“Clean?” Waverly asked.
“Clean from the evil,” Viktor answered. “In Hell, you lose track of space and time. But the evil, it can stick with you.”
“Demons are sneaky fuckers.” Greyson blew out a breath. “Ah shite. Well, we’ve got to see her anyway. She’ll know.”
“We could go to Samantha,” Viktor suggested. “She’s also a priestess.”
“Ilsbeth has knowledge of the old ways. If something’s going down, she’s going to know. She always knows,” Greyson said.
“Well, up until recently, her brain was scrambled like eggs. A whole different person, in fact. But alas, the bitch is back.” Viktor snapped his fingers. “Always lands on her feet. Just like her cat.”
“It’s why I can’t refuse her.” Greyson laughed.
“You’re asking for trouble, bro. It’s been hundreds of years from when you first got with her. She’s not who you remember. She rolls with the demons,” Viktor warned.
“So, she likes a little adventure every now and then. She lives for the moment. Enjoys a rush. She’s one sweet ass daredevil.” He chuckled.
“Dude. There’s nothin’ sweet about her,” Rafe told him. “She nearly killed Dimitri. Bitch couldn’t keep the big D, so she damn castrated his wolf. That’s cold, man.”
“She’ll have your fangs if you get with her,” Viktor warned. “She may be refreshed but she’s still dangerous as a rattlesnake.”
“It’s true. She collects shit. She’s got Alpha fur,” Rafe told him.
“And she’s a witch?” Waverly asked in disbelief.
“She’s a smokin’ hot witch, is what she is. And that was before Hell,” Greyson joked.
“This isn’t a good time to play with fire. Besides I’ve got someone else in mind who owes me a favor,” Viktor told them.
“Who?” Waverly asked.
“He’s just a guy,” Viktor hedged, aware that his brother wouldn’t be happy with his suggestion.
“A warlock?” she guessed.
“No, he’s got experience with spells though.”
“We should see a fae. Kellen,” Greyson suggested.
“Nah, I’m good. He’s hard work.” Viktor didn’t want anything to do with Kellen.
“He almost killed Hunter,” Rafe told them. He nodded at Waverly. “True story.”
“Well, who then?” Greyson pressed.
“I already told Quint. I know a guy. It’s not important.” Viktor avoided the question a second time.
“Who is it?” Greyson glared at Viktor.
“Just a guy.” Viktor glanced down to the lancet and back to his brother, deciding the truth was best. “Look, you know we’ve both had to do what we’ve had to do to survive. I’ve had a few more trips to Hell than you’ve had. You’ve got to have allies to survive. He helped me.”
“No.” Greyson held up a dismissive hand.
“One hand washes another.” Viktor shrugged.
“Nope.”
“Yes.”
“No demons.”
“Technically, Thorn is a half demon,” Viktor insisted.
“No demons,” Greyson replied, staring out the window.
“He just helped Quintus. He’s actually quite nice. Brought his A game to the tourney at the club.”
“There’s something wrong with you. What is a vampire doing at a country club?”
“A bit of golf. Reminds me I need to cancel my lesson.”
“This is exactly why we don’t talk,” Greyson grumbled.
“We’re talking now. Don’t be so dramatic.” Viktor looked to Waverly, who had begun wrapping up the canvas.
“No demons,” Greyson repeated.
“You’re going to have to trust me. I know you want to see Ilsbeth. And you know what?” Viktor laughed. “I don’t care. You’re a big boy. Still think it’s a mistake, but it’s your life. But I’ve spent way too much time with the witch lately, and I need a little space. Besides, I’m confident Thorn will have information about which humans and supes would be involved with demons. Who out there, besides the fae, are calling on demons?”
“Aw fuck, I hate demons.” Greyson shook his head.
“I appreciate your help with the painting. But if you’re afraid, or if you just don’t want to co—”
“I’m comin’. But if Thorn makes one move to hurt anyone, I’m turning his ass into demon meat,” Greyson warned.
“Fair enough.”
“Are we going somewhere?” Waverly asked.
“Yes. I may like the guy sometimes, but I’m not stupid. No way I’m asking a demon into my home,” Viktor said.
“I want to run this blade by some of my colleagues. I’d like to show pictures of the lancet to them. I won’t say how I came by it,” Waverly promised.
As Greyson set the fleam down next to the painting, she retrieved her cell phone and snapped several pictures of the bloodletting tool.
“Don’t let anyone know where you are,” Viktor instructed.
“What about the police? The way we left the museum—” Her expression grew tense.
“I already contacted PCAP. They have the detective in their custody and will deal with the San Diego PD from now on. If they want us to go back for questioning, we’ll stall. But for now, they just see this as a stalker tried attacking the curator kind of deal. He’s dead. Case closed.” Viktor looked to Greyson. “I think we should go back to the blood club in Miami at some point. But let’s meet with Thorn first. I want to know what we’re dealing with.”
“I’m going to go back through my text messages with Teagan. Maybe there’s something I missed.” Waverly looked down to the painting. “Is it okay if I leave this here?”
“Yes. It’s safe.” Viktor turned to her and took her hand in his. “And so are you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“She’s about to meet a demon,” Greyson called to him.
“Don’t listen to him,” he told her.
“I can do this.” She nodded with a glint of fear in her eyes.
“I know you can. You’ve already met one of the most terrifying Romanian vampires in existence. Thorn is like a fluffy, little bunny rabbit.”
Waverly leaned to the side, catching a glimpse of Greyson, who waved but didn’t correct his brother.
“I promise you we will figure out what’s going on,” Viktor told her, his voice calm and reassuring. “I’m going to find out who’s driving the humans to attack you and put an end to it.”
“He means put an end to them. So they no longer exist.” Greyson looked to Viktor. “You’re welcome.”
Waverly’s mouth gaped open, and she quickly shut it.
“We’ll deal with the situation,” Viktor corrected.
Greyson stood and crossed the room, continuing to speak. “Humans who conjure demons are no different than demons. They can fuck off and die.” He sighed loudly. “Well, folks. This little therapy session has been great and all. But I’ve gotta go eat. Maybe fuck. Maybe both. Not necessarily in that order. Text me when you hear from the demon. I’ll be back.”