I have to hand it to the guy. He’s also tougher than he looks.
“I don’t mind,” Clarissa says. “In fact, it will be nice to have a friend when I find out the truth.” Her eyes meet Kyle’s. “And I promise that next time, I won’t bite your head off.”
“And I?” Sebastian asks. “Am I not your friend?”
I roll my eyes.
“You know what I mean,” Clarissa tells him.
“I’m coming, too,” I offer.
Sebastian shakes his head. “You’re not.”
“Like you said, it’s dangerous,” I say. If Kyle can stand his ground against him, so can I. “You’ll need all the help you can get.”
“Not your help,” he snarls. “I’ll die first before I get help from a Cat.”
“I’m
not helping you,” I point out. “I’m doing this because I want to help Clarissa.”
“I’m not helpless,” Clarissa reminds us both. “I don’t need anyone’s protection.”
“You should let him come with you,” Theo speaks out.
My eyes grow wide.
“Since I’m not coming along,” he adds.
“You’re not?” Clarissa’s eyebrows furrow.
He scratches the back of his head. “I don’t really belong in Africa.”
Right. Cats can’t handle alcohol, Wolves can’t handle being ordered around and Bears can’t handle hot weather. They’d be the first to die from global warming.
“I’m not bringing a Cat along,” Sebastian insists. “What if he stabs us in the back, huh?”
“You mean stab you in the back? Do you really think I wouldn’t have done that already if I wanted to?”
Sebastian growls.
“As much as I want to, this isn’t about you or me,” I continue. “Something’s going on here. Clarissa’s just one part of it. You and I both know it. We have to get to the bottom of this and we have to keep her safe.”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” Sebastian tells me. “What do you know about what’s going on? And what do you care about Clarissa?”
“More than you do,” I answer. “I hear things, too. And as for Clarissa...” I glance at her. “I do care about her.” For once I’m telling the truth. There’s something about her that’s gotten under my skin. I’m curious to find out what that is.
Sebastian grits his teeth.
“You know, when I first saw her, someone was following her so it’s possible she’s already in danger. I can help keep her safe.”
“He’s right,” Clarissa says. “Someone was following me. I thought it was you, Toshi...”
“Not me,” I assure her. “It was a Cat, too, though. I didn’t see who it was.”
“But if it’s another Cat,” Clarissa says. “If we’re up against Cats...”
“Cats have no qualms fighting other Cats,” Sebastian explains. “In fact, some say they take pleasure in it. Absolutely no honor or loyalty.”