Savage Awakening (Alpha Pack #2)(71)

They trooped to the bedroom. Aric was as curious as the rest of them to get an in-person look at the man who'd caused so much grief to so many shifter and human families. But when they walked in and saw him sprawled on the floor, clutching his stomach and bleeding out onto the carpet, he simply looked like a pathetic old man.

His complexion was papery as he turned to squint at them, panting hard. What he said next shocked everyone.

"I'm glad you caught me," he rasped. "I'm glad it's over."

His pale blue eyes were clear of malice, his words sincere. Aric had heard somewhere that the dead didn't lie, and he thought it might be true in Chappell's case. Jax crouched next to the older man, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Then he closed his eyes, and Aric knew the RetroCog was grabbing the threads of Chappell's past. Gathering the visions that would lead to the truth.

Finally Jax opened his eyes and gazed at Chappell. "You were a good man, and you did great things at NewLife, helping families through organ transplant techniques and medical research. You helped thousands."

"Yes. And then the demon came."

"Malik?" Nick asked, his expression intense.

Chappell nodded. "I never knew such evil truly existed." The old man coughed, and blood bubbled to his lips. "But then he came, and I was lost. He takes what he wants by bending you to his will. He's a seducer, the bastard, and he takes pleasure in the twisting of a soul. In making you enjoy it."

The old man was fading fast. Nick spoke quickly.

"Chappell, tell us how to identify Malik-what does he look like?"

The man gave a laugh that rattled in his chest. "He can be anything, or anyone. But I've seen his true self..."

Aric doubted that very much. Sariel had passed along to Nick and the team the description of Malik he'd given to Rowan-that the Unseelie was ugly as sin with horns growing out of his head. Nick was only trying to discern what form Malik had used with the old man.

"Is he ugly," Nick pressed, "like those beasts he uses as his henchmen?"

"You'd think so, wouldn't you? But no, he's as darkly beautiful as Satan himself... black hair and eyes like polished onyx. Huge black wings with blue-black feathers, not leathery ones like those pets of his. Not going to find him like that, though. He can't walk down the street like... like that."

Nick cursed. "Then we're right back where we started-without one clue what he really looks like."

"I'm betting Sariel's description is the correct one," Aric said. "He would know better than anybody."

"True." Nick looked back to the old man. "Mr. Chappell, can you tell us what identity he's using to pass among humans? What's his name?"

"He's a millionaire," the man gasped with difficulty. "Goes by Evan... Kerrigan."

Nick sighed, relief etched on his face. "Thank you. Because of your help, we have a place to start the search."

Zan, who'd been silent, crouched at the old man's other side. "Mr. Chappell, I can heal you. Let me-"

"No, boy." The man refused the offer quietly. "I've hurt too many."

Zan was not one to easily accept letting a man die. Especially one who'd been innocent, and then controlled against his will. "You were lured into Malik's horrible project, your mind taken hostage just like those being experimented on. He used you like a puppet, and you had no say. You deserve a second chance, and we'll keep you safe. Please, before it's too late."

"Son, it was too late for me when the first person died under one of my own f**king knives. Just promise me you'll get him," he whispered, his eyes meeting Nick's.

"You have my word," Nick said grimly. "One day we'll destroy Malik and use his entrails as Christmas tinsel."

"Good enough. Forgive me..." The old man's eyes drifted closed. As they watched, he let out a sigh and then breathed no more.

For a moment, no one moved. Aric's throat was tight. That sure hadn't turned out at all like they'd thought. Chappell had been a great man fallen to a demon, and his death had set him free. It was a sobering, eye-opening few minutes.

"I'll call Grant," Nick said at last. "Have him send a cleanup crew and retrieve Chappell's body. He'll spin a story for the man's family and the press."

"Sweep it under the rug," Zan snapped. "He's mighty f**king good at that."

"Yeah, he is." Nick rose, his face weary. "Let's go."

In the living room, Kalen and the others still stood watch over Beryl, who glared icy daggers at them all. Aric shivered despite the heat lapping at his body again. She'd kill every last Pack member if she got loose, or die trying.

Apparently, Kalen's binding spell had worked on her venomous mouth, too, for which Aric was grateful. Keeping a wary eye on her just the same, he walked over to Kalen and then gave his attention to the spot where she'd pressed her finger. The Sorcerer must've already wiped off the blood.

"What was that she said to you, when she touched your forehead?" Aric asked, cocking his head. He wasn't the only one who wanted to know. Their brothers paused in shuffling around the room to hear the answer.

"Abyssus abyssum invocat," he said quietly. "It's Latin for 'hell calls hell.'"