Chapter 11 · Greywolf Doesn't Owe

Marcus had a gun on her before the door even closed.

"The hell is this?" He didn't look at Eli. Kept the barrel steady on Rachel's chest. Behind him two kids scrambled back into the supply room, but Marcus didn't move. "You bring a hunter into my house."

"She's—" Eli started.

"I know what she is." Marcus still didn't look away from Rachel. "Council jacket. Council boots. That little burn scar under her ear from where they tag their dogs. So I'm asking you, Cross. The hell is this."

Rachel had her hands up. Slow. No weapon drawn. Her face was blank but Eli could see the muscle jumping in her jaw. She was doing the math. One exit. One gun. Twenty feet of bad odds.

"She saved my life," Eli said. Stepped between them. Stupid move but he did it anyway. "The thing that used to be my sister tried to gut me and Rachel put three rounds in it."

That got Marcus to look at him. Just for a second. Eyes flat and cold. "Your sister."

"Yeah."

"The scout. The one you came in here looking for."

"She's gone." Eli's throat felt like broken glass.