by Cate Dean
“Thank you, Mr. Finch. Now I’m going to go show her off.”
I rolled my eyes when she grabbed my hand, but I smiled at Dad as she dragged me past him.
“Have fun, you two. And Misty.” She paused on the sidewalk and glanced at Dad. “Keep her out late.”
She laughed, and let me go, pointing to the passenger side of her Mercedes. “In.”
Oh, lord help me. She was driving.
~ ~ ~
I survived the trip to the restaurant, and actually had a good time, once I was able to push my problems to the back of my mind and just talk. Misty’s good for that—she could talk anyone under the table.
She dragged me to the beach, and we walked for hours. I let the cold, crisp air and the sound of the waves soothe me, let my mind just empty. I was tired of thinking, of obsessing about a situation I couldn’t change—or even be part of, at this point. I never would have thought of it for myself, but it was exactly what I needed.
“Thanks for this, Misty.”
“I care about Sam, too.” She took my hand. “Even Jake, despite him wanting to tear me into edible bits at our first meeting.”
Laughter burst out of me. The day we discovered monsters were real was also the day I learned there was more to Misty than head cheerleader and most popular girl in school. She had a streak of courage a mile wide, a brain behind those sky blue eyes—and we became friends in the space of a few minutes, while fighting for our lives.
“It’s getting cold out here,” she said, huddling in her thin jacket. “You ready?”
“Yeah.”
We walked back to her car. The end of a normal day. It felt great, and weird. I’ve had so little normal lately. I really thought I wanted it back, but to be honest—it was kind of boring.
I halted as the realization hit me.
I didn’t want normal anymore.
I wanted Sam, and all the crazy that came with him.
“Alex?” Misty studied me, concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good.” I let out my breath, and a huge weight fell off my shoulders. “Really good.”
“So tell me, what momentous decision did you just make?”
I blinked at her. “That obvious?”
“You look like you’ve been fighting a battle in there.” She tapped my forehead. “Which side won?”
“The side that’s known since we were stalked by Jake that my life was never going to be normal again.”
“Wow. And I thought you were the smart one.”
“What?”
She crossed her arms. “I figured that out months ago.”
“You—what?”
“My boyfriend’s a fallen angel who tracks monsters. I’m so far from normal I can’t even see it anymore.”
“I want to be with Sam,” I whispered. My heart ached so much, I rubbed my chest. It didn’t help.
“Oh, sweetie.” Misty wrapped her arms around me. “We’ll get through this. I know Sam couldn’t have hurt Matt, or Leo—”
“But he could.” It hurt to say the words, but I had to get them out of my head. “He went after me, Misty, and he loves me.” She tightened her grip when I tried to escape. “Misty—”
“What do you believe, deep down? Spit it out, Alex. I can see how much you’re suffering.”
I let out a watery sigh, tears filling my eyes. “I’m afraid he’ll have to leave again, and that will be it.”
Misty finally let me go, only to grip my shoulders. “What would you do, if Sam turns out to be the killer?”
God, she was asking the hard questions. The questions I’ve been avoiding since the first murder. There was only one answer that didn’t tear me apart.
“I’d go with him, help him. I love him, Misty—more than I thought I’d love anyone.”
She nodded, like she already knew that’s what I’d say. “Then hold that in your heart, Alex. Know it, and put it aside, so we can find out who the hell is screwing with our friends.”
I blinked at her. “You want to—”
“Crash the investigation. I can’t stand on the sidelines and pretend I’m happy doing it. Not when my little brother’s best friend is in danger.” She shook me gently. “I’m a little in love with all those residents myself, Alex. And Hern has changed Kenny in ways I never imagined. I also consider Sam one of my best friends, and I won’t stand by and watch him accept the accusations because he can’t remember not doing it.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Are you with me? Say yes, Alex, because I already have a plan. Zach and I have been talking—”
“Wait. You’ve been planning something, with Zach, and you didn’t think to mention it until now?”
“You’ve been kind of—fragile lately. I didn’t want to dump on you until I was sure about details. Zach’s going to get info on the investigation from Simon, so we know what’s going on, and can come up with some angles of our own. You’re so good at pulling the truth out of obscure details, I think . . . what?”
“Fragile?” Yeah, that’s all I got out of the conversation. I’ve been called a lot of things over the years, but fragile has never been one of them. It made me feel—angry. I didn’t like the feeling, at all. Or the fact that my best friend felt the need to protect me. “I’m not—fragile.”
“Alex. You nearly died last year. Fragile comes with an injury like that. Maybe we’ve all been a little overprotective because of it—”
“You think?”
“But that’s done now. Okay? We’ll find out who’s killing our friends, and help Simon stop them. For good. We help, Alex, not do it. We have to get that clear from the beginning. I won’t be responsible for you being hurt like that again.”
Her voice shook over the words, reminding me again that my brush with death didn’t only affect me.
“I promise, Misty. I won’t put myself in that kind of danger again. You know, I didn’t plan it the first time.”
“Yeah.” She cleared her throat, and let me go, wiping her eyes. “But you seem to attract it. I want to help find the killer, but I don’t want us standing between him and his next victim. No matter who the killer turns out to be.”
She didn’t have to say it, but the words screamed through my head. Sam could be the killer. Or Jake. I wanted to find the truth, for them as well as us. Once we got there, we’d figure out the next step.
Whatever it was, wherever Sam ended up, I planned to be standing next to him.
9
We walked back to the car, and my phone buzzed as I was sliding in.
Candace’s voice burst out the second I answered.
“Alex—I need you at the McGinty house. Now.”
“What—”
“Another resident is dead, and I found Sam kneeling over him.” I switched to speaker so Misty could hear. “He’s in a bad way, and I need you here to calm him. Where the hell are you and how fast can you get here?”
Misty had already started the car and screamed out of the parking lot. “Candace—we’re fifteen minutes away. Do what you can.” She glanced over at me. “Put on your seat belt.” I managed to buckle in before she gunned the engine and shot forward.
“Tell Sam he’s not alone,” I said, forcing a calm into my voice I didn’t feel. “Make sure he understands that. Tell him I’m coming, that he’s not alone.”
“Not alone. Got it. Please hurry, Alex. He’s so close to the edge, I’m not sure even you can pull him back.”
She ended the call before I could say anything else. I leaned back and closed my eyes, trusting Misty to get us there fast and in one piece. This was my nightmare—Sam killing, and realizing what he’s just done.
Misty beat her estimate by five minutes.
I was climbing out almost before the car skidded to a halt, halfway around the house when she caught up with me.
“Stay behind me,” I said. “Sam needs to see me first.”
“Be careful.”
I nodded, and
slowed when I rounded the corner. My heart skipped when I saw Sam, doubled over, his hands braced on the dead grass. The telltale green of demon blood streaked every inch of his bare arms, his hands, and tipped the ends of his hair.
“Sam.”
His head snapped up, his eyes not human. Oh, God—Candace was right. He was almost over the edge.
“Get out of here.” His furious words were more snarl than voice.
I kept moving forward until I crouched in front of him. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”
He growled, and started to shake. I looked down, my breath stopping when I saw the claws sprouting from his now hairy fingers. “Go—”
“Look at me, Sam.” When he didn’t, I gripped his chin and lifted his head. The skin under my fingers was hot. He was losing control. “You can fight this. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere, not without you. Not again. We’re getting through this together. I love you, Sam, and I’m not leaving you again.”
His eyes started changing, becoming more human. “I killed him, Alex.”
“We don’t know that—”
“His blood is everywhere, and I came to with my teeth on his throat.”
I wanted to scream. Instead I leaned in and brushed my lips over his. He shuddered, but he didn’t try to pull away. “I’m here, Sam. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this out together, okay?”
“Alex—”
“Don’t shut me out. Don’t you dare, not now. We need do get through this together, or I’ll lose you, Sam, and I can’t lose you.” By the time I finished I was crying. I couldn’t stop myself. Seeing him like this tore me apart.
He pulled me into his arms, and relief spread through me. I held on, until Candace’s voice cut through the silence.
“We have to clean this up, before cops start snooping around.” She looked right at me. I did have a cop snooping around me, on a regular basis—though I hadn’t seen much of Detective Sampson recently. Not since Matt—
My mind shied away from that thought.
And we had a crime scene, right next to another crime scene. We had to get this done before anyone wandered in, needing another look at Matt’s—
Stop. Not now. Just get this done.
“Right—let’s clean up,” I said. A good way to distract us all. “Sam.” I cradled his cheek. “I want you to go to the haven—”
“I’m staying—”
“No. Go to the haven, send Louise to bring the—victim back, and get cleaned up. We’ll talk once I’m done here.”
I kissed him before he could object, and his grip on me tightened. I never wanted it to end, because when it did, reality waited, with a giant slap. He finally eased back, and let me go.
“Don’t come down, Alex. I don’t want you part of this.”
“Too late.” I forced myself to smile, to make my voice light. “I’m madly in love with the prime suspect.”
“Alex—”
“Go.” I stood, put distance between us, so I didn’t kiss him again, or cling to him, like I wanted to. “We have some cleaning to do up here.”
I watched him head to the open manhole, his shoulders slumped. I didn’t need to look down to know there was blood on my clothes. Not that it mattered; one quick look at the scene told me I’d be getting a lot bloodier before it was over.
My heart pounding, I approached the huddled figure, praying it wasn’t a resident I knew. A hand on my shoulder halted me. I looked up to find Louise next to me, her eyes kind. “I will deal with this, Alex. There’s no need for you to identify the victim.”
She picked up the demon, and I got a glimpse of the grey face when she turned around. It wasn’t any of the residents I knew, so it must be a recent arrival. Ache and relief fought each other as I watched her carry the demon, draping him over her shoulder before she climbed down and disappeared.
I sank to my knees, the delayed emotions finally smacking me.
Misty crouched next to me, her hand rubbing my back. “Okay?”
“Sooner or later, yeah. You don’t have to stay.”
“Yes, I do. Let’s get this done.”
She helped me stand, and we joined Candace, who already had the hose pulled out from the back of the house. Since the Emmetts bought the property, they have gradually added small conveniences, since this was the primary entrance to the haven. Sometimes, a new arrival needed a more—involved reception.
“Alex.” Candace started hosing down the blood. Demon blood is thick, and doesn’t break up as easily as human. “There’s a stash of clothes in the ground floor bedroom. Go in through the side door, so you avoid the crime scene.” I couldn’t stop the ache that shot through me at her words. It must have shown on my face: she laid one hand on my shoulder, her eyes sympathetic. “Go on. You can’t be seen in the haven covered in blood.”
I looked down at myself. I’d left my jacket in the car, so Sam spread the blood all over my shirt and pants. “Right.”
The side door was on the other end of the house. I headed around to the front—and nearly had heart failure when I ran straight into a broad chest.
“Going somewhere, Alex?”
Oh, God.
Detective Sampson.
~ ~ ~
Before I could even open my mouth to say anything he grabbed my arm and inspected every inch.
“Are you all right?”
I nodded, my breath lodged in my throat. What was he doing here? And what did he think was smeared all over my clothes?
Obviously satisfied that I was in one piece, he practically dragged me back around the house, halting when Candace and Misty came into sight.
“I received a tip about a violent fight here.” They both froze at his voice, looking as guilty as if they were the culprits. “Looks like it was valid. You do know that disturbing a crime scene is illegal?”
“The crime scene is inside.” Candace kept spraying the dead grass with water, like she was, well, cleaning up. “What are you doing here, Detective? Whoever called you is wrong—there was no fight here. Some kids left a mess, and I’m taking care of it.”
She was a spectacular liar. Didn’t even blink.
“Turn off the hose, Miss Corwin, and both of you stop touching anything.”
Misty bounced to her feet, angrier than I’d seen her in a while. “You can’t just barge on private property and throw your weight around!”
“I’m afraid he can.” Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, Simon stepped out of the house. “Joe Sampson.” He held out his hand. “I know you by reputation. My former partner tried to emulate your arrest record.”
“Thanks.” Detective Sampson took his hand. “I’m afraid you’re at the advantage here.”
Simon smiled, and I understood. He was going for the shock factor. “I’m a former resident of Santa Luna, but I wasn’t a cop there. I was a priest. Simon Asher.”
It took a minute to sink in. When it did, Detective Sampson stepped back, the shock Simon was after clear in his eyes.
“You’re dead.”
“I was, yes. Before I ran into a fallen angel.”
I closed my eyes. So much for keeping his secret.
“Why don’t we continue this conversation in a more private place.” Simon gestured to the manhole.
“Simon—you can’t—”
“It’s time he knew the truth, Alex.” Simon laid a hand on my shoulder. “About everything.”
“You’re talking about the haven.” We all stared at Detective Sampson. He raised an eyebrow. “I’m a cop. After investigating what happened in the basement, did you really think I wouldn’t find out about it?”
“You never said anything.” I kept staring at him. He could have betrayed us, exposing what he knew. “Why didn’t you—”
“Because I knew what the fallout would be. I still have a hard time believing it.” He ran one hand through his hair. “I staked out this place a few times, and saw—some of the new arrivals.”
That must have been a sh
ock.
“Thank you,” Simon said. “For keeping the information to yourself.”
“The stakeouts were on my own time. No need to account for my personal life, unless someone commits a crime. So, that’s the entrance?” He stared at the open sewer hole, looking a little pale. “I expected something more—welcoming.”
I moved to him, noticing as I got closer that he was sweating.
“Detective, are you okay?”
“Fine.” He cleared his throat, pulled at the collar of his shirt. “I’m—this is the only way down?”
“No, but all the entrances are the same.” The truth smacked me. “You’re claustrophobic.”
“I’m not—” He yanked his tie off, pacing between the house and the entrance.
“Alex.” Simon stepped between us, his gaze on Detective Sampson, even though he directed his words to me. “Why don’t we move this conversation to Zach’s—”
“I’m all right.” Detective Sampson swallowed, looked at Simon, then at Misty and Candace, ending with me. He kept eye contact with me when he continued. “During my first homicide case, I was injured by the suspect. He—” Cursing under his breath, he pushed sweat damp hair off his forehead. “He locked me in a root cellar the size of a coffin, left me to die.”
I moved to him and took his hand. “How long?”
He let out a shaky breath. “I started digging my way out on the first day, and ended up in another cellar, about the size of a small bathroom. I lost consciousness because of my injuries. It took rescue three more days to find me.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Now you know my deepest, ugliest secret. And I know yours. Can we get this over with?”
“I didn’t—you don’t—” There was no way to finish that sentence without sounding like I felt sorry for him. I was horrified by what he told me, but I also respected him more for the strength it must have taken to survive. “Can you make it down the ladder?”
“I’ll have to, if it’s the only way.”
“Candace and Misty can go first, to catch us in case you—” I didn’t say faint, since it would probably irritate him. He nodded, like he knew what I was thinking. “I’ll guide you down. Simon will be above you, to help if you need a fast exit. Will it make things easier if I, um, keep my hand on your ankle?”
