“There was even talk about forcing the people here to build a wall,” Ryan muttered as we crossed the street quickly. “To keep the people away from the rest of the City. They haven’t gone about it as of yet.”
“Gods, they’re such assholes,” I said as we entered an empty alleyway. “Do they really think a wall would help if people wanted to get through?”
“We did the same,” Justin reminded us. “At Camp HaveHeart. To keep them out.”
“Yeah, but let’s be honest here. The Darks suck ass. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is or how much money you have. I’d rather be with those people than with fucknuts.”
“As topical as this is,” Lady Tina said through gritted teeth, “maybe keep quiet for now? We’re not exactly going to be the only ones on the streets.”
She was right, of course.
I’d never admit that out loud.
Because she also sucked ass.
We kept to the shadows, moving through the City as quickly and quietly as we could. I was surprised at just how little resistance we met, given that I expected checkpoints on almost every corner. Maybe it was because we knew this City better than the Darks ever could, knew the side streets and the rooftops that would let us move almost undetected. In fact, I was starting to feel a little cocky about everything when—
“Stop!”
We all froze on the sidewalk.
“You there. You four!”
We turned slowly.
A single Dark wizard rushed toward us, robes flapping. He had a pencil-thin mustache over his upper lip. His mouth was twisted into a scowl, his brow furrowed. Great wisps of black hair flew up around his head as he moved. He wore large glasses with thick lenses that made his eyes look huge.
He was panting by the time he reached us. He bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath.
I was about to kick him in the face when he said, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Um,” I said.
“Well,” Ryan said.
“You see,” Lady Tina said.
“Idiots,” Justin muttered. Then, “We’re on patrol, of course.”
Oh. Right! We had a cover story.
“Yes,” I said, because I felt the need to help. “That. Exactly that. Patrol, of course.”
Justin kicked the back of my leg as a reminder that I was not allowed to speak, given that I couldn’t lie for shit.
“Who is your supervisor?” the Dark demanded.
“Merle,” I blurted out.
Justin groaned behind me.
“Merle,” the Dark said. “I don’t know any Merle.”
I gasped. “You don’t? Oh my gods, that’s awful. He isn’t going to like it when we tell him that. No, I expect him to actually be very upset about it. And then he’ll probably do some Dark wizard things, like monologue unnecessarily or kick kittens with big eyes who don’t deserve it because all they want is to have a home of their very own.”
The Dark stared at me. “What.”
I shook my head ruefully. “How disappointing.”