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“I’m so sorry,” Cassia said.
“I have never accepted their deaths. I was devastated. Obsessed with finding them. I’ve searched this world high and low. Visited both witches and psychics alike. No medium could find them on the other side so I continue to presume they are alive. I gave my service to Thorn in exchange for his assistance. It’s been many years.”
Sayuri released an audible breath and flattened her palms on the table. “There’s been rumors of one particular demon who has taken them. My brothers are in bondage. After listening to you … I must know if my brothers have been turned. I offer you safe haven in my home in exchange for your agreement to let me join you as you attempt to find the vessel. My home has been warded, protected by the High Priestess of Japan. It has never been breached by demons nor any other diabolical creature.”
“We appreciate your hospitality but I can’t risk another person getting hurt.” Julian looked to Xavier. “We now have one more life to keep safe.”
“Alpha. Xavier is a warrior, as am I,” she insisted.
“I don’t know if you should get involved. I …” Julian looked to Cassia as if she’d help him find his words.
“I’m samurai. Onna-Bugeisha. My sword has been infused with magick that makes it effective against any dark magick…including cambions and all forms of demons.”
“Sayuri. Everything about you … my instinct tells me you’re being truthful. But you must know you will be in great danger. In full disclosure, we have found the vessel. But in our search for it, we discovered this human sect is cannibalistic. The fae may still be a player as well. Even if your brothers have been turned, the real hellhounds will come with the others. And on top of all else, we must vanquish a demon. You need to know this is going to be very dangerous. Not only is it unlikely we will find your brothers, but you could die.”
“I am a warrior. I am aware of the dangers, as always. Risk is inherent in our work. We agree, yes?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Julian nodded. “I am grateful for your assistance.”
“Very good. All right then. Let’s talk about the vessel.”
* * *
“It’s an egg.” Cassia dug the object from her pocket, careful not to get it too close to the supernaturals around her.
“Silver,” Julian noted.
“Clever demons. Not clever enough,” Sayuri said.
“Clever humans, you mean? You should have seen what they were doing. Eating rotted flesh.” Greyson wrinkled his nose.
Cassia rolled the smooth silver egg about in her hands. As she studied it, she caught sight of a tiny pinhole on its rounded tip. So miniscule, she could have easily missed it. Her heart raced with excitement. “There’s something here.”
“What do you mean?” Julian asked.
“Right here, see? I need something sharp. Does anyone have a pin or a knife?”
Sayuri smiled and reached into her bun. She twisted a finger into her hair and retrieved a long thin metal hairpin. “Here. Try this.”
Julian handed it to Cassia. She flashed a knowing smile to the Alpha as she slid the tip of the hairpin into the hole. As she pressed it inside, the egg split open revealing a silver coin.
“Oh Goddess … what is this?” Cassia pinched it between her fingers and she held it up into the air for everyone to see. “A coin?”
“The Secret of Hell.” Julian sat stoic, studying the relic. On one side, an etching of a hound. As she flipped it, wording came into view.
“What is this?” Cassia spoke in a whisper, concerned about what could be conjured. “Inferni ad shifting, emissi es vinculi tui. Iam non servis.”
“Hellhound to shifter. Released of your bond. Something like…you no longer serve,” Greyson translated.
“It breaks the spell,” Sayuri guessed.
“But how would they know I would be able to touch it? I mean only another human or witch could?—”
“And that’s the point. No vampires. No shifters. Not even a fae. No one could touch it. But … a human could,” Julian said.
“Or a witch,” Greyson brought the sake to his mouth and downed it like a shot of whiskey. He looked to Sayuri. “I think I might need something a little bit stronger.”
“Humans working with demons, possibly witches or perhaps the spell born of a witch. Black magick. Whoever did this to the shifters, they wanted an out. So they make a coin to help flip the hellhounds but the catch is that only a human or a witch can use it?” Julian looked to Cassia. “Or …”
