Elemental Assassin 02 - Web of Lies

Finn perched on a stool in front of the cash register and couldn’t afford to lower my guard, especially not now sucked up the last dregs of the triple chocolate milkshake I’d with this mess with Jake McAllister going on. Because made him. Finn didn’t like me much, seeing me as competi- Jake had been royally pissed when the cops had dragged tion for his widowed father’s time, attention, and affection. him away the other night. I had no doubt he was think I’d hoped my small bribe would at least make him tolerable ing about what he could do to hurt me, to get me to drop while we waited for Fletcher. It had worked. Finn had been the charges against him. After all, he’d been ready to fry too busy gulping down the rich, sweet concoction to mock me. me with his Fire elemental magic just for what was in For a change.
    the cash register. Torture and murder wasn’t a big leap to It had been three months since Fletcher Lane had taken make from there. Whether Jake actually made a run at me me in, and my life had become as normal as it was ever going or not was still up in the air. But I’d be ready either way. to get. During the day, I attended school under the name Gin It wasn’t that late, but it had been a hell of a day. So I Blanco, catching up on what I’d missed while I’d been liv- took a shower, threw on a pair of pajamas, and went to ing on the streets and hiding from the Fire elemental who’d bed. I fell asleep almost immediately, and sometime later, murdered my family. After school, I came straight to the Pork the dream began . . .
    Pit to help Fletcher cook and clean and earn my keep. He I stood in the Pork Pit, chopping onions to add to tomor— might be putting a roof over my head, but I was determined row’s baked beans. Despite the harsh, stinging aroma, my to work for it as much as I could. Not a glamorous life by eyes didn’t water. I never cried. Not anymore. Not since my any means, and nothing like the soft, warm comfort I’d had family had been murdered. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t before, but it had a thin illusion of safety. Something I ap— worry. My eyes flicked up to the clock on the wall: 10:05. A preciated now more than ever.
    minute later than the last time I’d looked. Fear tightened my Only one thing bothered me—Fletcher’s late-night jaunts. Estep_Web of Lies_1P EP.indd 132-133
    12/17/09 9:32 PM
    134 JENNIFER ESTEP
    Web of Lies 135
    About once a month, he’d disappear. Sometimes for a few He was a giant, almost two feet taller than me, with a hours, other times for a few days. He never said where he wide, stout chest that reminded me of an iron park bench went or what he did, and I didn’t ask. But I knew blood when turned sideways. His black hair ringed his scalp like an upI saw it, and Fletcher was often covered with it. Fresh, sticky, side-down bowl, while a curly goatee covered his square chin. wet blood. Spattered all over his clothes, as though he’d just
    “I told you . . . Douglas,” Fletcher rasped. “I don’t . . . killed someone. Something else I knew about, even at thirteen. kill . . . kids . . . ever.”
    My eyes drifted back to the clock: 10:07. Fletcher had
    “You should have made an exception. Because now you’re vanished as soon as I’d come in this afternoon, saying he’d be the one who’s going to die.”
    back by seven, more than three hours ago. He’d never been Douglas slammed his booted foot into Fletcher’s side. this late before. What would I do if he didn’t come back?
    Fletcher groaned and coughed up more blood. I gasped. The Where would I go? Back on the streets most likely, begging giant’s hazel eyes snapped up to me, settling on my nonexis— for food, clothes, and shelter once more. My stomach twisted tent chest.
    a little tighter—
    “Well, well.” He smacked his lips. “Hello, pretty girl. We’ll The front door of the restaurant jerked open, making the have some fun when I get through over here.”
    bell chime. My heart lifted. A moment later, a pair of long
    “Leave her alone,” Fletcher said. “She’s just a kid.”
    arms tossed Fletcher Lane inside. He flew through the air, hit Fletcher tried to get up, but Douglas leaned down and a table, flopped off it, and landed hard. Fletcher groaned and punched him in the face. I heard his jaw crack across the coughed. His blood flecked all over the clean floor I’d spent room, and he fell back to the floor with a sharp grunt of pain. the afternoon mopping.
    Finn