We returned to the van and Duran sat next to Dante, who had curled up and fallen asleep. I gently stroked his head and gave him a kiss as he shifted, moving his head to lay it in my lap.

  “It’s okay, boy. We’re going to get you some help. Just rest until we get there.” I rested my hand on his head, smoothing his fur. It was hard to see friends hurt, and it felt even harder when they were in animal form.

  There was an urgent care clinic for shifters nearby, so we pulled into the parking lot and Orik picked up Dante before Dante could climb out of the van, carrying him in. I followed, leaving Duran in the van, instructing him to stay put and keep the doors shut.

  The receptionist looked up. “May I help you?”

  “Dante’s hurt. He’s a wolf shifter, and he’s been injured.” I pointed to the gashes on his hindquarters.

  “What hit him?” she asked, calling for another nurse. After that, she came around the desk to assess him. “He’s not going to die, but this needs attended to.”

  “Bigfoot.” I waited.

  She raised her eyebrows, but nodded. “We’ve actually had several patients come in, injured while they were out in their natural form. I’ve already alerted the cops and they’re hunting for him, but they didn’t want to trigger a citywide panic.”

  “Well, you can let them know that he’s…” I paused, wondering what she would say if I told her he was dead. “He’s gone.”

  “Right,” was all she said. “All right, let’s get him back into one of the exam rooms.”

  We started to follow her into the back, but instead, she pointed to a gurney. “Lay him on that and we’ll take it from here.” And with that, we were banished into the waiting room.

  CHAPTER TEN

  An hour later, the doctor came out and released Dante to us. He was back in human form, doped up, and had seven stitches on his left hip. He was walking, but we wheeled him to the car in a wheelchair so that he wouldn’t fall.

  “Somebody’s going to need to take him home,” I said. “He’s not capable of driving in this state. And preferably stay with him for the afternoon. I’ll call Carson and see if he can.”

  “I can watch over him,” Duran said, but Orik interrupted him.

  “I’ll do it,” he said. “I can stay with him through the afternoon until he comes out of it. Shifters tend to shake off sedatives fairly fast and they heal quickly. Did the doctor give you medicine for him?”

  I nodded. “Yeah he did.” I turned to Duran. “So, what happened?”

  “I was out for a morning walk, and I decided to go off trail. I was gathering components for a spell. I wasn’t out there more than twenty minutes when that creature came out of a thicket and attacked me. ” He shrugged. “You were the only ones I could think of to call.”

  “I’m glad you did. Not only for your sake, but if that creature had gotten hold of someone who couldn’t fight back, like a child or an older person, it would have been bad. In fact,” I said, “I wonder how many people have been hurt by Bigfoot and the reports have been suppressed?”

  “I’m pretty sure the cops would squelch the reports, or tell the press it was just some random attacker,” Duran said. “I don’t trust them.”

  “You might be right,” I murmured.

  We dropped Duran at his place, and he promised to check in with us later, then Orik dropped me back at the office, where we transferred the now-snoozing Dante into his car. He headed out to Dante’s place, promising to stay with him until Dante was coherent again.

  That afternoon, I sat in my office, thinking about Wendy and Mark. The thought that maybe it was a vampire still played in my mind, but I couldn’t get the temple out of my head. After a while, I called Penn.

  “Hey, what are you doing tomorrow night?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, laughing. “Why don’t you tell me what I’m doing?”

  “Hey,” I said. “If you have plans⁠—”

  “I’m joking. But seriously, what are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to attend a meeting of the Tetrachordian Temple, and we’re going to be earnest seekers for our peace of mind.” I waited. Penn didn’t disappoint.

  “Seriously? You’re asking me to play a flower child? I wasn’t a hippie in the sixties and I’m not one now.”

  “No, but you’re good at playing a part when you need to. I can’t take Dante, Carson, or Orik. They’re looking for people who are lonely—almost all cults thrive on people who feel lost or alone. So we’re going to be two lonely women, looking for some comfort in life.”

  I had come across too many types fronting for some power-hungry guru when I was on the streets for a year after my mother’s death. Luckily, I was already too jaded to be taken in by them, but so many people were lured in by promises of friendship, love, and acceptance. And the victims were usually so desperate for a little kindness and acceptance that they walked right into the trap.

  “Okay, but you owe me a burger and shake afterward.” Penn yawned. “I’ll see you tonight—unless you’re headed to dinner directly after work. By the way, I went shopping already so we have food in the house.”

  “No, and I have to change, anyway. Since you’re going to be home after all, would you mind making me a grilled cheese for an early dinner? Since I’m not meeting my father until nine, I should eat something light.”

  “Will do. Grilled cheese and tomato soup for an early dinner,” she said.

  I tried to get back to work, but the more I tried to focus, the harder it got. I finally had to admit that I was nervous as hell about the upcoming meeting. It would be the first time I had the chance to really sit down and talk to my father, and if he was anything like my brother, I was going to be walking through a minefield.

  Amané’s was a high-end restaurant, and so I wore a strapless black leather bodycon dress that was mid-thigh. Thank gods it had a hidden zipper because otherwise, it would have been impossible to wiggle into. The dress shimmered with silver grommets that adorned the sweetheart neckline, and it had a matching bolero jacket. Then, I slid into a pair of black platform leather boots that had tiny buckles all the way up the front, with a hidden side zipper, and four-inch heels.

  I pulled my hair into a sleek, high ponytail, and did my makeup in a smoky eye, and a severe matte burgundy all-day lipstick. A crystal bracelet and a floating crystal necklace completed the look. As I stood back, staring at myself in the mirror, I realized that I looked like a demon’s daughter. And it felt natural.

  Penn was in the kitchen when I joined her. She set down her mug of tea and leaned back against the counter, staring at me.

  “How do I look?”

  She shook her head and let out a low whistle. “Like a million bucks…and a little scary.”

  “Good. That’s what I was going for.” I paused, then said, “I feel so weird, Penn. I wear leather all the time but this getup…it feels like it shouldn’t fit my look but it does.”

  “Yeah, it does. You’re changing, Kyann, but I think it’s just your self-confidence. It’s stronger and you have your father’s blood to thank for that. It’s a good thing. Seriously, quit worrying that you’ll lose yourself. You won’t. When I first pledged to Hecate, it frightened me, because it meant I had to face my shadow side and accept it. And the shadow brings strength. I think that’s what you’re going through now.”

  I let out a long breath. “I think you’re right. Okay. If I’m going to be later than midnight, I’ll text you. Wish me luck.”

  “Luck, and bring me home something yummy. Amané’s makes the most fantastic desserts.” She gave me a hug and then turned me around and marched me to the door. As I left, it occurred to me that Penn was far stronger than most people I knew. She had embraced the fact that she wasn’t ever going to make everybody comfortable, and accepted that that, was absolutely fine.

  Amané’s was an upscale eatery, all right. It was French cuisine with a Middle-Eastern flair. The owner, Amané, had been born in Turkey, and she moved to Paris when she was fifteen. After studying the culinary arts, she marred a man who lived in Seattle, and moved here to open her own restaurant. We’d met a couple times when Dante’s aunt Tilly took us to dinner there. Tilly knew Amané from way back, given that the restaurant owner was a jaguar shifter.

  As I walked in, she saw me—Amané tried to touch as many tables as she could during the evenings—and she recognized me.

  “Kyann, how nice to see you! Are you here to meet Tilly and Dante?” She took my hands and air kissed my cheek. The jaguar shifter was gorgeous—she was athletic and slinky, with rich dark skin, brilliant green eyes, and thin silver braids that hung to her waist. She was wearing a leaf-patterned jumpsuit that looked straight over from Paris, and her wrists were covered in silver and gold bangle bracelets that probably cost more than my mortgage.

  “Amané, how are you?” I returned her air kiss, looking around. “Actually, I’m meeting someone else tonight. Business, you know.” While Amané knew I was half-demon, I didn’t want to advertise my father’s presence.

  She stood back, then smiled. “I think I know who. Someone named Ezerian?”

  I nodded. “How did you know?”

  “The resemblance is striking, my dear. Come, your party is already here.” She waved away the hostess. “I’ll take care of our guest,” she said as she picked up a menu and led me through the winding maze of booths and tables to a corner booth in the back. My father was there, along with Vaurice. The both stood, and I swallowed hard. My father and I really did look a lot alike.

  I slid into the booth. My brother was in the middle, at the back, and my father was opposite me. “Thank you,” I said, as Amané handed me the menu.

  “What would you like to drink? Your usual?” Amané asked. I usually had a dark red wine when I came here with Tilly and Dante.

  I noticed both Ezerian and Vaurice staring at the interaction. “Thanks. I think a merlot tonight.”

  “I’ll have a waitress bring that for you in a moment, and she’ll take your orders if you’re ready.” She gave the men a long look, then glanced back at me, but said nothing else. As she headed toward the front, I leaned back against the booth.

  “You know the owner?” my father asked.

  “I do. I’ve been here several times with a friend and his aunt.” I glanced at the menu, feeling all too conspicuous.

  “You wash up nice,” Vaurice said, once again giving me the ick.

  I stared at him, deciding to be blunt. “I’m your half-sister. Would you please stop commenting on my looks?”

  Ezerian snorted. “You won’t break him of the habit. Trust me. Your brother’s half incubus. His mother was a succubus.”

  “Oh great,” I said. Incubi were trouble. Everything in their world—just like with succubi—was connected to sex, and they had no sense of conscience about seducing whoever caught their eye. “So I was right. You’re a horndog.” Regardless of trying to play along, I wouldn’t be me without a little snark.

  “And proud of it,” he said, meeting my gaze.

  He really was gorgeous, which was just more bad news for the women he set his eyes on. Or men. I wasn’t sure whether my brother swung both ways, or just one.

  Ezerian sighed, rolling his eyes. “I should have realized this might happen if I brought you two together. Get it out of your system.”

  At that moment, the waitress returned with my wine. My father and brother were both drinking cognac. “Are you ready to order?”

  I nodded, deciding to take the reins. “Yes, actually. I’d like the steak-frites and to start, mussels.” I handed her my menu. My father ordered the steak tartare, which came with toasted baguette slices, grilled asparagus, and he asked for a starter of toast points and caviar. My brother ordered French onion soup and an appetizer of escargot.

  As she left the table, I turned to my father.

  “All right, why did you want to see me?”

  “Can’t I just wish for a chance to get acquainted with my own daughter?” Ezerian said. His voice was smooth, like Vaurice’s, and yet—beneath the cordial demeanor—I detected an iron will and an aloof, cool air.

  “I suppose so, but I have the feeling this meeting involves more than that. However, if you really want to get to know me, ask away.” By speaking out about myself, it might calm his suspicions. “You should know that I’m blunt and direct. I had to grow up fast, and I learned that it was easiest to not beat around the bush. I’m not much good with small talk, and while I can be diplomatic when it counts, I tend to speak my mind.”

  My father stared at me for a moment. “You don’t disappoint, I’ll say that for you. So, tell me, what was your childhood like?”

  “What do you expect? My mother was afraid you’d find out about me and take me away—at least, that’s the best I can figure out. So we moved too often. And I never had the chance to meet her family because she was afraid that her liaison with you might come back to land on her mother and brother. So I never got to know them, either. I grew up with only my mother to watch over me.” I wasn’t going to prance around certain aspects of the truth.

  “And she died when you were…”

  “Fourteen,” I said. “She didn’t just die. She was tortured and murdered by a serial killer.”

  “Do you know how he died?” Ezerian asked.

  Give he already knew who killed my mother, I figured he probably had some idea who dispatched Jace. “My best friend and I made sure that he I knew who I was avenging.”

  “Penelope killed him, didn’t she?” Vaurice asked. “The first thing I noticed about her was the willingness to do whatever her goddess asked. And she’s loyal to the core.” He paused, then added, “You know, if she gave me a chance⁠—”

  “Back off,” I said. I turned to Ezerian. “Tell him to leave her alone. Penelope isn’t interested, and I don’t want him messing⁠—”

  “She’s an adult—” Vaurice interrupted.

  “And she’s not interested.” I stared him down. “She’s part Fae, by the way, which means she’s far more stubborn than you could ever imagine. When she decides something, that’s it.”

  Vaurice glanced at Ezerian. “How does it feel having more than one child?”

  Ezerian sighed. “Enough. I’m not getting involved. Kyann, your brother is who he is. Vaurice, quit making waves. You can debate this when I’m not around. I want to know more about why you chose to become an investigator.”

  I took a sip of my wine. “Because of Erin, my mother. I was determined that if I could help others who were in trouble, in a way I’d be helping my mother. I went through hell when I was way too young. And then Dante threw me a lifeline. Without him, I’d either be dead or locked up. I was determined to give back in whatever way I could.”

  Ezerian held my gaze. It was eerie, looking into eyes that mirrored my own, into the face of someone who was so feared, and yet—he was my father. His blood flowed through my veins.

  The waitress appeared with our appetizers—my mussels, Vaurice’s escargot, and my father’s caviar and toast points. We ate in silence for a few moments, then I took a deep breath and sat back.

  “You said you want me to help you. What did you mean?” I asked.

  “I want you to join the family business. I realize you have your own, and that you love it, but when I’m over here, I’d like you to be in on meetings. Vaurice will be moving here, to watch over the day-to-day aspects.” Ezerian glanced at my brother. “I expect you to keep your nose out of trouble, though. We can’t have things go south because of your lust. Watch who you target.”

  The word target made me nervous. “What do you mean?”

  “He means that I need to pick my paramours carefully, and keep from causing a stir,” Vaurice said. “I’ve already promised to keep a rein on myself.”

  “Promises are all well and good, but I know you,” Ezerian said. “If we want to lay the groundwork for future plans, we need to present a trustworthy front.”

  My ears perked up. Future plans? What future plans?

  “It might be difficult for you to understand, given you’re full Arosien, but my nature is hard to ignore. I promised, however, and you know my loyalty belongs only to you,” Vaurice said. He looked irritated and I had the feeling this conversation had been repeated a number of times.

  “So you’ve said. I’m watching,” Ezerian said.

  I cleared my throat. “So, you’re planning on moving here? Where do you plan on living?”

  Vaurice shrugged. “I found a house in Redmond. I’ll be moving in next week.”

  I stared at him for a moment. “Does the landlord realize he’s renting to a demon?”

  He snorted. “My landlord has no problem with me, because I’m my landlord.”

  As it dawned on me that he had bought a house, my stomach lurched. Owning a house meant they had long-term plans for the city and who the hell knew what that meant?

  “You bought the house?”

  “We don’t mess around,” Ezerian said. “We need to have a network of our people set up over the next year for plans to go right and Vaurice is our first contact. I suppose, technically, you’re our first, since you’ve lived her all your life.”

  “What exactly are our plans?” I asked, deciding to go for broke.

  Ezerian paused, then said, “I know you’ve heard of Brim Fire⁠—”

  I stiffened. “You’re affiliated with them?”

  “Don’t be so quick. Learn to listen more than you speak.” He gave me a shake of the finger. “No, we are not affiliated with those idiots. But they’re this close,” he squeezed his index finger and thumb close together, “to opening the door to the Elder Gallara.”

  “Who are the Gallara?” I asked. I’d heard the name but was fuzzy on who they actually were.

  “The children of Tiamat and Abzu, the mother and father of the Primordial Chaos. The Elder Gallara are the First Order of the Gods of Demonkin. And if they open the gate, then everyone’s going to be in trouble, because the Gallara will destroy everyone and everything who aren’t part of their circle. And then they’ll move on to the demonic realms, and one by one they’ll do their best to turn every plane they touch into a horrific hellscape. I’m here to set up defenses against them.”