Call of the Siren(52)

“You knew about this, about him, and didn’t tell me?”

Damn. He’d really stepped in it this time. And even worse than Ronin’s anger was the dejection written on his face. His brother had just learned that the woman he considered a sister had kept one hell of a secret from him, and to top it off Dagan knew about it, too. That had to sting.

But since now wasn’t the time or place to get into it, he replied, “I can explain. Later.”

To his immense relief, Ronin seemed to recognize that this wasn’t the right time, either. He turned back to Thorne, who’d watched their exchange with interest and a hint of amusement on his face.

“Did he also tell you that I’m the father of her baby?” Thorne asked with a smirk.

Ronin’s body went taut, but he didn’t fall for Thorne’s taunt this time.

“I’m assuming you know where she is,” Ronin said.

“Sleeping off her high.” When Dagan’s body went rigid with alarm, Thorne shrugged. “What can I say? Once a score addict, always a score addict.”

Now it was Dagan’s turn to be shocked. Lina was an addict?

No freaking way. She couldn’t be. He’d seen enough of them to recognize the signs, and Lina was too put together. Too rigid.

Ronin glanced at him long enough to ascertain that Thorne’s accusation was news to him, too. Then he apparently came to the same conclusion as Dagan had, because his big brother roared and lunged for Thorne. His fist glanced the side of the demon’s jaw, and Thorne went down, with Ronin right after him. When his big bro straddled the demon and jabbed another uppercut to his jaw, Dagan figured it was as good a time as any to join in.

“Wait. Stop,” Thorne spat out, lifting his fists to block their blows. “If you kill me, you’ll never know where she is.”

Hell, he had a point there. Much as Dagan would like to do him in, they needed to find Lina first.

He pulled back and rose to look down at the demon, meeting Thorne’s gaze straight on. “Tell us. Now.”

“Let me up first.”

Ronin growled, but he shoved off Thorne and took several steps back until he stood beside Dagan.

Thorne made a show of rising and repositioning his clothes, though his face was a mass of bruises. Those would heal quickly enough, however.

“Where is she?” Ronin asked. When he tensed as if he was about to lunge again, Dagan put a restraining hand on his forearm. They could kill the bastard after they knew where Lina was.

“She’s with Belpheg.” Thorne lifted his steady gaze to the both of him.

Frowning, Dagan exchanged a puzzled glanced with Ronin. “Belpheg?”

Thorne rolled his eyes. “The dark fae you’ve been searching for?”

The man’s words hit Dagan like a punch to the groin. “What?” he roared.

When Ronin charged again, Dagan didn’t try to hold him back. Ronin bashed into Thorne, and the demon’s back hit the far wall, hard.

Thorne let out a few grunts as Ronin’s fists connected with his stomach and jaw, then gave a maniacal laugh. “Stop. I’ll tell you where.”

It was the laughter more than anything that scared the shit out of Dagan. The asshole sounded far too sure of himself. Which meant Lina was in serious trouble.

“Ronin,” he said sharply and snatched his brother by the back of the shirt.

Coming to his senses, Ronin backed up. His heavy breathing and the terrorized look on his face indicated he was seconds from losing his shit once again.

“What do you want?” Dagan asked quietly.

Thorne seemed to sense victory, because he gave them a wide smile. “Not what I want. What Belpheg wants. And he wants you. All four of you.”

Dagan tensed when Thorne reached into his pocket, but he only dug out a piece of paper and a pack of cigarettes. He held the paper out to them. Dagan snatched it up and read a couple sets of coordinates.

“The first set of coordinates leads to a hidden portal several hours to the north of the city,” Thorne continued, leaning up against the wall. When he slid a cigarette and a lighter out of the crumpled pack and lit up, Dagan wrinkled his nose. Disgusting habit, but the least of his concerns right now.

“The four of you take the portal to the second set of coordinates. He’ll be there waiting for you.” Clearly enjoying having the upper hand, Thorne took an exaggerated puff of the cigarette. “Once he has the four of you, he’s vowed to let her go. She means nothing to him beyond that.”

Dagan exchanged a glance with Ronin. As if they could trust someone like Belpheg to keep his word.

“Of course, it goes without saying that if you attempt to warn the Council or tell anyone of his location, he’ll kill Lina immediately,” Thorne continued fluidly. “Not to mention that it would be pointless. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you how powerful this guy is. No way the Council could get past his barriers.”