and she smiles.
“A slap on the wrist?” I nearly jump to my feet. “That’s it? Are you kidding me?”
Ren flashes me a smile from across the table. His eyes are sparkling as if he’s amused by my temper. “A warning from the Agency is serious business, honey. It’ll put him in check. Don’t worry.”
I have my doubts about that, but there’s no point in arguing.
“What about Nora?” Terrance demands, earning the room’s full attention. He meets my gaze, then narrows his eyes on Director West. “She knows about our world, and she has her own gifts. She probably has underworlder blood in her somewhere. She should be able to interact freely within our world and learn what she needs to keep herself safe. She should be considered one of us and protected by our laws so that a misunderstanding like this won’t happen again. Are we allowed to help her even though she’s human?”
Director West gives me a long, searching look, then slowly nods to Terrance. “That is probably the best thing to do in this case. Yes, you may bring her into the fold.” Her eyes turn to me, and she smiles a sincere smile. “Welcome to the underworld, Miss Jacobs. You are free to go.”
I can leave. And Henry’s not allowed to stop me. It takes a moment to sink in.
“Congrats, Trouble.”
A giant grin spreads across my face as I stand up and spin around to face my new friend. “I don’t care what anyone says about trolls, Terrance; you are one stand-up man.” As he laughs, I lightly punch his shoulder. It’s the closest I can manage to a physical gesture of appreciation—I am so not a hugger. “Thank you. Seriously. For trying to stop him at the club earlier. For coming to the Agency. Being here right now. No one’s ever stuck up for me like that before.”
“It was my pleasure. You’re welcome in my club anytime. Wulf and I’ll look out for you.”
I smile, but before I can tell him thanks-but-no-thanks, Wulf approaches us. “A word of caution for you, Nora.” His low voice is surprisingly soft with compassion. “The underworld can be a harsh and dangerous place.”
“Buddy, I live in Detroit.”
I kick myself for that lovely bit of sarcasm. Mouthing off to a werewolf can’t be smart. Luckily, he just smirks and says, “A fitting training ground. However, the more you interact with our world, the more you will face new dangers. You are still human. It won’t be easy for you.”
I’m grateful for the warning, but he’s preaching to the choir. “You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t plan to jump in headfirst or anything. I’d rather not jump in at all.” I give Terrance a sheepish smile. “Thanks for the offer, T. Your club is kickass, but I’m not sure it should really be my playground, if you know what I mean.”
Terrance sighs at the truth in my statement.
“What do you plan to do?” Ren asks. He and Director West have come over, looking politely inquisitive.
I blow out a long breath, wishing I had a solid answer. “I’m not sure exactly, other than get out of town. I’ve got a little money saved up. It’s not much, but it’ll get me a bus ticket and an apartment somewhere.”
“You’re going to leave Detroit?” Parker asks, coming over to join the conversation.
Henry is behind him, but he’s keeping a little distance. I ignore the pout on his face and nod to the entire group. “That’s been the goal since I was a kid. I’ve been stalling trying to save money, but Xavier has made for some pretty good incentive to leave. I’ve got to help Terrance find his sister’s friend if I can first, but then, yeah, I’m gone.”
Terrance’s eyes snap wide. “You still want to help me find Shandra?”
I don’t understand why he’s so shocked. After what he’s just done for me, the least I can do is try to help him. “Of course I still want to help. Not that there’ll be much I can do unless we get a lead on that car.”
“Nora.” Terrance swallows back a lump of emotion. “You don’t have to do that. It’s dangerous, and you want to leave. You’ve done enough to help already.”
He’s saying no, but there’s hope in his eyes. It makes me smile. I’ve never told anyone about my gifts before, much less used them to help someone. It’s a nice feeling, and Terrance deserves the help. “Don’t be ridiculous, Terrance; of course I’m going to help you. I don’t make friends easily, but when I’ve got your back, I’ve got it. And T-Man, I’ve got your back. From now on. You feel me?”
Now I’m being absurd, holding my fist out to Terrance for a fist bump. Terrance grins and crashes his huge, meaty hand against my knuckles. “Right back atcha, Trouble. No matter where you end up after this, you need me, I’m there.”
“You’re welcome to stay,” Director West says. “If you need a job, you could come work for the Agency—gifts like yours could prove very useful.”
I shake my head automatically. “Thanks, but I just want to keep my head down and my nose out of trouble. Your world isn’t exactly safe for humans. Besides, I could use the change. I’ve got a lot of bad memories here that I’d like to escape…and certain asshole vampires to avoid.”
Director West lifts an arched brow at me, but the corner of her mouth tips up into a small smile. “Very well. Stay safe, Nora, and good luck in your next venture.”
After saying good-bye and giving my thanks to everyone, I make my way to the back of the room, where Oliver is still sitting at the table. He starts to fidget when I approach, but he stays put knowing I’ve got questions. “Oliver, hey.”
“Hi, Nora.”
I sit down next to him and offer a smile to put him at ease. He runs his fingers through his hair and then tucks both of his hands in his lap.
“So…” I ask the million-dollar question. “You work here?”
He meets my gaze and gives me a small, almost cocky smile as he shrugs a shoulder. “I’m the assistant director.”
“Seriously?” My eyes bulge. That title sounds important. Like…is he Nick’s boss? Sweet, cute Oliver? He certainly looks the part now. He’s handsome in his suit and seems to have more confidence than he had on the bus yesterday. “If you have a good job here, what in the world are you doing hanging at the library and taking the bus out in my neighborhood every night?”
Oliver’s cheeks blush. “I was keeping an eye on you.”
My jaw falls slack, and I quickly pop my mouth shut. My mind starts racing. What did he mean by that? Why would he be looking out for me? How did he even know who I am? It was sweet that he was worried about me, but it was a little creepy at the same time. Was he stalking me?
Oliver grimaces, as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “You don’t remember, but we’ve met before. Years ago. I’ve been looking out for you ever since.”
I’m shocked. Had we met before last night? Sure, I’d seen him around the library over the last few months, but I didn’t think we’d ever talked. Had we? I think really hard and come up blank. “Um…no…?”
He shakes his head. “No. You don’t remember, because I spelled you to forget. A long time ago. About nine years ago.”
It only takes me a second to realize what he’s talking about, and then I gasp so loud I gain the attention of everyone in the entire room. “That was you?”
Oliver flinches, startled, and his face drains of color. “You do remember?”
A shadow closes over me, and I glance up to find a giant, overprotective troll giving Oliver a stink eye. Everyone else gathers in behind him. “Everything okay over here?”
“Yeah, sorry, I just…” I look back at Oliver, my mouth flapping like a fish’s. “The park that night? Those men… That was really you?”
He nods, face ashen, and mumbles, “I didn’t mean to kill them.”