Page 119 of When Death Whispers

I drag a hand through my hair, frustration mounting. “Then fuckingtrack her!”

The demon-beast stares at me like I just suggested he sniff the floor like a goddamn bloodhound. But if that’s something in his skill set, maybe I should.

“I may be a beast, but do Ilooklike a fucking search dog?”

I guess that’s out. I throw my hands in the air. “So you’re telling me you,Mr. All-Powerful Nightmare Demon, can’t do jack shit?”

He leans forward, teeth flashing in something that isn’t a smile. His too-sharp canines glint in the dim bakery light. “Oh, I can do plenty,human.”

I don’t like the way he says that.

I don’t like the way his eyes gleam, like he knows something I don’t.

The furry fucker steps closer, too close, and for the first time since this nightmare started, his expression changes. The amusement fades, and his lips curve into something almost intrigued as his gaze flicks downward. Right to my hair.

Right to the white streak.

I barely register the shift before he hums, slow and thoughtful. “Oh.”

I stiffen. “What?”

He doesn’t answer. His eyes narrow, calculating, as he studies me. And then he grins.

“Well, well,” he drawls, his voice silk and shadows. “Maybe you’re not useless after all.”

I take a step back. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

The demon tilts his head. “Becausethat”—he gestures at my hair—“isn’t just for show, idiot.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

His grin widens. “That mark isn’t simply aesthetic, Hobson. It’s atether.” He taps his temple. “It ties you to Steo, the same way Parker is tied to him.”

Oh.

Is that what her shadow monster is called?

Wait.

Oh, shit.

The demon fucker smirks, watching realization hit me like a freight train. “Now you’re getting it.”

I swallow hard, every muscle in my body coiled tight. “So we can use it?”

“Oh, we canuseit.” His grin turns razor-sharp. “But you’re not gonna like how.”

Of course not. But I force my voice steady. “Tell me.”

He rolls his shoulders, all effortless grace, like he’s enjoying dragging this out. “We follow the connection.”

I frown. “How?”

The beast licks his teeth. “Your blood.”

My stomach drops and I stare at him. “You want me tobleedour way there?”

He nods, looking far too entertained. “A steady trail will lead us straight to him. To Parker.”

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