“I knew this was going to happen. I knew it!” Ivy shouted.

“Well, I’d rather meet them here than the motel,” I said, doggedly trying to pull my emotions from fear back to invincibility. It wasn’t working. I was still scared.

“The bridge is still one lane either way,” Ivy snarled. “I can’t get around this guy. Give the phone to Jenks. I want to talk to him.”

Jenks paled and shook his head.

“Jenks!” she exclaimed, “I know you can hear me. I can’t believe you let her talk you into this. I told you she needed at least another course of Brimstone before she could work in the kitchen, much less go out!”

“I’m not that weak,” I said indignantly, but Jenks was way ahead of me, and he took the phone, holding it so we could both hear.

“She ate that last cookie, Ivy,” he said, clearly offended. “And I just gave her another dose of the stuff. She’s running on full. I’m not stupid.”

“I knew it!” I said, glancing past Jenks at the drifting people. “You slipped me some!”

There was a short silence, and Ivy said softly, “You picked up more Brimstone?”

Jenks met my eyes. “Yeah. And don’t worry. I paid cash. It’s not on the card.”

“Where did you get the money, Jenks?” Ivy asked, the threat clear in her voice.

“It wasn’t that expensive,” he said, but I could tell he thought he’d done something wrong by his suddenly worried look.

“You ass!” Ivy said. “Get her the hell out of there! You bought street-grade, you stupid pixy! She’s higher than a kite!”

Jenks’s mouth worked but nothing was coming out.

“Uh, Ivy?” he squeaked. “We gotta go.”

“Don’t hang up!” Ivy yelled. “Give me to Rachel. Jenks, give the phone to Rachel!”

Jenks went to end the call, and I snatched the phone. I was on street-grade Brimstone? Swell. Just swell. I thought it was hitting me a little hard. I could hear Ivy telling Nick what had happened, catching the word “invincible” and “get herself killed.” Jenks turned to scan the area, his posture tense and guilty looking.

“Hey, Ivy,” I said, my mood having done a quick shift to anger. “The next time you and Jenks want to play doctor, just shove the Brimstone up your ass, okay? Both of you. I’m not your freaking play-doll.”

“I’m on my way,” Ivy said, ignoring me. “Rachel, just…sit somewhere. Can you do that? I’ll get you out.”

I leaned against the brick wall, feeling every little projection dig into me through my shirt. “Take your time,” I said flippantly, ticked and nerved-up all at the same time. The adrenaline was flowing, and Brimstone had my skin tingling. “Jenks and I are going to plan B.”

“Plan B?” Ivy said. “What is plan B?”

Jenks reddened. “Grab the fish and run like hell,” he muttered, and I almost giggled.

“I’m going to walk out of here,” I said, deciding I’d rather be invincible than scared, “and catch the trolley back to the motel. And if anyone stops me, I’m going to kick—their—ass.”