“Luna,” she said finally, giving up on the attempt. “My name is Luna.”
“You hang out by the waterfront,” Griffin said finally, his memory clicking. “I’ve seen you there with a bunch of kids.”
“We’re not kids.” Luna was firm. “I’m older than I look.”
“You’re twenty-one at best,” I argued.
“Twenty-four.” Luna pinned me with a look. “The street keeps me young.”
I wasn’t sure I believed her, but I let it go for now. Her age wasn’t important, though I made a mental note to track the girl down and get some real answers once I was free of the specter of death — if that ever happened. She had great potential, even if she was a mouthy pain in the behind who clearly thought she was the most powerful being on the block.
“We’re looking for Knight,” Griffin pressed, refusing to be dissuaded from our mission. “I don’t understand why you’re here ... or why you’re pretending to be him. Knight is a real person? You’re not the one in charge, are you?”
“Knight is definitely real,” Luna said, linking her fingers and resting them on her abdomen. “He’s going through some personal issues, so I decided to hold down the fort until he gets it together. It’s a favor, nothing more.”
She sounded sure of herself. “Knight’s ‘personal issues’ don’t have anything to do with his killing Caitlin Lorry, do they?”
This time Luna couldn’t hide her surprise. Her mouth dropped open and she rocked upright. “W-what? Caitlin’s dead?” She swallowed hard. “We were looking for her all last night. We couldn’t find her.”
“That’s probably because someone strangled her and left her body in the parking lot of the Belle Isle aquarium,” Griffin said. “Witnesses say she was arguing with a guy out there. Others referred to him as Knight.”
Luna immediately started shaking her head. “There’s no way it was Knight. He wouldn’t hurt her.”
“How can you be sure?” Griffin folded his arms across his chest. “I get that you’re magical — that’s pretty freaking obvious — but that doesn’t make you a good judge of character. Knight has a reputation.”
“We all have reputations,” Luna shot back. “You can’t survive on the street without one. If you’re soft, or people perceive you to be, you’ll be eaten alive out here.”
She had a pretty impressive vocabulary for a street kid. “The police think Knight is a dealer,” I offered, ignoring the accusatory look Griffin shot me. “You’re pretty protective of him. You don’t look as if you’re an addict. You’re a little thin, but hardly malnourished. In fact, you’re clean and put together. That makes me think something else is going on here.”
“Do you want a cookie?” Luna shot back, her brow wrinkling. “Do you want me to applaud because you’re so smart?”
“Don’t take that tone with her,” Braden warned, extending a finger. “We’re trying to help.”
“You can’t help me,” Luna sneered.
“We can find out who hurt Caitlin,” I countered softly, drawing the girl’s eyes back to me. “We can’t bring her back, but we can get justice for her. You seem adamant that Knight didn’t hurt her. You must have a reason for that. You’re not stupid. You read people. Those you can’t read, you poke inside their heads like you just tried to do with me. You’ve obviously done that with Knight and found him worthy of loyalty. Tell us why.”
Luna worked her jaw and for a second I thought she was going to pitch a righteous fit and kick us out. Instead, she heaved out a sigh and dropped her head into her hands. “He loved Caitlin,” she admitted finally, her voice small. “He was completely in love with her.”
“That doesn’t mean he didn’t kill her,” Griffin argued. “It could’ve been a crime of passion. Sometimes you hurt the one you love most.”
“Maybe, but that doesn’t sound like Knight.” Luna was firm as she raised her chin. “He didn’t do this.”
“You’re obviously worried about him,” I pressed. “That’s why you’re here covering for him. Something is happening out here and you’re trying to head it off.” I had no idea how I knew that, but I felt it to my very core. “Tell us what’s happening and we’ll try to help.”
Luna shook her head. “You can’t help. This isn’t your world. The only help I can offer you is my word that Knight didn’t do this.”
“We’re still going to have to track him down,” Griffin said. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know. I’m holding things together here until we find him, because the last thing you want out here is a vacuum. I’m doing the best I can.”
Griffin must’ve recognized the truth in her words, because instead of continuing the fight he nodded. “You’re doing a good job. There hasn’t been a shooting out here in a week. Whatever you’re doing, keep it up.”
“That’s the plan.” Luna glanced between faces before focusing on me. “Knight isn’t capable of doing what you’re suggesting. You’re looking for a killer, but you’re looking in the wrong place. I hope you find the right person.”
“We have to keep looking for Knight, though. You understand that, right?”
“I do. If you find him, tell him to get his ass back here. I can only do so much.”
I stilled as I reached for the door handle. “I’ll be back to talk to you about other things later.”
Luna’s mischievous smile was back. “Oh, girl, I know it. I read that the second you walked in here.”
“Don’t call me ‘girl.’”
“We’ll see how it goes.”
Eight
“She was ... interesting.”
Braden waited until we were back in Griffin’s vehicle to express his opinion.
“She’s young — and powerful,” I added from the back seat, my mind busy. “She’s strong.”
Griffin glanced over his shoulder before pulling out of his parking spot. “Do you think she’s dangerous?”
I shrugged, noncommittal. “That depends on who she’s going up against. The fact that she feels the need to protect Knight should make her suspect.”
“Should?”
“Maybe Knight isn’t as bad as you think. She might know better.”
“He has a certain reputation,” Griffin countered. “Most street reputations are built on deeds.”
“Yes, but I imagine this is an incredibly difficult life. Maybe the deeds have been exaggerated as a survival mechanism. Perhaps he brags about things he hasn’t really done. You said it yourself. He’s never been arrested. Maybe there’s a reason for that.”
Griffin turned thoughtful. “It’s true that we’ve never caught him. I don’t have much personal experience with him. The few times we’ve crossed paths he’s been respectful. I figured that was simply because he didn’t want to risk being taken in.”
“Or perhaps that’s who he is.” I rested my head against the seat and considered our options. “Luna seemed sure that he wouldn’t hurt Caitlin. She seemed genuinely upset to hear about the girl’s death, although I don’t think they were close.”
“What makes you say that?” Braden asked. “You just met that girl. Obviously you were intrigued and you’re good at reading people, but you’re not infallible.”
“I’m not. Luna very well could be a force to be reckoned with down the line. Her insistence on calling me ‘girl’ is troublesome.”
“That’s just snarky female stuff,” Braden countered. “She sensed it bothered you, which was enough to knock you off your game.”
I was mildly offended by the statement. “That’s not enough to knock me off my game.”
He laughed at my reaction. “Let me rephrase that. In her head, it was probably enough to distract you. That’s all she wanted. She was surprised you managed to figure out the truth about her. I’m guessing that’s never happened before.”
“Yeah.” I rolled my neck. “I wish Poet was here. She has glamour power too, and it’s better than what I can conjure.”
“Is that what it’s called?” Gr
iffin asked. “Changing her appearance like that, a glamour?”
“It’s a common gift with certain witches.”
“But not you?”
“I can change my appearance,” I said. “It takes more effort for me. Poet can do it on a whim. While we were preparing for battle, she put on a little magical display for me. I have to concentrate a lot more ... and I have to expend more energy. Of course, that could be because I don’t practice all that often. For Luna, it appears effortless.”
“What about the bruja mask?” Braden questioned, his brow furrowed. “That changes your appearance.”
“That’s part of my magic. When I tap into my inner well, the mask involuntarily comes out. I’ve researched the hows and whys over the years but never come up with an acceptable answer. I just don’t know.”
“We can go back,” Braden offered. “If you want to talk to her some more, we can track her down and Uber back to the island.”
I shook my head. “Now isn’t the time to delve into the mystery that is Luna. She’s obviously worried about Knight. She won’t want to waste time with us. I want to think a bit. She’s an interesting girl, but figuring out her path can wait.”
Griffin stirred. “Do you think we should try to follow her? She’ll have a better idea of where to find Knight. Other than this place, I’m not sure of his regular haunts.”
The suggestion earned a smirk. “She’s not going to just allow us to follow her. We’re talking about someone who can change her appearance to whatever she wants. That includes her size, which is impressive. She’ll sense us trying to follow and lose us within thirty seconds. Heck, she’s the type who might decide to lead us on a wild goose chase just to mess with us.”
“She reminds me of Aisling,” Braden lamented. “She’s got a mouth on her and clearly enjoys messing with people.”
“Don’t talk badly about your sister,” Griffin admonished. “I’ll have to kick your ass if you keep it up.”
Braden rolled his eyes. “Please. If I can take Aisling, I can take you.”
“You keep thinking that.”
“I will.”
I sank into my thoughts, allowing the men to spar. It was obvious they were just talking to fill the silence. They had an interesting relationship. Braden had let certain things slip about Griffin’s introduction into their lives. It wasn’t a seamless transition. Now, though, it was as if he’d always been a part of the family. This was simply the way they all communicated, with snark and bravado.
By the time we returned to Belle Isle, Caitlin’s body had been removed and the cult members were back in the lot walking their circles. I searched the crowd looking for Andrea but came up empty.
That didn’t necessarily mean anything, I told myself. She could still be asleep, or taking a break. Heck, she might’ve talked her parents into leaving. I had no reason to be on edge regarding her fate — and yet I was. I made a mental note to exert some effort in tracking her down after lunch if she still hadn’t shown. For now, I had work to do.
“What’s next for you?” Braden asked Griffin as we stood in front of the aquarium door.
“Them.” Griffin inclined his head toward the crowd. “The fact that they’re still here makes me want to question them further. I mean ... it’s ballsy.”
“They’re not technically breaking the law,” I pointed out. “They’re staying away from the areas that are still taped off.”
“They are, and there’s nothing we can do as long as they follow the rules. That doesn’t mean I’m not suspicious. It’s possible other members of the group heard something. Titus can’t speak for all of them. I won’t allow it.”
He was dedicated to his job, which was gratifying. Still, I didn’t want him trapped on the island without backup. “If you need help, I’ll be in the gate room.” I hesitated before continuing. “If you feel there’s even a chance that something might happen, please call me. You have my number.”
The suggestion caused his lips to curve. “I’ve been doing this for a very long time,” he reminded me. “I can take care of myself.”
“But you don’t have to. I’m here if something happens. Just remember that.”
BRADEN HAD TO LEAVE FOR WORK, something he wasn’t exactly keen on. He hemmed and hawed and tried to get out of it, but Cormack refused to listen. He reminded Braden that I was an adult, it was daylight out, and I had magic at my fingertips. Still, Braden was reticent. Ultimately he left, unhappy.
We performed our normal tasks for the morning. Paris added research to her workload. She seemed fascinated by the cult and was determined to uncover as much information about it as possible. So far, it seemed a losing proposition. There was very little out there, but that didn’t stop her from trying.
After a few hours, I was starting to feel penned in so I left Oliver in charge and climbed to the main floor. There, I got a coffee and positioned myself in front of the window to watch the marchers. I was interested in the way they interacted, which seemed more stilted than friendly. Still, there was a camaraderie that had to come from a shared belief. Nothing else made sense.
Titus didn’t walk as much as the others. He seemed happiest when planted in the shade watching his followers walk circles. Every hour or so he got up — probably to keep them on task — but he almost immediately returned to his spot once the effort had been reinvigorated. It was after one such instance that I decided it was time for another conversation.
I scanned the lot for signs of Griffin when I exited the building, but he was nowhere to be found. His vehicle was still present, so I assumed he was hanging around behind the aquarium, maybe down by the water or closer to the park. I wasn’t an expert on police procedure, so the nuances of a detective’s role were often lost on me. I preferred barreling forward until I got the answers I needed. He was calmer, knew how to play the game. In my mind, he had a thankless job but seemed good at it, and he obviously enjoyed his work. That’s all that mattered.
I could feel Titus’s eyes on me as I crossed toward him. I didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking up, instead waiting until I was in front of him to make eye contact.
“Hello.” He beamed as if we were old friends, which only served to make me dislike him more. “Are you considering joining our group?”
“Absolutely not.” I saw no reason to lie.
“No?” His lips twitched. “Most people would at least feign interest when trying to grill somebody for information.”
“I’m not most people.” I sat in the shade, keeping some distance between us, and turned my attention back to the circling group. “How come you’re not out there bobbing and weaving with the rest of them?”
“I’m ... communing with nature.”
“Or it’s hot and you don’t want to expend unnecessary energy.”
He snickered. “You have no problem expressing your opinion. I like that about you.”
“I have no problem pointing out when I think there’s something funky going down,” I agreed. “While I’m not interested in joining your group, I am interested in learning more about it. You don’t have much of a digital footprint online.”
“I didn’t realize that was a necessity.”
“Necessity? No. It’s more standard operating procedure. When you have a message you believe is worth sharing — which you purport to — it seems you would want your information readily available. But you’re the exact opposite.”
“What information are you interested in? I’m an open book.”
So he said. “Well, for starters, how did you recruit your followers?”
“Through various methods.” His tone was breezy, but it was obvious he was wary. That could’ve been because of my aggressive nature, but I felt as if there was more behind it. I was determined to find out what that “more” was.
“Do you want to be more specific?”
“Why are you so interested in us if you don’t believe in the message? Are you afraid we’ll discover the island’s secrets?”
&n
bsp; I was used to dealing with individuals of his ilk from my time in New Orleans. It was a beautiful city, full of magic and mystery. It also attracted more scammers than one might find in a similar-sized city in another state. It was the nature of the beast. New Orleans had a certain mystique. There, Titus would simply be another flimflam artist. Here he was something more nefarious.
“I think it’s human nature to want to try to understand things that seem ... surreal,” I replied. “This, for example, makes no sense. You’re forcing your followers to walk in a never-ending circle outside of an aquarium.”
“You say it’s an aquarium. I believe it’s more than that.”
“Why do you believe that?”
“I can feel it ... here.” He tapped the spot above his heart. “I can feel the intangible. This door is something I’ve felt numerous times over the course of my life. I’m going to prove it. I’m going to make others see.”
The statement was telling. “You’ve done this before?” I pursed my lips. “May I ask where?”
He frowned. “I have no interest in unveiling my secrets.”
“You’re trying to make others believe you hold the key to a make-believe door between worlds,” I persisted. “To do that, you have to unveil your secrets. I’m merely curious about why you would visit other places if you think the door is located here.”
“There’s more than one door to the other side.”
He wasn’t wrong. There were gates all around the world. I had no idea how many. I wasn’t even sure I could look it up because reaper factions were spread far and wide. His insistence on calling it a door rather than a gate made me believe he was spitting into the wind hoping to hit something rather than operating with any real knowledge. That, at least, made me feel better.
“How did you get interested in this door?” I asked, opting to change tactics. “Did you hear a story or something when you were little?”
Titus made a clucking sound with his tongue. “Do you realize how condescending you sound? Likening my beliefs to childhood fairytales is insulting.”
Only the Devout Page 8