Page 93 of Claimed
“My informant in Georgia mentioned a business partner,” Ruin says. “A member of the Nightshade colony.”
I look at him. “Is there any way Helios could have already passed the cases on and we missed it?”
Ruin mulls that over. “Sanchez has had eyes on him since he got into town. If he met with anyone, we would know.”
“Michél Sanchez?” Amoret asks, sitting up to look at the captain.
Ruin nods. “Yeah. He’s the next in line for the Miami colony. Why? Do you know him?”
“He has had business dealings with Helios’ son. They met at the Sith earlier this year.”
Silence permeates the room and Ruin stares at her. “Amoret? Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she says and the others shift. “I could have Branwen send the manor the transportation records.”
“That slimy son of a bitch,” Ruin roars and Lilah locks her arms around him. Her hold may be the only thing keeping him in place as his fangs drop and his eyes glow.
“Ruin,” Tanner begins. “You can’t think …”
“What else?” the captain demands. “The house was cleared as empty before we left the gala. No one came in or out while we were there. That piece of shit let me send Onyx in knowing Helios had men still inside.”
Anger snaps through me like a whip.
“We cannot accuse a colony heir without proof,” Gage says into the tension. “We need to get Markus on the phone. We are going to need back up for this. Who do we have allegiances with close enough to make it worth asking?”
Horan pushes from the wall by the door. Where he has been since I walked out, watching everything in silence. “Why do we need aid?”
Gage looks at him. “Sanchez’s colony is the largest in the state.”
“A smaller unit will be more efficient,” Horan tells him. “The women alone could get close enough to the colony enforcers at Harbor Pointe. If Sanchez is in league with Helios, his second would know. And no man can resist such beautiful women.”
“You want to send the girls in?” Tanner sputters.
Nisha cuffs him. “What the hell is wrong with that?” she demands. “We can do just as much as you guys can. More maybe.”
He grips her hips. “Baby, I’m not saying you’re not badass, but we are talking about trained enforcers. Enforcers who may be working for the evilest vamp to walk the earth in over five hundred years.”
“They wouldn’t go in without back-up,” Horan says into the quiet. “I would suggest Onyx join them, and Caine can be an aerial look out.”
“I can’t carry them all in a portal,” I admit. “But that may not be needed, anyway.”
“Why?” Ruin asks.
“Nisha can shift and Lilah can flit,” I say. “They have escape maneuvers out if they need them. Amoret and Onyx would be the only ones I would need to transport.”
Onyx shakes her head. “I can’t travel by portal, Caine. I’m human.”
The others look at her, and at me. I exhale. “Onyx, I actually need to tell you something.” Her head turns and she looks at me. “You have Asmodean blood in your family tree.”
I don’t know what I expect. Shock. Anger. Denial.
Her amber eyes darken with sadness. “I know, Caine. But it’s too far back to mean much. So what?”
I blink. “You knew?”
“Yeah. Azz wanted me tested when I first made the deal. Said it took more of his magick to hold me than the others in the house. It’s why our deals are always sealed with a kiss.”
My eyes drop to her mouth.
