Page 92 of The Monster's Desire

“We asked to be assigned to North Falls after the last blood witch was murdered.” Carina frowns, shaking her head. “She was a close friend. She tried to warn me that something was off with this entire town. I was on assignment and didn’t receive her messages until she was already gone.”

“Would you like to guess who the agent assigned to North Falls was?” Shelby asks.

“Kash?” Nadia suggests.

“Correct,” Carina says. “We’ve been suspicious of him for three years. We came to North Falls deep undercover.”

“How very covert of you,” Echo says dryly.

“We believe Kash was allowing the jobs to be partially completed to keep the flow of witches coming. We’re unsure what use he had for blood witches, specifically, but it’s clear he needed them for something.” Shelby crosses her arms over her chest. “The council still believes it was the town paranormal council murdering our agents. They never believed Kash was to blame. They set us in place to monitor the council.”

“But they refused to send any additional blood witches, since we’re so rare.” Carina shrugs. “We’ve spent the last few years watching the council and, more specifically, Kash.”

Nadia shudders out a heavy breath. “Kash is dead, so how do you explain the demon and vampire attack on the peaks?”

“Shit,” Carina whispers.

“He attempted to sacrifice me to a High Lord of Hell in exchange for immortality,” Nadia informs them.

My claws elongate as I process what she just said.

“And you somehow bound them to yourself instead?” Shelby sounds every bit the stuck-up sentinel she is.

“Don’t make assumptions.” Wraith frowns.

“That’s what that one is best at,” Echo says bitterly.

“Fuck you,” Shelby hisses.

“Never, under any circumstances. I’d cut my own dick off first,” Echo deadpans.

“We’re not that type of demon,” Wraith says, getting us back on track. “We were able to step in during the summoning to intercede on her behalf. If it had been another cluster, then Nadia would likely be dead.”

“Back to who attacked me.” Nadia glances between her old friends. “Kash is dead, meaning he didn’t plan that attack.”

“He did not,” Carina agrees. “I set that up in an attempt to scare you into leaving town.”

Shelby’s wings flutter as she pulls her shoulders back. “We couldn’t risk outing ourselves, but we wanted to warn you of what you were walking into.”

“I almost fucking died,” Nadia grinds out. “If Brant hadn’t intervened, I would have taken an arrow to the face.”

“You had two bodyguards.” Shelby’s wings bristle. “We truly had no intention of hurting you.”

Nadia scoffs.

“What do you intend to tell your council?” Echo lines his words in his compulsion, which I swear to fuck, seems to have gotten more powerful since he claimed Nadia.

Shelby glares. “They’ll be informed the council had to be removed due to the risk they posed to not only civilians, but also their own council agents.”

I frown. That does get confusing with the town council and the paranormal council. Ehh, it’s not my problem. Nadia runs her free hand over mine that rests on her stomach. She smells delicious. Her scent now carries hints of the four of us, but I’ve quickly grown just as addicted to it as I am to her in general.

“You’re going to take credit for our kills?” Wraith asks in a level tone.

“They didn’t want to hear us when we explained who the problem was. They’ll likely give us a promotion.” Carina shrugs. “They like things wrapped up neat and tidy.”

“I’m exhausted.” Nadia snuggles back into my chest. “Thanks for letting us know.” It seems like she’s desperately trying to hold herself back from saying more.

“We’ll be sticking around while the town builds their new council.” Shelby crosses her arms over her chest. “Will you be able to assist Carina in completing the ward?”

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