“Yeah, she’s fine,” I tell him, knowing he’s not concerned for Mabel’s wellbeing as much as his own. “Mabel isn’t going to hurt anyone. Not all vampires are evil. Just like not all people are.”
“But a lot of people are,” Antonio says softly.
“There are more evil people than there are evil vampires,” I counter, expecting him to come back withthere are more people than vampiresbut he just shakes his head. “I know,” Iagree with his unspoken words. “This is a mess. Larissa, Dale, and Randall kidnapped Mabel. Ryder shot Devon. Whatever peace treaty the Order had with the Malus family is most likely broken.”
“Technically, Xavier broke it first when he killed Gavin and Buck,” Antonio starts and even Leo gives him ashut the fuck uplook.
“Because they shot him,” Leo says before I do, surprising me. Though, maybe it shouldn’t. Leo’s faith in the Order has been wavering. Silence falls over us, and I know we’re all thinking the same thing.
“Where is Larissa?” I ask, my heart starting to speed up. As much as I think she’s an obstinate bitch, I don’t want her to die. Suffer a bit, yes, but in order to do that, she needs to stick around.
“I don’t know,” Antonio replies. “Mom and Dad were pretty upset. I think they’re taking her to the HQ in Chicago.”
“Oh, wow,” I say back. There are a few buildings deemed as “headquarters” for the Order, with one being in Chicago and another on the East Coast, supposedly formed right along with the colonies back in the 1700s. As long as there has been organized religion, there’s been the Order, exerting force and control, masked as heroism.
“I know this is a lot to ask,” Antonio starts, “but you’re the only one with a hand in each pot.”
“You want me to talk to Xavier? Convince him to spare Larissa’s life?” Both my brothers stare at me, waiting for me to go on. “I already asked him not to go after her. And the others.” I pause, not telling them I made no such promise for Theo or Ezekiel.
“And you think he’ll listen?” Leo asks.
“Xavier gave me his word. He doesn’t break it.” I shake my head. “But like we established, this is a huge fucking mess. Twicein one night, a member of the Malus family was attacked by a hunter. The whole point of this messed up contract between them and the Order was to keep the peace between everyone. Buck fired the first shot—literally. And if I’ve learned anything about the Malus family, it’s that they don’t take threats lightly.” I bite my lip, wishing I could open up more and tell them everything.
But that trust has been fractured and I just don’t know if I can trust them.
“Mabel is okay. Devon…I don’t know yet,” I go on.
“But he’s not dead, like human-dead,” Leo says, shaking his head at the absurdity of his own words. “Don’t they, uh, prefer vampires over humans anyway?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I press. “He was shot by a hunter and they will want the Order to pay with blood.” Inhaling slowly, I look out the window. I can only get Xavier to agree to so much before he’ll tell me I’m being unreasonable, I’m sure. I was standing right there, next to Devon. I could have been killed. Xavier ripped the heart out of a vampire for less of a crime.
“The guy who ran out into traffic,” I start, changing the subject. My gut is telling me I can trust my brothers—at least when it comes to this. “I think he was fighting off demonic possession.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. He was definitely possessed, and I think he knew I was a witch.” My brows furrow as I think back. “I didn’t even have a chance to save him.”
“It’s not your fault,” Antonio tells me.
“I know. Before Devon got shot, he was going to tell me something. We’ve been looking into the overdoses, like you told me to.”
“They’re increasing at an alarming rate,” Antonio says.
“They are, but the cause of death isn’t actually from drugs. I’m telling you, do some digging or at least look over the files I’ve been able to get.”
“Wait, what?” Leo asks, looking from Antonio to me. He doesn’t know?
“Supposedly, there’s a new supplier,” Antonio explains. “The Order is worried about a drug war in the city, and they were given information that led them to believe that vampires were bringing in the drugs.”
“But they’re not,” I tell them. “It wouldn’t make sense. Vampires don’t want to drink blood from anyone intoxicated.” I wince as soon as I say it, knowing it doesn’t sound good. “And I asked Xavier.”
“And you trust him to tell you the truth?” Antonio raises his eyebrows.
“I do. He has no reason to lie to me about this.” I tap the screen on my phone, checking the time. “These people aren’t dying from overdoses,” I tell Leo. “Demons are burning through their bodies.”
“That…that doesn’t make any sense,” Leo replies.
“I know. It doesn’t. Which is the point. Something is going on. And Devon…” I trail off, unsure again how much is safe to share. “Devon discovered something and I think the Order is involved.”
