Personal Demon (Otherworld 8)

"Lucas."

He reached out with one arm, the other hand clutching a coffee cup, cardboard rippling under his grip. One look in his eyes and I knew he already suspected what I was here to tell him. Maybe that should have made it easier. It didn't.

I walked over and embraced him.

A HALF-HOUR later I was sitting in the tiny Reflections Room with Paige. Two guards were posted at the door. I'd have preferred to stay with my father, but it had been his suggestion that we rest here for a few minutes. Someone had to find Carlos and supervise the intensive operations surrounding not only the investigation into my brothers' deaths, but also the notifications, the cover-ups and the arrangements, both private and public. It would be too much for my father. The duty fell to me.

And he had another duty, one that I could not help him with: telling Delores that two of her sons were dead and the third was missing.

I hadn't mentioned my suspicions about Carlos. As strong as my father was, that revelation might be too great a blow.

The search team had a report of Carlos dining at a restaurant he frequented. It had been hours since he'd been there, but it would be a place to start.

I was due to meet with the search team in thirty minutes. In the meantime, I was heeding my father's advice, resting in the Reflections Room. In a public hospital, this would be the chapel. While many supernaturals adhere to a religious faith, the Cortez Cabal is careful to keep such places nondenominational.

"I don't think I can do this," I said after a few minutes.

"You can."

"Investigate one brother for the murder of the other two? My brothers?"

"You can, but if you don't want to, he'll understand."

I shook my head. "It isn't a matter of want."

"Then you can."

I turned and she kissed me, barely more than a press of her lips against mine, but when she pulled back, I could still taste her. I lifted my hand to the back of her head, pulling her into me, and I wanted to lose myself in her, just for a moment, forget everything and--

My cell phone vibrated.

Paige sputtered a small laugh. "I'm going to guess that isn't your heart--or anything else--fluttering."

"Unfortunately."

"I'll go find coffees," she said. "We'll need them."

HOPE

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH

I dozed as Karl drove, waking, befuddled, when he pulled into a lot I didn't recognize. Then I remembered I couldn't go back to my apartment, and briefly wondered how I was going to brush my teeth before deciding it really wasn't that important.

Karl led me to an exit door. I felt a twinge of curiosity, but couldn't muster the energy to ask. We entered a quiet, carpeted hotel hallway. A glance up and down the hall, then he sat me in a plush armchair next to a window overlooking a pool.

"I'll be right back," he said. "Wait here."

"Where's here?"

"The Royal Plaza. I'm going to get us a room."

His lips brushed the top of my head. I watched him go, numb from my nap and number still from chaos exhaustion.

Why hadn't we come in the front door? I was sure this was a place with valet service, and surer still that Karl never parked his car when he didn't need to. One glimpse of my reflection in the window, though, and I realized I was in no state to endure curious stares.

I pulled my feet up, my shoes sliding off. I was almost asleep when Karl's hands slid under my arms, lifting me.

"Shhh, I've got you."