Page 17 of Wicked Enemy

“I’m not happy about leaving a healer in trouble like this either, but Chief is right. She’s a healer, yes. But… And I know this is a shitty thing to say, but she’s not contributing to Malgrave anyway. She’s Arden’s healer, so it’s not like she’s using her powers to help the civilians in Malgrave. She only heals Arden and the rest of his dark mages. Our enemies.”

That wasn’t true. But I couldn’t tell him that without revealing too much about my time with Levi, so I forced myself not to contradict him.

“But—”

“Look, kiddo.” He heaved another deep sigh and drew a hand through his brown hair. “I know you, okay? I know that you care about people. It’s why you’re here, after all. And in all honesty, I do have some qualms about this too. But at the end of the day, Chief is right about this. Arden is the biggest threat this city has seen in decades. And especially now that he’s pissed at you and at us because we outsmarted him and captured his people. So getting this worldwalker to kill Arden for us is the best possible solution. And a solution that won’t cost the lives of any civilians or fellow constables. You see that right?”

Indecision ripped at my chest. Yes, I did see his point. But there were two massive problems with it.

Number one. I didn’t want Levi dead.

I knew that he was going to kill me the first chance he got, and I was well aware that I had just decided to capture him, but I couldn’t just tear out my feelings for him like it was nothing. Because regardless of his cutting words to me back in that watchtower, our time together, everything we had shared, meant something to me. Yes, I wanted him in handcuffs so that he couldn’t hurt any innocent civilians in his bloody quest for vengeance. But I didn’t want him dead.

And number two.Gemmawas a civilian. The whole reason I had joined the constable force in the first place was so that I could make sure that no other civilians would get hurt or killed in a dark mage war that had nothing to do with them, just like my father had been. And in the face of that, there really was only one choice I could make. A choice I would have made every day of the week.

Forcing a small smile onto my face, I gave my mentor and captain a nod. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good.” He reached out and patted me on the shoulder. “This will be over in no time. You’ll see.”

I nodded again.

The corridor was empty when we walked back out. After another couple of comforting words, Ulric excused himself and started towards his office. I watched him until he had disappeared from view.

Then I turned and sprinted towards the front doors.

Chapter9

Glancing up, I cast an annoyed glare at the irritatingly cheerful sun above. Yesterday, the sky had been covered by thick dark gray clouds and sheets of rain had pelted the streets, making visibility incredibly low. But today, just because we needed to sneak an entire company of dark mages across the law-abiding side of Malgrave, that damn sun had to shine its brightest. I scowled at the sun for another second while brushing my palms together and pressing my hand against the lock on the back door.

The metal bolt melted within seconds. Since I didn’t have to cover my tracks, I didn’t bother hardening it again and instead just let it drip down the side of the pale wooden door. After once again checking to make sure that the street was empty, I edged the door open and snuck inside.

Clinking sounds came from the kitchen down the hall, and the scent of fried pork and potatoes hung in the air. I moved quietly in that direction.

“This is delicious, honey,” a man’s voice said. “I just wish my lunch break was longer so that I could stay until that pie is ready too.”

A woman laughed. “Well, at least you’ll have something to look forward to when you come home.”

“I always have something to look forward to. You.”

“Aww.”

The sounds of kissing drifted into the corridor. I had to resist the urge to vomit. Or to slaughter them both just for the crime of being too happy and too in love when I…

I cut that thought off before I could finish it. There was no point in dwelling on the past. Eve and I were done.

Drawing myself up by the edge of the doorway, I peered into the room. It was a simple but neatly furnished kitchen. Pale wooden chairs stood arranged around a table made from the same material, and there were white drapes framing the windows.

I touched my palms together and began sending a stream of metal underneath the spotless floorboards while I watched the couple who were seated at the table. I didn’t know the woman’s name, but the man’s name was Kevin, and both of them were in their mid-thirties. He was tall and muscular while she was short and curvy, but both of them had pale eyes that glittered with happiness.

I suppressed the urge to grumble and instead settled for a scowl.

Happy. Who the fuck was happy in this day and age?

Cheerful chatter and clinking utensils continued filling the room as they ate and talked while I finished setting up my attack.

Once it was in place, I pushed off from the wall and stepped right into the kitchen.

It took another three seconds for them to notice me. But once they did, they shot up from their seats and got ready to smack their hands together and call up magic. Unfortunately for them, the battle was already over.