Dusk Avenger (Flirting with Monsters #3) - Eva Chase Page 0,2

what it takes.”

Yes, we would. We’d managed to take on a local head of the Company operations and raze his home to the ground—and that after freeing all my city’s imprisoned shadowkind and uploading a virus that would decimate their computer systems as well. But my stomach stayed knotted.

It was possible that Snap’s capture was a teensy bit my fault. We’d gotten… close over the weeks since he and his companions had shown up in my apartment unannounced. In every meaning of that word. He’d become as devoted to me as he was to sampling every edible item he could get his hands on. I didn’t know exactly why he’d left, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it had at least a little to do with the fact that when I’d first seen him in full devourer form, I’d been horrified. And I probably hadn’t hidden my reaction all that well.

My momentary horror hadn’t changed how much I trusted and cared about Snap. I’d tried to show him that, but in the chaos afterward, he’d slipped away before I’d gotten much chance. If he’d had any idea how much I missed his divinely golden beauty, the possessive tenderness with which he’d doted on me, his awe at every new discovery he made in the mortal realm…

My throat constricted. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d miss him either. I wasn’t in the habit of getting all that emotionally attached to my lovers since years ago, when a long-time boyfriend had ghosted me out of the blue, leaving nothing but a note and our apartment half-empty. Snap’s earnest affection had been like a balm on the wounds that had never quite healed in my heart.

But we’d be on the road all night before we made it to Chicago and could even start our search for him. There were other people I cared about that I might be able to help right now. As I sank deeper into the cozy leather cushions, Pickle cuddling against my thigh, I dug my phone out of my purse.

“I’d better touch base with Vivi—let her know what’s happened.”

Omen made a derisive sound at the mention of my mortal best friend and turned away to consult his own phone.

“I’ll keep watch over the road behind us,” Thorn said, and stepped into the shadows to give me a little privacy.

Vivi answered on the first ring. I guessed she didn’t have a whole lot to keep her energetic mind occupied on the houseboat we’d turned into a sort of safe house for her after some Company goons had attacked her.

“Sorsha!” she said. “I’ve been going crazy here wondering what’s going on. What’s happened? Did you crush the bad guys?”

The corner of my mouth twitched upward, but the knots in my stomach tightened at the same time. Vivi was an enthusiastic supporter of our cause, but we’d had a bit of a falling out over her treating the conflict like an adventure rather than a potentially lethal clash.

“We got all the shadowkind out,” I said. “And we destroyed as much of the Company property as we could. But… it turns out their organization stretches way beyond the city. They’ve got other bases of operations all across the country.”

“Shit.” I could practically see my bestie’s grimace over the phone. “They’re like some kind of cockroach hydra, more creepy hairy legs springing up every time you think you’ve cut one off.”

Vivi had a way with metaphors. I couldn’t say that one wasn’t accurate.

“Yeah.” I made an answering grimace at the cupboards across from me—which probably still contained the equines’ treasured stash of grass, hay, clover, and… the other kind of “grass.” “So, that means it might be safe for you to go back to life as usual, but I don’t know for sure. Maybe they’ll focus on ramping up their security everywhere else, or maybe the other ‘legs’ will send more people your way looking to strike back any way they can.”

As usual, Vivi didn’t sound particularly fazed. “I’m keeping in touch with the Fund people. If no one comes sniffing around—or worse—in the next couple days, I’ll risk showing my face again. I’ve got enough food here to last that long, but I can’t hide away forever.” She paused. “Ellen got out of the hospital, by the way. They say she’s recovering quickly.”

A rush of relief swept through me. “That’s really good to hear.” The co-leader of our branch of the Fund had nearly been another casualty of my involvement in