Handshake’s smile never wavered. “Our currency today is information. In exchange for guarding my person during the following meeting, and the short period subsequent to that meeting, I will be giving your group all the information about the group known as the . . . I think we called them the ‘Clowns’ to avoid speaking their name? As well as a thousand dollars per person who came to guard me. I have that much in my car. Do remind me later.”

Emily nodded. “Yes, that’s what we want.”

“Brilliant! Then in that case I think the deal is sealed.”

“Hey, wait,” Athena said. “Don’t we know a bit about them too? If we tell you, and what we know is better than what you know, we’ll be doing work for free.”

Athena really hoped she hadn’t just foiled one of Big Sister’s plans. But then Emily nodded and she felt better. “Athena’s right,” Emily said. “What if information on its own isn’t enough? The money is nice, but, um, we want more.” Athena’s big sister altered the deal, her voice trembling with barely suppressed anger.

“What more could you want?” Handshake asked.

Emily paused, then her eyes set and she looked very determined. “The location of a safe house in or around the city. And, of course, some monetary compensation for our role guarding you.”

Handshake tapped his chin. “I could do the safe house if you allow me access to anyone housed in it. Assuming someone does use the location within the next . . . call it thirty days?”

Emily considered, then nodded. “Okay.”

“Then let’s shake on it,” Handshake said. “Your protection, to the best of your ability, in exchange for one thousand each, the location of a safe house that I have access to, valid for thirty days, and information on a certain group code-named the ‘Clowns.’”

He reached out his hand.

Emily shook.

And then something tightened around Athena’s heart.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Tense

What was that?” Emily asked. She felt a shiver running down her back, from right at the base of her neck and flowing along her spine, as if someone had pressed an icicle against her bare skin.

Handshake’s smile never so much as twitched. “Did you think I was one of those brave idiots that fakes having a power?” he asked.

She ran her hands up and down her biceps for warmth while her mind raced. Handshake had mentioned once that his power allowed him to form deals with people, but beyond that she couldn’t quite remember all the details.

Teddy stomped over to Handshake, eyes narrowed and fists clenched.

“What’d you do to me and the Boss?” she asked.

“Hey, he did it to me, too,” Athena said.

“And her,” Teddy added.