Dragon Heartstring (17 page)

“I know, Bennett, but I can guarantee you it wasn’t the likes of my friends. The Nightwing clan wants justice for Maxine and the other girls, just as I do.”

He must’ve seen the sincerity in my eyes. I hated to push people when they were stifled by grief, but time was of the essence. These killers wouldn’t wait for us to mourn one girl before taking another. And I feared the repercussions of not capturing them soon. Gladium had become a haven for both races in recent years, a place where fear and ignorance had slowly faded into the background. And now, the Devlin Butchers were bringing all the prejudice and fear back to the forefront, rebuilding a wall we’d successfully torn down, brick by slow brick.

I implored Bennett with an expression I hoped conveyed both sympathy and earnestness. “Please.”

He cleared his throat and gave me a short nod. “What else do you want to know?”

A swell of triumphant air filled my chest as I sped through the rest of my interview. I’d have good ammunition to get the favor I needed from my sister at dinner tonight.