Storm and Fury (The Harbinger 1)

“Getting his hands on you can be reason enough for him.” Roth drew his finger around the rim of his glass. “You know what demons will do to a Trueborn.”

I suppressed the shudder as I reached for my drink. “Could Bael be behind what’s attacking the Wardens and other demons?”

Roth shrugged. “Bael is a big deal. He’s powerful enough, but...”

“You don’t think it’s him, do you?” Zayne asked.

The demon prince didn’t answer immediately. “Why would it be? What does he have to gain by risking exposure? Nah, Bael is ballsy but he’s not stupid.”

An array of appetizers arrived—crab cakes, cocktail shrimp, crab dip and fries. The food looked and smelled amazing, but I didn’t touch it.

“Did you know several Infernal Rulers have left the city or are planning to?” Roth plucked up a shrimp, glancing at Zayne. “Isn’t that...suspicious?”

Infernal Rulers were Upper Level demons that controlled legions of lesser demons. They were sort of like executives, and I guessed that would make someone like Roth a CEO with his boss, Lucifer, being the president, but that would mean Bael was also like a CEO...?

My head hurt.

Zayne’s fingers splayed out across my shoulder. “So, whatever is out there on the streets has them scared, too?”

“The Wardens aren’t the only ones turning up dead in very graphic ways,” Roth reminded him.

“That’s something I don’t get,” I said, glancing down at the plated crab cake Zayne had slid in front of me. “If it’s a demon, why would it go after other demons?”

Shaking his head, Roth unloaded a spoonful of dip on his plate. “Wants to be the biggest fish in the sea, I suppose.”

“And you two aren’t worried?” I asked, frowning again as a fork ended up between my fingers. “Scared? You’re both big...demon fishes.”

Zayne chuckled under his breath.

“Never been called a demon fish, but yes, I like to think we’re big deals.” Cayman popped a fry into his mouth.

Roth’s smile was slow and wicked. “Concerned? Yes. Afraid? Never.”

“Arrogant,” Zayne murmured as I cut into my crab cake and he picked up a steamed shrimp. “You should be somewhat afraid, if not for yourself, then for Layla.”

The lazy amusement vanished from Roth’s features as his gaze flicked to the Warden beside me. “Did I ask for your advice on what to worry or be afraid of?”

“No, but it sure as Hell sounds like you need it.”

Busying myself, I took a bite of my crab cake and almost moaned in pleasure. It was amazing. Mostly meat seasoned with Old Bay. I took another bite, close to shoving my whole face into the cake, while Zayne and Roth eye-screwed one another.

“Get used to it, Trinity.”

I looked up at Cayman. “Used to what?”

“Them arguing and trying to out-snark one another.” Cayman winked. “Some people find it tiresome, but I find it wildly entertaining. I’m just waiting for the moment when their passionate arguing turns into passionate lovemaking.”

My lips twitched as Roth snarled something under his breath. I finished off the delicious crab cake. “I was thinking. Bael has the ability to control humans, right?”

“Beyond what all of us typically can do? Yes. But on the kind of level you saw during the attack on the community? I would be surprised,” Roth said. “Bael is particularly skilled at influencing humans, but to pull off that amount of possessions, I’m thinking something else was involved.”

“What?” I glanced down at my plate when some dip and chips ended up on it. The melted cheese and crab looked tasty.

“A spell,” Roth answered.

“Witches,” Zayne said, nodding. “That would make sense.”

“Witches?” I turned to him, surprised. Witches, real witches, were humans whose ancestors at some point had hooked up with a demon, and that watered-down demonic blood had gifted them with certain abilities that usually involved the four elements—earth, wind, water and fire. They also had a knack for spells and enchantments. “You have covens here?”

“We do. Some really active ones. They tend to hide from both demons and Wardens, which is why they’ve managed to stay alive and off the Wardens’ radar mostly,” Roth said, sliding a glance in Zayne’s direction. “Because you know, Wardens do like to kill indiscriminately.”

Zayne sighed.

“Do Trueborns like to kill indiscriminately?” Roth cocked his head as that amber gaze slid to me.

“At this moment? Yes,” I said, annoyed.

Zayne chuckled under his breath while Roth grinned and leaned forward. “I like you.”

“That’s awesome to hear,” I murmured.

His grin grew. “There’s a chance that witches could’ve been used, and while most of them stay as far away from my kind as they do Wardens, there are a few covens who like to get down and dirty with demons. I know of one in particular.” Roth leaned back. “Of course, Zayne wouldn’t be able to talk to them. They aren’t fans of Wardens.”

“But they’re fans of yours?” I asked.

“Everyone is a fan of me,” he replied. “You could meet with them. They won’t be able to tell what you are, and I can take you. There’s a huge group of them that usually meet on Saturdays.”

Saturday was like another week from now. Seven whole freaking days. Impatience blossomed, tinged with frustration. Would Misha survive another week?

Zayne stiffened. “I don’t know about this.”

The demon prince’s gaze shifted to Zayne. “I thought you trusted me?”

“I trust you, but I don’t trust you to make wise life choices.” Zayne pulled his arm off the back of the booth.

Roth pressed his hand against his chest. “I’m offended.”

“I’m down for it.” I ignored the look Zayne sent me. “If there’s even a small chance they can give us any information, I’m willing to go with you and meet with them.”

“Perfect,” Roth purred, and Zayne didn’t look remotely happy.

“Good.” I leaned back against the booth. “You just have to promise me that you’re not going to try to...eat me or something.”

That devilish smile of Roth’s returned. “Now, that might be asking too much.”

26

“I don’t like this,” Zayne was saying as we left the restaurant. I kept close to him since the lighting on the sidewalk was poor.

“Like what?”

“You going with Roth to see the witches.”

“I thought you trusted Roth—” The toe of my boot caught the curb I didn’t see and I stumbled. “Dammit.”

Zayne caught my arm. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I tugged my arm free as I glared down at the sidewalk I couldn’t see. “I just tripped. I’m fine.”

A moment passed. “I trust Roth, but I don’t trust the witches. Anything they do, they do to gain something in return. You need to be very careful around them.”

“So no letting them take clippings of my hair or nails?”

Zayne snorted as we headed into the parking garage. “Yeah, try to avoid that, but also don’t make any deals with them to get information. Sometimes they will help, but the price you pay is never what you expect.”

“I’ll pay any price.”

Zayne stopped so quickly I walked into him and bounced back a step. Irritation flared to life as Zayne faced me. “See, that’s why I’m worried.”

I stared up at him, able to make out his features in the harsh white light of the parking garage. “You shouldn’t be.”

“I shouldn’t be? You being willing to do anything to get the littlest piece of information regarding Misha is dangerous. Especially when you’re going to meet a coven of witches, who are notorious for taking people’s desperation and manipulating it to their benefit.”

I crossed my arms. “I’m not easily manipulated.”

“I didn’t say you were, but I also know that you’re desperate, and I get it—”

“Do you really?” I demanded. “I don’t know. You keep making vague statements on how you know what it’s like to see someone you care about in trouble but not be able to do anything. If that’s true, then you would understand. You would do anything—”

“I know this is dangerous, because I do understand.” Zayne took a step forward, crowding me, but I held my ground. “I’ve been desperate enough to do anything, and that never ends well, Trinity.”

The constant feeling of helplessness surged and it stripped the filter right off my mouth. “Is that how you lost a part of your soul?”

Zayne drew back as if I’d hit him. A veil slipped over his face and his features became devoid of emotion. “Who told you that?”

I snapped my mouth shut.

“Who?” Zayne demanded, reaching for me but stopping short. “Who told you that?”

Wishing I had kept my mouth shut, I unfolded my arms and looked away. “Misha told me. He said... He said he’d heard that you’d lost a part of your soul and that’s...that’s why your eyes are different.”

“Is that what he said?” He cocked his head.

Heart thumping, I nodded. “Is it...true?”

Zayne didn’t answer for a long moment, and then he did. “Yeah, it’s true.”

* * *

I’m going to die.

Cowering on the subway platform, I knew the beautiful demon, with his golden eyes and cruel smile, was going to kill me. He was supposed to help me, but the room was bathed in blood and the broken, huddled mass on the floor was Zayne.

“He can’t save you,” the demon growled between jagged teeth. “No one can.”

A scream rose in my throat as the demon lurched toward me with razor-sharp claws—