Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)(54)

Envy, knocked back by the infected girl, teetered on the edge of the curb for a split second before tipping back into the street. Right into the path of an oncoming city bus. The vehicle tried to stop, the horrific sound of squealing tires mingling with the scent of burning rubber, but it was too late.

On impact, the body convulsed, a bright green light gathering in the woman’s midsection. Pulsing twice, it rocketed from her body—up her throat and out her mouth—and into the air.

There was no time to react. As I stood there, mouth hanging open and helpless, the ball of light collided with Kendra. She screamed. A horrible sound that, for as long as I lived, I’d never forget. Every limb went rigid. Her head rocked back.

And then, nothing.

As quickly as it started, it was over. Kendra rolled her shoulders and shook out both hands. “Ken?” I said, taking a tentative step closer. “Are you okay?”

She smiled at me, and that’s when I knew. A spark of something dark gleamed in her eyes. Kendra wasn’t in the driver’s seat anymore.

“Stay tuned, little Darker girl,” Envy said in Kendra’s voice. “Things are about to get interesting.”

As I watched her stroll away, casual as could be, I realized Mom was right. Something about this case was way off.

And I had a feeling I’d just figured it out.



Chapter Twenty-one

By the time I pushed through the office door, my lip was good and swollen, my hip throbbed, and I was pretty sure a few of my teeth were loose. Oh, and I lost my best friend to the dark side. That, too. As the door closed behind me, three sets of eyes turned my way, and I felt like a fish in a bowl.

“Do I want to know?” Mom asked from behind her desk. Standing over a large map, Dad on one side and Lukas on the other, she looked from my ruined lip and scuffed chin to my muddy jeans.

I touched a finger to my lip and cringed. “Zombie assault, toxic dog drool, and now attacked by a college chick wearing a pink rhinestone belly shirt. I’m not having a good week.”

“Attacked?” Dad growled, stepping around the desk. “What do you mean, attacked?”

“Relax, Damien,” Mom said. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gently pulled back. “She’s fine.” She turned to me for confirmation, and I nodded.

“As all right as possible. I know we don’t need another problem, but unfortunately we have one.” I took a deep breath. “Kendra is Envy.”

“Infected, you mean?”

“No. I mean, the body Envy took over had…an accident. Kendra was there with me and it took her over as a replacement.”

“How—”

“Think about it, Mom.” I came around and sank onto the couch. “Ken is wicked jealous of the coven. She can’t even do the simple stuff. She’s the perfect host.”

“This is bad. Kendra may not have the ability to tap into her powers yet, but they’re there.” Mom turned to Dad. “Will Envy be able to access them?”

Dad shook his head, genuinely concerned. “In theory, I’d say it was possible. When demons possess humans, they have access to their skills and memories. Kendra’s power is a part of her…” He slipped his hand into Mom’s.

“Let’s not wait around to find out.”

“Oh, and you were right. About something being off? Remember how you said it was odd that the Sins weren’t running crazy? I think it’s because someone is keeping them on a leash and pulling their strings.”

Mom’s eyes widened. I knew that look because I’d seen it a thousand times in the past. Each time I tried to talk my way out of something. Dad didn’t look convinced either, glancing from me to Mom, brows furrowed. He was subtler than she was. Probably not wanting to discourage me.

Lukas shook his head slowly. He rolled up his own map, securing it with a thin rubber band, and set it down beside Mom’s. “That doesn’t sound probable.”

“I know how it sounds, but it’s true. I had a little run in with Vida at school today and—”

That got everyone talking.

“Who’s Vida?” Mom and Dad asked in unison, while at the same time Lukas surged forward, fingers clenched, and said, “What did she do?”

They didn’t come up for air, either. Going a mile a minute despite my best efforts to get a word in. I was about to scream—the only thing I could think of drastic enough to grab their attention—but someone did it for me.

Or, something.

An eerie growl filled the room, and a puff of black smoke erupted on top of my desk. Everyone froze mid-sentence, all eyes whirling toward the other end of the room.

“What is that?” Dad asked, taking a step closer.

“That—” Mom said with a sigh, “—would be your daughter’s new pet.” Something told me Mom and my new shadow wouldn’t be snuggling up or going for walksies anytime soon.

Dad gave the demon corgi a once-over, then turned to me. He looked almost proud. “You’re keeping a demon as a pet?”

“I’m not keeping him as much as he’s keeping me. He followed me home from a job and just kind of stuck around.” On the desk, the corgi barked once, then circled several times, plopping down on top of a stack of neglected paperwork to watch the show.

Lukas cleared his throat. “About Vida?”