Page 12 of Mason

"Too true.Anyway, I was able to track down who made the payment, because almost nothing is truly anonymous these days, and it led to a thief named Rudy – who also happens to live at the house you just searched.We found the connection!"

"So you're telling me this Rudy guy is taking my mate to rob a demon nest."

"Based on current evidence, I'd say that's a fairly good bet.He and both his sons have been in and out of jail on a regular basis."

"I still have a ton of questions, but only Kory can answer them.Do we have eyes on Emberloch?"

"Brothers enroute."

I pause, wanting to ask if he's heard from Mason.Kory is Mason's mate, too.

"I haven't heard from him.His number is still blocked," Cipher says, like he read my mind.

"Do you think I should call him?"

"Let's wait until you get Kory back.Stay focused."

"Yeah, you're right.Thanks."

The call disconnects and I fire up my bike.I've got a demon nest to stake out.

Chapter Seventeen

Kory

Thedemonstaresdownat me as I sit, now in human form, clutching a blanket around me since I have no clothing.I'm torn between gratitude for being freed from the enchanted collar and terror he may actually be contemplating having me for an appetizer.

"Tell me, little mouse, why are you running from the big, bad wolf?And what on earth does it have to do with my Legion?"

"Wolf?I don't know anything about a wolf.I'm here for the amphora."

"Interesting.Interesting," he says as he paces in front of me."There was a wolf at my door recently looking for a lost mouse.His mate, in fact.But you don't know anything about that?"The demon stops moving and stares into my eyes.This must be what it's like when a common mouse is faced with a snake.

I swallow hard, my mind shifting thoughts around trying to connect the dots, but coming up empty."I swear, I don't know anything about a wolf.I don't have a mate."Nothing official, anyway, but I don't think the demon needs to hear about my complicated love life.

"Fine.Let's switch to the amphora, then."

There's nothing for me to do but give him the whole sordid story about Rudy and his shenanigans and hope the demon has a thread of decency and spares my life.

Once the tale is told, the demon, Ravock, leaves me in the library with a tray of snacks and a couple bottles of water.I'm not sure what will happen to me, but the fact he didn't immediately kill me gives me hope.

All the earlier talk about mates has me thinking about Hex.I wish we could formally mate, but it's not in the cards for us.Some people would say I'm settling for less that I deserve, but Hex is worth it.I'd give almost anything to have him here with me now.This whole thing wouldn't be so frightening if I had him to lean on.Of course, if I'd told him about Rudy to begin with, maybe things wouldn't have gotten this far…

The library door opening jars me awake from the light sleep I'd fallen into without realizing it.

"Come with me," a demon I haven't seen before commands.

Clutching the blanket tightly so it doesn't slip and cause me to flash someone, I follow the scary demon.My fear is not subdued in the slightest when he leads me through a maze of corridors, then down into a basement that's doing a great job of imitating a dungeon.The wall sconces look like torches, and they've somehow managed to get that musty smell without the place being unsanitary.

"Are these the clowns you told me about?"Ravock asks, drawing my attention away from the unsettling ambiance.Shackled to the wall are Rudy and his sons.The demons must have tracked them down while I was asleep.

"Yes."

I should feel bad about giving them up to the Legion, but Rudy has made me miserable long enough.If demons are what it takes to get my life back, I'm ready to make a deal with the devil.

Chapter Eighteen

Mason