Page 73 of Deceiver

I back down the street, turning around when I get to the corner, and head to Salem Hospital. Two women connected to Keagan being attacked in the same evening? Even if I did believe in coincidences, this one is a little too exact.

Driving faster than I should, I make it to the hospital quickly, slipping in through a side entrance to avoid the staff. If I ask at the desk, I won’t be allowed to see either of them, seeing as I’m not family. Unfortunately, over the years, I’ve had to learn ways to get around the red tape of hospitals and morgues.

I find the elevators and hit the button, choosing each floor and walking the halls looking for either Mercy or Talon. On the fifth floor, I finally find Talon’s room. Peering through the small window, I see a petite woman lying in the bed with a bandage on her forehead, hooked up to various machines.

Opening the door, I glance over my shoulder before approaching. Her eyes are closed, but they snap open.

“Who are you?”

I raise my hands to calm her. “A friend of Keagan’s.”

Her eyes narrow. “You’re no friend.Whatare you? You’re not human.”

“I’m human, Talon. Different, but still human. I mean no harm.”

She studies me for a long moment, then nods.

“Will you be okay?”

She nods, swallowing. “I took a healing potion after the attack. It’s already working. They don’t have to do surgery.”

“What happened?”

Talon shakes her head, gazing ahead for a minute. “I never saw it. It came from behind me and knocked me down. Then it was just the blur of a knife.” She lifts her arm, showing the slashes marking her skin. “I felt the presence, but it was like I couldn’t open my eyes.”

“Your attacker was supernatural?”

“Absolutely. It’s happened before, but this was different. More intense. I swear I could feel its rage, but I have no idea what it could be.”

“Talon, did you see or speak with Keagan at all?”

“Not recently. Why?”

“I think his father’s spirit attacked you. Mercy too.”

Her brow creases as she blinks rapidly. “Mercy?”

I nod. “I think she might be here too.”

“Goddesses,” she moans. “I brought her with me to Keagan’s house. It’s almost impossible to do a reading or session with him—it feels like a barrage of spirits are trying to break through the veil. I brought her with me for backup. Now she’s hurt?”

“I’m not certain, but I went to her place after yours. What I think is her home. A neighbor said she was attacked.”

Talon closes her eyes for a second before asking, “Why did you come looking for us?”

“I can’t find Keagan. I thought you might be able to help. I think the Horror has him.”

“The Horror?”

“The spirit of his dead father.”

“Why did you call it that?”

“That’s what we call them in my job. I’m tasked with hunting them down and getting them back to the underworld.”

It’s rare that I say these words to anyone who’s not a target, and even more rare to be met with complete acceptance.

“You really are a Soul Chaser,” she whispers. “My grandmother told me about people like you. It’s real?”