“What are you talking about?” Beyha asked, crossing her arms over her prodigious chest.
“Grimm is gone.”
Cal watched as two of the female demons’ faces showed a variation of shock. Sanri, however, looked as unconcerned as ever.
“Grimm?” Dunkel said, her voice shaky.
“Are you sure, Shadow?” Beyha asked, concern wrinkling her forehead.
“What’s going on?” Cal asked, bending to whisper in Gemma’s ear.
Gemma held a finger up, her eyes trained on the conversation unfolding in front of them.
“Yes,” Shadow said. “Your fearless leader has abandoned you.”
Beyha shook her head. “Shadow, you know he wouldn’t do that. Are you certain he’s gone?”
“The fucker erased the locator memory in my mind. That’s how I know he’s gone, and he doesn’t want to be found.”
Dunkel looked shaken, but Beyha was still confused. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re talking about treason. Using your powers to harm another demon. Why would he do it?”
Shadow’s eyes narrowed and focused on Gemma, sending a chill down Cal’s spine. “I can’t say for certain, but I have an idea.”
“We have to get out of here,” Dunkel said, her voice high and reedy. She was scared. “We need to go back to Dazimin.”
“No!” Juston shouted, rushing toward the woman. Sanri threw her arm out and Juston froze, his mouth closing and his eyes bulging. She’d obviously trapped him in an illusion, one that kept him in place and quiet.
Sanri giggled, her eyes lighting up. Cal realized that this demon might be more unhinged than any of the residents at RPS.She’s crazy, and she lives to torture us with her hallucinations.
“I agree,” Beyha said. “But not without Grimm. There has to be an explanation for what he’s doing. Maybe he’s got a secret mission.”
Shadow let a burst of air from his lips. “Always displaying absolute faith in Megrim. What has he done to earn such trust and devotion?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s been fighting this battle longer than any of us. You know that. We can’t just abandon him.”
The male Seeker’s face was hard as diamonds. “Abandon him? Why not track him down for treason and bring him back to stand trial before the Crown Prince?”
“Enough!”
Cal’s eyes shot to Dunkel. Her eyes were wild, and they were staring at his brother, who was struggling against invisible bonds. “We need to leave. Now.”
Sanri suddenly took an interest in the conversation. “And why are you all hell-fired up to leave now? Could it have something to do with the Vartik male?”
Juston suddenly levitated, his eyes rolling in his head, his mouth still plugged. Sanri laughed, her eyes focused on the dark-haired demon female. “Afraid of what might happen if this one gets you alone again?”
“Shut up,” Dunkel said. Cal could see that her hands were shaking at her sides. “I just want this to end.”
“Oh, so you don’t care about this one then?” She drew Juston closer, and Cal felt sick as he watched his brother sail slowly through the air toward the demon. “Then maybe you won’t care if I have fun with him.”
“I still need to pay back this one for daring to put his hands on my person without permission,” Sanri said, pointing in Cal’s direction. “Maybe his brother won’t fail where he did.” She addressed Cal directly. “How would you like to watch your brother fuck the Guardian in front of you?”
Cal tightened his hold on Gemma. “Try it and I’ll slaughter you,” he vowed.
Sanri’s expression tightened but her smile got wider. “Sounds like an invitation.”
Juston dropped, his feet suddenly back on the floor. His head snapped back, and then he turned slowly, his eyes filled with some dark emotion. He stalked toward Cal and Gemma, lost in a fog of illusion.
Cal shoved Gemma behind him. “Stop it, demon, or I swear I will find a way to destroy you.”
