Demon by My Side(9)

“These years in the human world have made you weak,” Jaral said. “You should return home more often.”

Liam’s lip curled. “I am home. Now, if you want my help, listen. The hunters had another gathering tonight, no doubt due to your appearance. Your little human is planning to investigate the docks tomorrow with another hunter. A psychic, I believe. I’m sure they will find the warehouse your father battled the spirit queen in. If I were you, I’d find it first.” He took another sip. “The only question remaining, my friend, is how you will handle Ms. Snow.”

Jaral stared into the depths of his glass, allowing a small smile to tug his lips. The hunter would be less than pleased to see him again. The more the thought of her, however, the more he could see the advantages of leaving her alive. A hunter lover would be a tasty challenge but more to the point, she was investigating the same problem as he was. Darcy Snow could prove quite useful if wielded properly. She could go places, talk to people, that he couldn’t. At least, not without spilling blood and possibly killing any leads. Literally.

Yes, Darcy could be just the bit of luck he needed.

“Don’t worry, Lee,” he replied, lifting his glass in a mock salute. “I have it covered.”

* * *


Darcy pulled her coat tighter around her body. In the early hours of the morning, the docks were still shadowed and gray. By her side, Cailin was also doing her best to battle back the cold. Darcy was grateful for the company. Cailin came from a respected line of hunters and had proven invaluable more than once. In fact, it was her relatives who had found the drunken teenage eyewitnesses who had spotted Kerilyn coming to the docks the night she supposedly died. A hunter out on Halloween was suicidal enough but why had she come here of all places?

“The boys said they saw her near one of the warehouses by the water,” Cailin said.

“Look at how many there are down here. We’d be better off splitting up. Cover twice the ground in half the time.”

“You heard Blake. We stick together while that demon is out there. He shouldn’t have been able to use both air and fire against you. No way you’re going up against him alone again.”

Darcy rolled her eyes. “Come on, Cali. Demons aren’t exactly morning monsters.”

“Your demon is breaking all the other rules. Why not this one?”

Fair point. “Fine. Let’s start at the end and do this systematically.”

“What are we looking for?”

Darcy shrugged. “Anything out of the ordinary, I suppose. You’re the psychic. Sense something.”

Cailin stuck out her tongue. “My family might be gifted but I got the short end of that genetic stick. All I’m capable of are feelings here and there. They aren’t something we want to bank on.”

“Well, keep your antennae tuned in just in case.”

They came up to the first building. It was easy enough to slip inside. With the hard economy and the decrease of viable fish in the area, the fishing industry had been hit hard. The docks were a wasteland now. Only a lucky cannery or two were still in business.

Side by side, they walked through the dirty halls. Nothing looked any different than what Darcy would expect of an abandoned warehouse. Certainly no neon sign pointing to a rift between worlds.

“Anything?” she asked Cailin.

The other hunter shook her head.

They entered the main room at the heart of the building. Darcy pulled a flashlight from her backpack and shone it into the more gloom-filled corners. Nothing but dust and rats.

“Maybe we should be doing this with a witch,” Darcy suggested.

A snort was her partner’s reply. “You know the rates they charge. If we need to bring one in, at least let’s try to narrow down the buildings we want her to read.”

“Do we call this one a bust?”

Cailin did a slow rotation. “I don’t see anything out of the ordinary and no spidey senses are tingling. Let’s move on.”

They were headed for the exit when Darcy’s cell rang. Glancing at the ID she waved Cailin on. “It’s Blake. Head to the next building and I’ll meet you there.”

“Fine but no further than that.”

Darcy nodded as she flipped the phone open. “Talk to me.”

“Find anything at the docks?”

“Not yet,” she replied, watching Cailin leave the warehouse. “This might be a needle in a haystack situation.”

“Damn.”

“Just calling to check in?”

“No, actually. I’ve got some research on your demon that you might find interesting.”

“Tell me.”

“I’ve been searching some pretty ancient texts. References to multigifted demons are rare but they do come up now and then.”