Page 65 of The Darkest Night

Mae focused on Vlad again. “What is it you suspect?”

“This is just my theory,” Vlad warned.

“Spill it.”

Vlad smiled at her commanding tone. She chewed her lip.

Darn it, why the hell is he so sexy?

Vlad grew serious. “The human trafficking business in New York boomed around the timeOniks’sinfluence started growing in the city. It’s the same with the other cities I’ve been investigating.” He paused. “I think they are providing experimental subjects to the Dark Council.”

A perplexed hush ensued.

“Experimental subjects?” Violet repeated.

Mae curled her hands into fists, the truth in Vlad’s eyes all too clear. “You mean, lab rats?”

Shocked murmurs rippled across the room.

Vlad dipped his chin. “I believe Vedran and the Dark Council intend to raise a new army. One made of modified demons. I think they’re buying human slaves for that purpose.”

Mae’s pulse stuttered. Bryony froze.

“Why?” Miles mumbled. “What would he need an army for?”

Nikolai grew ashen, as if he’d just grasped an awful truth. He looked at Vlad.

“What would you do if you were a tyrant who controlled the most powerful witch on Earth and had a legion of demons at your disposal?” he said in a stilted tone.

Vlad’s eyes blazed, understanding flashing on his face. “You would conquer the world.”

Violet scowled. “Shit.”

Mae’s nails dug into her palms.This is insane!

She swallowed heavily. “But—wouldn’t he need a helluva lot of demons to do that?”

Brimstone spoke. “He already has the means to obtain demons.”

Vlad’s face tightened. “Barquiel.”

Brimstone growled his assent. “Hell has an endless supply of fiends.”

Mae’s heart beat sluggishly as she digested this. “I wonder if that’s why there are so many demons in New York.” She realized everyone was staring at her. “What?”

Bryony lowered her brows. “What do you mean?”

Mae stared. “There are demons in New York. Like, hundreds of them.”

“What?!” Abraham gasped.

“You can detect humans who bear demons inside them?” Nikolai asked urgently.

“Yes.” She indicated the area above her head. “They have that whole dark aura thing going on and the odd flash of yellow in their pupils?”

Mae paused when she registered their shocked expressions.

“I can just about feel them out when they’re close,” Vlad admitted with a frown. “Like a sixth sense. You mean to say you can actuallyseethem while they are still in their human form?”

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