Revealed in Fire (Demon Days & Vampire Nights #9)(7)

“Who’s sending the demons?” I asked, watching Penny do laps in the pool. Her slinky little bikini had likely been picked out by Marie, Penny’s biggest fan and Darius’s very fashionable vampire child.

“Yeah, that’s the question.” Emery rubbed his nose. “They’re being brought up by different summoners. Some of the circles are simple, and others are ancient in design. Dizzy is studying those with great interest. He knows how they work, but he’s getting more info on the details and the time period they were in vogue. That should help us trace the creator.”

It’s Ja, Darius thought, referring to the extreme elder vampire Penny had unintentionally awoken. She is using those demons as a distraction, as protection, and as trusted workers. She has illegally bonded two that I know of, neither of which have been able to get her through the fog barrier in the Underworld.

Bonding with demons was pretty gross if you asked me—I’d much rather fight them—but then, she was a vampire. Different set of ew factors, I guessed.

“Does anyone else know?” I asked him, purposely keeping my words vague. Emery shouldn’t want to piece this together, something he clearly realized from the way he entwined his fingers over his stomach and let his gaze drift away. It was wise to stay away from vampire politics. I would’ve if I could’ve, but my bond with Darius meant I had no choice but to be involved.

No. Not even Vlad, I don’t think. I wonder if she purposely revealed her hand to me. She has a grasp on politics and survival the likes of which I have never seen. Her experience is clear, and it’s just as clear she is jumping back into the thick of it. She has a plan, but I do not know what that is.

“So two types of circles calling demons?” I asked.

“A lot of different circles, actually,” Emery said, rejoining the conversation. “All power levels, which suggests several different mages, witches, humans—whoever—are doing the calling. Probably at the behest of Vlad. Other than the ancient circles, nothing really distinguishes them. A few of the demons have been called to distract shifters from changing parties, but most of them seem to be…” Emery glanced at me.

“Trying to goad me back into the world of the living?” I finished. “Trying to make me out myself to the demons?”

His nod was so slight that I wondered if he’d meant to nod at all. He knew this was a sticking point with Darius.

Sure enough, I felt a flash of anger through our bond.

Darius and Vlad had always maintained a respectful distance from each other when it came to their professional endeavors. As a courtesy, they did not step on each other’s toes. There were two reasons for that, one being that Vlad had made Darius. There was a connection there, even though vampires who had reached elder status no longer had to offer their maker a percentage of their income or any sort of fealty.

The second reason had to do with the type of vampires they were. Making it to elder status was no small feat. It required a cunning individual who could “play the game” through the ages and adapt with the times. It required a ruthless sort of mind backed by a great team. Vlad and Darius both had this, and they’d always known better than to go up against each other. Until now.

Apparently, I was motivation enough for Vlad to cross the line.

Well, more to the point, my father was motivation enough. Vlad wanted Lucifer’s favor. He wanted him in his corner when he tried to overthrow the elves.

He was absolutely stepping on Darius’s toes, and it had not gone unnoticed. The only thing was that I didn’t know what Darius planned to do about it. I had somehow given him back his humanity, and he was loath to actively go against his maker, a sentiment Vlad didn’t share regarding his child. Darius was between a proverbial rock and a hard place.

I planned to let him sort it out himself. Vampire politics were no fun. The little I knew gave me a headache.

“He has been trying to find where I’ve stashed you.” Darius calmly sipped his drink. “If not for the natural dual-mages’ magical concealment”—he nodded at Emery, giving his thanks—“he would’ve already found us.”

“That must really piss him off.” I pushed up with the intent to get more whiskey.

Darius was up in a flash and reaching for my cup. Emery flinched.

I laughed this time. “Still too slow, bro. So. Some of these demons are being called by Vlad and his minions, others are called by…this other being.” I bit my lip to keep from mentioning Ja’s name. “But you said there are probably human and mage summoners, too. Do you think Vlad and the other ones are controlling them all, or are there more people behind this?”

“It’s likely Vlad,” Emery said, “though we have limited proof. The types of demons are…mostly the same.” I caught his slight pause. “They are being called at inopportune times, though, and for that you need someone who can go out in the sun. Vlad has a lot of people on the payroll—getting someone to do his bidding wouldn’t be a problem. Though a few have been…stronger than the others.”

“How much stronger?” I asked.

“Quite a bit,” he replied. “And seemingly without the agenda of the others. Not inclined to cause mischief, but more to look around, we think.”

“Look around?” I asked.

Emery stared at Penny. Cahal shifted where he stood off to the side.