The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (Nava Katz #1)(43)

I pointed a finger at him. “Bingo. Here’s the thing.” I cleared my throat trying to figure out how to ask my question while technically keeping my Rasha oath of secrecy.

“Nava.” That was his impatient “talk or leave” voice.

“Know of any demon informants?”

Arms propped behind his head, he leaned back against the headboard, studying me. “What are you trying to find out that you don’t want Rohan to know?”

“Just learning all aspects of this brave new world.”

The gears turning in Ari’s head were practically audible as he pinned me in his steady gaze. He tried to figure out what I was thinking, and I sat there pretending it didn’t matter either way. It was our thing.

“Don’t get mixed up in their mission. I know you and starfucking–”

“Hey!”

“Gossip,” he amended.

“Don’t say it like a euphemism,” I muttered.

“But this is serious. They’ve been amassing info on Samson for ages. You charge in and you’ll screw things up.”

Startled, I raised my eyes to his. “Wait. You know?”

“No shit.”

“Kane is such a blabbermouth.”

Ari’s frowned. “Why do you assume I heard it from Kane?”

I spread my hands wide. “Who else would you have heard it from? How’d you get past the Mafia cone of silence?” I gasped. “Did you eavesdrop? Because only Rasha can know this stuff.”

My brother flushed in what definitely was “Nava Red.” He kicked my foot. “Are you fucking kidding me? You’ve been Rasha for the approximate life of a fruit fly and you think you’re already going to know details I didn’t after being around the Brotherhood my entire life?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t think they live that long. The fruit–”

The mattress bounced as Ari lunged for me.

I jumped to my feet with a yelp. “I’m sorry. Jeez. I didn’t know they were bandying about that information to all and–” I snapped my mouth shut at the look on his face.

“Let’s try this again.” I plastered on my sweetest smile.

He pointed at the door.

I straightened, wanting to present my idea with as much confidence as possible. On second thought, offering myself up as bait for Asmodeus might not secure me Ari’s assistance, or worse, get my brother insisting on helping. Plan B–lie about my reasons. “Rohan and Drio have to go about this officially.” I wrinkled my nose. “Somewhat officially. They have to pursue leads and all that bullshit.”

“Actually investigate.”

“Whatever.” I picked up the cologne on his dresser and sniffed it. “Unofficial channels can make things happen so much faster. If there is a snitch, he’d be in a good position to put us on to the hard evidence we need to prove King’s demon status and take this bastard down.” I cracked my knuckles. “I’ll make the snitch an offer he can’t refuse.”

“No.” At least he didn’t laugh. He also confirmed there was a snitch, which strengthened my resolve.

I crawled back onto the bed with my best pleading look.

Ari pulled his phone out from beneath the pillow and snuck another look at it. “Rohan had Xiaoli check that possibility out before he was reassigned to Istanbul. The redcap didn’t know anything.”

“Aha! Being such a devoted student, I know that a redcap is a goblin and that goblins are notorious trickster demons. Perhaps this snitch pulled one over on ol’ Xiaoli. See how equipped I am to deal with him?”

A flash of amusement crossed his face. “Left off your studying at ‘G,’ did you?”

I pressed on. “How hard can it be to intimidate a goblin? Aren’t they short old men?

“You’re thinking of gnomes.”

“Red hats, beards, it’s all of a type.”

“Goblin beards are optional. Also, gnomes don’t exist and if they did, they wouldn’t bathe their hats in the blood of their victims,” Ari said. “Or have razor sharp teeth.”

“But they share pointy ears.”

His gaze drifted back to his phone. “What’s your point?”

I grabbed the damn thing, trapping the phone under my leg. “Maybe Xiaoli’s incentive wasn’t strong enough.”

“Death and torture. Pretty reliable.” With a quick fake-out, he stole the phone back but didn’t look at it.

“You boys,” I scoffed, flapping a hand at him. “Always going for the stick. How about trying a carrot now and then?”

“Such as?”

I ran a hand along my body.

Ari’s head shake was pure bafflement. “What is it with you and demon sex?”

“I’m not sleeping with him.” I smacked Ari’s arm. “But if he gets to be the first demon to meet the female Rasha and live…?” A nod and a wink.

Resounding silence.

“Come on,” I begged. “You said it yourself. You grew up around Demon Club. You have to know who the snitch is.”

Ari tugged off his socks, firing them into the corner of the room. “I don’t know who he is. Just what he is.”

I scooted away from his gross bare feet. “A promising start. Besides, I bet he’s not all that dangerous as demons go, right? Introduce me.”