Page 71 of Darkside

“I mean, not really when you think about everything else.” He takes my hand again. “I haven’t brought it up in a while, but let’s not forget that you have an army of reaper demons under your command.”

“And I kinda miss them,” I confess. “I’m glad it was me. In a weird way, I guess.” I slowly inhale, ribs hurting every time I breathe. “No one else would have been able to call—” I stop, memories coming back. Everything is hazy since I was drugged, but Hunter wasn’t the only familiar who came to my aid.

Before I can go on, there’s another knock at the door. It’s Officer Maxwell and he and Ethan exchange an awkward stare for a few seconds before he comes in.

“Hello, Miss. Benson. I’m helping out the Paradise Valley police and am here for your official statement.”

“Oh,” I say and let Ethan help me sit up more. “Um…everything is kinda mixed up in my mind.”

“She was drugged,” Ethan tells him.

“I know,” Maxwell says gently. “We have Ms. McMillan in custody and, thanks to Special Agent Mulder here,” he says with a wink. “We should be able to connect her to those murders.”

“She was carrying out her dad’s work,” I say, feeling stupid for not seeing it. I was so sure it was Stuart I didn’t consider any other possibility.

“Now, I was able to gather from the others that Ms. McMillan sought out the five most prominent figures in the community. She drugged you all, lead you to the city’s utility unit and attempted to murder you. But here’s where things get fuzzy. According to the others, a wolf and a large German Shepherd “materialized inside the room” and together the three of you were able to subdue McMillian.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s what happened.” I nod.

“Better than an army of cats,” he grumbles and I’m not sure I heard him right.

“Hunter,” Ethan says, voice steady. “Is our German Shepherd. Anora brings him with her pretty much everywhere. He got spooked when he heard sirens and ran off, but luckily a friend was able to find him and bring him home.”

“And the wolf?” Maxwell raises his eyebrows.

“I don’t remember a wolf.” I swallow, feeling Ethan’s eyes on me.

“All right. I’ve got all I need. Take care, Miss Benson.” He turns and takes a few steps toward the door. “And don’t be surprised if we request you consult with us in the future.”

He leaves and I try to get comfortable, which is hard with the IV lines in my arm.

“A wolf? Ethan echoes.

“It was there. With Hunter. It helped save us. And then it was gone.”

He doesn’t say anything, but the look on his face speaks loud enough. And I’m thinking the same thing. What the in the ever loving fuck is going on?

There’s another knock at the door and I look over to see Nik rushing in. He comes right to the bed and throws his arms around me.

“Oh my god, Anora. Don’t you ever do that ever again!”

“I don’t plan on it,” I grunt and he releases me.

“How’d you get in?” Ethan asks. “They wouldn’t let Rene up.”

“Immediate family only,” Nik replies. “I said I was your brother.”

“My brother?” I echo.

“We do look alike and we share an address.” Nik grins. “It’s on my ID.”

I blink. “You got a fake ID?”

“It came in?” Ethan asks and I shake my head. Of course he’d hook Nik up with a fake ID. I know Ethan has several aliases from his Order days. “Come out in the hall. I’ll tell you everything.”

I try to get comfortable again, lay back and close my eyes.. The sense of peace I felt only hours ago is gone, and something else nags at me. I want to say it’s just me feeling silly for thinking Stuart could kill from beyond the grave, but I know it’s deeper than that.

Demons are evil. They have no soul. They exist for one reason and one reason only: to cause pain and destruction. But people…people are supposed to be good. Ethan’s joked a few times that my best and worst quality is how I want to see the good in people. I want to trust that they’ll do the right thing.

---