Darkness Haunts

chapter Twenty-five



The presence of numerous sups around the perimeter lit up my senses like a Christmas tree. We parked in a large area cleared of vegetation with the mine at its edge. Tall trees from the nearby woods surrounded us. Nik and his people were here. They hid nearby. Out of sight where Variola and her minions couldn’t see or smell them, but close enough to move in fast.

Until the last of her minions arrived—a few were delayed for some reason—Nik’s side couldn’t attack. We had to draw all her forces in and lull her into a false sense of complacency. I knew the part I had to play in all this.

We climbed out of the vehicles and into the cold and drifting snow. The mood was tense with expectation. Derrick and I made our way over to Variola, who stood directing her minions on what she wanted them to do. Despite wearing a low-cut leather top with no sleeves, she didn’t shiver. I envied her that. The cool, wet weather was making me uncomfortable. I was huddling in my jacket when she motioned us over.

“Derrick, is this the place where the vampire rests?” She pointed in the direction of the mine entrance.

He nodded. “It is.”

Variola called out to a mixed group of werewolves and vampires, indicating they should come forward. As they got close, their harsh visages came into view. Each one illuminated by nearby headlights that hadn’t been turned off yet. All were in regulation leather gear and carried a plethora of weapons, including knives and swords, on their belts. My fingers itched to be holding my own gun.

“Very well,” she said. “The sensor and these five men here will go in and bring him out.”

Derrick took a step forward. “I should go in with her. She isn’t comfortable in the mine, and she can’t see well in the dark.”

This was one argument I wanted him to win. He might be on the wrong side, but at least he wouldn’t hurt me. The same couldn’t be said for the others.

Variola waved off his concerns. “These men will help her find her way and she can bring a flashlight if that makes her feel better.”

As if on cue, someone brought one over. I took it from them, gripping the cold plastic in my hand. It would help light my way, but it wouldn’t make much of a weapon. Being a weak human really sucked.

“Better?” Variola asked. I could tell by the look in her eyes she saw me as pathetic too.

I nodded. She’d have her turn at the feeling later.

“Very well, sensor. Make sure you don’t mess this up or it will be your friend’s life.”

Though she stood several inches shorter than my height, the woman managed to look down her nose at me with a warning expression. I kept my face impassive, refusing to give away a single one of my vengeful thoughts.

“Don’t worry. I won’t mess up,” I replied.

At least, not according to my plans, but hers might not go the way she wanted. The witch-vamp would be battling for her life soon enough. Visions of her dying danced through my head. They made me feel warmer until I remember her death could mean I wouldn’t reach Aniya in time. There had to be a way.

Variola nodded, appearing satisfied with my response and ordered us to go inside. Her minions followed me as I led them over to the mineshaft. It opened up on the side of a hill, unlike the previous one that had been a hole in the ground. My flashlight clicked on as we entered, but it didn’t provide much illumination.

I took care making my way through, thinking of my previous visits here and the random objects that had snuck up to attack me when I wasn’t paying attention. A pickaxe had almost taken my leg out the last time. The sups behind me moved with ease and grumbled at my slow pace. I ignored them, happy the movement and lack of wind made the cold more bearable, despite the ice on the walls. Sunny California would have been really nice right about now.

After a few minutes, no sounds from outside reached us. Some of the guys began to get edgy. One of them remarked about a possible cave-in and the tension rose. The darkness gave the impression that the walls were closing in, but I’d already walked through this part of the shaft and didn’t think it would collapse anytime soon.

A turn-off appeared to the left. I almost missed it with my attention focused on the ground. My hand dropped the flashlight so it rolled a couple feet before stopping with its beam reflecting off the wall. In the space of a heartbeat, Lucas appeared with a golden ray of light and handed me my sword. I grabbed it and pivoted on my heels, sensing him flash away to come up behind the five sups. Nikolas appeared at my side and gave me a brief nod before maneuvering himself into position. Variola’s minions let out a slew of curses as we came at them from three directions.

No hesitation, I reminded myself.

The werewolf in front of me reached back to draw out a knife. I took advantage of his exposed torso and thrust my blade into the soft tissue of his stomach. The sword had been sharpened to a fine point and slid in with little resistance. Blood already soaked his front when I twisted it and pulled the blade back out, readying myself for another strike.

The man stumbled, clutching his wound as he looked at me with rounded eyes. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I kept the sword tight in my hand. I expected my opponent to return my attack, but to my surprise, he fell to the ground. I’d thought his kind would be able to take more damage than that. His overwhelming pain hit my senses, proving it wasn’t an act.

A sickening thud came from my left, drawing my attention.

Nik had relieved one of the vampires of his head. Both parts turned to dust moments later. He took a swipe at another vampire who’d been trapped behind his cohort in the narrow tunnel. The man ducked the blade and rushed forward with blazing eyes. Nik kicked his foot out and slammed the smaller man’s shoulder, knocking him back. The movement was precise and graceful, though it flashed by, almost too fast to see.

I forced myself to return my attention to the werewolf I’d impaled. He was curled on the ground, struggling for breath while clutching his bloody wound. The damage might have been enough to kill a human, but he was already starting to heal. According to Nik, it was always better to take the head off or else a sup could recover and come back to attack again. I had no choice but to finish the job.

As the werewolf began to get up, I lifted the sword in a high arc and aimed for his neck. He raised his arm at the last second to block the blow, not leaving me time to readjust. The blade cut through his wrist and only made it partway through his throat. Blood splattered all over us both.

I tried not to think of the pain I was causing him. Killing an enemy was one thing, making him suffer was another. Dragging in a lungful of air, I sliced at him again, making it half-way through his thick neck. It took a third attempt before I managed to finish him off.

By the end, I was panting and covered with even more blood—most of it on my clothes and hands. It took some effort to keep the bile from rising up in my throat. Some people think the best fighters are the ones who kill without remorse. The day you stop feeling compassion for your enemies is the day you lose your humanity and need to be removed from society. I’d do what needed to be done, but I’d be damned if I let it harden me to the point that I no longer cared.

I looked around to see the rest of the fight was over. Two bodies remained, one of them the man I killed. A few piles of clothes from the deceased vamps littered the ground around us. Lucas had killed two of the sups himself in a flurry of motions that would have been impossible to follow—if there’d been a chance for me to do so. We’d needed it to be done fast in order to avoid damage to the mine. We’d also had to keep sounds to a minimum so Variola wouldn’t catch on to our plan too soon.

Nik grinned at me after surveying the damage and my less than pristine appearance. He didn’t have a hair out of place and only a splash or two of blood on the rest of him. His eyes lit up with amusement as I tried to use part of my shirt, which had remained clean under the jacket, to wipe my face. A few strands of hair had come loose from my pony tail and stuck to my cheeks.

“You’re a right bloody wench aren’t you?” he asked.

I rolled my eyes. His sick sense of humor came at the oddest times, but he did have a way of taking my mind off of things. For a brief moment, the carnage at our feet didn’t seem quite so bad. He put an arm around me and drew my chilled body close.

“You did well.”

I gave him a wan smile. “Thanks.”

Lucas had his usual mask in place. “We’re done here, let’s go.”

He didn’t wait for a reply before turning and heading toward the mine entrance. I broke off from Nik to follow the nephilim, grabbing my flashlight before leaving. It occurred to me the shaft had been much brighter than it should have been during the fight. I vaguely remembered Lucas pushing out his golden glow. He’d dimmed it back down now.

We were half-way through the mine when a new group of sups entered the area. There must have been at least thirty of them and they were about to reach Variola and her crew. I pushed my abilities hard to check the mood in her direction. It had an air of expectancy. She knew they were coming.

I came to a sudden halt. “Wait.”

Both men turned to me. I filled them in on the latest development, hoping it wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Our side wouldn’t attack until Lucas flashed over to give the order, but these new guys could mean a change in plans.

Nik frowned and looked at the nephilim. “What do you think?”

Lucas shrugged. “For me, it makes no difference how many underlings there are.”

The pressure on my head grew as I concentrated on further activities outside. Protection spells were being set up that would prevent anyone or anything from breaking through. We were close enough to the mine entrance for me to get a good feel for their parameters. There were two circles, each about ten to twelve feet across. Both would need to be disabled before we could get close enough to attack the individuals inside. Considering their small size and the locations of all the sups out there, the circles were only meant to hold the witches and warlocks while all the others on Variola’s side were left to their own defenses.

According to Nik’s description of the sleep spell, it appeared to be standard procedure for them to make the circles to ensure no one interfered with the magic they worked. Were the extra sups who’d just arrived a precaution or had Variola suspected an attack all along? I told the two men with me what I was sensing.

Nikolas reached out and put a hand on my shoulder. His eyes penetrated mine as I stared up at him. “Mel, I need you to break the nearest circle first. You’ll have to use your blood to do it, but there is no other way. I’ll take Charlie and we’ll keep Variola and her warlocks distracted until you are able to come to us. Can you do that?”

Changing plans at the last minute. I’d grown used to that in the military.

“No problem,” I answered.

Lucas shifted with impatience. “If you two are ready, I’ll alert the others.”

He would be fighting with our main group since he could reduce Variola’s supporters faster than anyone. Now that her side was double what ours was, we needed his strength more than ever. Not to mention until I broke the circles he couldn’t help against the main and most dangerous players. That didn’t add to the pressure on me or anything.

After we nodded our agreement, the nephilim flashed away. Nik and I raced for the entrance, which came up after about a hundred feet. The snow continued to fall in tiny flakes outside, but still hadn’t stuck to the ground. I braced myself for the wind and cold. It didn’t disappoint, striking me as soon as I stepped out.

Variola laughed and clapped her hands as soon as we came out. I froze in my steps. She stood in her circle across the field, but I had a clear view of her.

“I knew you woke him days ago, little sensor,” she spoke loud enough so everyone could hear her. “A smarter one of your kind would have known we’d be alerted as soon as the spell had been broken. Just because we couldn’t find him didn’t mean we weren’t aware he was near. You should have considered all this, but I’m glad you didn’t. Now we can finish this once and for all.”

I’d never considered breaking the sleep spell would alert the witches. I wanted to kick myself for it. My senses had picked up the intent of the magic, but I hadn’t bothered to study all the parameters. Now Nik’s side would pay for that mistake with double the enemies to fight. I had to hope Aniya wouldn’t pay for it too. I lifted my middle finger at Variola before racing toward the second circle.

She sent soccer ball sized flames out as Nik’s forces descended on the field. Instinct made me want to duck, but that was a waste of time. They were bouncing right off me. Poor Nik had to do some impressive acrobatics to avoid them, though.

As I came behind the circle holding Noreen and the other female witches, I sensed they were beginning a vicious spell. It would weaken most of the sups on our side if they were able to complete it.

With no time to waste, I dropped the flashlight and used the sharp edge of my sword to cut one of my fingers. The sting made me wince, but I ignored the pain. Blood bubbled up in a sufficient quantity so when it dripped onto the line of the circle, the spell broke right away. All the witches turned to me at once with wrath-filled gazes. I straightened up and backed away. I hadn’t considered no one would be nearby to help me. The muscles in my legs braced to flee, but I stopped myself from moving further. This was no time to turn coward. I’d never been one before and wouldn’t start now.

Noreen held a six-inch silver knife, rather than a sword, and stood closest. I concentrated my efforts on her but took cautious steps to keep all the witches in my line of sight. She attempted to strike out at me in a clumsy move. I stepped to the right and swung at her unprotected side. The blade sliced into her left arm like butter.

She cried out in pain and dropped her knife to the ground to clutch her wound. My sword had cut deep enough that blood poured between her fingers. Noreen gave me a pleading look.

“Melena, you don’t want to do this.”

A part of me wanted to feel sorry for her, but then Matt’s face flashed in my mind. He’d begged in the end and she hadn’t shown an ounce of mercy. She didn’t deserve any either. I raised my weapon once more.

“Actually,” I said. “I do want to do this.”

Even as she tried to back away, my blade cut through the air and into her neck. As with the werewolf, it didn’t make a clean cut, but a second swing finished the job. More blood splattered on me, but I didn’t bother wiping it off. Even with her head removed, the look on her face remained. It was frozen into a grimace with her forehead wrinkled and her nose scrunched up. I couldn’t help but stare at her expression.

The brief moment of inaction cost me. My focus had been to the front when it should have been all around. One of the other witches had snuck up from behind. A vicious slice cut into my lower back. I arched away from the sharp blade, but it still penetrated deep into my skin and burned like flames had scorched it.

Breathing through the pain, I turned to face her. It was the same witch who’d tortured me not long ago in Variola’s basement. She’d pulled the upper half of her stringy hair back, but it flew in wild abandon with the increasing wind. The third and fourth witches stood off to the side ready to attack as well.

I took a few steps back, trying to decide how to keep them at bay. From the corner of my eye I saw movement. Derrick raced toward us in full wolf form and leapt up to sink his jaws into one of their necks, tearing the throat out with a shake of his head.

I had to admire the shiny, black fur covering his alternate form. It hid any blood that might have coated him. He made for a pretty, if rather scary, wolf. After extricating himself from the dead witch, he moved to the next. She raised a short sword and eyed him with disdain, but he didn’t look concerned with her bravado. His arrival left me with only one to handle. I focused my attention on her.

She scrunched up her face in fear and clutched her knife in a tight grip. The blade had to be eight inches long, with ridges on one side. My three foot sword could keep it out of reach if I was careful. The weapon sat heavier in my hands than before as I raised it and went in for the attack.

The woman shuffled back, holding the knife in front of her like a shield. I sliced along her chest, knocking her arm to the side. It didn’t do more than give her a thin cut, but she screamed as if it had been much worse. I remembered what she’d done to me in Variola’s dungeon. Her crying wouldn’t save her. My body remembered the pain, even if the physical wounds didn’t exist anymore.

She recovered herself enough to attempt a jerky swipe with her blade, but my sword blocked it. I swung the weapon again for another strike. This time it struck her below the ribs and sunk in deep. Sickening sounds came from her throat as she collapsed to the ground.

It looked painful. I finished her by hacking her head off. It didn’t go any easier than the last two kills, and in fact took longer. I felt tired. After her head finally parted her body, I did a search of the surrounding area. It was just me and Derrick in the immediate vicinity.

He had finished off the last witch and began transitioning to human form. His strength and age made it quick. I estimated two minutes. It took all my willpower to ignore his very nude body as he moved toward me. Holy hell, he had a lot of muscles.

Focus on his eyes, Melena!

“Are you alright?” he asked in a gruff voice.

“I’ve been better,” I answered, swaying a bit. His presence and my blood loss were taking a toll. “Thanks for helping me.”

“Anytime, Sensor Girl.” He gripped my arm. I managed not to let my eyes drop when he stepped closer. There were more important things to worry about than protruding anatomy.

I nodded at the remaining circle. We could see it through the drifting snow. Nikolas and Charlie had found a way around the witch’s protection with their swords. The weapons had my blood coating them and were able to pierce through. They couldn’t actually break the spell, since only fresh blood could do that, but it did give the guys an advantage.

Nik was springing about in lightening fast movements designed to keep Variola and her warlocks on their toes. She and her minions repeatedly tried to cast their spells but were interrupted every time. They had to keep shifting positions to avoid the blades coming their way. Nik had managed to nick them in a few places by the looks of their torn leather. To further frustrate them, Charlie was using his own magic to block the many fireballs they kept shooting out in retaliation. He moved fast for a man of his aged appearance.

The warlocks’ faces reflected fear and frustration as they stumbled about the circle. Variola did her best to stand apart from them. It amazed me that the three magic users didn’t shove each other out of the way to save themselves. A few of their fireballs had stung Charlie and Nik when the shaman couldn’t block them in time, but neither of the men looked badly hurt from them. The singe of their clothes was the only evidence they’d been touched at all.

“I’ve got to go break that,” I told Derrick.

Regret reflected in his eyes. Protecting me was one thing, fighting against his leader was another. The werewolf nodded and let go of my arm.

“Be careful.”

“I will,” I answered him before stumbling away.

Variola’s circle laid half-way across the open clearing. The wound on my back pulled with each step, sending shots of agony through me. I had to work my way around mutilated bodies and piles of dust from vanquished vamps. Their scattered clothes fluttered in the wind and snow. A few small fires had broken out, giving the scene an eerie illumination. The smell of smoke reached me, but it didn’t cover the much stronger scent permeating the air. Blood and death left a distinct foul odor you could never forget.

The fight was coming to an end, but over a dozen of Variola’s minions were still left standing. Those among Nik’s supporters, who were still alive and uninjured, continued to battle it out. No one appeared more savage than Lucas.

His short blond hair was plastered with blood and his face and hands were coated in it. The dark clothing he wore hid the rest. He had a disturbing look of pleasure on his face as he fought the vamps. They were lucky if they got one good swing of their blade, which he easily blocked, before he thrust his hand into their chests and removed their still beating hearts.

Silent terror reflected from their faces as they stood frozen before him. They couldn’t even flinch as the force of his sword cut through their necks and sent their heads flying dozens of feet away. He moved with predatory grace onto the next adversary without a backward glance. Nik’s words returned to haunt me “If he wanted you dead, Mel, you’d be dead.” A shudder went through me. If I hadn’t believed his words before, I did now.

I dragged my eyes from the enigma that was Lucas to focus on the circle I’d finally reached. Charlie kept Variola and her crew distracted while Nik directed me to a specific spot.

“Break it there.”

I nodded and moved toward it, wanting to get this over with. The line was wide. It would require even more of my blood than the last one to sever it. Variola and her warlocks eyed me with malicious intent and shuffled closer to my position. They stopped less than three feet away with their blades poised to strike. Nothing like having powerful enemies staring you down to make your job more difficult.

Lucas appeared at my side. He took an aggressive stance that had the witches hesitating to come any closer. I had faith he could keep them back. He didn’t look all that friendly with the blood covering him and the dangerous gleam shining from his eyes.

All my wounds had stopped bleeding except for the one on my back. I ran my hand across it to get the fresh blood I needed and came away with more than enough. My head grew light at the sight of it.

Falling to my knees, I pressed my wet fingers to the circle, running them across the thick line. It broke with an electrically charged snap. Derrick ran up and pulled me out of the line of attack, thankfully having found a pair of pants from somewhere, while Nik and Lucas moved in to engage. They dispatched the two warlocks with a few speedy slices of their swords, but Variola took off running.

The fear leaking from her told me she had no desire to stick around now that she had nothing and no one to hide behind. The more evil and cruel a person is, the less likely they are to tolerate being on the receiving end of retribution.

Lucas called out to her with a heavy note of compulsion in his voice.

“Stop.”

She ground to a halt, straining against the pull of his compulsion with her back arched in an awkward position. She was a strong sup, and might have been able to fight it off if not for having wasted so much of her power earlier on spells and fireballs.

“Come to me,” he ordered with even more strength.

Almost a minute passed while she attempted to struggle against the command, her body jerking as she resisted. In the end she turned around and walked back with the short, stilted steps you might expect from a zombie. Nik and Luc waited with their arms folded, wearing almost identical bored expressions. They didn’t look to be in a hurry now that the moment of truth had arrived. I didn’t have that luxury.

Derrick supported me with his arms, but I hardly noticed. My vision was blurring and nothing appeared clear to me. The werewolf tightened his hold when he took in my weakened state.

“Nik…Lucas,” he called out, “she ain’t holdin’ up. You two need to fix her before it’s too late.”

My eyes were now closed but my hearing continued to work fine. I heard Lucas curse under his breath. In what seemed like a flash, Nik kneeled beside me. I managed to crack my eyes open to watch him as he cut his own wrist. He held it to my mouth. Everything in me wanted to reject the offer, but I took it. Aniya needed me. If it required me drinking vampire blood to save her, so be it.

I pressed my lips to his wrist and grimaced through the first swallow. My initial reaction was to gag, but I got it down. A little more and it was no longer so awful. Maybe vampire blood was an acquired taste that took a few tries before it became more palatable. The spicy flavor transformed into something similar to honeyed mead, which made no sense because I’d never had honeyed mead, but that was the beverage that came to mind. I wanted more. No wonder some humans became addicted to this stuff.

Nik had to pull me away after what must have been close to ten swallows. I licked my lips, missing the taste already.

“You’ve had enough.” The corner of his lip turned up.

I shifted in Derrick’s arms in embarrassment, which made him chuckle.

“Not to worry, Mel, you’ll be fine. I’ve got other parts of me you can suck on once you’re in better shape if you like.”

“Jerk,” I muttered. I pushed my arms out in an attempt to drive him away. Nik pulled them down and moved closer. I shrunk back into Derrick’s naked chest, feeling caged between the two men.

Nik grinned and grazed his fingers across my cheek. “You bring out the best in me.”

Derrick growled. “Don’t you have something else you should be doing right now?”

Nik turned to view the gathering of sups waiting for him.

“Yes, I do.” Nik nodded at the werewolf. “Thank you for protecting her.”

Derrick dropped his intense gaze to mine.

“It wasn’t for you,” he said. I had to look away—way too much testosterone in this crowd for my liking.

“I know,” Nik replied before going back to face his reluctant foe.

Lucas had been managing Variola during the delay. It took me a moment to realize they had stopped everything to take care of me. Why had they done that? They didn’t need me anymore. My wounds could have been put off until after everything was over. I may have been bleeding out, but not enough to die in the next few minutes. I didn’t know what to think of their behavior. Sups were supposed to be my enemies, but the lines had begun to blur.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to the scene of Nik stepping up to the witch-vamp. Variola stood proud, no longer fighting the compulsion. I supposed she must have dredged up some courage from somewhere.

Nikolas paced around her. “Variola, you surely know the time-honored ritual for taking control of a region. It has always been the same. Though you chose to forgo it with me, I’ll still give you a chance to fight to keep it.”

She didn’t move. Her pride cloaked her like impenetrable armor.

Nikolas waved over one of his supporters, who stood about ten feet away. “Give her your sword. We’ll let her battle for her dubious honor.”

The younger vampire stepped forward and held out the blade, hilt first. Variola stared at it. A small tremor may have shaken her hand as she took the blade. I leaned forward in Derrick’s arms. Nikolas had raised his own weapon. I could see the anticipation written all over his face. Variola adjusted her position into a fighting stance and stuck her chin out. Yeah, she wasn’t cowed yet.

Not so much as a shuffling sound could be heard across the clearing. One moment the two vampires stood still and in the next they were on each other. I couldn’t tell who attacked first. The fight began that fast. They moved in a blur, never staying in one place for long. Neither combatant needed to stop for breath, but I was probably breathing hard enough for both of them.

Minutes passed. The clang of swords striking in rapid staccatos rang out. They didn’t limit themselves to the ground. Both were old and powerful enough to fly. They hovered at least ten feet in the air, dipping and curving as they tried for each other’s weak spots. I began to think the fight might never end, but then they suddenly dropped to the ground. Variola stood clutching her arm. Nikolas had cut through to the bone. It bled for a few moments before healing.

“Is that the best you can do, vampire?” I’d hoped to see her cowed more.

“This is merely a warm up,” Nik flicked his sword. “I wanted you to feel like you were given a chance.”

Variola gave him a condescending look. “Think you have it all figured out, don’t you?”

“All of what figured out?” he asked.

“Why I came here.”

His brows rose. “To steal my territory. That much is rather evident.”

She laughed. “You know nothing, vampire. I was sent here.”

“Oh,” he replied. His eyes glinted. “Who sent you?”

“The same one who killed your sister.”

Shock and anger hit the air so strong anyone could have felt it. Nik glanced at Lucas.

“Tell me who,” he said through gritted teeth. His fangs cut his lips, but he didn’t draw them back.

Variola smiled, giving a glimpse of her own sharp incisors. “I think not.”

Lucas stepped forward and pushed his compulsion. “Tell us who sent you.”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother. It won’t work. The one who sent me is stronger than either of you and she made sure I could never reveal her name.”

My mind spun. Only someone older and more powerful than Lucas could have placed a compulsion he couldn’t break. Nik and Lucas began a wordless conversation I couldn’t read.

Variola took advantage of the distraction and moved forward with a thrust of her sword. I wanted to cry out a warning, but everything happened too fast. Her blade aimed straight for his neck in what could only be a fatal blow. Nik pivoted at the last moment. With a raised arm, he blocked it so that it did no more than graze his skin, but it had been close. In the next moment he swung at her. He didn’t miss.

Her head flew off and landed twenty feet away next to a group of werewolves. The largest of the group stepped forward with a look of disgust and kicked it off to the side. A moment later it turned to dust, along with the body. Her torn leather garments were all that remained.

Nik gave his arm a brief glance, but it had already started healing. Not much of his blood even stained his shirt. Lucas came over and patted him on the back. They appeared to be whispering something to each other but I couldn’t make out the words.

They broke apart and turned to me.

“Did she tell the truth?” Nik asked.

I swallowed, hating to answer. “She told you what she believed to be true.”

He ran a hand through his hair and groaned in frustration.

“We’ll have to look into this,” he told Lucas.

The nephilim nodded.

I wanted to feel bad for Nik. It was his sister we were talking about, but we had more pressing matters that had to be dealt with now. A glance at my watch told me it was almost one o’clock. We were almost out of time.