Page 10 of Dead to Rights
“Enforcers.”
Unfamiliar with the term, he looked to Noah for answers.
“They work for the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. They’re like the Navy SEALs of the paranormal world.”
He nodded, both in understanding and gratitude, then turned back to Karleigh. “What did you do?”
“Me?” She reeled back as if he’d slapped her. “Nothing! I didn’t do anything!”
Granted, he didn’t know a whole lot about the paranormal world, but he liked to think himself fairly logical. And common sense told him highly trained elite soldiers didn’t hunt down baby vamps for no reason.
“Try again,” he told her. “The truth this time.”
“It really was an Enforcer!” she insisted. “He tracked me to the ranch, and that’s why I had to leave you.”
“What else?” Noah asked. “There’s something you’re not telling us.”
“That’s all. I swear it.”
Finn didn’t believe her, but he’d had about all the revelations he could handle for the time being. Besides, the fake tremble of Karleigh’s bottom lip combined with the calculation in her narrowed gaze said he wouldn’t be getting the truth from her any time soon.
“Come with me.”
“Of course,” she agreed easily as she pressed against his side. “Where are we going?”
Finn sidestepped away from her and shoved his hand into his pocket when she reached for it. “There’s someone you should meet.”
Chapter four
Travelingthewindingpathpast a grove of fruit trees, Noah approached the stone castle on the hill at the edge of the village. Surrounded by lush gardens with accents that leaned both dark and enchanting, it really did look like it had come straight from a gothic fairy tale.
Beyond the fact that some of his favorite people lived there, including his twin brother, he had a lot of reasons for loving the place. Like the fact that the castle had a unique personality all its own.
And he meant that quite literally.
Constructed by Hades himself as a gift to Orrin and his mate, ancient magic had been woven into every stone and plank of wood, creating a self-sustaining and temperamental home. The castle provided everything the occupants required, always adjusting and expanding to meet their every need.
Overeager to please and weirdly sensitive about criticism, it also tended to throw toddler level tantrums when it felt it wasn’t being appreciated. Noah found the quirks hilarious, but then again, he didn’t have to live inside the sentient pile of rocks.
Approaching the heavy arched door, he grinned when it swung open in welcome, and a warm breeze scented with vanilla and lavender rushed out to meet him.
“Hey,” he said, tapping his palm against the doorframe as he crossed over the threshold. “Is Finn here?”
A moment later, some of the marble tiles beneath his feet glowed with a pale gold light, creating a path that led past the ornate staircase.
“Kitchen?” he guessed.
The tiles flickered once, then glowed a little brighter.
“Got it. Thanks.”
When he had first started visiting, it had felt awkward and uncomfortable to carry on a conversation with an empty room. After a while, however, he had gotten used to it, and now, it was kind of like engaging with an enthusiastic puppy.
Following the illuminated path, he slowed when he approached the kitchen, his heart sinking at the sight that greeted him. Seated atop one of the barstools at the island, Finn sat with head in his hands, his back rounded, and his shoulders slumped.
It had been three days since they’d left Karleigh with Orrin at the diner, and as far as he knew, Finn hadn’t left the castle since. He had stopped going on patrols around the village, and he’d skipped his last shift at the pier to welcome new souls to the Underworld.
Noah couldn’t even imagine what he must be feeling.
