Page 75 of Nightshade

I clicked open the timepiece to the message engraved inside.

Let all that you do, be done with love (Corinthians 16:14).

Farryn

I hadn’t heard, nor thought, about the name since then, until Anya had mentioned it earlier. As soon as she spoke the name, I recalled having seen a picture of her that the man had waved in my face. Black hair. Unusual eyes. All this time I’d been dreaming of her, forgetting where I’d first seen her. The old man had cursed me with visions of his own daughter.

It wouldn’t be by accident that she’d ended up at the Cathedral. Despite whatever had happened between her and the dogs, I didn’t trust the girl. And I sure as hell didn’t believe that she’d just happened upon Anya in the woods. She came here for a reason, and I’d already informed Cicatrix to keep a close watch on her. As I would, myself.

She was trouble and temptation wrapped in a scent that would eventually drive me mad, unless I could stay away from her. Force myself, anyway. Nothing like having an enticing little snack, a vibrant soul, innocently cavorting about when you’re fucking starving.

At the knock on the door, I didn’t bother to look up from the inscription when I said, “Come in.”

A quick glance showed Remy striding toward my desk, but my thoughts remained wrapped around the mystery of the timepiece and the name.

“Cassiel hasn’t returned.”

“Have you checked the brothels in town?”

“Yes. This morning. He patrolled the woods last night. Haven’t heard from him since.”

Finally stuffing the watch back into my pocket, I reached for the drink on my desk. “I would venture to assume he’s wrapped himself up in a busty woman with a sharp tongue.”

“I’d like to think that, as well.” As he sat, Remy tossed an object onto my desk that looked like a torn bit of fabric with blood stained across the emblem. The emblem of the Fallen. And in the center of it was Cassiel’s sigil. “I’ve searched all of the woods in Blackwater, and that’s all I’ve recovered for my efforts. I can’t help but think he might’ve encountered one of the wild animals rumored to be behind the recent attacks.”

“Not an animal.” At a glance of Remy’s confused stare, I continued. “I stumbled upon one myself while in town. It was no animal. Humanoid in appearance, but not quite human, either. I’ve never seen anything like it before.” I twisted in my chair and lifted my shirt just enough to show the unhealed claw marks across my ribcage. “It attacked me, as well.”

“Must’ve been quite fast to accomplish that.”

“I didn’t even see it coming.” I lowered my shirt and swiped up my drink, easing back into my chair.

“So, what do we do? About Cassiel?”

“Keep searching. Allow Cerberus to accompany you. Perhaps he can track Cassiel’s scent.”

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

“These rumors fuel fear. I, myself, had an encounter and walked away with little more than a scratch.”

“A scratch that hasn’t yet healed.”

“Perhaps it’s age.”

“Probably.” Remy snorted a laugh and ran his hand over his jaw. “What’s the news with Virgil?”

“Seems he’ll be in attendance at the Hollow Harvest Ball.”

“Ah, yeah. Heard some big unveiling is supposed to go down.”

“As did I.”

Fingers curled around the arms of the chair, Remy frowned and sat forward, clearly troubled by something. “Listen, I promised I wouldn’t say anything, but Cassiel’s been crossing over to the earthly realm quite a bit in recent weeks.”

“What for?”

“He doesn’t tell me everything, but it’s part of the reason why I’m a little concerned. Fallen don’t fare well on the other side.”

“Cassiel is smart. Level headed. I can’t imagine him doing anything foolish.”