Page 145 of Dark Souls

“The information I am about to offer you will change history. I have enjoyed my time at the club but there are just some things one cannot turn a blind eye to. Especially when it comes to something that could put the whole world in danger.”

I seethed, calling bullshit. He didn’t give a fuck about the world or anyone else in it. Only himself.

“And I take it you want more than just our protection for this information?” Grandpapi was calling him on his bullshit, too. Thank God.

His smile widened. “Of course. My life is at risk just by being here, so yes, I will need it to be worth it.”

“And what do you have in mind?” Dad asked.

Marlon folded his hands one over the other with gentle grace as he pretended to think it over. “Fae don’t have destined mates unless they are lucky. But I’ve decided I’d quite like one. And I think you can make that happen.”

I snorted, shaking my head at his absurd request.

“And what makes you think we could do that?” my mum asked, her own eyes narrowing in judgment. She didn’t trust him either. Good. This was good. I was starting to relax, knowing they weren’t about to be played.

“You are the most powerful supernaturals in the human realm, are you not? I am sure between yourselves you could make it happen. A spell. A love potion. A word with Gods up high. Is the rumour true that Leif Anderson is now a seer? I was hoping to meet him this evening.”

My dad growled in warning across the table. “We would never mess with mate bonds. You are barking up the wrong tree, coming to us with a demand so outrageous.”

Marlon sighed deeply, tapping his fingers on the table as he stared at them. “I knew it was a long shot. You can’t blame a lonely man who only wants love in his life for trying, though, right? I mean, look at what you all have. It was a pipe dream, but still worth a go. I’ll just take two million, a private island in the Bahamas and the chance to call in a favour with the royals at a later date. And if you happen to already know the exclusive information from your detective princess over here, then I’ll just take the witness protection and half a million for offering to do you a solid in the first place.”

‘The bastard knows we were there! This is not good!’Rue panicked.

My parents looked between me and Marlon. Grandpapi sat up straighter and Raiden asked, “What do you mean by that? What does Ilaria know?”

His orange eyes sparkled as he grinned with mischief. I silently begged him with my eyes.

“That I can read his mind and just tell you what he knows,” I quickly said as he chuckled.

“Oh, they didn’t know you were there last night? Naughty, naughty, Shorty.”

The fucking wanker. I hissed as my fangs snapped down and my eyes blazed red, jumping up from my chair as he raised his arms in surrender but still with a cocky smile plastered on his face.

“You were there?” My mum looked back at me. “At the Murder Maze? Did you know about this?” she accused my dad, whose nostrils were flaring, and gold circled his pupils.

“No, I fucking didn’t. Ilaria. Explain.”

“Not in front of this asshole!” I shouted, pointing my arm at the fae across the table from me.

“Then leave until we are done here and we will discuss this later.” Grandpapi’s tone was lethal and cold. He was raging. I forced Rue back and slumped down in my chair. There was no way I was leaving. Grandpapi continued, “I’m losing my patience, Marlon. Say what you have to say and we will reward you with the price we deem fit for the information.”

Even Marlon had some sense not to push Grandpapi and dropped his smile, turning serious. “Alright. I was one of two members who made it to the finish line last night. Ilaria was the other. Normally, about half of the members survive. But last night there was something else in the maze hunting us and it wasn’t a member.”

My heart nearly beat out of my chest as I sat forward. Rue was ready to leap across the table to rip out his throat before the next words came out of his mouth but I was hit with a magical barrier, flinging me back into my seat. My head spun towards my mum, who was watching me with purple eyes and a suspicious glare.

“What was it?” my dad asked, looking from Marlon and back to me.

“It was a Demonski Upir. I saw it with my own eyes. And I’m pretty sure I wasn’t the only one.” He directed his gaze towards me and I stilled. Well, fuck. Not exactly the way I had intended to tell my family about Heathen.

“But that’s impossible. They’ve been extinct for over a hundred years,” my mum said what they were all thinking, their faces masks of confusion.

“That’s what I thought too. But I am telling you. There it was. Wings, horns, demonic vines and symbols all over its skin. The lot. It was on a violent rampage through the maze, killing everything in its path. And it made complete sense.The Undergroundhas The Devil’s Pet. A rumoured monster that kills members who break the rules. I’ve heard many things about it, that it’s a mutated hybrid, a spelled vampire, a controlled monster made by magic. But I guess no one who has ever met The Devil’s Pet has lived to tell the tale. But maybe you should ask Ilaria about that.”

I hissed, attempting to catapult myself at him once more but the magic kept me glued to my seat. “Release me!” I shouted.

“Not until you calm down,” my mum said, standing up and pacing the room. “Is this true, Ilaria? Did you know about this? Why didn’t you say anything? Do you know how dangerous Demonski Upirs are?”

“Raiden. Archer. Take Marlon to the SIA HQ where we will get him set up with a new identity and put on the witness programme. Marlon, you are not to speak a word of this to anyone or it won’t just beThe Undergroundyou should fear. And we will know where to find you,” my dad said, standing up to join my mum.

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