Therian Promise(71)

“What else would Carly have told Roberto? The only thing Osric knows that he hasn’t already told the backers is what he knows about you.” Nehema wrung her hands and Zophiel wanted to shake her.

When Zophiel first learned that a Therian was assisting the backers, she’d been appalled and enraged. Traitors existed in any society, but this betrayal was exceptionally crass. She’d found out everything she could about the traitor and set out to end his miserable life, but something about Osric had been so dark and twisted that she’d decided to toy with him instead.

She arranged an “accidental” meeting then allowed him to believe he pursued her. It had been many years since she indulged her sexual appetites and Osric was perfect for her unconventional needs. He wasn’t afraid of pain, enjoyed giving and receiving it to enhance his partner’s pleasure. And he was oh so trainable.

Fascinated by his obsessive appetites, Zophiel cultivated his devotion into something akin to worship. She was his guardian angel, his provider, his Mistress. She used her empathic abilities to anticipate his every need then amplified the pleasure, allowing her to fulfill his most twisted desire. No one could satisfy him the way she did because no one else possessed her abilities.

But if he displeased her in anyway, she would punish him with pain every bit as intense as the pleasure. Then she would disappear for weeks, sometimes months, leaving him aching for a level of satisfaction impossible to attain without her.

Shaking away the distraction, she refocused on the present complication. “The conversation Barns reported to you might not have had anything to do with Osric.” If Carly were a more effective spy than they’d thought, they would simply have to deal with her. All this worrying was a waste of energy.

Nehema’s brow arched as a bit of her spirit returned. “If the backers know about you, it’s only a matter of time before their investigation leads them to me.”

“They already know who you are. If they’d wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

The reminder earned Zophiel an impatient glare. “The only thing they can prove about me is that I’ve been helping females escape their abusers.”

“Tell that to Gage Seaton.” Zophiel laughed. “I’m sure he’s given the cats quite an earful by now.”

“You approved his actions. I had nothing to do with it.”

“We know that, but Gage has no idea he was talking to me not you.”

Nehema stomped her foot and started pacing, fists tightly clenched at her sides. “You intentionally complicate things. I’ve done everything I can to avoid violence, but you seem to crave it.”

Zophiel had had enough of Nehema’s denials. Their tactics might differ, but they were both equally guilty in the eyes of the Therian nation. “You’d rather kidnap children and terrorize adolescents with tales of demon possession and evil spirits.”

“The spirits are real and you know it.” Her steps sped as her agitation mounted. “How can you speak such blasphemy?”

Zophiel stepped in front of Nehema, grasped her shoulders and gave her a good hard shake. “Snap out of it! Osric knows nothing but my name and how to make me come. Even if he did run his mouth to Carly, we are not in danger.”

“I want to believe it’s that simple, but things never work out that well for us.”

Ignoring her sister’s pessimism, Zophiel went on. “Even if the backers miraculously connect you and me, I’ll kill them long before they harm either of us.”

Fear flickered in the depths of Nehema’s eyes. “Is violence your solution for everything?”

“Pretty much.” Nehema gaped and Zophiel laughed. “Relax, little sister. You’ll end up with an ulcer if you keep tying yourself in knots.”

“We need to know how much the backers have pieced together, which means you need to search one of their memories.”

Zophiel tensed as she searched the depths of her sister’s gaze. “You know what happened last time I tried to probe that deeply. Do you really want me to try again?”

Nehema sighed then squared her shoulders. “I don’t see that we have any other choice. I will not allow us to be blindsided. It’s time for the Angel of Justice to make another house call. I’ll let you choose which one you visit.”

* * * * *

Ava’s vision left her with a sense of belonging that she’d never experienced before. She’d always been close with her family, but the safety precautions that shaped her childhood had kept her isolated from everyone else.

To begin with, the easy camaraderie the Therians shared had made Ava feel isolated and sad. But now there was no doubt left in her mind that this was where she belonged and she would one day be as exceptional as the others.