Running With Devils

Twenty-Three

Having that information out there for the public could mean the end of my career. It would be a whole scandal. There would be a war fought over my open position next to the Morningstar.

Hecate hadn't seen the scar. I hadn't even taken off my clothes this time. I simply feasted.

My shadows had longed for something to grapple and it would not have been the witch. Her stance was set, which I had to almost admire.

I would have to keep Cate happy and preserve that flame between us in case she did figure it out. I'd have to work my ass off to ensure the privacy of our arrangement.

I heard the others come into the warehouse, blood drunk and content. At least those three had a better night. It seemed my nights were becoming lackluster.

"I'm assuming you three took care of business first before starting your playtime," I asked blandly.

Des grinned from ear to ear. "Sure did, boss," he said. "We even brought back a present. To cheer you up."

Oh, this was either very good or very bad.

"You shouldn't have," I feigned gratitude.

"It's in the garage," Sam said smugly. "Trapped him myself."

Him?

"Sam," I said, dropping my voice. "What the fuck did you do?"

He pointed his knife towards the door.

"See for yourself," he chirped.

I was out the door in an instant, my strides were more like a sprint to the garage. Once I arrived, Levi stood beside the trunk. A muffled thumping coming from within.

"I tried to stop him, but honestly—," Levi paused, sighing. "That kid is a menace."

"Open the trunk," I said quietly. "It better not be who I think it is."

"Before I open this, let me make my peace with the universe. I want to die knowing I had no regrets," he said awkwardly, inhaling deeply. After a few deep breaths, Levi opened the trunk.

Inside was a horrified James. His mouth was gagged and his arms and legs bound tight. His eyes were blindfolded so he couldn't see our faces.

"Fuck me," I breathed. "Fuuuuuuuuck this wasn't part of the plan, Levi!"

"I know," he said calmly. "But this human knows something. He has to. I've been looking into his family tree and the shit I've found?" Levi let out a groan. "Let's just say, every single one of his ancestors are in the Chain district, living it up with the Exectioner."

"That doesn't mean shit," I said in defeat. "You stopped by her house?"

He nodded. "Everything has been moved into her new room."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose tiredly. A sharp pounding headache growing in my frontal cortex.

"Okay," I said, swallowing hard. "She doesn't find out about this. Keep this shit far— far— away from her. And I swear to Morningstar, if I catch any of you three assholes near him without me and my supervision..."

Levi laughed. "Yea. We know. You'll skin us alive and roast us on a spit."

I winced at a particularly sharp throb within my skull.

"Get him to the chamber. We have less than forty-eight hours to get this kid to talk," I said, having to hold myself up with Des's car.

"What's wrong," Levi asked quietly, coming toward me.