Rue’s POV

The sound of Veronica’s body hitting the polished floor brought more attention. For a moment, no one in the vicinity moved.

The officials’ eyes darted between Percy and the woman sprawled across the floor. The sterile atmosphere of the CDC building had been shattered by the suddenness of the magic attack.

Veronica groaned softly as she pushed herself up on one elbow, her hair falling loose around her face. The smug confidence she had entered the room with was gone, replaced by ...