“How did you find us?” Aren demands once more.
I peek into the drawer. No knives. Not even a freaking fork.
“We”—Tom heaves a raspy breath—“tracked her cell phone.”
I hip the drawer shut before Aren and Naito swivel their gazes toward me. I know I look guilty. Hopefully they misinterpret the reason why.
Naito turns to Aren. “You didn’t crush it?”
“I did,” the fae answers. “After we fissured here.” His voice is low, angry. I doubt he’s used to making mistakes.
He returns his attention to his captive. “How did you know to track her?”
I hesitate before checking the next drawer, partly because I want to know the answer to Aren’s question, but mostly because Kelia’s watching me now.
Tom shakes his head. “I don’t know.”
“How?” Aren lowers his hand until it hovers just above Tom’s face.
“I would guess it was an anonymous tip,” Sethan says, stepping into the kitchen. Since everyone’s being careful to stay away from the windows in the breakfast nook, it’s getting crowded in here.
Aren glares at the son of Zarrak. “You shouldn’t be in here.”
“Neither should you,” Sethan responds. “If you die, we fail.”
Aren fires back something in Fae. I don’t try to translate his words. Tom catches my eye. He holds my gaze a moment, then deliberately looks at Naito. Or, more specifically, he looks at the pistol in Naito’s waistband.
Ah, hell. He wants me to grab it. Grab it and then what? I glance at Aren and Sethan, at Trev, Lena, and the other fae by the window, at Kelia, who’s stepped to Naito’s side. I can’t possibly shoot them all. To be quite honest, I don’t know if I want to.
Tom’s eyes plead with me. I swallow. I was looking for a knife seconds ago. A gun is a more efficient weapon. I can do this. I will do this.
I give Tom a little nod. He manages a small smile; then, a second later, he springs to his feet.
I lunge for the pistol and manage to get it out of Naito’s waistband. Naito spins, but Tom grabs him before he can wrench the weapon from my hands. Aren tackles the vigilante, and all three men crash to the floor.
I point the gun. “Stop. Stop!”
They don’t stop. Fists fly and I’m afraid Aren and Naito will kill Tom before I get their attention. I point the barrel toward the floor, try to pull the trigger. Nothing happens.
Shit. I’ve never touched a gun before in my life. I only know what I’ve seen in the movies and . . . Hold on. Don’t guns have safeties?
I check the side, find some little toggle and flick it, aim the weapon at the floor a second time, and shoot.
The gun jerks hard as the shot rings out. My heartbeat restarts a second later. I have everyone’s attention now.
Aren straightens and steps away from Tom. He turns toward me.
“Stay where you are.” I point my weapon at his chest. I know the gun puts me in charge here, but I feel less safe with it in my hand. It makes me feel dangerous, and rightly so. I could take someone’s life if I pull the trigger.
“You don’t know what’s going on here,” he says. His voice is soothing, his expression softer than it was seconds ago.
“I know enough,” I say. “Let him up.”
Naito’s still holding Tom down on the floor. He holds his hand out, palm down as if to calm me. “McKenzie, I know these people. They’ll shoot you the moment you step out the door. Don’t do this.”
I point the gun at him, manage to hold it steady. “Let him up, Naito.”
“McKenzie.” Kelia’s voice cracks as she steps toward her human, her silver eyes wide with fear. Guilt twists in my gut. Killing Naito will destroy her and, damn it, I don’t want to hurt either of them.
“McKenzie,” Aren says softly, taking a step forward. He pauses when I re-aim at him. God, there are too many people in here. I can’t keep them all in my sights.
“You’re not going to shoot me,” he says. I clench my teeth as he takes another step. “Put down the gun, nalkin-shom.”
He’s right. Why the hell is he right? I should want to kill him. He kidnapped me. He has no plans to let me go. Killing him might be the only way to get back to Kyol.
“You won’t shoot me,” he repeats.
I readjust my sweaty grip on the pistol. Think, McKenzie. Think! My gaze flickers around the breakfast nook, finds inspiration, returns to Aren.
“You’re right,” I tell him. “But I will shoot her.”
Aren freezes when I point the pistol at Lena. Oh, yeah. He knows I have reason to want her dead.
“How ’bout you let him up now.”
To my surprise, Lena laughs. Her crossbow rests in her lap. I watch for any twitch that might indicate she’s about to use it, but she appears 100 percent relaxed in her position beneath the window.
“Let them go, Aren,” she says with a smile. “Your nalkinshom is responsible for what happens to her.”
Well, shit. If Lena’s willing to let me walk away, then Naito’s telling the truth. These humans aren’t interested in helping me. But then, I have Tom. He’ll tell them what I’ve done here. That has to count for something.
“Shoot them,” the human says, trying to sit up. Naito shoves him back down.
“Sethan,” I say without taking my eyes away from my target. “If you want your sister to live, you’ll let me and Tom go.”
It’s too quiet while I wait for Sethan’s response, and gravity seems to be toying with the gun in my hand, adding to its weight little by little until my shoulders ache. I’m barely keeping it trained on Lena’s chest.
“Very well,” Sethan says. “Naito.”
When Naito moves, my eyes flicker to Tom. My mistake. The moment I look away from Lena, Aren darts forward. He knocks the pistol from my hand and captures my wrist before my brain registers he’s moved. He advances and I stumble until he presses me against the wall. My arm is caught between my sweat-soaked slip and his silver-dusted chest. As his edarratae leap into me, I use my free hand to try to push him away, but my palm slips across his blood-slick shoulder. His grip on my wrist tightens.
“You’re becoming increasingly difficult to keep alive,” he says, his voice low, his eyes burning inches from mine. “Stay here. Do not move.”
My knees are jelly when he lets me go. He returns to Tom, who’s staring at me with more than a little disappointment. I don’t blame him.
“Sorry,” I mouth.
“Never hesitate,” he says. “If you have another opportunity, you take it.”
Naito retrieves the gun off the floor, flicks the safety back on, then stuffs it deep into the pocket of his jeans. “She won’t have another opportunity.”
Tom focuses on him with his one good eye.
“Kill these demons, Naito. Kill them and your father will let you come home.”
The corner of Naito’s mouth quirks up into a mirthless smile. “I think I’ll pass.”
“We outnumber you. We can wait you out. Your fae can’t fissure away for food or help. They’re going to die here. Don’t waste your life.”
Naito turns his attention to Sethan. “You think they’re working with the Court?”
“I think the Court is using them to find McKenzie,” Sethan says. “Atroth would rather have her killed than risk her helping us.”
“Atroth knows I’ll never help you,” I say. Aren throws a warning look my way, but I haven’t moved an inch from where he ordered me to stay.
“You’re mistaken.” Sethan’s words are punctuated by a rumble of thunder. His statement is so matter-of-fact I can’t come up with a response. A tiny kernel of doubt chips away at my faith.
“I’ll make a deal,” Tom says. I’m relieved when all eyes turn back to him. “I’ll talk to Nakano about letting you surrender. He might let some of you go. The women maybe.”