His throat bobbed. “I turn all my clients as per their requests. You asked for something special. I gave you that. What you do with your new abilities, and who you make enemies or friends with, is up to you.” We circled around the table, the rest of his guests not moving an inch, as if they were statues. Some of them barely breathed, if the rapid beats of their hearts were any indication.

“And what did these two ask to be made into?” I flicked a hand at the two new girls. They glanced at each other and answered in unison.

“Vampires. That’s what we paid for.”

I raised an eyebrow, a slow burning recognition flowing through me along with their scent. “Really?”

I slid over next to them and drew in a breath, tasting the air along the back of my tongue, and locked it into my mind. “You aren’t vampires.”

They stiffened at the same time. “No, that can’t be,” the dark-haired girl said. “He promised and we paid.”

One way or another I had to push the warlock to tell the truth. But what buttons to push on him? Let’s try button number one: call him out.

“He’s a liar.” The scent of their skin flickered something in my brain, something a part of me recognized. An image floated in front of me, superimposing over the two girls. Black and gold feathers layered over them, metallic in nature, with long bronze beaks that jutted from the middle of their faces.

Merlin tapped the table with his knuckles, drawing all eyes to him. “Ladies, please. I made you into what you asked for. Deadly man-eaters with beauty so bright as to be painful to the eye. That is what you asked for. Isn’t it?”

The two girls blinked up at me, and I saw in them what I’d been only a few days before. Scared, alone, misled.

Weak.

“What are we?”

“Birds. Beautiful deadly birds.” Just as I was a Drakaina, I had no doubt there would be some funky name for what they were. I didn’t know it, though. The snake in me recognized them as creatures from the same time period.

They clung to each other, hands interlocking. The dark-haired girl shuddered. “I hate birds.”

“It’s okay, Sandy. We’ll figure this out,” the blonde said.

Merlin smiled at the three of us. “Our business is done. Get out of my house, Alena.”

I moved forward, putting myself between the girls and Merlin. Button number two: take his latest creations from him. “For tonight, we’re done, you’re right about that. Girls, I think you should come with me.”

Merlin startled. “You can’t take them.”

I lifted an eyebrow, certainty growing fast within me. Button number three: point out how ineffective he was. “You can’t stop me. And I want my welcome package while you’re at it.”

His jaw dropped open, and the other Super Dupers in the room shifted uncomfortably.

“Welcome packages are by the door,” Max said. “Not that there is much info in them. A map of this side of the Wall, things to know about the Supe Squad. That sort of thing.”

I gave him a nod. “Thanks.”

The petite girls clung to each other as they walked to the door. I waited until they stepped through and were clear before following. I took a package from the high-backed bar near the door. “I’ll be back, Merlin. You can count on it.” I pointed a finger at him.

He snorted, his composure back in place. “Bite me.”

“Be careful what you ask for. You might not like my bite.” I snapped my teeth at him, my fangs dropping down. Droplets of venom flicked off the tips and sizzled on the floor. Chairs and boots scraped on the floor as Merlin and his posse scrambled backward.

Merlin’s smile finally fell. “Go die, Alena. That’s all you’re good for.”

And there it was, the words I wanted him to admit to. Of course I thought they were because I was headed to Achilles.

That was where I was wrong.

CHAPTER 13

SDMP members surrounded my car, and the two bird girls were in their clutches. Literally.

Two sets of scared, confused eyes looked to me. “Boys, you need to let those two go. They’re harmless. Like me.” I smiled, even though my adrenaline pumped like crazy. Smithy glared at me.

“No more games. All of you are going to the station. Now.”

Anxiety kissed at my heels; the need to not cause a scene, to do what was lawful made me step forward before I thought better of it. No. That was not who I was anymore, not if I wanted to survive. Not if I wanted to save Tad.

I stopped, and looked to my bare feet. The top of my right foot had been skinned, and the multicolored scales that blinked up at me seemed to be all I needed to steel my resolve. I slowly lifted my face. “None of us are going with you.”

Blue Eyes lifted a dart gun and pointed it at my chest. “Get in the back of the truck now or I’ll shoot.”

Putting my hands in the air, I took a step forward. The new instinct in me suggested closer was better. He didn’t lower the gun, but he didn’t pull the trigger either. Which meant he wasn’t afraid of me.

“Officer, you said I didn’t have to go to the station today.” I smiled as I spoke, all while continuing a slow pace toward him. His coworkers whispered to him.

“Shoot her.”

“She hasn’t done anything,” Smithy said.

“That’s right. I’m a good girl. Just ask anyone.” I was close enough that the muzzle of the gun was pressed between my breasts, the dart pressing hard against my skin. Not that I thought it would actually pierce my scales. If a sword bounced off me, what was a tiny dart going to do?