Breed of Envy (The Breed Chronicles, #02) (19 page)

He grabbed his I.D. and bit down on it as he put his shirt on. When he walked back toward me, I backed out of the room to give him room to close the door. “What time is it?”

I shrugged. “No idea. Sorry. Again.”

He shot me a sleepy grin. “Don’t worry about it. Payback’s fair.”

I didn’t smile back, which only had his confused expression deepening. In silence, we rode the elevator up to the fifth floor and on to the catwalk. Once we were seated, I started swinging my legs out of habit, and then Linc turned to me. He laid his hand on mine. “Okay, so what’s going on? Even if you were the wakeup-call kinda person, you’d have gloated about it by now, so I know something’s up.”

“Let me just start by saying that I could be wrong,” I said, speaking quickly. “I don’t actually have any hard proof, only speculation—”

“Jade. Just spit it out.”

“I—” This was the part I wasn’t sure how to say, even here and now. I’d figured I’d wing it, but then I’d hoped that the words would come to me, some gentle way to break it to him. They didn’t. Keeping my eyes locked with his, I said, “I might have found the demon you’re looking for.”

It seemed to take a while for my words to sink in, either because he was still half asleep, or maybe because he had to think on them. His eyes widened slightly, barely even noticeably. But his breathing stopped for a full five seconds. “How?”

“I was reading through reports to upload to the DD and I came across some attacks that were similar to what you told me about…what happened. Like I said, I could be wrong. I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure, but I have no way to be sure so I had to tell you.” My words were really fast and garbled, but I couldn’t slow them down. I felt like I had to say everything in under a second. “I should’ve waited to tell you, maybe, or asked someone before I did, but I thought you should know.” When he still didn’t say anything, I let out a sigh. “I thought you’d want to know,’ I added quietly, looking down.

Stupid, Jade. You should have just waited.

“Why do you think it’s the same demon?”

“The other attacks I read about happened to couples—a guy and a girl—who were attacked either on their way to something or on their way back from something. And then I…read your report.” I winced. “Sorry, that was probably not my best idea, but I didn’t know how else to find out about it without asking you and potentially telling you something wrong or getting your hopes up for nothing.”

“Was that the only thing they had in common?” His tone was clipped, and I hoped—prayed, really—that he wasn’t mad at me and just reacting to what I was telling him.

“Same…signature, I guess they might call it. Same unknown DNA left behind. And same basic area, all within twenty miles of each other.” I looked up. “There’s a picture of one in one of the reports, if you want to see. Sorry, I didn’t think to bring the tablet with me and I should have.”

He gave a short nod. His gaze stayed on the sky, unblinking, and his jaw was tight.

I didn’t know what to do, so I just pulled his head to my shoulder and rested my head against his. I debated with myself, wondering if I should say anything else, but then I just decided to stay quiet for now. Wasn’t that what Linc would do? He’d just keep quiet and wait for me until I was ready, so that’s what I’d do.

It was a while before that happened, but I wasn’t in a hurry. Linc had always been there for me and this was the first time he’d even come remotely close to needing me, so I was staying as long as he let me.

“Will you show me?”

“The report?” I nodded. “Yeah.” I wasn’t sure I was technically supposed to, but I didn’t really care. It was Linc. He never asked for anything, and I wasn’t about to deny him the first time he did.

“Thanks, Jade.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” I warned. “I could still be wrong.”

“Either way.”

“Wanna go now?” At his nod, I stood up carefully and walked to the ladder. As I climbed down, I kept my eyes on him as he followed.

The ride back to our floor was just as silent as the ride up. Half a dozen times, I opened my mouth to say something, but then I just shut it and let out a silent sigh. What was I supposed to say?

When we reached my room, I unlocked it and let him go in first. I almost winced. It was kind of messy. I’d taken a shower before I started work on the DD, in case I fell asleep like I usually did, so my towel and hairbrush were just tossed on the bed. I had the tablets scattered on the desk, along with hand-drawn pictures of the demon I was after, and other random items.

I picked up the tablet and opened the report I’d told him about. “Is that the right demon specie, at least?” I asked, handing the tablet over and then sitting on my bed so he could take the desk chair.

Immediately, I knew it was. The way his expression darkened told me that much. His jaw clenched. “Yeah. That’s it.”

“Do you know if it’s the same one?”

Eyes glued to the tablet, he sat down in the chair. He was quiet for so long that I almost thought he hadn’t heard me, but then he finally spoke again. “I’m not sure.” His tone was harsh and low. “But it doesn’t matter. It, or another like it, killed my sister.”

“What are you going to do?”

His gaze flicked up and met mine. “What would you do?”

I didn’t answer immediately. We both knew my answer, just like I knew his. “You’re going after it.”

“I am.”

“Are you going to tell Greene?” I asked, though I was half-afraid of his answer.

He took his time thinking about it. And then, like he was steeling himself, said, “I will.” He didn’t say anything for another moment. “He made me the same deal he made you. In fact, I’m pretty sure he makes the same deal with everyone.”

“That he’d help them find whatever demon they were after? Assuming they’re after one.”

“Yeah. I’m going to hold him to it. And if he says no, then I’ll go after it myself. But I’m getting the demon, with or without him. Even if it’s not the same one, it—or another like it—killed my sister. So yeah, I’m going after it. I’d rather do it with Greene’s permission and help, but if I have to, I’ll do it without.”

“I’ll help.”

Linc’s head whipped up. “You don’t have to.”

“I’ll help,” I repeated. “Would you let me go after my demon by myself? And don’t try lying. You’re as bad at it as you say I am.”

“Probably not. But—”

“But nothing. If you’re about to spout some crap about it being different for me than it is for you, I’m going to hit you. Hard. And I’ll actually mean it for once.”

The side of his mouth twitched. “You could try.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I could do more than that. You’re strong, I’ll give you that, but you’ve got a soft spot for me and we both know it. You’d hold your punches. I wouldn’t.” I angled my head to the side. “Wanna test the theory?”

He laughed. “No. But it is different, and it has nothing to do with you being a girl or smaller than me or whatever else you were thinking. It’s…well, it’s a demon, Jade. They’re kind of dangerous.”

I could have smacked him. Should’ve, too. “You’re kinda dumb when you don’t get any sleep.” I narrowed my eyes. “I’ve come up against a few demons so far, Linc. Trust me, if anyone knows they’re dangerous, it’s me,” I muttered. Didn’t I almost die because of one only a few months ago?

“And that’s one of my points. You’ve already been hurt by one. I don’t want to see you get hurt trying to help me.”

“And I don’t need coddled. I appreciate the thought, Linc, but I joined
to
hunt demons. Don’t act like you need to protect me.”

“Someone has to protect you.”

“Why? Because I’m some weakling who can’t handle herself? I’ve been doing fine, haven’t I?”

Linc’s eyes rolled. “Yeah, you’re doing great. You’re letting asshole Brian pound on you in Combat class; you’re letting Rachel and her friends harass you, and you won’t say anything about it to anyone. And Felecia—”

“What about Felecia? Greene knew what was going on. I couldn’t stop that.”

“She almost got you killed, for crying out loud!” he half-shouted. “Twice. And you still covered for her and defended her. Even now, you still kind of do.”

“I do not.”

“Jade, you’re great, you really are. But you’re soft. Too soft,” he murmured quietly now.

Soft? The words stung. My back had gone completely rigid, like the bones had been replaced with steel. “If you don’t want my help, then fine. Just say so. But I don’t need you to protect me from the big, bad world of demons. It’s a little late for that.”
By about two years.

“Fine. I don’t need help. This is my business—not yours.”

I didn’t flinch, but it was a close call. Inside, I cringed and felt a cold deep inside my stomach. And I tried—really tried—not to let his words bother me. But I failed. Miserably, miserably failed. “Okay.” I drew the word out slowly, trying to keep the anger and hurt from my tone. “That’s settled then,” I said, swallowing back a painful lump in the back of my throat. I forced a fake yawn. “Anyway, it’s late. I should probably get some sleep.” I didn’t give him a chance to answer, just walked to the door, opened it, and then held it open for him. “You should, too. I’ll see you around, Linc.”

When he rose from the chair and walked to me, he said, “Jade. Don’t be like that.”

I looked away, refusing to meet his gaze because I wasn’t sure mine
wasn’t
tear-filled. “Just get some sleep.”

Without another word, he left. I shut the door behind him and leaned against it.

I tried not to blame him. If I’d had the chance to go after my demon, I’d probably want to do it myself, too. And yet…logic didn’t matter.
This is my business—not yours.
What happened to the ‘us’ or the ‘we’ he always talked about?

I went back to my desk and sat down. The tablet was still on and the picture of Linc’s demon was there. Beside it, the picture of my demon stared back at me. A sliver of jealously wormed its way into my system, mixing with the hurt and anger that swirled like a brewing storm. It hurt, that jealousy. That I could feel it when I was trying to be thrilled for him. But I couldn’t deny it was there.

I let out a loud exhale. Whatever. Even though that tiny bit of jealousy was there, and even though Linc didn’t want me around to help, it didn’t change anything. It didn’t mean I regretted finding his demon. I would never regret it. I wouldn’t let myself.

But I couldn’t help but let out a bitter, sad laugh. Maybe it was different. For him. He had a chance to find his demon, or he’d get one soon enough.

All I had was a picture of mine.

*~*~*

Sunday…crawled by. I’d kinda hoped Linc would knock on the door, give me his lop-sided grin that I loved so much, and we’d figure things out and make up. It didn’t happen. I only left my room once to eat lunch, and when I was done, I’d picked up a wrapped ham sandwich and took it back to my room with me so I didn’t have to leave again for dinner.

More work on the DD didn’t happen. I’d spent my remaining allotted time going over the report I’d shown Linc and rereading the others. I didn’t really know why. The information hadn’t changed, I hadn’t expected it to, and I wasn’t sure what I would’ve done if it had.

That night, when I was completely bored and going stir-crazy, I went out and ran on the track. I
hated
running, yet I found it relaxing when I had a good mad going on.

I kept a smile on my face as I stepped into the café court Monday morning for breakfast. Linc and I couldn’t fight forever, could we? We’d just get over our little fight and that would be that.

Tasha and Linc and were sitting up front. She was facing Linc, who had his back to the entrance. She spotted me first and waved like a maniac. “Hey, Jade!” she called out.

I started to wave and say hi back but froze as Linc’s back stiffened at the sound of my name. He either made a face or said something to her, because her smile turned into a frown as he shoved away from the table and took his tray of food with him.

Okay. It’s definitely gonna be one of
those
days
, I thought, forcing my smile to stay in place, though I knew it was as weak as it felt. Tasha shot me a what’s-going-on look, but I just waved and left. My appetite was officially gone.

Tracking class wasn’t any better. I didn’t want to look at Linc, so that’s exactly what I did every other second. The fourth or fifth time it happened, barely ten minutes into class, I’d ended up missing a move I was supposed to do and ended up walking into the door of the partial house we used in the bigger classroom. It didn’t really hurt. Still, I was torn between laughing and crying, but when everyone else (minus Linc, thankfully) started laughing at me, I shook my head and joined in. It had been kind of funny, in a sad, pathetic way, and Mrs. Fletcher used it as an example.

“And this is what happens when your focus is on something else,” she’d said.

It was a good example, one I—and everyone else—needed to learn, I thought, and for once, I didn’t mind being a bad example.

When we got out of class, Tasha waited behind for me and harassed me about what was going on between Linc and I until I finally gave in and gave her a not-entirely-true version of the story. Basically, I just told her we were fighting over something stupid and kept it at that. I felt as bad for her as I did for myself, because she seemed torn, like she didn’t know who she was supposed to hang out with. Linc and I were like divorced parents and Tasha was the kid caught in the middle, trying to figure out who she wanted to stay with. I made it easy for her and lied (big time) by telling her I was behind on the DD research gig. I don’t think she really believed me, but she didn’t argue. I wasn’t really sure how I felt about that. Good, in a way, because I didn’t want to take Linc from her or vice versa. But also bad in a way, because a stupid part of me wanted her to argue.

Combat went a little better. After the well-deserved lesson in Tracking, I concentrated on what I was supposed to be doing. It didn’t help much with Brian, since he was non-stop serious about everything, but at least he seemed to be going a little easier on me and not hitting me quite as hard.