Page 21 of Soulmarked

I stepped further into his domain, already regretting this decision. Everything about the place screamed 'loner', someone who'd learned the hard way not to trust easily. Someone who definitely didn't play well with others.

“Take a seat,” Sean gestured toward a battered leather couch that had probably seen more blood than a hospital emergency room.

I remained standing.

He exhaled sharply through his nose. “You got a problem, suit?”

“Yeah,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “The fact that I don't know why you gave me this address in the first place.”

Sean scoffed and pushed off the workbench, moving toward a rack of weapons with casual grace. His fingers brushed the hilt of a wicked-looking dagger. “Because you're either really brave or really stupid, and I couldn't decide which. Thought I'd get a closer look.”

“And?” I folded my arms, mirroring his stance.

His lips quirked in what might have been amusement. “Still deciding.”

I barely resisted rolling my eyes. “Look, I don't have time for games. If you have something to say, say it.”

Sean studied me for a long moment, then finally moved away from the weapons. “CITD has no business in supernatural affairs.”

I stayed silent, which seemed to interest him more than any defense I could have offered.

“That's what I thought,” he said, eyes narrowing. “They don't know, do they? What you really investigate when you're out here?”

My continued silence was answer enough.

“So you're a rogue agent,” Sean mused, something like amusement creeping into his voice. “Writing reports about animal attacks while hunting vampires on the side. That's a dangerous game you're playing, mate.”

“Someone has to,” I said finally.

His laugh was sharp enough to cut. “And you think that someone is you? One fed with a badge and a death wish, taking on creatures that have been killing since before your grandfather was born?”

I felt my irritation spike but kept my voice level. “I've been handling these cases for years. Successfully.”

“Successfully?” He leaned forward. “You're falsifying federal reports, lying to your superiors, and nearly getting yourself killed. That's not success, Cross. That's a countdown to a very messy ending.”

“I had it under control.”

“Sure you did. Right up until that thing was about to rearrange your internal organs.” Sean stopped pacing, fixing me with a stare that had probably made lesser men confess their sins. “How'd you even know about the vampire at Purgatory?”

“I track patterns,” I said evenly. “Missing persons, strange deaths, witness reports that don't add up. The vampire had been hunting that area for weeks.”

Something flickered in Sean's expression, surprise, maybe, or reluctant approval. “You're actually good at this.”

I let myself smirk. “Try not to sound so surprised.”

“Being good at paperwork isn't the same as being good at staying alive,” he shot back. “You went after a vampire without backup, without proper weapons.”

“I had my service weapon.”

“Which would have done fuck all against something that can move faster than you can blink.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “You're going to get yourself killed. And normally, I wouldn't give a shite. But that thing knew you. Called you 'marked one.' Why?”

I kept my expression neutral, but my pulse quickened. “No idea.”

“Bullshit.” He moved closer, invading my personal space. “You're not just some fed who stumbled into this world. You're something else. And until I figure out what, you're a potential threat.”

“I'm not the one with an arsenal that could start a small war,” I pointed out.

“No, you're just the one creatures seem mighty interested in keeping alive.” His eyes narrowed. “Which makes me wonder why.”

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