Chapter 37

Remi sat on top of the cases and leaned against the wall; she was exhausted. Learning to use an ability that she’d always thought worked on its own was harder than she could have ever imagined.

After three hours of lessons and practice, she’d been sent to have a nap. A nap was something Remi never did. Even if time was available, which it never was, she couldn’t fall asleep. It was one thing to go to bed at night when she knew Serenity was being run by several powerful paras, but to shut her brain off during the day and not worry? Impossible.

She’d been surprised when she’d instantly fallen asleep when her head hit the pillow. Learning how to use her beacon was apparently a great way to shut down her mind and drop from exhaustion.

The actual training had been a frustrating experience until she understood what she was supposed to do. Alaric had tried to explain to her how she could just reach inside and open the channels. To Remi, channels were something on the TV, so reaching inward or not, she couldn’t grasp what he wanted.

After that failed lesson, Brome thought possibly Remi was more of a task-oriented person and not mental, whatever that meant. He had suggested she just open her arms and think of invisible lines pulling the wolf shifters she was trying to call to her. Despite feeling like a mime, she tried it, and again, nothing happened.

Hope stepped in at that stage and as much as Remi tried to do what she was asking, she couldn’t. The way the woman spoke was like opening a new-age magic or witchcraft book and skipping to the advanced-level spells. Nothing she said made sense to Remi.

Darien had been the silent observer up until this point. Thankfully, after seeing what she was going through, he’d suggested bringing Nadine back to help. The council members seemed a bit put off by his suggestion, but they listened, and finally, someone was able to phrase it in a way she was able to understand.

Nadine told her to think of it as taking a deep breath and, as she exhaled to blow out the call for all clans or a specific one…like blowing on hot coals to encourage flames, slow and steady. At this point, Remi found her so-called channels and was able to zero in on one at a time.

She felt like an excited kindergartener that had mastered printing her name when her call brought a confused-looking Berk to the backroom. Right on his heels was Bates and even Les interrupted his lunch and had asked Iris if Remi wanted his help with anything.

As far as pivotal moments in her life, this one was right near the top of the list.

Brome and Alaric wanted to make sure she could ‘change channels’ so they had her up the strength and page any werewolves nearby. This caused Darien to growl in a low menacing way from across the room, which only got louder when Garrett came to her, a smile on his face.

For Remi, it was affirmation that she did have the ability and knew how to use it. The council members still weren’t sure if she could amp it up enough to call the many demons on the list.

Darien, with a smirk, suggested she try to call vampires. Remi laughed thinking he was joking. It had been one in the afternoon at that point…there was no way she was going to wake them up. Brome decided it would be perfect. If she could wake the sleeping dead, then she was strong enough to call any target she wanted.

Reluctantly, hoping it didn’t work, she tried to call vampires to her. A few minutes later, she received a text from both vampires sleeping downstairs. Attis suggested that unless the building was on fire, she should leave him be. Pascal’s message wasn’t even in English, but she thought it was along the same lines, and he wanted to be left to rest.

Finn phoned her to ask if she was all right, at least that’s what it sounded like he had whispered on the other end of the phone.

Remi was ready to celebrate her success when Emery came into the backroom. His eyes were red, skin translucent, he moved stiffly and never should have been able to come upstairs at that time of day, but he did. After assuring him that everything was fine, he went back down to his room.

The highlight of the whole ordeal was to see the three revered council members standing there with their mouths hanging open. She was the Keeper, now, even they couldn’t deny it.

“You okay?”

Opening her eyes, she looked at Finn. “I’m wiped out, and the night isn’t even halfway done.”

Finn pulled two bottles off the shelves. “There are a lot of demons out there.” He grinned, “You’re drawing them in like bees to honey.”

Remi grimaced at his comparison. “Except one of the bees is actually the pawn in an evil plan to take me out.”

He sobered. “Can I get you anything?”

“No. I think I’ll just go get some air for a few minutes and then crank up the beacon again.”

Finn glanced at the bottles in his hand. “Just let me get these to Pascal, and I’ll come with you,” he gave her a half-hearted smile, “no one goes anywhere alone.”

Waving her hand toward the door, Remi slid forward on the case. “I know. Go.”

Finn blurred from the room.

Standing up, she stretched, trying to get the blood flowing and find the energy to walk. With Pascal, Vie, and the entire council out front scanning minds, auras, and whatever else they could, surely the demon pawn would be found, and then she could go to bed.

Stepping into the backroom, she swung the door open and looked outside. In all of it, she’d never asked what happened after they found the pawn. Could they locate the ones controlling them? She assumed they must be able to, or finding them wouldn’t be as important as it was.

Glancing behind her, she checked for Finn. He must have gotten sidetracked. Going out the door, she inhaled slowly. There was a soft breeze blowing and it felt nice to have some fresh air fill her lungs.

Remi stood there and debated going further for a few moments. She was a foot outside the door, it was open, the light beaming out on her like a spotlight, Finn would be here in a few seconds, minutes at most, so she didn’t see a problem stepping a few more feet from the building. The breeze was just strong enough to be refreshing but not cold.

Tucking her hands into her back pockets, she stood there looking around. The moon was barely a quarter, but it still reflected light on the river, making it sparkle without being bright. Once Finn got out here, she’d go sit at the table and let the sound of the water moving soothe her.

Turning, she noticed how many cars were lined along the street. The parking lot was full. Going over, she leaned against the corner of the building. Unfortunately, from here, the garbage bin blocked her view of the river, but to put it anywhere else would mean the staff had to carry the garbage even further. Scowling, she looked at the pile beside it. Someone had dumped their garbage. Why they couldn’t just open the dumpster and put it inside, she’d never know. Heaving out a breath, she went over and flipped the lid back. Would it be rude to put a sign on the container telling people to place the garbage inside? With her luck, they’d think she was rude.

Bending down to pick up the bags, she stopped and squinted in the dim lighting. Jumping back, she stared at it. What she’d thought were dark bags was a body.

Stumbling, she turned and sprinted in the door. Before she took two steps, she ran into a hard chest. Not caring whose it was, she clung to them. Strong arms wrapped around her, and she looked up to see it was Kyran. “There’s a body…”

A growl sounded from behind him. Stiffening, he turned them enough to see a yellow-eyed Darien standing there. Before either of them could do anything, Pascal appeared between them as he stood face to face with the irritated werewolf, his eyes glowing red.

“Calm down, Darien,” he said in a low voice.

Wrapping an arm around Remi, Kyran turned to face them both. “She’s found a body outside,” he sounded exasperated.

Pascal and Darien both paused and turned to look at her, their eyes going back to normal.

“Where?” Pascal demanded.

Taking a deep breath, she swallowed the bile in her throat. “By the dumpster.”

Pascal disappeared.

Kyran gently pushed Remi in the direction of Darien and then pulled out his phone. “Go grab some council members. I’ll get Peterson on the phone.” He went out the back door.

Darien wrapped his arms around her. “Are you all right?” He leaned back and looked down at her, “Finn said you needed some air.”

Resting her face against his warm chest, she nodded. “I thought someone had left garbage beside the dumpster.”

Kyran came over and stood beside them, staring at the river for a few moments. “Hope and Brome say it’s the pawn.”

Darien sucked in a breath. “They killed their pawn and dumped it outside our door.”

“That’s what it looks like.”

Rubbing his hand up and down her back, Darien hissed out a breath. “Why?”

Tucking his hands in his pockets, Kyran turned to watch the group by the dumpster. “I don’t know.”

Remi looked over at Randell, Brome, and Hope. Where was everyone else? “Where’s Pascal?”

“He’s gone with Garrett to see if they can pick up a trail.” Kyran cleared his throat. “The body has traces of another scent, so they’re trying to follow it.”

The idea of smelling a corpse made Remi’s stomach churn. She studied him for a moment. There was something he wasn’t saying. Darien glanced from her to Kyran.

“What is it?”

Remi took a shaky breath and pulled out of his arms so she could see Kyran better. “What aren’t you saying?”

Kyran snorted softly. “I was trying to figure out how to tell you.” He blew out a breath. “The harm none spell is completely gone.”

Remi jolted. She hadn’t expected that. “So…”

“They have a mage working with them.” Dairen finished for her.

“That’s the theory.” Kyran turned back toward the river.

Taking a deep breath, she tried not to freak out because that’s what she wanted to do right this very second. She wanted to stomp her feet, rant, and have a good cry, all at the same time.

Darien rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes moving over her like he was waiting for her to crumble. There was frustration etched in his features. “I should go check on how they’re doing inside.”

Stiffening, Remi couldn’t believe she’d forgotten they were still open. “I need to stay outside for a few more minutes.”

He looked over to where the coroner pulled up.

“I’ll stay here with her.” Kyran offered. “There are enough of us out here that the only way anyone could get to her is if they come out of the water.”

Darien looked at the river briefly and then nodded. “I’ll just be a minute.” He gave her a soft look, asking without words if she was okay.

“I’ll be right here,” she assured him. With fast strides, he went in the direction of the building. “I don’t understand any of this…” Remi said more to herself than Kyran.

“It’s way above my pay grade,” he agreed, “I mean, I transferred from the city, and killing crimes were the daily norm there, but this…” he motioned to Serenity, “this, I don’t get.”

Remi looked back at the river; she didn’t want to watch them put the body in a bag.

“I also,” Kyran continued, “don’t understand this Keeper beacon stuff. What good does it do anyone to go after you?”

Remi sighed; it wasn’t anything she hadn’t thought herself.

“What you can do isn’t exactly transferrable or anything. Right?”

“Not as far as I know,” Remi whispered. If she could, she’d stand here all night and stare at the water. It was peaceful to watch, flowing almost silently downstream. For the most part, the river was reasonably calm. Sure, the water level went up in the spring, and occasionally the extra water coming in from so many drains caused it to rush with more urgency, but it wasn’t a roaring noise, ever. It was a genius idea. Whoever had come up with the water tunnels that ran through the town to prevent flooding saved the residents a lot of worry each spring…

Remi looked back at the building and then at the riverbank. Inhaling sharply, she grabbed Kyran’s arm. “I think I know why they can’t track them.” Turning, she ran toward the building.

“Remi…”

She could hear Kyran running after her but didn’t stop. Moving around everyone at the back, she ran inside only to be stopped by Darien on his way back out. “Where’s Finn? I think I know why Pascal can’t track them.”

Dairen frowned. “I’ll get him.” He went back into the storeroom.

Kyran came running up behind her. “What?” He sounded panicked.

Dell was right behind him, his hand on his gun.

Kyran waved a hand at him. “She thinks she knows how they’ve been slipping by us.”

Straightening, Dell dropped his hand. “How?”

Darien came back with Finn.

Excitedly, Remi gripped the front of his shirt. “Finn, the tunnels.”

He gave her a bewildered look.

“The drain tunnels. You practically lived in them. Could they be using them so no one can track their scent?”

Finn’s eyes widened. “Holy shit,” he turned to Darien and then Kyran, “they could. Their scent would be hidden in miles of rank, musty tunnels.”

“Son of a bitch,” Dell muttered.

“What’s going on?” Elaine glided into the room.

Darien wrapped an arm around Remi’s waist and pulled her back into his chest. He hugged her lightly. “Remi just figured out why Pascal hasn’t been able to pick up their scent.”

“Really?” Elaine raised an elegant eyebrow and looked at her, “and how is that?”

Finn answered before anyone else could speak. “There’s old water tunnels running under the town, from one end to the other.” He pointed at the back door, “They all lead to the river—right outside our back door.”

“What are we waiting for?” Garrett stood behind Elaine.

Finn grinned. “Uh, I don’t think you’ll fit.” He looked at Remi, “I had to walk almost bent over through most of them.”

Garrett nodded and glanced around at everyone as they came back inside. “My wolf can fit. Will Pascal be able to navigate them? He isn’t that much smaller than I am.”

“Oh, he’ll fit.”

Everyone spun around and looked at Pascal. He gave her a cheeky grin, “I was beginning to think I’d lost my skills.”

Remi took a sharp breath. “Let’s hope my theory pans out.” She watched Garrett speak quietly to Leontes.

Nodding, Leontes gave her a hopeful look. “We’re going to let them think they’ve gotten away with it, and then we’ll hunt them.”

The way he said hunt sent a shiver up her spine.

Boden came sliding into the room. “Attis asked me to come and see if we’re still working.” He wiped a hand across his forehead. “We invited a ton of demons here tonight, and he says if someone doesn’t come help contain them, he’s letting Vie have fun.”

“Oh shit.” Pascal was gone before anyone could move.

“Maybe,” Garrett said quietly, “we should help close Serenity before we go hunting.”

Leontes nodded and motioned for Elaine to go back in.

She gave him a startled look and then rolled her eyes, “Fine, but I’m not waiting on anyone.”

Brome looked at Remi. She couldn’t translate the expression on his face. “I’ll help,” a big grin appeared on his face, “although seeing what Vienna can do might be entertaining.”

Darien cleared his throat. “No, trust me, it’s not entertaining at all.”

Finn gave him a wide-eyed look. “Oh, come on. That time she made that asshole shriek in…”

Remi silenced him with what she liked to call her ‘death looks good on you’ look, and he closed his mouth. “Why don’t you go back to work, Finn,” she suggested softly.

He nodded, “I think I’d better go back to work.” With an apologetic glance at Darien and then her, he was gone from the room.