Page 44 of Broken

“It’s Thanatos,” he said. “He wants to grill you about Riker, and probably all the other things you know and some you probably forgot. I’m thinking we might as well get it over with.”

And also, he really wanted to know if Ghost Riker had been telling the truth about Thanatos’ agenda, or if he was a figment of Cole’s subconscious.

He wondered if DB and the dragons knew of any good exorcists.

Ireland groaned, and sat up. “I already don’t like that man. Fae. Whatever he is.”

“Nobody really does,” Cole said. It was kind of sad, when you thought about it. “But he’s very determined. One might say ‘inflexible.’ Can you handle it?”

“Do we have to?”

Cole could feel her antipathy for Thanatos. Fear, partly, but more than that, a dislike that was more than personal. She was repelled by what he was, feeling like even talking to him would… he couldn’t describe the feeling. Taint her in some way?

He said, “Eventually, yeah. I’m thinking it might as well be now. I’ll be with you the whole time.” He put a finger under her chin and tilted her face up. “And there’ll be coffee. And with any luck, pastries.”

She compressed her lips, and then nodded. Cole silently let his breath out, realizing only then that he’d been holding it. He really needed to know what the fuck was going on here, and it all came down to Thanatos and Riker.

He got some sweats for Ireland from the dresser, and found a shirt for himself while she dressed, since he still had his pants on from yesterday. Like Madison had said, all the guest cabins—hell, practically every building on the Ridge—were liberally stocked with sweats of various sizes. Shifters—especially volatile ones like the ex-special-ops, ex-criminal soldiers at the Ridge, had a tendency to Change to wolves suddenly, ruining their clothes.

When Ireland was ready, the two of them went out to the living room. Sure enough, Thanatos had made himself at home in one of the upholstered armchairs, sitting straight up as usual. Cole wondered if he ever lounged—hell, if he was even bendable enough to lounge.

Sugar was standing behind Thanatos’ chair, also as usual. DB was lounging, slouched down in the other armchair with one leg over the arm, munching on a Twinkie.

Cole said to Ireland, “You remember Thanatos and Sugar. This is DB. He’s a dragon sorcerer.”

Ireland, who’d just opened her mouth to greet DB, forgot to close it. Or to speak. There was a silence. “Excuse me?” she managed finally.

“I’m a Draken, of the House of Al-Maddeiri,” DB said, through a mouthful of fake cream. He swallowed. “The most powerful Draken sorcerer in a thousand years.”

And he never missed the opportunity to mention it.

Ireland looked at Cole, disbelief in her eyes. “He is,” Cole said. “As far as I know. And don’t worry, he doesn’t breathe fire in the house.”

“I really don’t,” DB said. “It’s gauche.” He wrapped up the other half of the Twinkie and put it in his shirt pocket. “What do you say, Thanatos? Should we get started?”

Cole said firmly, “Not without coffee.” And the chance for his backup to get here. He steered Ireland into the kitchen, not wanting to leave her alone with the Inquisition.

Thanatos made a displeased rumbling noise. “Time is of the essence, Mr. Hunter.”

Cole doubted it. If what Riker said was true, whoever Thanatos was trying to free had been imprisoned for centuries. He asked, “Is the apocalypse happening in the next five minutes?”

When Thanatos didn’t answer, he said, “Then we have time.”

By the time the coffee had brewed and everyone who wanted some had some, he heard footsteps on the porch. Moments later, the front door opened and Boomer, Karisma, Gunn and Mikey trooped in. “Hey, everyone,” Boomer said. “We brought doughnuts. And more coffee.”

He put two huge boxes down on the coffee table, and headed for the kitchen. Karisma followed, carrying a large thermos.

Sugar said, “What the hell are all these people doing here?”

“I invited them,” Cole said. “I felt their opinions might be helpful. And it occurred to me that Gunn, being both alpha and the commander of the Ridge, should be kept informed. Doughnut?”

Sugar shook his head. Cole passed the box to Ireland, who took one and passed it hesitantly to DB.

There was a flurry of activity while everyone greeted DB, served themselves, and found seats around the room with their coffee and doughnuts.

Then they all looked expectantly at Thanatos.

He said to Cole in his deep, gravelly voice, “I had not expected this to be a committee meeting. However, I have spent considerable time checking the items brought back from your mission and researching the Retrievers and the bracelets. Now I need to hear from Ireland.”