Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“—and shouldn’t be messed with,” someone adds.
“But where you’ve lost me,” the older man continues, “is why? What sense does it make for demons to deal drugs? How does that benefit them?”
“I think you are all going about this too…uh…politically,” I say carefully. “Demons aren’t going to benefit in terms of profit or territory the same way humans would. The drugs are a cover.” I stop there for a second. Someone is behind the increase of drugs in the city, and it probably is a human or supernatural creature like vampires or werewolves. My money is on humans, as the drug cartel has been a human issue for centuries. “Whatever these demons are up to…that’s the issue. That’s the threat.”
“So you’re saying the demons were hoping to possess anyone who was high?” Delphi asks. She’s leaning against the island counter, brows furrowed.
“Yes,” I say with a nod. “There’s no way every single person out on the street doing drugs is going to end up possessed, but demons have found a vulnerable group of people to take over. Unless the demon has a bit of power, possession can be resisted. You have a hard time resisting something when your body is, well, weak.”
“So being on drugs is, uh, knocking out two birds with one stone,” Delphi says and I nod. Larkin has been rather quiet since I’ve gotten here, but it’s not from lack of authority. No, it’s because she’s letting her people talk and showing that she’s listening.
“Yeah. That’s exactly it.”
“Why should we believe you?” the older man asks, slowly shaking his head. “Of course you’d be here defending your husband.” He makes a face when he says the word husband. Yeah, I get it. Being married to the most powerful vampire around is still a mindfuck for me some days.
“For one, I’m telling the truth,” I press. “And two, if you go after Xavier, it won’t change anything. That’s what you want, right? You want vengeance on whoever is responsible for this. You won’t get it if you go after the wrong person. And I have proof. Not with me, but, um, I can show you the files from the medical examiner. You can read the reports yourself and then come to your own conclusions, but you’ll see exactly what I do. Unnatural deaths caused by demonic forces.”
“How quickly can you get me this evidence?” Larkin asks.
“I have the physical files in my possession at home,” I tell her. “So soonish.” I shrug.
Larkin just nods, studying me. “What do you have to say about the allegation that a vampire sold drugs to our teenagers?”
“I suppose it could be true. And if it is, Xavier will find the responsible party and punish them as he sees fit. Selling drugs to children is something I am not okay with.”
Another wolf scoffs. “Like Xavier fucking Malus gives a shit about what anyone thinks.”
“I am his wife,” I say with authority. “He wouldn’t have married me if he didn’t value my opinion and trust that I am a competent and equal partner.” Forcing a smile, I hope I didn’t overdo it with the “equal” part.
The room falls silent for a few seconds and then everyone starts talking at once. Delphi puts her hand on my arm and motions with her head for me to come with her into the little library sitting area next to her foyer.
“That went better than I thought,” she says.
“Really? They don’t seem convinced.”
“They’re hurting. Marilyn lost a grandson today. A life for a life doesn’t bring them back, but a fight is a distraction from the pain. That’s what they really want.”
“That makes sense,” I tell her, knowing that feeling all too well.
“I grew up in the area and went to med school in New York, but I have family in the mountains. I’ve heard the stories about dark entities in the woods that not even us werewolves dare to cross. How are you going to fight these demons?”
“Lower level demons like the ones possessing the bodies, are just the tip of the iceberg. They’re working for a much more powerful demon and they’re up to something. Whatever it is, it’s not good.”
“What do demons want?”
My eyes widen. “Chaos. Destruction. To bring hell to earth and rid humans of our souls.”
“Oh. I thought you might say like cocaine and hookers.”
I laugh. “Some demons might enjoy that before sucking the souls out of children.”
“So you find the Big Boss and then what?”
“Figure out how to kill it.”
Delphi bites her lip and exhales. “It’s definitely not going to be that easy.”
“No, not at all.” I shake my head. “And it will be even harder if I’m also dealing with a battle between werewolves and vampires.”
“I think we have enough to work with. At least to buy some time.”
“Good. Uh…so…now what?”
“The pack will talk and then cast a vote, but ultimately it’s up to our alpha.”