Page 46 of Soulmarked

The church's interior was a study in decay and dark purpose. Pews lay scattered like broken bones, and the altar had beenmodified with equipment that had no place in a house of worship.

“They've been busy,” Cade noted, examining what looked like monitoring equipment grafted onto ancient stone.

I moved toward the altar, drawn by something that felt wrong even by our standards. “Yeah, well, when you're trying to punch holes in reality, subtlety isn't really a priority. It's not like they're trying to hide their evil lair from the neighborhood watch.”

“You think that's what this is? Some kind of portal?”

“Portal, gateway, door to somewhere that should stay shut, take your pick.” I traced symbols carved into the stone, recognizing patterns that made my skin crawl. “But whatever they're planning, it's big. The kind of big that makes using Fetches as guard dogs seem reasonable.”

Cade joined me at the altar, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating off him. “You've seen something like this before.”

It wasn't quite a question. “Once.” I didn't elaborate, and he didn't push. Some stories weren't meant for sharing, not even with temporary allies who were proving more competent than expected.

“We need to document everything,” he said instead, already pulling out his phone. “Whatever Phoenix is planning...”

“Won't happen,” I finished firmly. “Because we're going to find them first. And then we're going to have a very pointed conversation about why opening doors to other dimensions is bad for everyone's health.”

His lips twitched. “Pointed conversation meaning stabbing?”

“See? You're learning. There's hope for you yet, Suit.”

We worked methodically, gathering evidence and copying symbols. But I couldn't shake the feeling that we'd only scratched the surface of whatever game Phoenix was playing.

And somewhere in the city, more doors were waiting to be opened.

11

HOME SWEET HELL

Islouched in the passenger seat of Cade's sleek government-issue car, boots propped on the dashboard just to see him wince. My side still ached where the fetches had caught me.

“Dude, seriously? Feet off.” Cade's face did that pinched thing it always does when he's trying to maintain his federal composure.

I smirked but complied, adjusting my leather jacket instead. “Turn left at the next crossroads. And try not to hit any of the things you can't see.”

“You know what would be helpful? Actual directions instead of cryptic warnings.” Cade's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel as we passed a spectral figure that only I could see.

“Where's the fun in that?” But I straightened up as we approached the first barrier. “Slow down here.”

The air shimmered like heat waves, though the night was cold enough to see our breath. Ancient wards created patterns that I'd seen in my nightmares since childhood. I felt them recognize me, the prodigal son, returning to the fold with his shiny new partner.

“You feel that?” I asked, genuinely curious about how much Mr. Federal Agent could perceive.

“Like static electricity,” Cade muttered, rolling those broad shoulders beneath his too-proper jacket. “And something pushing against my skin.”

Interesting. Most civilians wouldn't notice anything until we were deep in Hallow's territory.

The asphalt rippled under our tires like a living thing, and Cade's eyes widened. “Jesus?—”

“Not quite.” I couldn't help the cocky grin. “Though I hear he visited once. Didn't stay long.”

“Do you ever give a straight answer?”

“Do you ever loosen that tie?”

We passed another barrier, this one strong enough to make the piece of shit of a car's, sorry, the government sedan's, electronics flicker. Cade handled it with the same precision he applied to disassembling his gun or analyzing a crime scene.

“You're taking this well,” I observed.

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