Page 13 of Immortal Unveiled

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It was late evening the next day when Manus picked up the replica bracelet from a goldsmith who’d done work for the Stealth Guardians before and was extremely discreet. Manus inspected the gold bracelet and compared it to the photos and the sketches.

“Excellent work, George.” He stuffed the bracelet into his pocket.

“Anytime,” George replied and accepted the cash Manus laid on the counter. Then Manus turned and walked out of the shop, flanked by the two hybrids.

“Looks great,” Ryder admitted. “You really think it’s gonna work?”

“Yep. Now we just need a fresh body,” Manus said and motioned to the car. “I think a trip to drug alley is warranted.” Drug alley, as he and his brethren liked to call it, was a shitty area in downtown where the druggies of the city preferred to conduct their business. Shootings in that part of town were a nightly occurrence, and invariably somebody died there almost every night.

In the car, Grayson said, “You don’t think it’s creepy that we’re going to search for a dead body we can pin the bracelet on?”

Manus shrugged. “If some gang bangers kill each other, or some druggie overdoses tonight, what do you expect me to do? Save him? I’m not a social worker. It’s not like I’m doing the killing. At least that way some poor schmuck’s life will have had a purpose.”

“Helping us keep the Stealth Guardians’ and demons’ existence a secret?” Ryder offered.

Manus glanced at Grayson. “See, your friend gets it.”

Grayson growled softly. “I get it too. I’m just not quite as callous as you are.”

Manus took the stab in stride. “Wait until you get to my age and go through all the shit I’ve been through. Then we can talk about being callous. I do my job. I do what’s right for my people. And for the human race.” And if that meant he’d take advantage of somebody’s untimely death, so be it.

“Whatever.” Grayson turned his head to stare out the window.

“Wow, he’s moody tonight,” Manus said, his gaze connecting with Ryder’s in the rearview mirror.

“He’s just pissed that he didn’t come up with the idea first,” Ryder said. “Which, by the way, is brilliant.”

Manus grinned. “Thanks. I thought so myself.”

For a few minutes, they drove in silence, then Manus made a few turns and brought the car to a stop at the entrance to an alley. “We’re here. Let’s spread out. Text me when you find a body. And don’t get yourselves killed.” He reached for the door handle. “Oh, and before I forget it: no midnight snacking, please. We don’t want anything to look suspicious when the police arrive.”

Grayson narrowed his eyes. “I already snacked earlier.”

“I hope he was tasty,” Manus said, rolling his eyes.

“He was a she, and yes, she was pretty sweet.”

From the backseat, Ryder scoffed. “Really, Grayson, do I have to listen to another one of your little conquests? It’s getting old. Besides, it doesn’t count when you use mind control to seduce a chick so you can bite her.”

Grayson turned in his seat and glared at his friend. “I wasn’t using mind control. She wanted me.”

Manus huffed and opened the door. “Whenever you guys are done with your bitching, I’d appreciate some help with finding a fresh body.” He hopped out of the car and shut the door behind him. Not waiting for the two hybrids to follow him, Manus marched down the alley, making himself invisible in the process. He wasn’t worried about keeping the car unlocked, since nobody could start the engine without the sophisticated control system that was installed in any car owned by the compound.

Manus followed his instinct and roamed the neighborhood, watching and listening. A drug dealer stood in the entrance to a building, handing a customer a tiny bag with white powder in exchange for a few bills. A few doors farther down, two guys were arguing, but they both appeared unarmed. Around the corner, a taxi let out a guy who then quickly hurried to a dark building, pressed a buzzer, and swiftly disappeared inside. For an hour, nothing much happened. A few more drug deals went down, a few drunks passed through, but there were no shootings, no stabbings, no fights.

It was a quiet night. Maybe they would have to come back tomorrow night to find a body. You couldn’t force these things.

His cell phone vibrated. Manus stared at the display. The message from Ryder said, “Bingo.”

A moment later, he texted an address.

“Coming,” Manus messaged back.

Manus reached Ryder at the same time Grayson came around a corner. The body was that of a white man. He was casually dressed, and his clothes were relatively clean. Probably not a street person. His wallet was still in his back pocket, and a cell phone lay next to him. He lay on his face. There were no visible wounds.

“You sure he’s dead?” Manus asked.