Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,1

in that last one as I knew I’d left it at school and I was never that stupid… But then I realized I was as I kept mine blocked and off the radar.

He raised an eyebrow at that. “Your phone is so well cloaked from what I hear; several human governments couldn’t track it if they wanted to.”

I shrugged. “Yeah, well, if the vampires actually had their shit together and kept that sacred list to protect us actually sacred, that wouldn’t be needed.” I blew a raspberry. “So you have no proof of them being there, and you have nothing to tie me being there or having done anything. When did this supposedly happen?”

“A week ago,” he answered, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“So more than enough time to get everything going on a missing persons report and file stuff with the council to force your hand,” I muttered giving another sigh. “And those who still went here missed finals, so that was a big one.” I smirked at the Holmeses. “Jordan doesn’t. He couldn’t afford it anymore. I hear getting blacklisted from companies is hard. You shouldn’t have mortgaged so much.”

“Don’t,” an officer warned Mr. Holmes when it seemed as if the vampire might come for me again. He did one better and moved slightly in the way.

I kept my focus on Captain Reddy. “Well, I’d say that trap was pretty well sprung, wouldn’t you?”

“The thought had crossed my mind, yes.”

I snorted. Any cop worth anything would have thought the same.

Which I had counted on if those assholes had told anyone about what they’d planned before showing up that night. They might not have been live streaming it or had a call open… But they could have left a trail that would bust me.

I was smarter than getting taken down by them.

“What are you talking about?” Mrs. Holmes demanded. “Where is my son?”

“First, we should be having a conversation about how you just admitted that your son confessed to setting traps for women,” I drawled. “And I want specifics on that as it sounds like an actual crime.” I waited for that to sink in before spreading my arms wide. “And this is the trap, idiots. They set up their ‘disappearance’ like I was involved so I’d have to be pulled in for questioning.”

She frowned, shaking her head. “No, that’s—”

“What’s the first thing the supe police would have to force me to answer if I was officially detained for a valid reason, suspected of an actual crime?” I pushed.

“What species you are,” one of the officers answered, swearing when I tapped my nose. “We’re being used again.”

“Probably. They’re likely off on a bender and will pop up after it’s blown up all over supe news that it’s out what I am. Who will care about some misunderstandings about them being missing and thought harmed if that’s all over the news? He told his dad he’d expose me, get proof of what I am, and restore their family. What’s the going rate for whoever gets that and a council can get me under control?”

“A lot,” Captain Reddy confirmed, scratching his cheek. “From what I’ve heard, it’s a lot. Especially after all of this with Ainsworth and the Underground. McGrath is still leaking too much to the humans. There’s chaos all over, and too many in power are so worried you’re coming for them next, they’re laying all the blame at your feet. I heard the head of the Craftsman family offered twenty million for proof you’re a witch.”

I couldn’t even hide my shock. That was a huge payday. It gave me fuel though, smirking at Holmes. “Isn’t that about a quarter of your mortgages? I know you sold a bunch of stocks and let go of some mistresses but—”

Two officers caught him in time as he launched for me, roaring he was going to kill me and screw the money.

“Captain, when did this all supposedly happen that Ms. Vale could have been involved in?” a deep voice with a sexy British accent asked.

A voice I knew well.

I glanced over and saw my ex-lover, Julian Craftsman, looking delicious and chic, just as always. There was a valid reason all of the women on campus swooned for him that had nothing to do with his accent.

Though that really was the icing on the cake and put us all over the edge.

He stood there at six-two, wrapped in a parka that seemed to make him look more filled out and built somehow, where the