Right. He'd agreed to help one woman, one determined reporter, and now everyone wanted a handout. "It'll work this way, Sylas. Tell me where the girl is and I'll let you walk out of Paradise in one piece or you can-"
"Why do you need his help?" Holly. Sounding curious and all reporter-girl again.
"Got me a son." The fearful pause was gone from the man's voice, but the fear lingered in his gaze. Good. He might not be as dumb as Niol had originally thought. "He's thirteen-starting to show his power."
Niol felt a punch in his gut. He knew where this was going. He knew.
"I don't got me much power." He shook his head. "Can barely control fire, but he-he's different."
Niol's eyes closed for a moment, then opened just as Sylas said-
"My boy's going dark on me. Gettin' the Touch."
He saw the tremble that shook Holly's body.
"I don't want to lose him." The words came faster, rushing out. "Don't want him to slip to the drugs or kill himself. Shit, he's already tried razoring his wrists once. You've got to help me, you've got to-"
"He will." Holly sounded absolutely certain. Niol glanced fully at her. Saw the pain on her face.
Remembering her brother.
"I will." Niol repeated, his voice hard. Who are you kidding? You know you'd do just about anything to take that look off her face.
Weak.
He'd have to stop this before it was too late.
Pity had stirred in him at the man's confession. Not another one. Not another lost demon forced into the darkness.
Maybe he could help this one.
Or maybe the Monster Doctor could.
Could be time to start executing his plans. He nodded. "Tell me about the girl and I'll see what I can do for your boy."
Sylas opened his mouth, then hesitated. "You give me your word?"
For what it was worth. "Yes."
"Tell us," Holly urged. "We don't have much time."
"Saw two women in front of Reed Infirmary. Your girl-she got sick or something and her friend had to help her."
Every cell in Niol's body seemed to freeze. "Her friend?"
"Yeah, a blonde. She had her hair pulled back, a scarf around it, but it blew loose. She had on sunglasses-"
Like the bitch who'd sent the pyros after him.
"She said she'd take care of-of the other one. Said they had a ride waitin'-"
"And you just drove off and left them?" Holly's voice was hushed but Niol heard the vibration of anger.
"I did." Admitted with his chin up. "At first, I did. Then I got worried. Didn't…seem right. And that other girl-" His eyes were on Niol. "She was one of ours. I saw her eyes flash black and I saw fear in 'em. I don't like seeing fear in a demon woman's eyes."
Join the club.
"There wasn't any car coming to meet them. When I circled back, I saw the blonde shoving the demon into the back of her car. I followed 'em." He wet his lips.
"The address."
Kim could be dead by now. Cut up like the others and left to bleed out…with parts of her body gone missing.
Holly's fingers dug into his arm. He knew she was thinking the same thing.
No time to lose.
Sylas rattled off a shaky address.
Niol and Holly rushed for the door.
"Don't forget my boy! You gave your word! Don't you forget my-"
This was the side of the city most folks stayed away from, if they were smart.
Holly's nails bit into the leather that covered Niol's passenger seat. They'd all but flown out of the parking lot of Paradise, and the two detectives, Gyth and Brooks, were right on their tail. A good thing, Holly figured, because she sure didn't know what they'd find waiting for them. Niol took the curve hard and Holly slammed into the passenger-side door.
He stopped a distance away from the house, away from the small, run-down house that almost seemed to be tipping over onto the railroad tracks.
"Stay here," Niol ordered, his jaw clenched as he killed the engine. His gaze was on the house and the air in the vehicle had thickened with tension.
And fear. Hers, not his. The guy just looked pissed off while she was so nervous her stomach twisted.
Be alive. A plea. She didn't want Kim to be dead. Not Kim with her quick smile and her slow laugh.
Not Kim.
Niol opened his door.
"I'm coming with you." The words sounded tougher than she'd thought they would.
He looked at her, one of those you-can't-be-serious expressions on his face.
But she was serious. "I know her, Niol. If she's in there-" Dead or alive, "I have to go in." She couldn't stand back on the sidelines, not for this.
The Jeep pulled in behind them, wheels almost soundless on the pavement. The cavalry had arrived.
Niol turned away from her and Holly hurriedly jumped out of the SUV.
"What the f**k is goin' on, demon?" Brooks demanded, but kept his voice low.
Niol didn't answer, so Holly cleared her throat and jerked her thumb toward the house. "We got a tip. Kim could be inside-"
Brooks pulled out his weapon.
"Stay here."
Did all men love to give that order or what?
Brooks turned to his partner. "No warrant, but I'm sure not gonna stand around here with my thumb up my ass if that girl's inside-"
"I don't need a warrant." From Niol. Then he was gone. Turning, running, and heading straight for the house.
" Sonofa-"
The detectives ran after him.
So did Holly. Crap, she'd put her heels back on. They were gonna slow her down and-
Be alive.
The door of the house flew off as Niol bounded up the rickety steps.
"Blood." The growl came from Gyth. "Too much-"
She didn't smell it, not yet, but she'd trust that shifter's nose anytime, anywhere.
Kim.
Niol disappeared into the house and the shifter bounded right after him.
Brooks turned around and caught Holly, stopping her just when she was about to enter the house-
His face was stark white. And she could smell the blood now. Clogging her nostrils. Choking her.
A muscle jerked along his jaw as he said, "I don't think you want to see-"
"Holly! Holly, get in here-she's alive!" Niol's voice seemed to shake the house.
The cop's eyes widened and he dropped his hold. "Is it clear?" He barked to his partner.
"Bastard's gone, for now."
Brooks went in before her.
Holly stumbled inside, her breath rattling in her chest.
"Looks like playtime was interrupted," Gyth muttered.
Holly peered around the detective's broad shoulders. Understanding sank in at once.