Page 31 of Infernal Hearts

Jason and I sit in the car, desperately brainstorming next steps.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, wracking my brain. “So, what do you know about the magical folks here? Who are they? Where do they live? Maybe we can go ask if anybody’s seen Dane or your dad.”

He bites his lip. “I treated them, but I didn’t do house calls. I have no idea where they live except for the fact that most of them are off the grid. I can maybe guess where one or two might be holing up, but I doubt we’d find them.”

Goddamn it. “Really? No one who might know where he was last seen, or maybe even someone who might have run into an incubus?”

Jason shrugs, his mouth opening and closing again. He leans his head against the window. “They would just show up when they needed help, not make conversation or have relationships with us. Besides, it’s not like Michael’s going to give me access to my dad’s client list, and even if he did, I doubt most of them would have any contact info. It’s a cash business, for obvious reasons, under the radar.”

Nodding slowly, I keep going with the thought. “Okay, but who did you treat in those years?”

“Sirens, werewolves, vampires. I treated a kraken once. That thing really weirded me out.” He shudders at the thought.

“Oh? Not into tentacles?” I wiggle my eyebrows and make a slurping sound.

Jason rolls his eyes in disgust. “No, not into furries, either. Thanks, though.”

Chuckling, I go back to the problem at hand. “Shit. I’m not sure if you know this, but the prejudice against demons comes from creatures like those telling nasty stories.”

Jason freezes, and his eyes light up. “Creature stories… I’m not sure if you’re desperate, but the town does have a library… I’m sure it has plenty of those.”

“Not really helpful.” I sigh, shaking my head. “Your dad would have the real stuff. Think he might have any journals we could use?”

His lips press into a firm line. “Not that I can get ahold of right now.”

“Fuck.” I let out a defeated huff. “Library it is, then. Might as well look at some old newspapers to see if there’s anything demon-y that might have happened here since my brother disappeared.”

A fucking library. I can’t believe that’s my best shot at staying alive right now.

We walk in, and Jason helps me scour newspapers and books all day on any possible creature sightings and demon lore, but most of it’s bullshit. Just urban legends and Biblical quotes.

He drops another book down on the table, gaining him a sideways glare from the librarian. “Why does every piece of literature I find somehow relate to you working in the pits of Hell?”

I yawn, turning back to what I was reading. “Because the less people know about the supernatural, the safer we are.”

“Now that I think about it, I’ve treated all different kinds of creatures, and the myths about all of those are wrong, too.”

I look over to his stack of material. “What about this one?” I pick up the book and show him the picture. “It talks about how incubi can have kids with humans. Merlin was supposed to be one. Maybe I have a nephew running around here somewhere?”

“Is that your theory?” He raises his eyebrow. “Dane packed up, fell in love with a human, and created spawn?”

I tilt my head back and forth. “I mean, maybe… No… But I get why he might have chosen this delightful little village. Not much else here otherwise.”

“Except a slew of other supernaturals.” He crosses his arms and leans back. “We might have more luck talking to some of them if only I could get that contact log.”

I laugh. “Say you do get that list, what are you going to do? Are you going to cold call your dad’s clients and scare them into talking to us? Make them lose their shit once they find out that he’s missing?”

“Better than these books. Is there anything about incubi here that you don’t already know? I’d bet my left tit that Magnus at least told you this much.”

I chuckle, loving how cute he gets when he’s worked up. “The only thing you’re going to find in there is that apparently all we do is cause deterioration and death. It’s probably why my blood is black. Doesn’t get much more impure than that.” I sigh. “These news articles didn’t tell me anything. Are you sure you don’t remember anything demonic in this town growing up?”

He closes his mouth for a few moments, really thinking before he speaks again. “Nothing comes to mind. I can’t think of any signs of deals in town—no businesses running really well or any perfect marriages with a million screaming kids running around.”

“Well, if we find any families with at least forty kids, then I think we have a lead.” I let out an exasperated sigh. “I really don’t think we’re getting anywhere here. Maybe more luck driving around town?”

He avoids eye contact, shaking his head, and goes back to reading. “Yeah, these books really are a waste of time. This one says that magic can be passed down in humans. No such thing.”

“And here I thought you knew a thing or two about supernaturals. Haven’t you ever heard of psychics?”

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