And then Jez went silent, as did the screen and he looked up at Jinx.
“Whoever that was sounds like they know you well,” Jinx said. “They got the no-fun part.”
“I
“Those were my brothers,” Jez finally said and Jinx raised his brows. “They’re the reason I fucked up so badly tonight with Gillian. I hope you can forgive me, but hearing from them was quite . . . unexpected. Wonderful as well.”
“Are those the others you mentioned to me—the ones that were waiting in the wings to help the Dires when needed?”
“Yes,” Jez told him. “That’s them. There are eleven of them. I’m the twelfth, the youngest.”
“Explains a lot.”
“Shut up.” Jez managed a smile and then he grew serious again. “My brothers were gone—lost to me for thirty years.”
“That’s when you started following me. That’s when you moved here,” Jinx said. “You said it was ordained.”
“I might’ve stretched the truth on that. You opening purgatory, that was ordained. I would’ve done that even if . . .” He took a deep breath and said, “My brothers were released from purgatory when it opened. They’d been wrongly imprisoned there and I had no way to get them out on my own. But I knew you’d be opening purgatory and so I was able to watch you. To help you.”
“You knew your brothers would be imprisoned in purgatory and you couldn’t stop it from happening?”
“We didn’t know when it would happen—or how. Just that, thirty years later a great wolf would free them and we would owe him everything.” He stared at Jinx. “I was supposed to be locked in purgatory with them. It was a stroke of . . . luck, shall we say, that I escaped. Although there’ve been many times over the years I wished it otherwise. But no matter what, I owe you a great debt. We all do.”
“Where were you when they were taken?”
“I was resting in a different nest when the spell was cast by a powerful warlock. I knew where they were . . . and I knew about the prophecy. So I’m in your debt.”
“And these deadheads I freed?”
“They’re cool.”
“They’re from purgatory.”
“Because they’re undead. All vampires don’t go to hell, you know.”
“Sounds like hell is preferable. Did you use me?” Jinx demanded.
“No, wolf. I knew what was going to happen and I was sent to protect you, regardless of what happened with my kind in purgatory. I couldn’t do anything to aid them—once you opened the door, it was up to them to claw their way out.”
“And they did?”
“And they did,” Jez confirmed. “They’re now dabbling in social media and buying up cell phones. And, as I told you, I’m indebted to you, as are they.”
“No one needs to be in my debt.”
“Everyone needs a favor now and again. Consider us your twelve favors,” Jez said. “Like your kind, we have certain burdens to bear for being what we are. Gifts are given, but they always come at a price. We knew this from the start, we accepted our fate.”
“You had a choice?” Jinx asked.
“In the beginning, yes,” Jez said quietly. “I can’t tell you more. Not now, wolf. It would put you in danger. And I wish I could’ve told you about this earlier, but I didn’t know if everything would come to pass at this time. Things could’ve gone wrong.”
“I thought they did,” Jinx muttered.
“You’ll meet them one day. I think you’ll like them.”
“As much as I like you?” he asked and Jez looked as if he was waiting for the punch line. But there was none, and when both wolf and vampire realized that, there were small smiles of understanding.
“You’re not a half-bad roommate, wolf,” Jez told him. “But the sex on the roof is cramping my nighttime style.”
“Do you think they can help with this other situation?”
“Maybe.”
For the first time since it happened, Jinx allowed himself to think on it. To relive it. He’d hear the screams in his ears for a long time to come. “I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Rogue.”
“I’m sure he knows,” Jez said quietly. “You’re not responsible. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t. You may think you have some level of control over these beasts, but no one truly ever could.”
Jinx looked down at his hands. “I should’ve tried harder. Done something sooner.”
“We knew that the monsters were getting antsy, but we weren’t seeing anything crazy on the radar. Small possessions, yes. I guess they were testing their limits. They don’t like being put on a leash. Pretty soon, they’re going to want to inflict terrible pain and when they do, it’s going to be hell on earth. Brother turning on brother. We’re talking irreversible damage if you can’t get this shit under control.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“It’s in the beginning stages, but yes,” Jez assured him. “I think, tomorrow night, we’ll have to try to send them into hell.”
“I’m not letting Rogue do that,” Jinx said fiercely.
Jez looked odd as he agreed just as fiercely, “Rogue isn’t going anywhere near hell again. I’ll make sure of it.”
Jinx didn’t push the vampire further, but something told him that they would all be sorry long after this was over.
Kate, Stray and Killian had FBI badges, thanks to Jinx. The wolf was good at supplying them, although he’d never tell where he got them.
“I’ll take point on this,” Killian said.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way, brother,” Stray said, attempting a joke that came out more hollow than he’d hoped.
“Brother, it’s going to be all right. I’m not going to let you face this Greenland shit alone,” Killian told him. “Your life’s different now.”
“You’ve got us,” Kate added and Stray felt himself relax a bit.
“I know. Let’s get this over with.” He pushed the doorbell, heard the low clang. A member of the staff, dressed in butler clothing, answered the door and guided them into a dark paneled study.
“This place is huge,” Kate whispered.
“Our house is bigger,” Stray scoffed and she smiled.
“Yes, honey, yours is definitely bigger.”
“Funny,” he said as Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell walked in, Mr. Blackwell leading his wife with a hand on the small of her back. She looked whippet thin and ready to fall over at any moment, although her handshake was surprisingly strong. “Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell, I’m special agent Garcia, and these are agents Weir and Lesh. We’re here to ask you some questions about your daughter.”
Mrs. Blackwell motioned for them to sit and she did so on the leather couch across from the chairs the butler had moved so they were all facing one another. Mr. Blackwell poured himself a scotch before joining his wife on the couch, and Stray was surprised when he handed it to his wife, who downed it.
“The FBI was here the other day. I told them everything I know. They said the reward was a bad idea, but I don’t give a damn.”
“I understand that you want her back,” Kate started, but he waved a hand at her.
“No, you don’t understand. She’s dangerous. She’s going to hurt someone.” Mr. Blackwell put a hand over
