“So even though you are absolutely going to survive because I’ll make sure of it,” I say, “will you tell me about Uriel?”
The room seems to grow colder as Kellen speaks.“He’s a psychopath, right.He’s Allen’s brother, Tate’s half-brother.Tate’s running the show these days, with Allen’s quote-unquote help.Allen’s a fuckin’ wimp.Tate is bad news, but it’s Uriel who scares the shit out of everyone.Every city the Vorsongs move into, Uriel does some new ‘art installment.’”
I mouth the wordsart installment.Uriel and Allen were talking about art, and I finally figured out they meant killing people.
“I think he hasn’t been nabbed yet because Vorsong Circle is a crime family—they’re used to flying under the radar,” Kellen goes on.“Uriel’s ‘art’ takes on a different theme in each city, usually something flamboyant and tasteless.In Florida, he had the victims looking like mermaids.In Boston, it was all maps and compasses and shit.The theme here is…I don’t know.Some kind of mix of religions?”
“Yeah.”I shudder.“I think so.”
We’re quiet for a long moment.I glance around the room.A dim fluorescent light buzzes and flickers overhead.A gold-painted saint gleams on a flat piece of wood, propped on the desk.Her saccharine smirk is far from reassuring.The prints of demons and torture no longer freak me out.Instead, my heart rate picks up with anger.How dare Uriel do this?He’ll never get away with it.Even if he does end up killing me and Kellen, no fucking way will Edmund and Troy rest until he’s gone.
“You said you’re a traitor.”I force my gaze away from a particularly gruesome demon scene so I can look at Kellen.“What’d you do, anyway?”
“Tried to leave the family.I was going to go to the feds with some information—the Vorsongs are bringing in a fuck-ton of heroin on Friday.Straight into Mirarosa.I thought I could get immunity, and the feds would offer me protection.”
“And?”I prod.“What happened?”
“Talked to the wrong fed.He’s a part of the Circle.”He snorts.“Should’ve gone to the local PD instead.”
He stops talking and closes his eyes.
“Are you awake?”I ask.
He nods subtly.“Just tired.But I’m working on a plan.”
“A plan?I thought you were resigned to dying.Not that I’m complaining—wouldn’t we both rather die out there, free, than in here?”
“Oh, I’m definitely gonna die in here, angel.”He coughs and spits blood.“But you don’t have to.”
I don’t like that he’s giving up.
He closes his eyes and groans, wincing.“Anyway.If I get you that knife, can you free yourself?”
7
Troy
Sergey Aseyev is waiting at his front door when we pull up.He looks impressive even in casual slacks and a polo shirt.He also looks furious.
I park the truck and kill the engine.In the rearview, Caleb is pale, his brows pulled together in an anxious frown.His eyes meet mine and he quickly glances away.
Fuck him.Whatever Sergey wants to do with him when we’re done, it won’t be pretty.
Our recent troubles begin to make more sense if Caleb is working for the Vorsongs.If it’s true, I don’t see a way out of this for him.
As long as we get Dani back, Caleb can die in a fire for all I care.
I haul Caleb out of the truck and shove him toward Sergey.
The old man sneers.“This is the scum responsible for my granddaughter’s disappearance?”
“No, I swear—” Caleb begins.
“If you are smart, you will not speak unless one of us asks you a question.”Sergey’s cold blue eyes move over Caleb, top to bottom.Turning to Edmund, Sergey says, “This man has no character, no strength.I don’t understand why your grandfather allowed him to become a part of your family.”
“I’m beginning to wonder that, myself.”Edmund grimaces.
“Bring him around to the garage, if you will, Troy.”Sergey gestures toward a detached building a few yards away from the house.
