Page 88 of House of Malice
Andro nodded, stealing a glance at Val.
Blaze wondered whether Moren asked orforcedNico into talking with them.
“So, tell me what can I help you with today?” Nico asked. “I was told you have questions about Grimswater.”
Val nodded. “Less about Grimswater, and more about the secret club and the people who run it. We weren’t aware of it before Rogue told us about it.”
“She’s not a demon,” Jolene said quickly. “How will we know she’s not lying?”
Nico arched an eyebrow. “I have no reason to lie.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Val told Jolene. Then she turned to Nico. “So, Rogue tells us that powerful people are involved with said club. We would like to know more about it, maybe even some names.”
Nico smiled. “Ambitious, aren’t you?”
Val didn’t answer.
“This club has members who are either influential, famous, or wealthy. That is one of the requirements to be invited,” Nico said. “They are vetted and selected carefully. It’s not your regular club, as you already know.”
“And how come you know so much about it?” Val asked. She crossed her legs. “Do you know the identities?”
“I don’t know who established the club, nor do I know all the members,” Nico said. “We’re only aware of this club here in Hel because some of those members have sold their souls. As you might or might not be aware, not all witches fare well once they sell their soul. Those who don’t deal with it properly suffer from side effects that can be pretty nasty. That is when they seek out things to numb those effects, which leads them to the Grimswater club. Not all of them are soulless, of course. Some are just that fucking perverted.”
“What is the club called?” Alecto asked.
Nico smirked. “I won’t tell you that. There is no need for you to know the name.”
None of them seemed willing to argue with her about that.
“Alright,” Val said. “Are any of the members you know still alive?”
Nico smiled and shook her head. “Mostly not.”
“Mostly? So, there are some who are still alive?” Val asked. “Does the nameEliot Gondalezring a bell?”
Nico considered Val’s question for a moment. The tension rose in the room, all of them eager to hear the answer.
Blaze wasn’t sure what they would do if they knew Gondalez belonged to that club. It wasn’t like it would be helpful for them to know just how powerful he truly was or how wicked.
“No. I haven’t heard of his name, not amongst the club members,” Nico finally said. “But I do have two names of active members who are still alive.”
“Will you care to share them with us?” Val smirked.
What came out of Nico’s mouth next made Blaze sick to his stomach.
“Galliermo Leveau and Alatar Black.”
37
The journey back home from Hel was less than joyful. Especially for Alecto, and she guessed for Blaze too.
It shouldn’t have surprised Alecto that her father was a member of such a club. She knew he was a despicable man. Yet she’d been so shocked to learn this particular fact that she was having a hard time speaking.
They were already back at their brownstone, sitting in their basement. She and Blaze were both sulking, while the others were trying to come up with a plan of action.
Alecto wished she’d never gone to Hel. Sometimes, it was better to be ignorant than to know the truth.
“Alright, so as far as we know, the Dean is not a member,” Val said. “And judging from the fact that Galliermo and Alatar are members, chances that he has backup there are slim.”
