Page 4 of Dead End (Crossroads Queen #9)

CHAPTER FOUR

I showered, thrilled to wash away the evidence of demons and Paradise. I dressed in comfy sweatpants and a Nirvana T-shirt. I was home. Safe.

Unlike Kane.

I sat on the edge of the bed and let myself cry. The tears came easily, sliding down my cheeks like a waterfall. Claude appeared beside me holding a tissue box.

“Thanks, buddy.” I wiped my face, blew my nose, and ventured downstairs to face reality.

The phone was still charging when I returned to the kitchen.

“I think you might need to update it,” Nana Pratt said. “I don’t think they’re meant to take this long.”

“Staring at it won’t make it charge any faster,” Ray advised.

The red bar on the screen turned black. “Aha! Theory disproved.” Keeping the phone plugged in, I clicked Josie’s name. The call went straight to voicemail. My heart rate multiplied as I started typing frantically. I sent text messages to the crossroads group chat, Gun and Camryn, Otto, and the supernatural council, letting them know that I was at the Castle, and I’d explain my absence when I had the chance.

Gunther was the first to answer. Be right there.

I relaxed slightly. His response confirmed he was safe and alive.

“Ashley next, please.”

I obliged. She and Steven were fine; they were both staying at Bridger Farm for the time being. Smart. Alicia was my next call.

“Hey, Ghost Lady. I’m sorry I haven’t been around lately. We haven’t been in our house.”

“Because of the demons?”

“Huh? What demons?”

“Never mind,” I said quickly.

“The realtor said it was better to stage the house for showings, so Mom and I have been staying in a hotel in the city. We wanted to squeeze in a couple Broadway shows and museums before we leave for San Francisco anyway.”

I was relieved they’d managed to avoid the invasion. “You and your mom stay out of town until you hear from me, got it?”

“Is Grampa okay?”

“He’s fine.”

“You said something about demons.”

“Inner ones. Nothing to worry about. Just stay in the city.” I hung up before the teenager could grill me. I didn’t stand a chance if I stayed on the line.

I heard the screech of tires outside and ran to the front door. Sure enough, the La Fortuna mage had arrived in his pricey sports car. I nearly cried with joy when I saw Camryn emerge from the passenger side.

The two mages hurried through the gateway, still able to bypass the ward. They seemed as anxious to see me as I was to see them. Despite the stress of the current situation, it felt nice. I ushered them inside and shut the door.

“Is there a reason you left the bloody weapons on your porch?” Gun asked.

“I was too tired to clean them.”

“We’ve all been there.” Gunther enveloped me in a hug. “You left us without a word,” he murmured.

“Not on purpose. I’m sorry.”

Camryn elbowed him aside for her turn. She squeezed me like a vise. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

“Tea is brewing,” Nana Pratt announced as we entered the kitchen.

“Thank you.”

“Do you know about the curfew?” Gun asked.

“The one you’re currently breaking? Yes,” I said, guiding them to the kitchen. “How bad is the demon infestation?”

“Not terrible,” Cam admitted. “They’re more into mischief than murder.”

Gun’s jaw dropped. “It’s horrific. What are you talking about?” Light illuminated his dark eyes. “Oh, I know what this is. Love in the Time of Demons.”

I glanced from Gun to Cam, confused.

“Leo and I had our first date,” Camryn announced with a megawatt smile. “We went for coffee.” She paused. “Well, technically we grabbed the coffees and ran because he received a report of a demon attack in Destiny Woods.”

“Did you go with him?”

“Sure did. I got to impress him with my magic.”

I was glad someone was benefitting from the demon invasion aside from the actual demons.

“Will there be a second date?”

“Definitely, as soon as we clean up the town.” She pinched my cheek. “Now that you’re back, I hope that happens sooner rather than later.”

“No promises. Has the Assassins Guild held a meeting to discuss a plan?”

“Yes, but we had to meet at Vaughn’s place,” Cam said, lips drawn tight. “Didn’t love that.”

“Lucifer has taken over the Devil’s Playground,” Gun added, “which arguably is appropriate.”

“I’ve heard. What about Kane?”

“He’s in there, but that’s all we know,” Gunther said. “We sent a couple mages to gather intel, but the club is well guarded.”

“What about Josie and the others?”

I heard the sound of the front door open and close, and Goran’s voice rang out, “I’m back, ghosties.”

Ray sighed. “He insists on talking to us even though he can’t hear us.”

“I think it’s sweet,” Nana Pratt said.

In the kitchen doorway, Goran’s mouth formed a circle. “I can’t believe it.”

“Hi, friend.”

The former water spirit set the shopping bag on the floor and greeted me with a warm hug. With all this physical contact, it was a good thing I was now able to manage touching others without repercussions.

“Your toilet is busted.”

“So I’ve been told.”

Goran greeted the mages.

“Nana Pratt made tea,” I said.

“Perfect.”

“Tell everyone to have a seat and I’ll serve it,” Nana Pratt said. The elderly ghost seemed eager to participate in her own way.

Before I could sit, my phone lit up with a reply from West. The alpha was outside the Castle gate. You’re still on the VIP list , I typed. We’re in the kitchen . Like the mages, the upgraded ward allowed West to come and go from the Castle without my approval.

“Now it’s a party,” Gun declared, as West ambled into the kitchen.

I didn’t wait for him to be seated before I pounced. “Tell me what you know.”

“Lorelei,” Nana Pratt scolded. “Offer him a drink and a snack first. There’s no need to bypass civility just because the demons are.”

She made a reasonable point. “West, can I interest you in a cup of tea and a snack?”

The werewolf’s ears perked up. “One of Nana Pratt’s cookies?”

“Goran and I have been practicing recipes together. He opted for caramel squares.”

“Caramel squares,” I translated.

West mulled it over. “Hmm. I’ll try one of those.”

Camryn assessed the seating situation. “We should move to a bigger room.”

Nana Pratt flicked her bony fingers. “I’ll take care of things in here, dear. You play hostess to your friends.”

My stomach was flipping and flopping like a fish out of water as we migrated to the parlor room. I was desperate to hear news about Kane.

West sat on the edge of the red leather sofa, as though afraid to commit his backside to the whole cushion. “We’ve tried to get close to the club for a look inside, but Lucifer keeps it well guarded.”

Gun gave me a pointed look. “See?”

I shifted my focus to the mages. “Any chance we can use long-distance magic for a look inside?” They were assassins; surely, they had a tarot card that allowed them to snoop inside their targets’ homes.

“I have a couple cards that can offer a glimpse, but we’d need the club within view,” Gun said. “It isn’t safe to try while the woods are crawling with demon minions. I wouldn’t want to get myself into a situation I couldn’t safely get out of.”

“Guild rules are still in effect,” Cam added. The rules prohibited its members from killing on Fairhaven soil.

Nana Pratt floated into the parlor room with a tray of caramel squares and a teapot. Ray followed behind her with plates and mugs. My haunted hospitality team.

West was first to be served, of course. Nana Pratt had a soft spot for the werewolf that I rather enjoyed.

“What about Phaedra?” West suggested. “Her magic might give us a look inside without the need for proximity.”

“Has anyone been in contact with her?” I only knew that Steven and Ashley were staying with her at the isolated farm, but nothing else.

“Sage and I have been to see her,” West said. “If a demon gets through her ward, I’ll eat my tail.”

Gun looked at him with interest. “I, for one, would love to witness that level of flexibility.”

Camryn elbowed her cousin. “Behave,” she said in a harsh whisper.

It would be challenging for Phaedra to work her magic here. Still, it seemed risky to traipse through the forest to visit the farm. There was a good chance Lucifer was aware of my escape by now. He’d have minions on the lookout for me. Another way to torture Kane. I blocked all incoming thoughts on that subject. If I let them in, I wouldn’t be able to function, and Kane needed me. I refused to let him down again.

The front door slammed, jolting me. If I’d been holding a cup of tea, I would’ve burned a hole straight through my sweatpants. Too many visitors were allowed to bypass the ward these days. Josie stalked past the parlor room with Dantalion hot on her heels. He noticed us and called to the vampire.

“It’s good to see you alive and well, Lorelei,” the demon said.

“Same.”

Josie marched into the room and leveled me with a look. “Where in the devil have you been, Clay?”

“On a seaside vacation. Where do you think?”

She folded her arms. “I have no idea. All I know is you disappeared and Lucifer’s holding Kane hostage in the Devil’s Playground.”

“I was being held prisoner by The Corporation. They made a deal with Lucifer.”

Her curled upper lip relaxed. “How did you escape?”

“Quickly. Talk to me about Kane. How do we get him out?”

Josie exhaled loudly. “Dantalion and I have been trying for weeks. If it were up to me, we’d waltz through the front door when the club opens.”

“It’s a suicide mission,” Dan said.

It took me a moment to process. “Wait, what? Lucifer’s operating the club?”

“He seems to get a thrill out of it,” Josie said. “According to my sources, he has Alessandro bartending.”

“What about Kane? Do we know where he’s being kept?”

“Hard to miss,” Dan said.

Josie shot him a silencing look that I didn’t miss.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Dan met the vampire’s steely gaze. “She deserves to know the truth.” The demon turned to me. “Lucifer is using Kane as part of the entertainment. The patrons don’t know it’s real. They think it’s performance art.”

My body felt crushed under the weight of his admission.

“Dan and I have only gotten as far as the parking lot,” Josie said. “His security team has been lying in wait every time.”

My mental gears started clicking. “But they haven’t brought you inside as prisoners?”

“No, they beat us back,” Dantalion said. His spine straightened. “That is odd, isn’t it? Why not take us prisoner?”

“They don’t want you inside the club,” I said. “That’s telling.”

Goran’s brow rippled with confusion. “I don’t understand. What does it tell us?”

“Likely that Lucifer’s defenses are stronger outside the club than inside,” I explained.

“It’s a weakness that can be exploited,” Josie added.

“If we can get inside the club before Lucifer has a chance to shore up his defenses, I bet we have a good shot at freeing Kane.” I looked at the great duke of hell. “You saved him once before, Dan. I know you can do it again.”

“ We can do it,” he amended.

A thought occurred to me. “How is anyone showing up to the club if there’s a curfew?”

Camryn jumped to her new boyfriend’s defense. “They’re only a small office, Lorelei. Even with the pack patrolling for them, they’re stretched thin, and no cops are setting foot near the club with Lucifer inside.”

The ring of Josie’s phone interrupted the conversation. She glanced at the screen and barked, “Dantalion, with me. Lorelei, drop the ward.”

The two of them exited the house .

Camryn stared at the empty doorway. “What was that about?”

Gun gave his fingernails a cursory glance. “Josie’s gonna Josie.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t been here to help with all this,” I said. “I know Fairhaven is my responsibility.”

West’s face softened. “We’re all responsible for the safety of the town, Clay. There’s no need to apologize. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

The sounds of a scuffle alerted me to Josie’s return. She and Dantalion entered the parlor room, dragging a cloaked figure between them.

“One of my scouts spotted this one stalking your house,” Josie snarled.

“Lucifer sent her to spy, no doubt,” Dantalion said, as he glowered at his captive.

“Traitor,” the woman rasped at Dan. At least I thought she was a woman. Her matted hair and misshapen cloak made it hard to tell. There was also the small matter of her face, which seemed to be missing a crucial feature.

“She only has one eye,” Goran blurted.

“It’s rude to point out someone’s flaws,” Dantalion said. “Likho is well aware that she bears a passing resemblance to a cyclops.”

“Likho,” I repeated. “The Evil One.”

“That’s right, dearie. And I’ll tear the flesh from your bones and then wash it down with the taste of your blood,” she spat. “Starting with you, abomination.” Her single eye fixed on me.

Josie gave the demon a nod of begrudging respect. “I’m warming to her. Can we keep her?”

“Quiet, vampire,” Likho rasped.

“What do we do with her?” Goran asked .

“Interrogate her,” Josie said. “This is the break we’ve been waiting for.”

“I’ll tell you nothing,” Likho said. “You might as well riddle my body with sharp blades.”

The vampire showed her fangs. “It would be my pleasure.”

West gave her a dark look. “We agreed to a certain level of decorum, Banks.”

“Getting soft is what got us into this mess,” Josie said. “I would like to think we’ve learned our lesson.”

“If we torture her for information, then we’re no better than Lucifer,” Dantalion said.

Josie huffed. “Then what’s the plan? We let her run back to daddy and tell him Lorelei’s back?”

“My master already knows. Why do you think I’m here?”

I gestured to the demon. “Look at that. An honest answer and no torture necessary.”

Likho’s eye gleamed with hatred. “Your beloved is on the brink of death. Oh, how he suffers at my master’s hand. His screams are like music to my ears.”

I fought the overwhelming desire to cut off her head. A tarot card shot through the air and skimmed the demon’s head. She slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Josie glared at Gunther. “Why did you do that? She was finally talking.”

“She wasn’t going to say anything useful,” Gun said. “She was only trying to get under Lorelei’s skin. You’ve got about twenty minutes before she regains consciousness.”

“We’re not letting her go,” Josie insisted.

West pushed himself off the arm of the sofa. “Fine. I’ll take her to the pack. We’ve got chains in the barn that should hold her until we come up with a plan.”

“Need a hand?” Goran offered.

“I could use a lift. I ran here in my wolf form. ”

Gun rose to his feet. “I can drive you, but the Evil One rides in the trunk. I keep a tarp in there.”

He and West hauled an unconscious Likho out of the room.

I looked at my remaining guests. “I say we go in at sunset, before the club opens and while Lucifer is still down one main minion.”

“How?” Josie asked. “He still has heavy security during the daytime.”

“Goran and Cam will act as a distraction while you, me, and Dan sneak inside.”

Josie folded her arms. “I’m the director of security. There’s no chance we can sneak into the club undetected. That place is a fortress.”

I shrugged. “I beg to differ.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Prove it.”