Page 54 of Immortal Unveiled

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“Well, isn’t that obvious now?” Kim asked, staring at Manus, who was still standing. “They killed her because she worked for you.” And although she didn’t mean to assign blame, she knew she sounded accusatory.

“No, she didn’t,” Manus said. “Being an emissarius doesn’t automatically make a person a target for the demons. We’re very careful, and so are the humans who work for us. It’s rare that an emissarius dies in the line of duty.”

“I didn’t mean to accuse you or anything,” Kim said in a gentler tone. “But what other reason would the demons have had?”

“The police were right when they suspected a burglar, only it wasn’t a human burglar,” Manus said. “The fact that the storage unit was broken into right after you and I visited it is a pretty strong indication of it. My colleague Enya searched the unit after we left.”

“So, she rifled through my mother’s stuff?”

Manus shook his head. “She looked through everything to see if your mother kept anything the demons could want. But she put everything back in its place.”

Kim furrowed her forehead. She wasn’t sure what that proved. “So?”

“If it was a demon who broke in afterwards, he was searching for something.”

“But how would you know if it was a demon? The employee at the facility told me that the security cameras there are just for show. They don’t work.”

“We don’t need security cameras. We just need to send somebody back to see if the overhead lights in the unit burned out. If they did, it means a demon was there. The gases in fluorescent lighting react to the presence of a demon by combusting.” He glanced at Aiden. “Fancy going there and having a look, so we can be sure?”

“Not necessary,” Kim interrupted. “I was already there earlier today, and I noticed that the lights had burned out.”

“Then we have our answer.”

Kim’s heart sank. Had she known about the storage unit earlier, maybe she could have found whatever the demons had been after. “Then the demons now have what they were looking for.”

“They don’t.”

“How would you know that?”

“Because Enya found nothing that could possibly have any value for the demons. And believe me, she’s thorough and able to recognize artifacts that relate to our origin or have special meaning.”

“Wow, Manus is handing out compliments. What a rare treat,” a female voice came from the kitchen.

Kim turned her head. A beautiful petite blonde leaned casually against the kitchen island. She was dressed in leather gear, and it looked good on her. Sexy, provocative, powerful.

“Enya,” Manus greeted her. “How long have you been listening?”

Enya shrugged. “Long enough.” Then she tipped her head up in Kim’s direction, her gaze frosty, before addressing Manus again. “I see we’re now admitting humans willy-nilly. Funny, I didn’t get the memo that the Council relaxed its rules on humans in the compound. Maybe you want to clue me in on why you decided to break Council rules again by bringing Kim Britton here and risking the Council coming down hard on us this time?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Considering you’re making us accessories after the fact, and I’m sick of paying for your infractions, I think I’m due an explanation.”

“Enya!” Manus ground out.

“You’re saying no humans are allowed here?” Kim interjected. “But the mayor is here. She’s human.” At least that’s what she believed, but then, she could be wrong about that too.

Enya motioned to where the mayor and her husband did their best not to get dragged into the conversation and continued cooking. “She’s also bonded to Hamish. Which makes her one of us.”

Realizing that Manus was in trouble because of her, Kim said quickly, “It wasn’t his fault. I followed him and jumped into the portal after him. He had no choice.”

“She also shot him,” Pearce piped up.

“He nearly died,” Aiden added. “So, cut him some slack, will you?”

Enya raised an eyebrow, then uncrossed her arms. “I like you, Kim. You’ve got pluck.”

Kim smiled involuntarily. “Thanks, I guess?”

“And for what it’s worth, I agree with Manus,” Enya added. “There was nothing in the storage unit the demons could possibly want. So, whatever they’re after, they haven’t found it.”