Page 85 of Quintus

“Oh they brought her back all right but naturally she was possessed. The exorcism killed her in the end. But she wasn’t technically alive anyway. His sister killed herself.”

“I heard Leo was under,” Hunter commented.

“Yeah but they were in and out. Got lucky and killed the demon fast.”

“Not everyone comes out right in the head.” Hunter’s voice was a monotone as he spoke, his eyes staring as if in a trance.

“You sound like you’ve had a trip.”

“I’m just saying. If he’s there…we can try to get him out.”

“You volunteering?” Quintus asked, surprised at the Alpha’s statement.

“Maybe I am.”

“I’ll contact Thorn. If Viktor is there, I can’t leave him. But I can’t go look until this thing with Gabriella is settled. Lilitu breaks wards. If she got to my house in New York and over at Kade’s, she’s packing some demon strength black magick. As safe as this place is, I don’t trust staying here for too long. We can’t risk it.”

“Yeah, about that. I’m thinking we should hit the bayou.”

“How’s that?”

“I’ve got a place. You know this is my home.” Hunter nodded.

“So you’re thinking the bayou is safer? I don’t know.” Quintus shrugged and shook his head.

“Only Logan knows where my place is. A while back, when Ilsbeth was flying her broom high, I got her to whip me up a spell.”

“Jesus, that woman gets around.”

“Hey, now.” Hunter spun to face him, raising an eyebrow. “I may have used her but not ‘used used’ her. No fucking way. Ya see where that got Dimitri. Not me. I’ve always known that Ilsbeth was one dangerous bitch. Don’t get me wrong. I see why D got him some of that. She’s a tempting one, all right. Beautiful. At least she used to be until she lost her mojo. But fuck if she won’t throw a hex at your ass as fast as you can say broomstick.”

“Your place. Tell me more,” Quintus redirected. He of all people knew how Ilsbeth could throw a conversation off topic.

“It’s basically invisible. I mean it’s not infallible. A wolf will know I’m there if they bump into the damn thing. Out in the swamp, everyone’s got their own place. The rest of the supes can’t find it though.”

“Lilitu might, but right now we’re buying time.”

“We’ve got the bone. Sam’s looking at it too,” Hunter said.

“You’ve got the other half, right?” Quintus asked.

“Yeah, but I’m not witch.”

“I’ve been thinking about this. It’s like I said, I don’t think this is just black magick. And Mao showing up. She wanted that bone. It’s all tied somehow. No, all this reeks of hell and demons.”

“Lilitu isn’t the only witch in that coven who has a stake to get the first bone back. They’ll come at Sam and us.”

“Lilitu sought a demon’s help. She’s got way too much power.”

“Unless any demon buds owe you any favors, I don’t think we’ve got a shot at stopping her.” Hunter opened the cabinet and set bowls on the counter.

“Even half-demons aren’t to be trusted. And Thorn? I’m going to tear the head off that asshole the next time I see him. He puts on a good show, but his hell game is strong. He’s up to his eyeballs in this. He got my brother…” Killed. Quintus couldn’t bring himself to say the word aloud, and continued. “I know a guy.”

Hunter laughed and sank a ladle into the pan. “A good story always starts with, ‘I’ve got a guy.’ All right. All right. Let’s hear it.”

“Goes by the name of Kellan,” Quintus began.

“Demon?”