Page 49 of Seducing Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“This could be fake or an old feed.” He subtly rolls his eyes. It’s a very human gesture I’ve not seen him make before. Maybe I’m rubbing off on him?

“Give me the name of one person who disappeared.”

I think back to the reports. “Arnold Manners.”

He takes out his phone and pushes one button; whomever he calls is on speed dial. “Get Arnold to come to the living area,” Archan commands. A man I recognize as Arnold Manners from his photo comes to the screen and waves. Archan raises an eyebrow.

I take the phone from his hand. “Ask Arnold to rub his right eye.” Five seconds later, Arnold rubs his right eye, and I return the phone to Archan.

“Satisfied?” he asks. I nod, and Nathan returns to his seat with the tablet.

As I consider what I’ve seen, Archan shuffles the sugar, salt, and pepper shakers so they’re in a precise line. I should have known he would have a touch of OCD.

“My turn,” he says.

I shake my head. “I’ve only had three questions.”

He ignores me. “Why are you here?”

“To find the missing people.”

He looks up from the shakers. “So, now you know where they are, is your job done?” He appears hopeful—idiot.

“No, I’ve spent the last two hours looking at Mary’s body. Someone wants these people dead. I’m assuming Mary didn’t come to you for protection, or you reached her too late.” He thins his lips but doesn’t answer. Instead, he asks his next question.

“Why do the Renevate demons want you dead?”

I swirl the last of my coffee in my cup. “I have no idea. My assumption would be because we’re investigating the missing people.” He nods, seeming satisfied with my answer.

“What does the secret weapon department of Waterford Industries do?”

I try, and fail, to stop my heartbeat from increasing. “There’s only so much I can tell you.”

He clenches his jaw. “Tell me what you can.”

I take a deep breath, picking my words so as not to lead him to questions about the SIP. “My grandfather supports a group that investigates supernaturals. He has a small department that develops weapons to help kill them.”

“And you are part of this group?”

“Yes.”

“Is it your mission to kill all supernaturals?”

I shake my head. “Of course not—I’m not a bigot. Like the authorities that deal with criminal humans, we focus on those supernaturals that mean us harm.”

I put my hands under the table and cross my fingers, praying he doesn’t probe further. Thankfully, he leaves it alone, but throws me a second curveball.

“How do you know Khalkaroth?”

I screw my face up in confusion. “I don’t. The first time I heard his name was today. Who is he?” Archan stares at me. It’s another staring match I lose.Maybe there are classes I can attend?

“The demon who killed Mary Conway and Kelly Peterson.”

My body chills. “Kelly Peterson is dead?”

A muscle jumps in his jaw as he flicks his eyes to Barney. “Yes.”

I frown. “Is Khalkaroth the shadow man from the videos?”

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