There’s only one entity I know who has eyes like this.
I've met this demon before. Not occupying this body, but in another I almost destroyed, when he escaped before I had a chance to finish the job.
In the past, we downplayed who this powerful demon is, and his strength, by nicknaming him the Big Bad. We’ve battled him once, as the four of us, and after an exhausting fight taking out his demon protectors, he escaped. He’s the centre of the Order, who draws on his power to create more demons when we slay others. His power isn’t infinite, and he’s working to get his boss—whoever he is—into the world from beyond the portals.
Our lives are one big game of cat and mouse, where we find and lose him over and over.
As the Order’s influence grows throughout government and industry, our ability to keep up with him drops away.
This is who I suspect left us the message on the car and who’s been killing the humans—and us.
This is Ripley, the Moriarty to our Sherlock selves.
He stands and spreads his arms out in greeting. "I won’t do anything untoward, although I owe you a death after what happened the last time we met. You killed some of my best."
"Ripley?" I ask to confirm.
"The same."
How fucked are we? If I'd had any suspicions this is what we were walking into, I would've found the other guys first.
Heath swears under his breath, and suddenly our pathetic weapons are pointless.
"Unusual for you to be out of your ivory tower and unprotected," I snap. "Where are your little minions?" I point at Breanna. “One won’t do you much good.”
Breanna’s red painted lips broaden into a smile. “I’m not just any demon, sweetheart.”
Ripley sighs. "I know. I’ve chosen a new profile. Just recently actually." He blinks back to his human eyes and gestures at himself. “Not as strong as I’d like, but he’s good looking vessel and not so bad for his age.” I frown at him, so he turns to Breanna. “Don’t you think?”
They share a laugh, and I bristle.
“I like to keep my identity well hidden because some are better at finding me than you four idiots are. I currently need to shift from host to host almost daily. It’s exhausting, but I’ve managed to stay safe. The problem is I have to choose less than perfect specimens to hold me.”
I study him. Yeah, the guy usually chooses playboy types, or people with influence. Those who can get him what he wants, or allow him close to plenty of people to corrupt. “And kill them daily?”
"I'm still Alasdair. Well, kind of. He's still in here. I'm being nice and didn’t eradicate him first.” He gives another smile. “The guy has such beautifully altruistic motives, how could I kill him? He’s been so helpful too, even before he lent me his body.” He gestures at the seat opposite. "Sit."
"I'd rather stand, thanks," Heath replies.
Ripley shrugs. "But how can we have a discussion if you won't join in our meeting?"
I switch to glare at Logan. "Does Portia know you're here?"
Logan raises brow. "What do you think?"
"So you're working with him?" I jab a finger at Ripley. "I had my suspicions! All that shit you said about Vee."
He shakes his head. "I'm not taking those words back, and I have plenty more to tell you, should you want to listen."
"What's the deal?" interrupts Heath. "Why are you with the Order?"
Ripley sits back in his seat and folds his arms on the table. "Because we need to help each other. Portia won't listen to Logan's suggestions that she forms an alliance with us. We're hoping you’ll be more sensible."
"Sensible?" I laugh. "A demon tried to kill Portia, remember? I think that might just’ve put her off."
"Not one of mine," replies Alasdair.
"Oh sure, you never attack fae. Not your style." I sneer at him.
"Not this time. The attack was planned by somebody intending to push us and the fae further apart. Somebody had too much influence over a small group of demons and had whispered too many promises. That group were stupid, and they're gone."
"I don't believe you."
"It's true," says Logan. "And I know things have been orchestrated against you too. Danger surrounds you all.”
I pull myself to full height. “Are you talking about about Vee? Because if you’re threatening her you’ll have to come through me first.”
The arsehole fae laughs at me. If the table wasn’t between us, I’d show him exactly what I think about him betraying his race.
Ripley bangs a hand on the table. "We're short of time. Let’s have the conversation and then these gentlemen can decide what to do. Sit."
I cross my arms. "No. Whatever trick you're trying to pull won't work. If you’re involved with Nova Pharm, you'll know about the humans investigating your activities. You identified them and killed them. Why? What did they uncover?"
"Nothing. Sit." His voice is firmer, but no self-titled demon overlord tells me what to do. "Or not. Really, War, you need to listen."
"To you?" I laugh harshly. "Heath? Do we stay? Or leave and figure out a way to take these guys out."
I don't take my eyes from Ripley's, whose lips curl in amusement. "Listen to me."
"Why?"
"Because I have the answer to all your questions. I've had people watching what's been happening to you. I've seen you run around in circles chasing your tails, completely oblivious." He pauses. "I've also watched your Fifth arrive, and this worries me. But one thing at a time."
"Yeah, we've come across your attempts to kill us. How long until you realise a Horseman’s death is never permanent?"
"Me?" He touches his chest in mock horror. "I haven't tried to kill you. Currently, it isn't in my interests to piss you off."
I turn my attention to Logan. "You? Was it you trying to divide our alliance with Portia? With each other?"
He watches me in his haughty way. "I don't trust any outside the fae—you or them—but somebody needs to take charge here. Portia's in denial and won't listen when I tell her darker forces are at work."
"Darker than him?" I point at Ripley. "You know he kills humans and fae in his quest to overthrow the world?"
"Please, Alexander, don't be so dramatic."
"Xander," I growl. "So you deny you're wrapping your evil tendrils around every important part of human society and paving the way for your demon leader to breach the portal?"
"Again, far too simplistic and not the most important thing on my agenda right now."
"So what is? Joining Logan to overthrow Portia and get your claws into the fae? Attempting to be rid if us? We won't let that happen."
"Believe me, once this larger threat is dealt with, I'll be back to my usual activities, but if this continues, none of us will survive."
"This?"
"Chaos," puts in Logan.
"And what's causing the chaos? Normally it's you, Ripley."
"No. Chaos." Logan straightens. "We are dealing with something much more powerful than Ripley, or anything else that has threatened the world before. That’s why I’m working with him."