“There’s a lot about last night that doesn’t add up.” Charley took a deep drink of her spiked tea, trying to put all the strange, mismatched pieces together.
First of all, Rudy had allowed Silas to rough her up, which left visible injuries. Rudyhadto know Dorian would notice them and question her about what happened. What if he got suspicious? This close to the big day, something like that could throw a wrench into everything. It was a sloppy move for a pro thief like her uncle, and it made no sense.
Then there was the matter of the gun. Between Rudy and his vampire buddy, they had all the supernatural power they needed to keep Charley in line, yet he still felt the need to flash that weapon.
And what was the deal with his watch? When she’d inadvertently torn it from his wrist, it revealed his terrifying black eyes. But didn’t most demons look human? And if demonic entities took over human bodies as vessels, why diddemonRudy still have all ofhumanRudy’s mannerisms and memories?
Charley shared all of this with the guys. The longer she spoke, the more outlandish it all sounded.
“Bloody hell,” Aiden said, shooting a worried glance at Cole. “Rudy isn’t just a vessel. He’s a host.”
“A host?” Charley tightened her hands around the mug, trying to remember what Dorian had told her about demons the day he’d given her the supernatural crash course. “So Rudy’s basically letting a demon hitch a ride?”
“It’s the best of both worlds, really,” Aiden said. “Rudy has access to the demon’s power, and the demon has access to a physical body, which he can use as he sees fit, and claim fully when your uncle dies.”
“But if that’s true,” she said, “it still doesn’t explain the gun.”
“Perhaps he just wanted to frighten you.”
“That’s just it. Rudy’saddictedto power. If he had something more than that weapon, he would’ve relished the chance to use it against me, even if he’d only intended to make Silas compel me later. He gets off on terrifying me.”
“What are you suggesting?” Aiden asked.
“I think there’s something wrong with him. Like, maybe his power is fading or something. It might explain why he’s becoming so unhinged. I’m telling you, guys. He never used to be so sloppy and erratic.”
“I suppose it’s possible. I’ve never encountered a host before.” Aiden looked to Cole. “You?”
“Nah, but I don’t get out much. Matter of fact, hangin’ out withyoufuckers is the most excitement I’ve had in decades.”
Aiden lifted his mug and smiled. “Cheers, then.”
“There’s something else,” Charley said. “At one point, Silas said he wanted to end me right there, but Rudy called him off. He said something about how I wasn’t theirs to end.”
“Do you think he was referring to the grays?” Aiden asked.
“I did at first, but that makes no sense. Rudy doesn’t want me dead at all. He needs me—he still thinks I’m helping with the Ravenswood job. Otherwise, why use Sasha as leverage if he was only going to let the grays kill me before the heist?”
“So either Silas changed the play at the last minute,” Aiden said, “or they were simply trying to frighten you.”
“That’s a hell of a risk just for a scare. If those grays had gotten into the dumpster…” Charley shuddered, then reached for the whiskey again. Right now, it was the only thing steadying her nerves. “Anyway, why did they want me to see the grays at all? They’d have to know I’d freak out, right? Rudy wants me focused on the job, not questioning my sanity.”
“Which means he probably assumed Dorian would compel you to forget the gray attack,” Aiden said. “Rudy’s a demon host working with vampires. He must know Dorian isn’t human. He must’ve known all along.”
“Then he’s also assuming Idon’tknow Dorian’s true nature.” Charley let out a bitter laugh. “Rudy probably thinks I’d run away with my tail between my legs if I knew vampires existed.”
“Your uncle underestimates you, Charlotte,” Aiden said. “A mistake he’ll live to regret, I’m certain.”
“You two got some nice theories,” Cole said, “but something tells me this ain’t about you, Charles.”
Charley cocked an eyebrow. “Charles, huh?”
“Just tryin’ it out,” Cole said with a teasing smile. “You good?”
“Actually, yes. I like it.”
“Figured you would.” Cole topped off her tea with another splash of whiskey, then took another swig. “Anyway, itwasa setup—you got that right. All so those demonic dickheads could watch us in action.”
“I’m not following,” she said.
