“Yes. No. Shut up.”
Reece was standing in the middle of Ridley’s room, her arms crossed disapprovingly. In her sweater set and pearls, she looked like she had been shipped in from some other, more proper Southern family. She wasn’t happy about being used as a human lie detector, and seemed even more annoyed to see John Breed in her sister’s room. Maybe Reece had some misguided fantasy that Ridley was going to become a Girl Scout like her, now that she was Mortal. But once again, her sister was bringing her down by association. Come to think of it, it was too bad the DAR had the whole bloodline requirement. Reece could have founded her own chapter.
“If you think I’m keeping this a secret, you two are crazier than my sister. This is so over the line.”
Neither one of us wanted a lecture from Reece, but Lena didn’t give up. “We aren’t asking you to keep it a secret. We want to know if he’s telling the truth before we tell Uncle Macon what’s been going on.” Lena was probably hoping John was lying—that Ridley hadn’t been hiding a dangerous Incubus stolen from the grave and channeling his powers.
It wasn’t clear which was worse.
“Because you’re about to be grounded for the rest of your life?” Reece asked.
“Something along those lines.”
Reece tapped her foot impatiently. “As long as we’re clear. You are telling Uncle Macon. Or I will.” Of course she would. She couldn’t pass up a good grounding.
I was worried about more than her ratting us out. “Are you sure this will work, since—”
“Since what?” Reece snapped. “Since my powers have been a little inconsistent? Is that what you’re trying to say?” Great. An angry Reece was never a good thing.
“I—I just meant, are you sure you’ll know if he’s lying?” It was too late to backpedal now.
Reece looked like she wanted to tear my head off. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m still a Sybil. Whatever I see in his face is the truth. If my powers are off, I won’t see anything.”
Lena slid between us.
You’re in over your head. I’ve got this.
Thanks.
I’ve been dealing with Reece the Beast a lot longer than you have. It’s an acquired skill.
“Reece.” Lena took her hand, and I could see her hair begin to curl. I winced. Casting at a Caster was almost never a good idea. “You’re the most powerful Sybil I’ve ever met.”
“Don’t try that on me.” Reece pulled her hand away. “I’m the only Sybil you’ve ever met.”
“But you know I trust you, no matter what.” Lena smiled encouragingly at her cousin. Reece frowned at both of us.
I looked away. Misfiring powers or not, I wasn’t looking into the eyes of a Sybil if I could help it. I noticed Liv hadn’t said a word or looked in Reece’s direction either.
“One shot. Then you’re telling Uncle Macon, either way. Because this whole thing shows, once again, why you should not be allowed to Cast when you’re underage.” She folded her arms again. It took me a while to figure out that was a yes.
John hopped off the bed and walked over to where Reece was standing. “Let’s get this over with. What do I have to do?”
Reece stared into John’s green eyes, studying his face as if it held all the answers we were looking for. “You’re doing it.”
John didn’t move. He stared back at Reece, letting her absorb his thoughts and memories. Reece turned away before he did, shaking her head as if she didn’t like what she’d seen.
“It’s true. He didn’t know what Abraham and Sarafine were planning, and he doesn’t remember what happened that night. Ridley let him out of the Arclight, and he’s been here ever since, doing my sister’s dirty work.”
John looked at me. “Satisfied?”
“Wait? How is that possible?”
Reece shrugged. “Sorry to disappoint you. He’s not evil. He’s just a jerk. Sometimes it’s a fine line.”
“Hey.” John looked less smug now. “I thought you were supposed to be the nice one. Where’s that famous Ravenwood hospitality?”
Reece ignored him.