“That’s a boss move,” I say and take a picture of the words written on the wall. The man who ran out into the street, had he been here too? The smell of the dead body is starting to make my eyes water. We get out to the bedroom and I use magic to shut the door, which only helps a tiny bit with the smell. There’s one more room in this house to look through, and thankfully—but also disappointingly, there are no more dead bodies to find. Someone was definitely staying in this room. The garbage has been pushed into one corner and the blankets on the bed aren’t as disgusting as the ones in the living room.
The energy starts to feel different, but it’s more like I’m feeling the last memories of the people in this house. Whatever was here was dark. Old. Powerful. We step outside, both gasping in fresh air. Standing on the porch, I get out my phone to call ina tip to the cops so they can come find the body. If Abbot had people, they should know where he is.
I unlock my phone and it opens to my texts. I take a few steps away from the house—and the smell—and text Xavier, letting him know what I found, but first let him know I’m safe.
Me: We’re out and we’re okay.
Me: I found the third recruit Antonio mentioned. All I know is the guy’s first name is Abbot and he had a tattoo on his arm, like this one.
I send the photo and text bubbles pop up
Xavier: Maybe next time clarify you found him *dead*
Me: lol
Xavier: Come home. I don’t like you there.
I roll my eyes and take a few more steps toward the street. Delphi is already down by the sidewalk, waiting.
Me: Should I call this in to the cops or do you want to talk to your contact or whoever?
Xavier: I’ll have one of my people handle it.
Me: Thanks <3
I put my phone in my pocket and turn, making sure the door is closed. It might take a while for the cops to show up and animals could come in and start eating the body. Giving it one last try, I close my eyes and extend my hand, seeing if any sort of stain has been left on the house from the demon. If I could just getsomethingto identify it with, it would be a start.
I don’t feel anything demonic, but something is pulling me to the side of the house. I motion for Delphi to come with me.
“Please tell me I’m smelling the same body that’s inside and there’s not another out here,” Delphi says, covering her nose with her hand.
“It might be a dead raccoon or—” I cut off when I see a pile of goo on the floor. “A vampire.”
“Oh! Nope. No, no, no. That’s what happens to them when they die?”
“Yeah, they turn into goop.” I pull my phone out to take another photo when something silver glints in the sunlight.
“No fucking way,” I say and carefully step over the pile of goo, reaching into the pile, picking up a silver tipped stake. “These are issued by the Order.”
“Are you sure?”
I flick a rotting chunk of vampire goo from it, turning it over so she can see the Order’s emblem
“Positive.”
Chapter
Twenty-Five
“We have a problem.” I set the wooden stake down on the counter and look at Xavier. I dropped Delphi off and came right home. “The more I dig into this, the worse it seems. Is there any way to make Devon remember the last few hours of his human life?”
“Doubtful.” Xavier picks up the stake and inspects it. “If his memory was altered before he was turned, it wouldn’t come back.” He sets the stake back down and crosses his arms over his chest. If he had to breathe, he would sigh right now, I’m sure. “The Order killed a vampire at the same location one of their recruits was found dead. This is getting messy. You need to be careful.”
“I am, and I need you to trust me. Something big is going on and I can’t really explain it, but it’s like I know there really are two players and one is the Order and the other is a demon and they’re working together. Each on their own is bad enough, but together?” I shake my head. “That came out flustered, but you know what I mean.”
“I do. Everything is intertwined. The Order wants you out of the way. If they can’t remove you, they’ll distract you. Getting a vampire to sell drugs to werewolf kids who, in turn, die, is a very reasonable way to start something.”
“And then kill that vampire before he can even talk.”
