Turning my head, I met Goose’s gaze. “What happened?”
“Joseph accepted and Gabriel laid into him. It wasn’t pretty. Gabriel had grief and rage on his side, and he used it. I’ve never seen him like that before. People believe the demon that comes from vampirism doesn’t arise in once mortal hosts, but after witnessing the destruction he caused first hand, I’m not so sure.”
Frowning, I shook my head. “I don’t understand. If he was so strong, how was he killed? He should have destroyed anything in his path.”
“Sonja.” Goose placed his hand atop mine. “The moment Joseph’s strength waned, he compensated by drawing on hers. When Gabriel realized that Joseph would kill her to win, he hesitated. It was a small opening, but it was all Joseph needed. He’d hidden a silver spike in his coat and by the time Gabriel realized what he intended, it was too late. But…” Goose’s fingers squeezed mine. “That’s where things get odd.”
“Odd?” All things considered, odd was the understatement of the century.
“Vampires can recover from any wound, but those caused by silver, especially when it’s directly to the heart, can be fatal. As Gabriel lay dying, Zagan appeared.”
I jumped from the couch and threw the box on the cushion. I whipped around to face him. “That’s not possible! He can’t return unless summoned or if a debt is owed to him.”
“Technically, the debt was still owed,” Goose said carefully. “You were no longer here.”
“How do you know?” I demanded, becoming hysterical, pacing as I screamed, “How do you always know? I’m the one living the fucking experience and you still know more than I do! Do you have any idea how fucked up that is? Do you have any clue how it feels to survive like I have? Living in the dark?”
“Calm down and listen to me.” Goose’s own patience was spider-web thin as he towered over me. His brown eyes darkened and his lips thinned. “I found out everything because Zagan taunted Gabriel. He told him that he would offer one last bargain before he died. If Gabriel would let you go, then Zagan would remove the spike, heal the wound, and their debt would be settled. Or Gabriel could die and Zagan would reveal what had happened to you and ensure your safe return. I’m giving you one guess as to which Gabriel chose, and the first doesn’t count.”
“Oh God.” I couldn’t mask the anguish in my voice.
An invisible vise squeezed my chest and heart—crushing, intense and brutal.
I was livid, hurt and angry at myself for being the most stupid person ever to grace God’s creation. It had all been a trick. A fucking demon’s game. I’d fallen for it like the ignorant human Zagan believed I was. I tried to imagine Disco, betrayed by those he trusted most, only to be turned on in his darkest hour by the very demon responsible for my disappearance.
Blissful, delicious anger wrapped around me, forcing aside the pain, encasing me in something familiar and welcome. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage it, but no matter what it took, I’d see Zagan suffer. I’d make sure the fucker got his due and then some.
“He told Disco what he’d done?” I asked.
Goose nodded. “Before Gabriel died, he made me promise that when you finally returned that Paine and I would take care of you. Zagan didn’t specify when you might return, so it’s been a waiting game. We’d almost given up.”
“Where is Paine? Why isn’t he here?”
My question was interrupted when Carter appeared, his expression grim.
“We’ve got to go. We’ve stayed far too long. The sun is already setting.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I told him coolly. “I’m not sticking around that insane place that you—”
When his shoulder made solid contact with my abdomen, it knocked the breath out of me. I gasped, unable to breathe as he pushed Goose to the side and strode for the door. It only took a few long strides before we were outside. His cronies immediately called out to him, ready for orders.