"And once you were past her, you were going to get out of here. . . how?"
"Shut up!" I turned and tried to stomp down the hall, then cringed in pain from my ankle. Okay, no dramatic stomping. I opted for emphatic limping instead, which unfortunately allowed Jack to catch up quite quickly.
"Come on, Ev, listen. I'm sorry, okay? I came back for you that day on the Paths!"
"If you leave someone on the Paths, you can't ever find them again. "
He scratched his head and looked down at the floor. "Yeah, I kind of figured that out. I really am sorry, though. And I'm glad you're not dead!"
"Go. Away. " I didn't have time to deal with him the way I wanted to, which mostly revolved around tasing him into oblivion. Lend came first. If Jack showed up again later, fine, but for now I wasn't taking any detours.
"I was wrong! I know I was wrong. I was just so mad at you. And, you know, sometimes when I get mad, I do stupid things. "
"You weren't 'just mad' at me!" I snapped. "You manipulated me! You created this whole path of destruction in my life to try and force me into doing what you wanted me to! You're as bad as IPCA and the paranormals and everyone else! I want nothing to do with you. " I stopped and looked him straight in the eyes. "I mean it, Jack. I never want to see you again. "
Hurt flitted across his cherubic features, then he grinned. "Well, it's not really up to you. "
I rolled my eyes and kept walking. Transport was my best bet for finding a faerie. I'd have tried running, but I figured it was in my interest not to attract any attention. Plus I honestly didn't think I could run with the level of pain in my ankle.
Jack continued. "'Cause, umm, there's another reason I'm here. "
"Shocking. Not simply the goodness of your heart. I can't believe it. "
"Yeah, well, I couldn't have found you on my own. None of this was my idea. " He paused, eyeing Tasey warily. "I mean, I'm all for it. Yay rescuing Evie! But I was. . . well, I guess you could say I was drafted. "
"Drafted?"
"Forcibly. "
"Well, consider yourself undrafted and bug off. " I turned a corner and almost ran smack into. . . Bud. So not good.
I considered using Tasey, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I remembered all the hours he'd dedicated to training me, even though I was the worst student ever. I still held the Taser ready in my hand, but I had to at least try to talk him out of turning me in. "Bud. . . please. "
He looked shocked to see me, then frowned. "Remember that knife I made for you? Stupid pink handle?"
"I-Yes. It got lost when I was escaping from here last time. Sorry. " I blushed guiltily, then wondered why I was worried about a silly knife, and why Bud hadn't sounded an alarm yet.
He sighed in an annoyed way. "Well then, it's probably best that you'll never get the companion knife I made right before you left. Pity, too, because it was a particularly nice piece of work. " He held out a small package wrapped in black cloth and I took it, wordless with surprise. "It's also a pity that I've got to get to bed right now and didn't even notice you in the hall as I hurried by. "
A hint of a smile made his eyes light up and I beamed, tears filling my own. "Thank you. "
"Don't know what you're talking about. In fact, I don't even know who you are. Or that I've seen you. So I suggest you book it. "
He stomped past us and I tucked the wrapped knife into my jeans pocket, vowing to someday pay him back. Not everyone at IPCA was bad.
Where, oh where was Raquel? I needed her. And with this new and definitely not-improved IPCA, I was more than a little worried about her. What if she was in trouble? What if she needed me?
No time. Raquel could handle herself against IPCA. Lend couldn't handle himself against the Dark Queen. He came first.
"Where are you going?" Jack asked.
"To Transport. I need a faerie. "
"No, you don't. "
"Yes, I do. "
"I can take you out of here. "