Page 145 of The Devil's Trials

“I think this could be the start of a beautiful friendship,” Francesca says, raising her glass and clinking it against Harper’s.

“More like a dangerous alliance,” Blake mutters, looking at Xander. “Are you just going to let this happen?”

Xander shrugs, taking a drink of his wine. “Yeah, I think so.”

I shove a spoonful of potatoes into my mouth to keep from saying anything. I don’t know how thrilled I am about a potentialanythingbetween Harper and the she-devil who, at one time, wanted the man I love, but I recognize that while Xander ismine, I have no claim to my best friend. And she’s smart enough to decide who she should and shouldn’t allow space in her life.

“Maybe we should talk strategy so we can make the most of the time you’re away?” Jude suggests, her gaze set on Xander.

He nods, any trace of amusement fading from his expression. “I agree.”

“Marrick is using humans, so I think we should start with them.”

Heads turn toward Greer, but she doesn’t notice, her eyes on her untouched plate. When the dining room falls silent, she glances up and sets her fork aside.

“Start with them?” Harper echoes, tension creasing her forehead.

Greer nods. “Marrick, as always, will cloak himself from view like the coward he is. Until he has his army, which he’ll believe is enough to protect him from his enemies.”

“In a perfect world, we’d stop him before the army is formed.”

“Who’s to say it hasn’t been already?” Blake says.

“A rare good point,” Francesca quips, earning a few snickers around the table, while Blake flips her off.

Roman shakes his head, wiping his mouth. “We’d hear whispers if Marrick had his army.”

“The hunters would know,” Harper adds. “There would be extensive reports and meetings across the North American facilities.”

“Are you sure about that?” Jude chimes in.

“Yes. The humans would fight back,” Harper insists, gripping her fork tightly. “They won’t just give up their souls for nothing.”

Jude swallows her mouthful. “Some will. After all, humans are simple creatures. If you allow them to feel in control, and you can manipulate them quite easily.”

I open my mouth to take offense, but Harper’s scowl beats me to it.

“Fuck that,” she bites out.

“What I mean,” Jude continues, “is that Marrick is most likely targeting vulnerable humans. Those desperate enough to feel some sense of control over their lives.”

“You make it sound like there could be humans who’d willingly join him,” I say in a low voice, unease swirling in my stomach.

“It’s possible,” Blake says.

“So, how do we stop it?” Harper cuts back into the conversation.

Greer purses her lips for a moment. “I highly doubt Marrick is going to get this right immediately. He’ll be experimenting on humans. We should investigate disappearances in key locations—places with the most ley lines and high demon traffic between worlds. Cities and towns filled with chaos and suffering will be breeding grounds for this.”

Blake looks at Xander. “I will ask Will and Stephen to tap into their network in New York and see what they can find out.”

Xander nods. “Good. But we’ll need more. I want you to send out everyone you know. Have them scour these key locations and note anything that could help us.”

Everyone besides me, Harper, and Gio nod to their king. Gio has remained quiet for the majority of the meal, which makes sense with him not being an official member of Xander’s council. That said, neither am I.

“We’ll meet again once Camille and I return and make a plan for next steps with the information you gather.” Xander finishes his wine, setting down the glass. “Marrick’s plan to turn humans into demons jeopardizes the balance between our worlds, putting everyone in danger. Stopping him won’t be easy, but failure isn’t an option—not when the fate of both humans and demons hangs in the balance.”

Xander and I rent a car and drive to Seattle the next afternoon. We check him into a boutique hotel before driving to my mom’s house across the city.

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