Sharen stood and held Alec back with a hand on his bicep. “Let him go.”
His muscles tensed beneath her touch. “Dammit, Sharen, we can’t just let him go. He knows where we live.”
“I don’t care. He and I have a deal.”
Alderon cleared his throat. “My superiors know the mission I’m on and where I went. Killing me is the fastest way to bring suspicion down on you.”
“He’s right,” Kade said, surprising them all. “It isn’t enough just to kill him. We'll have to kill him and leave town.”
Sharen looked from Alderon’s unreadable expression to her demons. “So what, now we kill humans in cold blood? He's done nothing to us. If we kill him, we’re no better than what the Hunters accuse us of being.”
Ryder moved forward and placed his hands lightly on her arms, pulling her closer. “I hear what you’re saying, but are we really supposed to just let him go? And wait to be attacked? They know who we are and where we are. And, I’m sorry, but I don’t trust this man with my life."
She took a deep breath, searching his eyes. “But do you trust me with your life?”
His expression froze. “Always.”
“Then, trust me with this.” She looked at her demons. “I think he can help us. And I believe him when he says he’ll give us a twenty-four hour headstart.”
The room was quiet for a long minute, and then Ryder released her arms. “All right.”
Alec shook his head. “I—damn it, all right.”
Kade swore. “This is insane!”
He looked at her and his brothers, shook his head, and then stormed across the room and slammed the bedroom door behind him. Tension hung heavy in the air.
Alderon cleared his throat. “Well, thanks. When I got caught by these demons, I assumed I’d be ripped to shreds. The fact that I’m not, well, that’s something else I need to think about.”
The fae pulled free of Alec’s hold and walked toward the door. She could sense frustration building through her demons, so she didn’t take an easy breath until the man walked out the door and closed it quietly behind him.
“That man will betray us, mark my words.” Alec walked to the kitchen and started pulling out pots and pans.
Alec must be livid. He always cooked when he was upset.
Looking at Ryder, she smiled softly. “You understand, right?”
He gave a sad smile. “I understand that you were willing to trust an enemy for valuable information, but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell us about him. Trust is a two-way street, and if you expect us to trust you, you have to trust us too.”
Before she could respond, he walked away, leaving her feeling like a complete ass. Not telling them had made sense in her head, but now she couldn’t think of anything she could say to make things better.
Relationships are a lot harder when you like the people you’re with.
For a minute her mind went back to so long ago that her memories were fuzzy. She saw her mom’s face. She heard her dad’s laugh. And there in the middle of them was a little girl in pajamas, the brightest smile in the world on her face, pouring her heart out.
Her smile faltered. That was a long time ago. With the only two people in her life who had deserved her trust. Until my demons.
They’ve never done anything to break my faith in them. I need to remember that.
But old habits died hard. No matter how hard she wanted things to be different, trusting didn’t come easily for her.
Her phone rang in her pocket, startling her. Looking at the caller ID, she accepted the call and headed for the balcony.
“Marval, what’s up?”
The ancient vampire spoke softly, emphasizing each word. “A Hunter is on your tail by the name of Alderon.”
She stiffened. “How do you know that?”
“He and I are... old friends. And it seems he and I are both looking into your past.”
She put one of her hands on the railing and looked out at the dark city below. Without hesitation, she explained everything Alderon had told her, including the most recent information. “He says there’s something suspicious about my file in The Department and thinks there’s more going on than we think.”
After unloading, she took a deep breath and waited for his response.
“You may not hear from me for a time,” he said, his voice excited. “I have a suspicion about what you are, but I need to do a little more research first.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. “What do you think I am?”
His voice lowered, so quietly that she could barely make out the words. “If I’m right, it isn’t safe to say it on the phone. Just... be careful, Sharen.”
“Marval—“
“I have to go,” he said, and the line went dead.
That was weird.
She stood on the balcony for a long time, enjoying the wind tugging at her wet hair. So many things had gone wrong recently, but as many things had also gone right. As much as it drove her crazy that Marval hadn’t told her everything, she felt hope, knowing that he had a real lead. For the stoic vampire to be excited, well, that was something by itself.
“Dinner’s ready!” Alec called.
Sharen smiled out at the city and came back into their apartment. But before she made it across the living room, the door to the bedroom opened.
Kade stomped out. “Did she tell you guys about my little trip yet?”
She stiffened. How the hell did I not?
Ryder was setting food on the table, while Alec was washing dishes. But both men froze, then shook their heads.
Her angry husband gave one of his rare smiles. “Well, we better talk, because we have a lot to do and only three days to do it in.”
Hope flared to life within her chest.
In three days, the innocent demons will be safe, and the Rebellion will have accomplished its goal.
Now, to make our plans.
Chapter Fifteen
Caine stared down at the pathetic shapeshifter. “That’s all you have to tell me?”
The creature nodded, still kneeling before him.
If you weren’t my child, I would have killed you long ago, you useless creature.
Caine began to pace the warehouse. The darkness of his magic spread out around him, not just cloaking his shape from form. It spread further, filling the whole side of the empty building. Normally, in front of his child was the one place he didn’t hide his true form, but now that the war was beginning, he couldn’t even afford that luxury.
The Judge of all of humanity must take every precaution.
“But,” the shapeshifter sputtered out. “This changes everything. We can stop them from saving the other demons. We can raid the sanctuary and kill the ones they already saved. We can end this now!”
“If only my mind was as simple as yours.” But none of this is simple.
The Fate had told him that soon the war would begin. He hated that he couldn’t simply kill any of his enemies. If he did so, he would never gain the powers of the Immortal Ten, and he wanted their powers more than he wanted anything else in this world.
And so, he would have to play this game. He would have to allow a war.
But he already knew he would win.
Like a chess game, I must always be ten steps in front of my enemies. They must not see me coming until every piece has been moved into place. Then, and only then, will I strike.
“I am yours to command, my lord. I can go back to the sanctuary. I can be the old man, or the girl, or return to Rebellion. Whatever you ask, I will do it an instant.”
Another whimpering creature eager to obey me, how... expected. And yet, a mindless grunt is just what I need.
“My desire is simple.”
The shapeshifter lifted its head. “What would you have me do?”
Caine smiled. “I would have blood... lots of it.”
In his mind, he pictured the chaos he would unleash onto their world.
I may
not be able to kill them, but I can make them suffer.
Chapter Sixteen
Alec drove slowly down the dirt road that led into the sanctuary. It was late at night. Only the brightness of the moon lit his path. He wanted to be home in bed, curled around Sharen, but he couldn’t. She might be able to believe these demons were capable of turning over a new leaf, but he couldn’t stop hearing the old man’s words. He couldn’t stop seeing the girl hurting an innocent animal.
And something had to be done about it.
“What if this doesn’t go the way you’ve planned?” Ryder asked, breaking the silence.
Alec’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “It has to.”
He’d thought over their options again and again. And this was the only thing that made sense.
“Sharen won’t be happy.” Ryder sounded... uncertain.
“When I told you the plan, you agreed to come with me. You wimping out now?”
Ryder turned and glared. “Not a chance, old man, I just wanted to make sure you thought this through.”
“Geez, do you have a better idea?”
Ryder shot him a dirty look. “If I did, would I be here?”
Alec was sick of moments like these. Where there was no good option. Yet, that’s how things usually seemed to go—always stuck between a rock and a hard place.
As they came to the brick fence, he unrolled his window and typed in the code. The gates opened with the smallest squeal. They continued as quietly as they could down the dirt road
His instincts were on high alert as he scanned the trees on both sides of them. Were demons watching them even now?
They stopped the car while still in the woods. Cutting the engine, they sat in silence.
“What if we’re wrong?” Ryder’s question surrounded them in the darkness
“We better pray we’re not.” He opened his door and grabbed his sword from the backseat.
Ignoring his brother, he silently closed his door, then headed toward the manor.
There were no sounds in the woods. No soft chirps of night birds. No fluttering of wings. As his ears strained, he didn't even hear creatures skittering about the forest floor.
His stomach sank. Have they killed everything?
When they came out of the woods, he paused for a second. Across the neatly trimmed lawn, the manor stood tall and silent, its windows dark. For some reason, whether because of their mission, or because it was night, the building looked sinister, almost threatening.
They proceeded cautiously across the lawn. When they were nearly to the manor, he caught a flicker of light in the woods. What is that?
His eyes narrowed and his steps faltered. To the strange light or to our mission?
Every instinct within him screamed. Something was wrong. And yet, he continued toward the manor.
“Alec,” Ryder whispered his name.
Alec shook his head. There was no time to second-guess themselves. They’d search the woods after they killed their enemies.
The concrete steps didn’t make a sound as they started up them. At the door, his hand shook as he pushed his key into the lock. But instead of it clicking solidly into place, the unlocked door opened on its own.
Someone left it open. Why? Do they know we’re coming?
They stepped into the hall.
“The floor,” Ryder hissed behind him.
Alec’s gaze moved down, and he tensed. Blood had dried on the floor, leaving a small streak and a few drops leading toward the kitchen.
His pulse raced. What the hell is going on?
They checked all the rooms on the first floor, swords clenched tightly in their hands. But they found no one. Upstairs, they searched one room after another. All stood empty.
What the fuck is this?
Ryder turned to him. “This isn’t good.”
“No shit.”
He turned, hurried down the stairs and back outside. Turning toward the light in the woods, he moved with quiet, but sure steps. He wasn’t sure whether to pray they found the demons or not. If they left, they would likely create such chaos in the world that he would regret it for the rest of his life. But if they were in the woods doing some kind of sick ritual?
I’ll have to kill them all.
As they moved closer and closer to the light, it became obvious that it was a massive fire. Another few seconds passed, and they heard the murmur of low voices.
Please let me be wrong.
As they came to the edge of a clearing, they peeked out from behind a tree. He froze. The demons were... roasting marshmallows?
He stood a little taller.
Some of the adults were leaning over the little ones, helping them make s’mores. Others sat on fallen logs that had been dragged to encircle the fire. A man and woman kissed in the shadows. A mother nursed her baby on another.
“They don’t look all that dangerous,” Ryder whispered.
“No shit,” Alec said.
They resheathed their swords. But still, he felt confused as hell. In his mind, he couldn’t quite connect these demons with the dangerous ones the old man had warned him about.
Speaking of which... he didn’t see David anywhere.
Coming out of the shadows, he waited for a few of them to notice him.
“Alec! Ryder!” A pretty blonde rose and hurried toward him, carrying a sleep-looking toddler in her arms. “What brought you two here in this hour?”
Alec took a deep breath. “I need to talk to someone.”
Her happy expression faded, replaced by a tense one. “Of course. Shall I go for a walk with you guys?”
He nodded.
She walked back and handed her little one to an older woman, who smiled and held the baby gently in her arms, rocking him. The joy in her face shone as she stared down at the toddler.
“That’s Crissy,” Ryder explained. “She’s the unofficial leader of the refugees.”
Alec nodded, grateful that his brother knew these people better than he did.
Crissy returned, and they all silently started through the woods. When they’d gone a distance from the others, she spoke. “So what’s this about? I’m guessing it’s not good.”
“Why’s that?” Ryder asked.
She smirked. “You guys are wearing all black. I can tell you’re packing some extra weapons, unless you’re just that happy to see me. And you both look like you’re about to do some bad shit.”
Ryder sighed. “I guess we’re pretty transparent.”
“How well do you know the people here?” Alec folded his arms over his chest and turned to face her.
She stopped walking. “Even though it’s only been a couple months, they’ve become my family.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
Her brows rose. “I know them.”
“Then tell me,” he locked gazes with her, “who are the good ones and who are the bad ones?”
Her brows rose even higher. “The bad ones? What the fuck does that mean?”
His jaw twitched. “Cut the crap.”
“Alec,” Ryder stepped between them. “Crissy, he just wants to know which of them are having the most trouble ignoring their demon-side. Who is struggling with blood-lust? Who feels the need for chaos the strongest?"
She stared at them for a ridiculously long time. “Is this a joke?”
“Do I look like I’m laughing?” Alec narrowed his eyes, daring her to lie to him.
“Fine.” She put a hand on Ryder and slowly moved him back from them. “Let’s do this then. None of these demons are bad. They are Level 10 demons. They were good people in life, and they’re good people in death." She stopped talking as if she expected him to be satisfied. Alec stared at her until she continued.
"Yes, they are struggling not using their powers. Yes, they are struggling being educated on everything they’ve missed since being dead. Some of these people have been dead for hundreds of years, and you can bet that seeing televisions, cellphones and computers is a
transition. Now, excuse me if I sound pissed, but I am. You guys saved us. You guys brought us here. How can you stand here asking me this right now?”
Is she lying? Alec studied her face. If she was lying, she was a damn good liar. “What about David?”
Wrinkles formed on her forehead. “Who?”
He scoffed. “The old demon. He told me the truth about this place. About your unquenchable desires. And what all of you are capable of.”
She laughed. “Two things. First, never say, ‘unquenchable desires’ to a woman. It’s freaking creepy. Second, there isn’t a demon named David here. And third, and I know I said I just had two things, but I’ve thought of a third, we’re just like you. Why the hell would you be worried about us?”
His head spun. “David. The old man with the long white hair. And the sharp teeth.” He turned to Ryder. He knew these people. He had to know David. “The old man...”
Ryder shook his head. “I don’t know him.”
Maybe I should’ve given him more details about my conversation with the man. “But... well, how do you explain Becky? I saw her ripping legs off a squirrel. I saw her eyes were red. She hissed at me.”
Crissy shook her head. “Bullshit. That little girl did no such thing.”
He uncrossed his arms and advanced on her. “I saw it.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, but you’re wrong.”
Alec turned to Ryder. “Have you seen anything? Anything weird about the girl?”
His brother shook his head. “She just seems like a sweet girl.”
Nothing made sense. He grasped for understanding. Something that would make it all make sense.
“What about the blood in the foyer?”
“Blood?” she stared for a second, then her mouth formed into an O. “One of the boys fell off the wall and got a good crack on the head. If he was human, he would’ve needed to be stitched up. But even though there was a lot of blood, we got him all taken care of. He should be fine by the morning.” She looked a bit embarrassed. “Everyone was kind of in a rush to get out here before it got too late, so we did a crap job cleaning up. We figured we’d take care of it when we got back.”
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