“Dr. Anders?” the approaching man asked in surprise, the usual clipboard absent.

“We’re going for a drive,” she said imperially, sounding a lot like the distasteful woman. “Ceridwen needs a plant to stop her labor.”

“I’m not in labor!” I said, earning a quick glance. Jenks buzzed a hidden warning, and I pushed myself back into the shadows.

“I need to see some identification, Dr. Anders.”

Nick leaned forward. “Do you know who I am?” he asked.

The officer’s eyes grew predatory. “No, sir, but seeing as I just talked to you and you were in your office, I know who you aren’t.”

Shit.

The click of safeties sparked through me, and I sank back into the cushions. Had I really believed I could do this? “Job’s over,” I breathed, seeing weapons pointed at the car. Twenty feet from us, the comforting black of the night beckoned. Twenty feet. It might as well have been the moon. We’d tried. I didn’t want to give up, but I didn’t want us dead either. There had to be a way, but if I brought Al into this, he’d say he’d won the bet, and it would be over.

“Out of the car, please,” the man was saying, backing up to give us room, and my breath came faster. “Fingers laced above your heads. Now!”

We couldn’t get through the gate. Not in the car. But maybe we could make a run for it if we got over it. Sweet, sweet adrenaline pounded into me, and my head started to hurt.

“Rache?” Jenks whispered. He, at least, would be safe.

Nick reached for the handle. “Get yourself out, Rachel,” he said. “I’ll take care of this.”

“What are you doing?” I said, bewildered. “They know it isn’t you!”

“Something I should have done a long time ago,” he said, and I blinked when he leaned over to give me a chaste kiss. “Do what you need to do. I’ll make a distraction so you can get away.”

“What?” Ivy barked, and from outside, the security officer demanded we get out.

“I’ll be fine,” Nick said, opening his door. “I always am.”

Stunned, I did nothing as someone opened my door and I was yanked out to the tune of Ivy fighting. A band of silver was slipped over my wrist, and I still did nothing. I felt a wash of ever-after flow out of me, but the curse was demonic, and I still looked like Ceri. Small favors.

“Rachel? ” Jenks said, hovering before me.

People were shouting—mostly Ivy—and someone shoved me to the ground. My arms went out instinctively, and I caught myself. Staring at the shiny shoes to my right, something ignited in me. It was not going to end like this. I tensed, playing passive, hearing Ivy resisting.

“Rachel!” Jenks cried again. “What do you want me to do?”