Page 27 of Mystery of Magic

I cleared my throat as the smell of iron and decay permeated the room. Indy and Kaine stepped back and while they were not queasy about the sight of blood, it was obvious they would rather be anywhere else but the morgue.

Noreen moved the heart to one side before inspecting the liver. “This is definitely a hybrid, but there are differences. These organs are more... human. It could be because they were early in transition, but I don’t think so. I will need to run more tests.”

Daryn motioned to the body. “Is there a way to test for the king’s essence?”

Noreen shrugged. “I doubt it. I can compare blood samples to the hybrid I autopsied, but if you could have your healer send over his reports, that would help.”

Daryn nodded. “They will be here in ten minutes. Do you have any theories? We will take anything at this point.”

Noreen moved various tissues within the dead man’s chest. “It is too similar not to be connected to the king of the demons. Is there some kind of artifact that could infuse a human? Maybe it transfers the king’s essence, but it’s not as potent. This seems... weaker somehow.”

Daryn’s eyes flickered. “A blood transfer. There was an artifact in the museum that enhanced bloodlines. But it was used for empowered humans, not demons.”

Noreen focused on something within the bloody cavity. “Hold on. There is remodeling on the bone. The first generation of hybrids healed from injury almost as quickly as a demon. This suggests a more human healing process.”

Daryn arched an eyebrow. “That’s what we are calling these. Second-generation hybrids?”

Noreen shrugged. “They are hybrids. It’s as good a term as any.”

Indy crossed her arms. “I like it.”

Daryn nodded. “That works for me. How long ago was this poor bastard affected? It sounds like it was a while ago.”

Noreen shook her head. “Not at all. The bone remodeling is subtle, and he was part demon. It’s almost as if the bone was being attacked and attempting to repair itself. The first-gen demons didn’t fight the conversion this way. I can’t explain it yet, but considering this guy is part Stragoi, I’m going to guess he was infected a few hours ago.”

Daryn nodded. “Thank you, Noreen. Please finish the autopsy as soon as you can and get back to me with your report.”

She nodded, but her aqua eyes remained on her task. As if nothing else existed except her and the body on her table.

I waited till we were outside before sucking in a fresh breath. “Now what?”

Daryn turned to the twins. “We need to investigate every hybrid.”

Indy cursed. “Luther is going to hate that.”

“It can’t be helped. Only a human with demon blood can be converted. I need an ID on this guy as well as the other dead hybrids.”

Kaine nodded. “I already sent the pictures to Cipher. He is tracking them down. Do we ask Esme if she is feeling... like she wants to snack on hunter blood?”

CHAPTER 12

We left the morgue behind, taking the vehicle the twins arrived in, and the atmosphere inside the van lightened. The memories of the morgue’s cold, sterile environment began to fade, replaced by the comforting presence of my new family.

As Daryn steered the vehicle down the narrow road, with the trees lining the road, they seemed to reach out to us like old friends. Their branches arched overhead, forming an informal tunnel, and the leaves whispered in the wind.

We approached the glamor spell that concealed the hunter base from the outside world, and a familiar flicker of anticipation coursed through me. It always felt as if we were crossing a hidden threshold, leaving the mundane world behind, and entering our private sanctuary. I could almost feel the protective enchantment wrap around the van, shielding us from prying eyes and unwanted attention.

As we drove through the enchantment, the world outside vanished, and our hidden base emerged. The illusion of the run-down school shimmered and then solidified, revealing the familiar facade of our main floor and its entrance.

We were silent as we exited the van and we all nodded to the young man stationed by the door. He opened the large door for us, and my stomach growled when the smell of fresh pizza tickled my senses.

Indy pointed at the cafeteria. “Tell me we are getting in on that after we talk to Luther and Esme?”

Daryn nodded. “Absolutely.”

We nodded to various hunters as we passed in the hallway that led to Daryn’s suite at the base, but he had on his serious face that had most of the base avoiding him.

We entered the suite and took off our jackets, but left our boots on. We wouldn’t be staying long. We just needed a private place to speak with Esme.

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