Page 111 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse

“I’m afraid that demon is... at large.”

My eyes flicked toward Eric. “Is he for real?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“After feasting on the witch,” Lucia said, “it munched on a couple of hybrids and took off.”

I pressed a hand to my mouth and mumbled. “You have to find it and send it back.”

Damien rolled his eyes. “Of course, you don’t think I’ll let it roam free indefinitely. Let me rest some, then I promise I’ll go after it. It can’t do much damage for now—not after it gorged itself.”

“Are you sure?”

The mage nodded and went back to looking pensive.

“What’s bothering you?” Eric asked.

Damien glanced back. “Who? Me?”

“Yeah, you.”

“Just thinking about Mekare’s powers and wondering if she was using demon magic.”

“What?!” We all exchanged confused glances.

“There are many ways to accomplish advanced magic, some harder than others. Demon magic doesn’t come without risks, but for those willing to take the risk, it can make things easier. I’m sure you noticed how similar her ‘turning to smoke’ trick was to Velthgrek’s essence.”

I certainlyhadnoticed it.

“And at the warehouse,” he continued, “that mental attack was very much like what we experienced with the fearmonger.”

“Yeah,” Jake said. “It sure was.”

Damien made a flourish. “But never mind all of that. It doesn’t matter now. She’s gone.”

“And what about the Unholy Vessel?” Rosalina asked.

“It’s what I’ve been wondering about,” Jake said. “Among other things.”

“Wemustfind it,” Eric said, adamant.

Jake nodded. “We will. If we have to move heaven and earth.”

With his detective skills, Jake would figure it out. I was sure.

Eric glanced into his phone for the third time since I’d come in. “They’re still dead.” He turned the screen and showed us a camera view of the garage where the hybrids and their leader lay dead. “How about you call your detective friend. We can explain what happened, then they can clean this mess. We already did the hard part for them.”

Feeling less shaky, I rose from the sofa. “I’ll call Tom.” I took the hand that Jake extended my way. “Walk with me to get my phone.”

On our way to the bedroom, I squeezed Jake’s hand and said, “You’re worried about Craig,” a statement, not a question.

“He’s going to be pissed, very pissed. I might’ve just made my first enemy among the St. Louis alphas. Not a good thing since my pack is not as strong as it used to be.”

“Maybe he’ll let you explain...” I trailed off. That sounded ridiculous even to my own ears.

With a sideways hug, he drew me closer as we kept walking. “It’s nothing for you to worry about. In fact, as soon as you feel better, we’ll celebrate.”

Once in the room, Jake closed the door behind us and pulled me into his arms. “God, Toni. I would be nothing without you. You saved me. You...” His voice broke, and he swallowed hard. “I love you so much.”