“Ceri, would you help me barter with Minias?” I said, my voice high and sounding as if it was coming from outside of me. Trent’s eyes were wide. I didn’t care if he thought I dealt with demons. Apparently I did. “I must have something he wants,” I said when she hesitated in confusion. “If he won’t get the sample for me, he might give me a trip through the lines and I can get it myself.”

“Rachel, no,” Ceri protested, her loose hair swinging as she reached to take my hands. “This is not what I meant. You can’t. You have two demon marks, and if you get a third, someone could trade for all three, and then they’d have you. You promised me you wouldn’t go into the ever-after! It’s not safe!”

Technically I hadn’t, but she was scared, and I pulled out of her grip, surprised. “I’m sorry, Ceri. You’re right. It’s not safe, but not doing anything isn’t safe either. And since the lives of everyone I care about are in the balance, I’m going proactive.” I lurched forward, tension demanding I move.

“Wait.” Ceri gracefully got in my way. She looked to Ivy for support, but the vampire was leaning against the counter with her ankles crossed, smiling helplessly.

“I have to do something!” I said, then hesitated at an alternative thought. “Trent!” I barked, and he jumped. “Do you have Lee’s number?” He stared at me with his wide green eyes, looking odd, and I added, “I want him to teach me how to jump the lines. He knows how. I can learn.” I fingered the charm around my neck, nervous. Before sunset. I had to learn before sunset. Damn, I was shaking. What kind of a runner was I?

“He doesn’t know,” Trent said, his voice distant. “I asked him when you freed him, and it turns out he was buying trips from Al.”

“Damn it!” I exclaimed, then took a deep breath. How was I going to get in and out of the ever-after without racking up enough imbalance to make me easy pickings? And all before sunset, ’cause if I didn’t do something tonight, Al would be hunting my family.

“I’ll get you there,” Trent said, and Ceri spun, putting her small white fingers to his mouth. Trent took it in his own hand, holding it, looking at me, not her.

Maybe I can figure out line tripping on my own, I thought, remembering Newt saying I didn’t have enough time to figure it out, implying that I could. Time. Time! I didn’t have time!

Then I paused when Trent’s words hit me. I turned to see his face hard with determination and the fear in his gaze almost hidden. Ceri had dropped back from Trent, and she looked angry.