Chapter 32

Before Remi could fully digest Vie’s news, Pascal and Finn stumbled in the door. She stood up and looked them both up and down. It was always a strange thing to see a vampire looking flushed, and from experience, it wasn’t for good reasons.

Finn stopped abruptly, the grin fading off his face as he looked a Remi. He held up his hands and then pointed to Pascal. “I did what you said and listened to him.”

Pascal rolled his eyes and then gave Remi his most charming smile. “We did not break any of your rules.” He glanced over at the table of elders. “Or yours.”

Feeling like she was out of energy and patience, Remi looked from one to the other. “Did you get the boys home all right?”

Finn nodded. “Yep, they’re all tucked in.”

Brushing the hair out of her face, she blew out a breath. “Then that’s all that matters for now.” She motioned to Vienna. “Vie’s been waiting for Pascal. She was able to pick up…” she didn’t even know what to say next, “I’ll let her explain.”

Pascal smiled and glided over to Vie. “Tell me your beautiful brain has found a way for me to track our psycho.”

Vie rolled her eyes at his enthusiastic compliment. “I’m not sure, but there is something familiar there.”

“Intriguing.” He sat down on one of the stools so they were the same height. “May I?”

She nodded, then moved back a few inches. “Just that part.”

Pascal chuckled. “Not to worry, I know exactly how many ways you could kill me, and I’m not eager to test any of them.”

“Okay.” She leaned forward again so their heads were only a few inches apart.

Remi had never felt what it was like having someone else inside her head, but she was paranoid enough that she didn’t want to be too close to either of them while they did whatever they were doing.

Brome, on the other hand, apparently held none of her reservations and moved closer, his eyes going from one to the other like a scientist watching an experiment.

A familiar feeling moved over Remi, and she knew without looking that Darien had come up behind her. His arm circled her waist just as his body heat reached her. Rather than tug her back against him, he stepped forward so their bodies were barely touching.

“I can feel your exhaustion, a ghrá,” he whispered into her ear.

She nodded and leaned back against him. “If some sort of decision would be made, then I might get to bed before dawn.”

Darien’s arm tightened around her, forcing her to relax more of her weight against him. Remi looked around to see everyone was watching Brome and Vienna, except for Elaine. She was watching her. Remi tensed in his hold. What is that vampire’s issue?

Chuckling softly against her ear, Darien turned them so Remi couldn’t see if she continued to stare at her. “She’s jealous,” he murmured so only she would hear.

Of what? Remi wanted to scream.

“A demon,” Pascal said loudly and got up from the stool.

Remi pulled out of Darien’s hold. “A demon is the pawn?” Pascal’s sight focused on her slowly, like his mind was returning to him. He nodded. Remi knew, well, pretty much nothing about demons. Like magic, there were too many flavors to ever know them all.

“You’re sure?” Leontes rose from the table with his vampire grace and glided in their direction.

Pascal nodded and looked at Vienna for a moment. She had her focused face on. If Remi knew anything about her, it was that when she had that look, you didn’t get in her way.

“This complicates things,” Hope said, following Leontes. “Demons are nasty creatures that follow their own rules.

Vienna picked up her juice and opened it. She glanced at Remi and then at Darien before taking a drink. There was more, was what the look said, and honestly, Remi wasn’t sure if she wanted to know anymore.

“And the traces?” Brome finally spoke. “Were you able to distinguish any of those responsible?”

“We were able to find only twelve or so strong enough to grasp,” Vienna said between sips.

Pascal sat back down and rubbed a hand along his jaw. “It wasn’t easy,” he motioned to Vie, “we had to tag team to follow a few of them.” He sighed. “We were only able to follow two completely, leaving at least ten others, maybe more.”

“The complexities are fascinating,” Brome shook his head, “but that is a discussion for another time.” He leveled Pascal with a serious look. “Who are the two you followed?”

“I don’t know,” Pascal said with an astonished note to his voice. “The familiar part was the pawn.” He turned the stool and looked at Darien. “The demon has been in Serenity before.”

Darien rubbed the back of his neck and then looked to Remi. “That could be a big list.”

Remi nodded. “Demons are pretty common around here.”

“I might recognize the feel of them if we had names or descriptions.” Pascal mused quietly.

“Same for me,” Vienna added and looked at Brome.

With a serious expression, he inclined his head. “I as well, after feeling the trace and having a body to target.”

Remi’s phone buzzed in her pocket. Glancing at the clock, she wondered who could possibly be texting her at this time. Pulling it out, she opened it and then sighed with relief. Smiling, she glanced at Darien. “The Lewis boys will be coming back tomorrow. All of them.”

His grin mimicked her own.

“How soon can you have a list?” Elaine got up from the table, pausing to make sure all noticed her before she walked over.

Remi tried to focus on each time she’d recognized a demon when they entered Serenity. It could take her hours of thought to remember them all.

“In the morning,” Darien said abruptly. “Remi needs to get some rest so she can work in the morning.” The way he spoke left no room for objections.

Frowning, she turned and looked at him again. “I’m—”

“Going to get some rest” he finished for her.

“I need some downtime too,” Vie said quietly. “All this brainwork has made me tired.”

Remi studied her for a moment. She did look drained. Vienna never looked tired. “Why don’t you take Em’s room upstairs?”

In a hurry to leave, Emery sprang to his feet and blurred around to stand beside Vie. “Come on, I’ll take you up.”

Finn hopped over the counter and went to the blood fridge. Leaning down, he pulled out a few bottles and tipped them in Remi’s direction. “I’m going to bed down for the night as well.” His eyes widened. “Tomorrow night sounds like it might be one hell of a ride.”

Remi cringed. She didn’t want that but knew there was going to be no way to resolve this in any kind of peaceful way.

Alaric moved into her line of sight. “I believe we should adjourn for the night. Miss Foster needs her rest.” He tilted his head and continued to look at her. “We’re going to need her to use her drawing ability to bring on the demons tomorrow.”

She knew what he meant, but the way he said it made it sound like a plague or something evil. They only needed one demon. The rest, as far as she knew, were innocent in all of this. She looked at Darien and was about to suggest starting the list now, but the look in his eyes told her that he had already decided she was done for the night. Sighing, she looked around as everyone was getting up. “I guess we’ll resume in the morning.” She made a point of looking right at Elaine. “Or tomorrow night.”

Garrett came over and stood beside Darien. “Brome and I would like to stay on the premises tonight.”

Darien looked at Remi.

She was going to say no, then realized if Brome and Garrett took the two rooms in the dungeon, dragon lady would have to stay elsewhere. “You can use the two unoccupied rooms downstairs.” Remi glanced over to see Elaine’s expression turn sour. Her mouth opened, and Remi expected something vile to spew out.

“I have made other arrangements for us, Elaine,” Leontes said before Elaine could get a word out.

Elaine looked down for a moment and then back up with a fake smile on her pale face. “Of course, Leontes. How considerate of you.” She glanced at Pascal and then waved a hand to the room as she moved to the door. “Until tomorrow evening.”

Remi looked over at Leontes and bowed her head in thanks. He chortled and then followed Elaine out the door.

Alaric and Hope were right on their heels.

Pascal turned to Garrett, “I feel I owe you a drink for that.” He hopped over the bar and motioned to the liquor bottles. “What’s your poison?”

Garrett grinned and sat down. The stool looked smaller than usual, with his large frame on it. “Irish whiskey, if you don’t mind.”

Brome turned to look at Attis. “Perhaps you could show me to my room?” He rubbed the side of his head. “I fear Vienna’s skill has left me with a bit of a headache.”

Attis nodded and motioned to the kitchen door. On his way by, Pascal held out two bottles of blood; accepting them with a grin, he followed Brome into the kitchen.

Remi turned and looked at Kyran and Randell. She made eye contact with Kyran only. “See you tomorrow?”

He grinned. “Only place to get coffee.” Patting Dell on the shoulder, he went over to the door.

Dell had a sour look on his face, a duplicate of Elaine’s. Without a word, he turned and went out the door Kyran was holding open.

“Well” —Remi watched Darien lock the doors— “I guess I’m going to go try to get a nap before I have to work.”

“I’ll have everything set up for you and Berk,” Pascal said over his shoulder while he waited for his blood to warm in the microwave.

“Thanks, Pascal.” She stopped at the kitchen door. “Feel free to start the demon list too.” He nodded in her direction, making her grin. Of course, he would. “Good night, Garrett.”

Turning his stool, he toasted her with the glass of whiskey. “Good night, neacht.”

Darien slowed to stand beside his uncle and looked over at her. She raised her eyebrows, telling him she hadn’t forgotten they had to have a talk. With a sigh, he smacked his uncle on the back and nodded abruptly to Pascal.