Keeping the album tucked into the box, he cracked open the cover.
Crimson City Devil Strikes Again…
Dorian closed his eyes, a mix of shame and relief flooding his veins.
Closing the cover and replacing the lid on the box, he said, “Were you able to speak with security?”
“I met with the staff and viewed the exterior camera feeds,” Malcolm said. “The video footage revealed two of the demons’ marks—definitely Rogozin’s guys.”
A sigh of relief escaped Dorian’s mouth as he settled into the chair closest to the fireplace. The blanket draped behind him held Charlotte’s scent, and he leaned back, inhaling deeply.
“Forgive me, brother,” Malcolm said, “but why do you seem consoled to learn that the demons who attacked you and vandalized your penthouse belong to Rogozin?”
“Because theydon’tbelong to Chernikov.” He sipped his scotch. “Chernikov and I made an agreement this morning, during which he assured me his organization was not involved. If I’d discovered he’d lied to me… Let’s just say I’m relieved to keep my hands free of demon blood for another night.”
He updated his brothers on his meeting with Chernikov, including their mutual concerns about Duchanes working with Rogozin and the speculation about Rogozin’s bigger plans with the dark witches and demon portals.
“More demons,” Aiden said from the adjacent chair, shaking his head. “More enemies. It’s endless.”
“Let’s not forget about the grays,” Dorian said.
“Grays?” Gabriel glanced up from the flames that had so far captured his attention. “As in,vampiregrays? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Cole Diamante and his associates are tracking a band of them in the area,” Dorian said. “Now that he’s come back into the fold, Cole has assured me he and the wolves will back us. But yes, the presence of the grays concerns me. After so many years without a sighting, the timing is quite suspect.”
“Duchanes,” Gabriel said.
Dorian nodded. “Chernikov has promised to update me on anything he learns about House Duchanes or other vampires looking to ally with demons against the crown. He’ll also keep an eye on Rogozin and the dark witches.”
“And what willthatjuicy bit of intel cost us?” Malcolm asked.
“Weekend access in Manhattan for his underlings, with certain restrictions in place.”
Malcolm nodded. “Annoying, but tolerable.”
Dorian took a long pull from his scotch, steeling himself for the rest of the story. “He also wants the Mother of Lost Souls.”
“Does he now?” Malcolm laughed. “Excellent! Just ask him to kindly point us to its location, and he’s welcome to it.”
Dorian, Aiden, and Colin exchanged a loaded glance.
“We’ve… already located it,” Dorian said. “And no, he’s not welcome to it, nor to the demonic text that came along with it.”
Gabriel and Malcolm remained silent as Dorian, Colin, and Aiden took turns filling them in on their various findings and theories—not just about the statue and the demonic book, but about the details Colin had shared with Dorian last night before the attack.
Father’s alleged cure for vampirism and other so-called supernatural ailments.
“So you’re telling me there’s a way to wipe supernaturals from the face of the earth?” Gabriel asked, his voice low and menacing. “And we’re sitting on the bloody instruction manual?”
“I’ve yet to locate the precise instructions, if that’s what you wish to call them,” Colin said. “But yes, I believe Father’s journals contain such information—along with a great deal of other highly sensitive data that could become quite dangerous in the wrong hands.”
“Then why are we still standing here, jacking off?” Gabriel shot to his feet. “We need to get down to the crypts and burn it. All of it.”
“I’m no sentimentalist,” Aiden said, “but I would advise against it.”
Gabriel wheeled on him, his deadly cold eyes shooting daggers of pure ice. “AndIwould advise against advising the royal family unless such advisement is specifically requested, which it wasn’t. Furthermore—”
“Sitdown, Gabriel,” Colin said, his face stern and commanding, his eyes alight with an anger Dorian had never seen in the typically genteel vampire. “And for once in your immortal life, shut your bloody mouth.Please.”
