“They’re members. They probably won’t go after them,” Nik tries. “They follow the rules and everything. Ethan didn’t. So, they’re safe.”
“I hope so, but if David finds out they’re responsible for this…” I shake my head. “Sam is already on the fence about leaving. This would definitely push her to do it.”
“Silver lining?” Nik shrugs and I just bite the inside of my cheek. “A secret organization with enough power to clear or create criminal records is, uh, terrifying.”
“A secret organization with enough power to clear or create criminal records and has a warehouse full of dark objects at their disposal,” I correct and we both shudder. “I wish there was a way to take them down.”
“The coven. Could they help?”
“I don’t know,” I say, realizing I didn’t even think about it. “I’m sure if it were me, but Ethan isn’t a member of the coven. But if the Order is blackmailing people, the High Priestess probably will want to know.”
Silence falls over us and I let my eyes close for a moment. Something is really off about this whole thing, not just the obviousEthan got arrestedissue. Whatever it is nags at me like negative energy. My eyes fly open when I realize that’s exactly what I’m sensing: negative energy. But right when I open my mouth to tell Nik, I see someone get out of a black SUV.
“The fuck is he doing here?” I ask, reaching for the door.
“Who?” Nik sits up straighter.
“That guy.” My eyes widen. “Carl. He works for the Order.”
“Oh, shit. Anora, don’t—”
I don’t hear the rest of what Nik says. I get out of the car, rage building inside of me, and rush across the parking lot.
“What the hell?” I demand and Carl spins around, half smile on his face.
“Oh, hello, Miss Benson.”
“I knew it! I fucking knew you were behind this.” I ball my fingers into fists, too angry to realize little flames are flickering around my hands.
“Easy, Scarlet Witch,” Carl quips, looking at my hands. “Or else they’re going to think they arrested the wrong person.”
“This isn’t funny,” I say through gritted teeth, and the light in the lamppost behind us starts to hum with energy. The doors to the police station open and close and two officers come out. One of them eyes us, no doubt able to read the tension in my body language. I blow out a breath, releasing the energy.
Nik comes over right as they walk past, stopping at my side, eyes narrowed as he stares down Carl, who stiffens at the sight of him. Right. Order members don’t like supernatural creatures, which means Stephanie must have told him the Order that not only is Ethan living with a witch, but a faery as well.
“It isn’t funny at all. Murder charges are serious.” Carl pushes his shoulders back and adjusts his briefcase hanging on his shoulder. “Which is why you need to get out of my way and let me go to my client. We both want the same thing here.”
“What?” I blink once. Twice. Carl isn’t laughing or even grinning. Is he being serious? “You are the reason Ethan got arrested.”
“I assure you, I am not.”
“Maybe not you, but the shady as fuck organization you work for you is.”
Carl’s brows go up. “I can also assure you the Order is not responsible for this.” He puts his hand to his chest. “I offered my services as soon as I heard.” He tries to take a step forward, but I block his way.
“You are not going in there until I know what’s going on.”
Carl looks at the police station doors and then back at me. “Don’t cause a scene.”
“I’ll do what’s necessary,” I shoot back, though he’s right. “Ethan left the Order and now you’re getting back at him.”
“Quite the opposite,” Carl insists. “The Baileys are valued members of the Order, and we hope in time Ethan will reconsider and join again. Pinning a murder on him would not only guarantee that wouldn’t happen, but it would also cause his father and sisters to drop out as well.” Carl looks around and nervously shifts a little closer. “And reopening this case is nothing but a headache for us. We’d already had this handled. I assure you,” he presses. “The Order had nothing to do with this. I’m here to clear Ethan of the charges.”
“You’re a lawyer?” Nik asks, wrinkling his nose. “Are you any good?”
Carl narrows his eyes. “You better hope so.”
“Fine,” I relent. “Say I believe you and you’re here to help and win back a hunter. Then who framed him?”