Haunt (Regenerate #5)

Chapter 14

It takes two hours for Mark to get back. I text him about a hundred times to make sure he's okay. I don't know where exactly his little prison is, but I can't imagine it's that far away.

Out of all the texts I send, I only get one response, saying he got held up somewhere and he's fine.

By the time he strolls through the door, I'm half dead from worry and half dead from boredom. Mikayla and I could have caught a cab if I'd known he'd be that long.

"Sorry," he says when he strolls into the room. "Errand to run."

"You could have told us," I say. We were bored enough that we managed to clean up the entire conference room. Now I'm scrolling through newsfeeds on my phone.

"Did Jess leave?" he asks.

"Yeah, about two hours ago," I say. "Like Mikayla and I would have."

Mark retracts the mask from his face.

"We're starving," I say.

"I thought you didn't get hungry," Mark says.

"I get cravings," I say. "And I suppose you're going to want to go put out that fire that just started at a warehouse before we go get food."

"I think that would be completely unnecessary," Mark says. "Considering that I was the one who started it."

I stare at him. "That was your errand? You started a fire."

"Yes, and it was somewhat difficult, mind you."

We've been stuck at base for two hours because Mark decided to commit arson?"

"I found out Dr. Intrigue has been using that warehouse as sort of a base of operations," Mark explains. "So I decided to set him back a few steps. I had to leave my phone and suit behind, since he can track those. Didn't want him to know I was coming."

"You still could have told us so we didn't wait for you," I say. "And I'm hurt that you wouldn't bring me along to burn something down. I love burning things down."

"When do you burn things down?" he asks.

"Well not tonight," I say.

"Apologies," he says. "But that does mean I'm fully prepared to go get food."

"Fine," I grumble. I continue to berate him about not calling all the way to the pizza place, where Mikayla jumps out of the car to get our order.

"See it almost sounds like you were worried about me," Mark says.

I glance over at him. "Of course I was worried about you, you idiot."

He just smiles. Suddenly giving him a hard time isn't so fun anymore.

As we drive back to Lorna's, Mark gives more details about how he'd tracked Intrigue down and decided to take out his warehouse.

Admittedly, it's a little impressive. I don't bother to tell him that, though.

Lorna's sitting in her living room reading when we get home. She glances up at us and says, "You know dates generally work better without a third wheel."

I wave her ice cream in front of her. "You know I can eat your portion too."

That shuts her up and she snatches the ice cream from me.

"I think we need to move on the House of Night fast," Mark says, reclining into one of Lorna's chairs. "Before they start trying to recruit new talent."

I groan.

Mark looks at me. "You object?"

"No," I say. "It just would be nice to have a break. Busy night and all."

"Busy night?" Lorna asks.

"Took down the stretchy guy from the House of Night," I say. "Then your dear brother decided to go burn down Dr. Intrigue's fortress of evil."

"And you didn't invite me?" Lorna says, "I like burning things."

"For give me for underestimating the pyromaniac tendencies on this team. Maybe when we take down the House of Night we'll celebrate with a beach bonfire," Mark says. "Unless you only like burning down buildings."

That gets Lorna excited. She's practically planned the whole thing before Mark points out that we probably should figure out how to take down the House of Night first. As soon as Mikayla finishes eating, she excuses herself to shower and go to bed.

Mark stays for another couple hours, strategizing and chatting before he too decides to leave. Lorna and I chat for a few more minutes before calling it a night. Better get a good night's sleep, since it sounds like Mark wants to take on the House of Night tomorrow.

Somebody's in my room when I get there.

I nearly scream until I realize that it's Cole.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

He has a cheeky grin plastered over his face.

"Wanted to see you," he says. "Thought you'd be more excited to see me. I heard you've been asking about me."

"But how did you get in?" I ask.

"Front door."

I blink. "This is one of the most secure houses in the world."

Cole grins. "It's entirely possible Lorna thought I was Mikayla when she let me in."

"You don't look anything like Mikayla."

He shifts into Mikayla.

He shifts.

He winks at me once with Mikayla's face before shifting back to his own.

I'm gaping at him.

I'm not the only shapeshifter in town.