Page 138 of Grave Beginnings

“He’s with an aunt,” Wade said. “But CPS will be checking in on him regularly.”

We entered the first security door, and I flinched when Galen’s hulking form materialized on the other side, his arms crossed, his gaze a silent challenge. Wade and Angel breezed past him like he was part of the furniture, signing in without a word. I forced myself to follow their lead, though the weight of Galen’s stare prickled against my back. The tired part of my magic tuned in to him, and I realized in that moment what it was. He was made of death magic, which meant my power was drawn to him.

Scary.

Kerry stood outside the cell. She glanced back at us. The doorhissed open, and Victor stepped out, his usual, immaculate appearance frayed at the edges; hair disheveled, shadows beneath his eyes, a slump to his shoulders. How much sleep did vampires need? I didn’t think he was getting enough.

“Still not talking?” Angel asked.

Victor sighed. “Not a word. Hasn’t moved since we locked him in.”

I peered past him into the cell. The changeling, still wearing Jonah’s face, sat cross-legged on the metal cot, head tilted back, staring at the ceiling. I followed his gaze with my own. A camera lens glinted in the dim light.

“How secure are these cells?” I asked. “And the tech?”

Kerry smiled at me and flexed her muscles. “We’re on guard, but that camera’s warded against a god.” So, they’d noticed his fixation. “These walls will hold most things for a few days. If he’s stronger than we think, we’ll drag him across the Veil. But changelings usually aren’t that strong.”

I shot Victor a pointed look until he sighed and stepped aside. “Don’t get dead. Your mate will kill me.”

“Truth,” Angel said as he followed me into the cell. The door clanged shut, sealing us inside. Angel lounged against it—arms folded, sexy lean down to a science—while I stopped just out of reach of the changeling.

“Hi, Jonah,” I said, keeping my tone light, as if I were talking to the real kid. “Or should I call you something else?”

The changeling’s lips curled, smirk unnaturally wide and horrifying. “Names have power.” His voice was rough, like gravel underfoot. “Jude. Jude Alexander Holt.” Apparently, he had no problem talking tome.

I doubted my name held any real power. “What do you want me to call you?”

“Doesn’t matter.” His eyes flicked to me, cold and mocking. “I won’t be here long.”

A chill skittered down my spine. Was that confidence, or a threat? “You saidhewas looking for me. Did you mean Erlik?”

The changeling recoiled with a hiss. Like saying the name could summon the monster.

“What was that place across the Veil?” I pressed.

“A pantry,” he said, bored.

“So, everyone was a snack?”

He shrugged, eyes snapping back to focus on the camera above.

“And Cassidy? The cop. Did he help the Thayersons switch you and Jonah?”

The changeling’s grin turned vicious. “He failed. He’ll pay for that.”

“How?” Had they planned to take the whole building? Or was there something worse? “How did he fail?” I clarified. Because this shadow king hadn’t crossed the Veil yet, or was I missing something else?

“He wanted you.” The changeling leaned forward, teeth suddenly looking a lot less human and very sharp. “Should’ve handed you over months ago, but he hid you. Stupid. You would’ve been more than a snack, Jude Alexander Holt.”

The way he said my whole name made me shudder. “What am I, then?”

“Hmm,” the creature hummed as though unwilling to answer.

“How do you know my name, anyway?”

“We know everything about you, Jude Alexander Holt. He’s coming for you.”

Great. “And how do I stop him?”