Bloodshed (Order of the Unseen, #1)(47)

DAMIEN





Speeding down the narrow path through the cemetery, I just can’t seem to get little Quinn off my mind, no matter how hard I try. She means more to me than she could ever fathom. After watching and protecting her from the shadows for all these years, and finally having a taste last night… I can’t let go.

Not now.

Not ever.

Not even if I tried.

Fortunately, it’s a quick ride to the safe house. My bike’s white headlight illuminates the path through the nightfall, although I’m confident I could do this ride blindfolded at this point, since we come here so often.

Nightly check-ins. Updates.

Extra orders, occasionally.

This routine is etched in my brain.

We park our bikes at the far end of the cemetery near the onset of the woods. With my phone in hand, I search for Quinn’s contact information. A crooked grin claims my face the second I see that she added herself as Little Quinn.

Short on time, I decide to send one, simple ghost emoji.

That’ll do it.

Turning on the flashlight setting, I take charge and lead the way through the trees, Jensen and Micah trailing close behind.

“What’s our story?” Micah asks from over my shoulder. “Now’s probably our only chance to get it straight. Before we’re questioned.”

“We don’t need a story,” I press. “They don’t need to know anything.”

“We are a unity,” Jensen states, before snorting with disapproval. “They know everything, Damien. They always do.”

“This is our goddamn business.” Marching through the brush, I kick a bulky stick out of our way with my boot. “We stuck to our orders,” I tell him. “We are keeping her safe.”

The old, abandoned cabin we’ve claimed as ours is about two miles out. When the three of us finally spot the dim lights flickering in the front windows, we exchange silent words with one another. The second we step inside, an unsettling feeling overpowers me.

Killian is here.

Striding over to where they’re all waiting, I shake my head. “What’s going on?” I ask him, suddenly on alert. “You rarely ever leave Boston. I would have come to you.”

His body stiffens as he leans his shoulder against the nearest wall. “This couldn’t wait,” he replies, his voice tight. “There’s been a development.” His gaze shifts between me, Jensen, and Micah, and then back to me once more.

“Well, spit it the fuck out,” I impulsively order. “Must be important for you to come all the way here.”

“Relax, cousin,” he cuts me off with a dry laugh. “This is exactly why I needed to be here. To keep you in check. So you don’t go off the fucking rails,” he breathes, lowering his head to take a quick glimpse at his phone. He eyes one of his guys. “They’re here.”

His second-in-command nods. “On it,” he briefly answers, before stalking outside.

“Killian, man, what the hell is going on?” Jensen asks.

A few more of our men enter the house, setting down another lantern on the broken-down, wobbly table to the side of us to give us some more light in this darkness. The twins, also my cousins, children of my dearest uncle Peter, are now here. Asher and Apollo’s presence is heavy as they silently make their way toward the group.

Fifteen members all gathered together in this tiny shit-box of a safe house.

Apollo and Asher glance at me and nod hesitantly, before quickly devoting their attention to their brother.

Killian lets out a quick, urgent breath. “Well?” he impatiently questions.

“Nobody’s been followed,” Apollo confirms. “The area is clear.”

Killian nods, setting his gaze back on me. “Members of the Hallowed Divine may have been spotted last night,” he dryly says, barely giving me any explanation.

Micah steps forward, arms tight across his chest. “Where?” he demands.

“Boston.”

“Fuck,” I sharply exhale, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers. “Are we sure it was them?”

“You know that our intel is rarely wrong,” Killian answers.

“Why was I not informed of this last night?” I demand.

“You made me second in command,” he quickly responds. “The three of you were on watch. I had it under control… until—” He hesitates.

“Until, what?” I urge.

“We lost them,” he admits. “There’s been no eyes on them since.”

“Dammit, Killian,” I growl, slamming my fist down on the metal table.

“We shouldn’t automatically assume the worst-case scenario. It was Halloween,” Jensen presses. “How do we know that it wasn’t just some random civilians dressed up in costume?”

“We don’t,” Killian uneasily shoots back. “So, we wait, and in the meantime, we should add a few more men to this post. You seem distracted, Damien. Surely having some backup wouldn’t hurt.”

“She’s been safe with us for the last five years,” I urge. “Only us. Backup is not needed. Not yet, at least.”

Killian nods.

“I may seem distracted, but I’m not,” I tell him. “I’m just being more vigilant than usual. I’m not going to step down and hand over my orders to someone else just because I’m now in charge. I will continue to stand by my oath.”