Killian’s words played over in my mind.No soul.Was that what my men saw? What if they were scared? I’d watched them love my other alters while I was buried, a ghost in my own head.
You’re wrong, I told Killian.They’re mine. I’ll show them.
Killian’s smugness didn’t fade.You’re pushing too hard. They’ll break before they bend.
They were too strong to bend. That would never happen. “Be careful, Killian.I made you.”
Killian: And it won’t be long before I take over again.
My laughter faded, replaced by a wicked grin as I leaned forward, picturing his mismatched eyes paling in that mental room I’d locked him in. “We’re fracturing, remember? Slowly but surely, you’ll fall apart, but it’s okay. I’ll make sure you feel the horror of losing yourself to me until there’s nothing left but silence.”
DMD would be the death of us all. I would slowly lose my mind altogether or my body would give out first. Either way, it would be a chaotic future I was looking forward to with only a fluke allowing me to keep a piece of my sanity.
Killian’s smile faltered and I just grinned, knowing that I had finally grabbed the upper hand again. A knock on the cubicle jolted me, and I spun around, my grin slipping. One of the newsroom grunts—some guy whose name I never bothered learning—stood there, his eyebrow raised. “I’ve never really thought talking to myself would work to flesh out an article, but here we are.”
My gaze narrowed at him as I scooted toward the edge of my cubicle and glanced down the hallway. It was empty save for theman standing in front of me. “Hi, you never come down here. What do you want?”
He shrugged, already turning away. “I’ve been sent to fetch you. Apparently, there’s an officer who’d like a word.”
I frowned and pushed to my feet. Why the hell would Samael show up here? My mind raced as I headed toward Alex’s office, wondering what game he was playing. But when I stepped inside, it wasn’t Samael. Tyrone sat at the edge of Alex’s desk, his tailored suit screaming cop. He had never dressed like that at his little café.
My stomach twisted, and I made a mental note to chew Samael out later for not warning me Tyrone was a fucking officer.
I stepped inside, forcing a softer smile onto my face as I tried to channel Dark’s slick charm or Daemon’s bold edge. It wasn’t working. My body felt too alive, too much mine, after years of being buried. Runo Matthews wasn’t bending, not now. I clenched my jaw and hissed internally at Daemon.Don’t do anything stupid, but I need you to take over.
Daemon’s voice rumbled back.If it means we’re not ending up in a cell, sure. But after this, we’re going to talk.
I rolled my eyes.Fine, if that’s what will make you feel better.
I took a deep breath and let Daemon slide into the driver’s seat, my consciousness pulling back like a curtain.
Killian: Finally.
My grin faltered, my heart falling into my stomach. What the hell did he have up his sleeve? We’re the same person but why did it feel like he was going to destroy us?
DAEMON
My vision swam as I was roughly thrust into the driver’s seat, trying to get my balance in a body that still felt like Runo’s. The pain in my back and along my sides tore through me. How Runo was still moving around with that kind of ache was beyond me.Jesus Christ,I muttered to the rest of us. Runo just cackled and told me to stop being a baby.
Tyrone tilted his head as he studied me, a frown playing on his lips as he parked his ass on the edge of Alex’s desk. “Are you doing alright?” he asked, his voice edged with suspicion.
I frowned, nodding slowly. “Why are you here? Is my dad okay?”
Tyrone’s frown deepened, his suit shifting as he leaned forward. “He’s fine. Why would you ask that?”
I plopped into a chair, grimacing as pain shot down my spine. “Because I don’t know why you’re here. You made me little pies every time I stopped through your place, but I didn’t know you worked for my dad, so I just…”
Tyrone gestured for me to wait as a movement to my right made me realize Alex was still here. He was watching and waiting for his next story, no doubt but his enthusiasm was a complete turn off. Tyrone grunted. “Could you give us a few minutes?”
Alex sighed, his chair creaking as he stood, shooting me a look that said I’d better spill everything after. I waited until the door clicked shut behind him before turning back to Tyrone.
Tyrone leaned back, his smirk cold. “I came here because I didn’t want to pull you into the station. I’m trying to get a few details together, and it seems you’ve got your hands in a lot of different pots.”
I swallowed, my throat tight. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ve had a relationship with several different men who seem to be closely related to the case I’m investigating.”
My stomach dropped, a nervous heat creeping up my neck. “What investigation?” How much did Tyrone know? How much had he seen over the years?
