No Humans Involved

She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and crossed her arms. 'You think I'm being paranoid? Let's see whether I have this straight. You and Jeremy call this Hope girl for information because she just happens to be in L.A. on some work exchange-'

I opened my mouth, but Eve continued. 'You go to her for local information and the first people she introduces you to just happen to be the same people you now suspect are responsible. She noses her way into your investigation like an eager puppy, following you two around. Then, just when you and Jeremy figure out who the bad guys are, who shows up to protect Jeremy? This half-demon's boyfriend. He takes Jeremy to 'uncover' the group while she 'guards' you. Damned nice setup.'

'Setup for what?'

Eve pretended not to hear, strolling over to the balcony doors, eyes narrowing as if distracted by some sign of danger.

'Setting us up for what, Eve?'

'That half-demon thinks she's got a nose for trouble? It's nothing compared to mine, and this stinks to the heavens.'

I shook my head. 'Only if you slam the pieces in until they fit your conclusion. We went to Hope, on Elena's suggestion. Hope didn't even know we were in town. Yes, it may seem coincidental that she just happens to introduce us to the very people we're looking for, but consider what they do. They play paranormal investigators to watch for new magical leads and for any signs that they themselves are in danger of exposure. Who would be one of their main contacts? Tabloid reporters covering occult activity. They worked with Hope's predecessor, then they contacted her. She had no reason to suspect them.'

'Really? Seems her nose for trouble doesn't work so well after all.'

I hesitated, then shook my head. 'She says it's not perfect. She's young and we both know she won't have come into her full demon powers yet, especially when she's untrained.'

'Convenient…' Eve murmured.

I pushed on. 'As for her and Karl, I don't think she's his girl-rriend- 1 caught h,ve's look. And 1 know you only meant that they have a relationship, which they do. But he came to L.A. to protect her.'

'So it can all be explained away. And you aren't the least bit worried that they're somehow involved?'

'The key word is somehow. How? What they could hope to gain? They had nothing to do with me finding these ghosts or starting this investigation.'

'Let me think on it.'

'You do that.'

TRUST ISSUES

HOPE RETURNED WITH MY COFFEE, which I only sipped. I trusted her, but Eve had left me a little unsettled.

Past experience had taught me that Eve was quick to jump to conclusions about people-always conclusions that saw the worst. If you deal with the magic black market and the people in it, you have to expect the worst of everyone.

Even now, whatever she was doing on the other side, it wasn't playing a harp in the choir of angels. Whenever she needed something from me, it was 'contact this dead killer' or 'research this unsolved murder case.' She might be working for the Fates, but she still had every reason to be overcautious, even paranoid. So I took her fears about Hope and Karl with a whole teaspoon of salt… but didn't dismiss them.

As Hope and I waited for news from Jeremy, we talked, mostly about life in L.A. -sharing anecdotes, favorite restaurants and clubs, that sort of thing. As time ticked past, conversation became more strained, both of us worrying about Jeremy and Karl.

Eventually Hope took up Eve's earlier occupation-pacing. She'd head to the window or balcony door, look out, then return to me, try to resume conversation, and falter as she returned for another look outside… or at her cell phone.

'Marsten isn't involved,' said a voice to my rear.

Eve strode around me.

'New theory. Marsten's not in on it. Unwitting dupe. Werewolves don't need magic, so the group wouldn't interest him. And he knows if he betrayed Jeremy, Clayton would put him through a hell worse than anything the Fates could dream up. Marsten's only crime is middle-aged delusions. Even players aren't immune to pretty young things.'

I opened my mouth, then glanced over at Hope.

Eve continued. 'Girl like that, with her powers, she'd be easy prey for this group. Thing I can't figure out is why she's holed up here with you.'

'Uh-huh,' I murmured under my breath.

'It'd be easier if she'd convinced Jeremy to take you along. Did she try?'

I shook my head.

'Huh. Well, she needs to get you out of this house and away from the guards. Has she suggested you two go anywhere? Out for a drink or a walk?'

Another shake.

'If she does, you stay put. In the meantime I'll keep patrolling… and thinking about this.'

EVE HAD only been gone a few minutes when Hope's nerves took a sharp turn for the worse.

'Keep up that pacing and you're going to wear a hole in the floor,' I said.

She jumped, as if surprised to hear a voice. Her eyes were wide and blank.

I pushed to my feet. 'Hope? Are you seeing-?'

A sharp shake of her head and her gaze focused. 'N-no. Just…' She seemed to struggle for words, then said abruptly, 'They should have called by now.'

'Not unless they're in trouble. Whatever Jeremy has in mind, it's going to take awhile. I know waiting is tough…'

I let the sentence trail off as I realized she was no longer listening. She'd resumed her pacing, gaze jumping from the window to the balcony door, then back, searching the gardens. Her face was taut, but instead of looking pale and drawn with worry, her eyes glittered and color splashed her cheeks. A vein in her neck throbbed.

She walked faster, slowing to gaze out the window, then striding to the patio doors, slowing again to look out, veering and striding back to the window. Like a housecat spotting a bird just outside the window, its whole body quivering in anticipation, unable to take its eyes off its prey.

Lucifer's daughter.

'Hope?'

She wheeled, lips curling back at the interruption. Then, in a blink, the look was gone.

'I just… I'm sorry,' she said, her eyes still darting toward the window, as if she couldn't pull her attention away. 'There's something out there.'

I walked to the window. She reached out, as if to yank me back, then stopped herself and motioned for me to keep my distance. 'J-just to be safe. Something's going on out there.'

'Someone's here?'

A long pause, and I thought she was considering it. But her gaze stayed fixed on the window, straining to see. Not thinking of an answer-she probably hadn't even heard the question.

Something in the garden. The empty garden vacated by the cops, but still off-limits to anyone in the house.

Voice neutral, I said, 'Do you think we should investigate?'

Another long pause. I was about to repeat myself when she strode to the door.

'I'll go,' she said. 'You stay here.'

'Hold-'