Page 109 of Wicked Flavors

A task that would have been impossible, if not for Ambrosius pulling strings. Even halfway across the world, the demon was still caring for Gwen’s welfare. Just the same as Gwen was, by continuing the hunt for more of the Bound Obscene cult members. Despite her best effort to destroy James’ post, the internet was forever. Rumors spread, and before Gwen knew it, she was spending her free time investigating occult-like incidents that could potentially lead her to the remaining cult members.

Which made things incredibly awkward when it came to her relationship with Baron, considering…

“That’s precisely why you should do it, Gwennie!” Baron crowed. “Velata Umbrahas a need for people just like you.”

Ugh, Gwen hated even hearing the name of the organization. Only pretentious elites would name their organization in Latin.

“People like me?” she scoffed.

“Yes,” Baron insisted, leaning close to whisper. “Monsters, Gwennie. The kind that aren’t a part of the big four.”

The Big Four. The name given to the four that dominated all monsters by sheer population and knowledge alone. Ghosts, werewolves, witches, and vampires were all self-governed. When something wentwrong with humans, they had their own ways of handling things. Their own governments and societal rules to help them out of exposure. For the rest of monster-kind, however, they relied onVelata Umbrafor that. A self-appointed organization responsible for the containment and secrecy of monsters from humans. The same organization that had done its best to clean up the horror of what happened atMaster Basting.

“Still not seeing the appeal,” Gwen hummed. “Besides, isn’t it against your best interest to be working against the organization? Mypatronis enemy number one, remember?”

The awkward revelation that Baron worked for the people who had locked Ambrosius inside the Antiquarium so many centuries ago had temporarily strained their relationship. Granted, Baron hadn’t known that when he had impulsively signed up within the last year. At first, it seemed like the only obstacle was the usual demon versus fae conflict. Yet for all their disagreements, Ambrosius and Baron had a begrudging respect for the other. Gwen was pretty certain it was because of their affection for her that the pair didn’t outright kill each other.

“I never said I joined for the betterment of the organization,” Baron smiled. “I have my own self-interests, my own goals, just like you.”

Gwen’s amber eyes narrowed. “Tell me why you want me to join and I’ll consider it. But no bullshit, Baron. Remember, I can tell the difference.”

Gwen’s power to read human emotions had grown tremendously. She could now sense latent emotions that lingered in spaces and objects. She had even started to subtly pick up Baron’s emotions as well. It was actuallyhow she had stumbled across his true nature. Baron had a penchant for shape shifting into other humans and popping into Gwen’s life. A strange game that Gwen had indulged in even after she had realized his particular flavor of pity tasted the same, no matter what he looked like on the outside.

Baron—despite his normal jovial attitude—appeared almost somber. He glanced over his shoulder, a gesture that would have been labeled as paranoia if Gwen wasn’t constantly doing the same. Being a monster in human society was rarely a safe situation.

“I’m using the organization to search for someone. Someone dear to me that I lost a long time ago,” Baron confessed. “But even with my power, they’re being tight-lipped. Having someone who can get a better read on them would be … helpful for me.”

Gwen shifted on her modest heels, staring Baron down. Yet, there was none of his usual evasiveness, only sincerity.

Must be desperate if you need me,Gwen thought.

“Who are they?”

“My sister.”

The admission surprised her. Baron had never mentioned his family, but it wasn’t as if Gwen had volunteered anything about hers either. Truthfully, when they weren’t avoiding sensitive subjects, Gwen was gushing about Ambrosius while Baron was gushing about his latest one-night stand.

Still, Gwen would need time to think about it. While she was more inclined to be impulsive, the incident with her neighbor had made Gwen cautious when it came to matters around the occult. And The Veiled Shadow was one of the biggest keepers of occult secrets.

“I’ll think about it,” Gwen said. “Truly. But I’ll have to talk to Ro about it.”

Baron nodded, “I figured. Just … let me know soon? Things are getting, well, intense. I’ll be going on assignment next week.”

“What for?”

“Oh, there are rumors that some humans got into a bit of witchcraft,” Baron sighed. “You know how they are. Apparently, these ones have figured out how to use it to sell things, like lipsticks and perfumes. The local witches should be able to handle it, but the organization wants to follow up on it.”

“Humans really need to learn to leave things alone,” Gwen grumbled.

“Tell me about it. If it’s not enchanted makeup, it’s illegal reanimation or negligent promises of cure-all’s,” Baron complained. “I busted a ring of poorly versed necromancers back in March—and I say ‘necromancer’ loosely. More like wannabes. We had to talk to the local necromancer families. It was a whole thing. Super messy—like working with the mafia.”

Gwen shook her head. “Baron, get out of my library already. I’m off in twenty-minutes, and I have a date tonight.”

“So, the old bastard is coming home tonight, hmm?”

“Cool it.”

“Fine.”

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