“So much for the hope that this warehouse wasn’t protected.” Jackson took a cautious step forward, then a second, and a third. “Interesting that the barrier stops you and not me.”

“That’s because Rinaldo wants us in there.” I took several cautious steps forward until I was level with Jackson. The weight of magic lifted so abruptly, I almost stumbled again.

“He what?” Sam’s voice was sharp. “Why?”

I swung around in surprise, eyebrows raised. “I thought you read our report.”

“I did, but that wasn’t in it.” His annoyance burned the air. “What does Rinaldo want you to retrieve?”

“Research matter. What that actually means, I have no idea.”

“Meaning he has the scientists?”

My confusion deepened. “Yes, and I certainly did mention that.”

“Well, it wasn’t in the damn report.”

“Then maybe the agent who took the report simply forgot to add it.”

“Rogers never forgets.”

“Well, I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m not fucking lying, Sam, whatever you might believe.”

“I’m not saying you are—”

I snorted. “Maybe not verbally.”

Jackson cleared his throat. “We can argue about it later. Right now, we need to keep moving.”

Sam released a frustrated breath. “Indeed. I’ll monitor the situation from here. Keep the mics open and the cameras on.”

“Why?” I bit back. “It’s not like anyone can come running if we get into trouble.”

“True, but we nevertheless need to know what’s going on in there.” Sam’s voice was every bit as sharp as mine. “We will send people in here once the witches manage to breach the barrier. It’d be nice not to send them in blind.”

“But it’s perfectly fine to send us in blind.” Which wasn’t fair, but sometimes annoyance got the better of common sense.

“If I had any choice in the matter, I’d gladly swap positions,” he growled. “So cut the crap, Em, and just go. And be careful, both of you.”

I opened my mouth to reply, then thought better of it and simply swung around and strode toward the open door. Jackson drew a gun as we neared it. I simply flexed my fingers; sparks spiraled through the darkness.

What do you think? He paused to the left of the door.

My gaze skimmed what I could see of the street. There were shapes out there, shapes that vaguely resembled human bodies. More dead cloaks, no doubt, and the dead could hardly hurt us. And yet, that vague sense of unease was growing. Which hardly made sense given it was unlikely Rinaldo would have set a trap for us; not when he wanted us to retrieve whatever information the scientists had left behind.

I think there’s a reason Rinaldo and his pet witch didn’t come in here themselves, I replied. And I believe we might just be about to uncover it.