Page 58

“The timing is suspicious,” I agreed, shuffling through my notes to avoid his too-perceptive gaze. “We're checking staff records, looking for anyone who might have opposed the merger. The ritualistic elements could be meant to obscure a more mundane motive.”

“Could be.” Sterling stood abruptly, moving to his window to look out over Manhattan's skyline. “But you and I both know there's more to it than that. The precision of the draining, the specific placement of those symbols... it's like looking at a puzzle where all the pieces fit too perfectly.”

I swallowed hard, watching his reflection in the glass. “Sir?”

“You've been handling our unusual cases for years now, Cade.” His voice carried weight beyond the words. “Built quite a reputation for finding patterns others miss. For seeing connections others don't tend to see. Don't think I haven't noticed.”

“Just doing my job, sir.” But my pulse quickened. Had he noticed more than I'd thought? Had all my carefully sanitized reports not been quite careful enough?

Sterling turned back to face me, his expression hard as granite. “Are you? Or are you seeing something in these cases that you're not putting in your reports?”

“I've included everything that might be relevant to the investigation,” I replied carefully.

“Everything that might be relevant,” he repeated, voice rough as sandpaper. “But what about the things that shouldn't be possible? The things nobody wants to put a name to?”

For a moment, I thought he knew, thought he'd somehow seen through all my carefully constructed explanations to the supernatural truth beneath. But then he snorted, shaking his head slightly.

“Listen to me, sounding like some conspiracy nut.” He returned to his desk, gathering the photos into a neat stack with quick, decisive movements. “Keep digging into the Phoenix angle. See what you can find about who stood to benefit from disrupting this merger. And don't come back with half-assed theories.”

“Yes, sir.” Relief mixed with an odd sort of disappointment. Part of me had wanted him to know, wanted to share the weight of the truth I carried. But a larger part knew better, knew that keeping him safely ignorant was the best protection I could offer.

“And Cade?” He looked up as I stood to leave, his gaze piercing. “Be careful with this one. Whatever it is, it's got teeth. Last thing I need is another agent's blood on my conscience.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Because he was right; this was different. This was something darker and older than corporate espionage. But I couldn't tell him that without destroying the carefully maintained wall between his world and mine.

“I'll keep you updated, sir.” I headed for the door, the mark still pulsing faintly beneath my shirt.

“You do that.” His voice followed me out, gruff but with an undertone of genuine concern. “And boy? My door's always open if you get in over your head. We clear?”

The words hit harder than they should have. Because I knew he meant them, knew he'd listen without judgment, try to understand whatever I brought to him. But some truths were too dangerous to share, even with the people who'd earned our trust.

My phone rang, cutting through the moment. Unknown number. I almost let it go to voicemail, but something made me answer.

“Agent Cross.”

“They're here.” Diana Sullivan's voice crackled with static and raw terror. “Oh God, they found me. The hungry ones, they...” A crash in the background, then a scream that made my blood run cold. The line went dead.

“Go.” Sterling was already standing, reading the situation in my face. “Whatever that was, it sounded urgent.”

I was moving before he finished speaking, muscle memory taking over as I pulled my phone back out. My fingers found Sean's number without conscious thought, and I didn't examine too closely why he was my first call.

“What?” His Irish accent was thick with irritation.

“1242 Park Avenue. Don't ask questions, just get there.” I hung up before he could argue, already sprinting for my car.

The drive was a blur of red lights and squealing tires, my federal plates getting me through traffic that shouldn't have been navigable. Diana's scream echoed in my head, mixing with memories of her warnings about things that watched from mirrors, that drained more than just blood.

Sean was already there when I pulled up, his hunter's grace making him look more predator than human as he melted out of the shadows.

“Want to tell me what's got ye breaking traffic laws across Manhattan?”

“Diana Sullivan.” I checked my weapon as we approached the house. “Wife of a financial exec who died under... unusual circumstances. Called me in panic, something about 'the hungry ones' coming for her. Then screamed. Line went dead.”

Sean's expression sharpened. “The hungry ones?” He studied the house with new intensity. “Victim's cause of death?”

“Complete blood drainage. No entry wounds. And symbols carved under his desk that our cameras can't seem to photograph.”

“Jaysus.” He drew one of his many blades, the silver edge catching moonlight. “Why didn't ye mention this case earlier?”