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When we don’t have an audience, in other words.
I nodded. Shock began to make its shaky presence known, and nausea tumbled in my middle. I swallowed it down. “You’ve got a plan for them?”
“No. I could call the police,” Razai answered. “They won’t be held, and any charges you press would be met with a team of expensive lawyers, so that part is up to you.
“Now, I don’t think I need to explain why I need to invade your precious personal bubble to carry you out of here.”
Just as I was about to answer, magic flooded my body like a tidal wave, leaving tingles in every crevice and within every bone. Not unpleasant, but definitely enough to make me gasp. I pushed back Razai’s shoulder, stopping him from lifting me up. “No.”
His eyes darkened. “Now is not the time to argue with me, Detective. Not when you’re like this.”
I’d ask him about that weirdly possessive way he watched me later. Because right now, all I could focus on was this strange flood of power. “It can wait,” I said through clenched teeth.
Cole watched me with uneasiness, his hand still clapped over the bloody cheek. His pale, terrified face made me think of Ember and how she’d been cornered, chased down, and stepped on. I wondered how many other people Cole had done this to and who would be next.
“Bring him to me,” I ordered.
Razai’s jaw worked as he prepared to argue.
“Trust me on this. Please,” I added.
Without another word, he obeyed.
Cole struggled as the professor dragged him by the collar and held him in place before me.
Razai held Cole’s hands behind him just to be safe, but I could tell he was losing patience. The way he kept track of the blood flowing from my wounds and how he scanned my face every three seconds told me I wasn’t looking too hot.
My body felt strange. My magic, even stranger. Everything crackled like a live wire. Was it the injury causing this reaction? My own fury pulling the power to the surface?
“Tell me everything you know about Benjamin,” I demanded.
Cole grimaced and spat from a blood-coated mouth.
“Don’t,” I snapped, stopping Razai from slapping him. He lowered his hand but raised his brow. “Yeah, yeah,” I consoled. “Don’t worry. You can hurt him again when I’m done.” I dug deep into my power, erratic and pinging.
Probably just as pissed and hurt as I felt.
That was fine, though. I’d reached my limit.
And now?
I was sick of playing it safe.
“I’m tired of waiting,” I told Cole. “I’m so tired of holding back and staying hidden and being nice. I don’t think I’m a very nice person, do you?”
Cole blinked at me, not understanding the turn in conversation.
Rage filled my belly like a fire. Maybe it was the stupid, idiotic expression on his face. Maybe I was just in a bad mood.
I gripped the knife handle and ripped the blade from my leg and then pressed the bloody edge against his neck.
“Isra,” Razai scolded as blood flooded from me.
I pressed the knife deeper, leaving my own mark on him. “Do you like that?” I demanded, my lips inches from his. “Maybe this will help your manners a little more, Mr. Highland. Now do you think I’m a nice person?”
“Y-yes?” he stammered. I pressed the blade harder, and he yelped, “No! No, you’re not nice!”
My giggle echoed against the cold walls. “Thank you. Finally, someone who understands. Now, you’re going to help me, Cole. Aren’t you?”
