Page 6 (1/2)

Katie’s eyebrows launched into low orbit "What are you talking about?" She looked around at each of us, her eyes wide "You don’t even look surprised, Justin Justin?"

My knowledge of the Overworld barely scratched the surface, but I foundI was demon spawn--an incubus who could seduce wo out my dad was also an incubus, my Mom was a sorcereress, and that her parents had stolen my baby sister, Ivy, frouess at, but I probably wouldn’t have been surprised if Shelton toldat home

I offered her a wan smile "I know it’s a lot to take in, Katie"

"A lot to take in?" She stood up and backed away "Are you saying you’re not all world-class athletes? You’re a bunch of vathened into sharp, slightly curved fangs "Sorry to disappoint, but I’awked at Elyssa I expected her to bolt screa at any s "Does that hurt? Do you ever accidentally bite yourself?"

A frown replaced Elyssa’s s to run? Or screaeneral rule, I don’t suck blood froaze into Katie’s and leaned in until her face ithin an inch of the other girl’s nose "But if you touch ht make an exception"

"What are you, Justin?" She cast a glance at Shelton "And you?"

Shelton sighed heavily "Can I finish arten later"

"Just sit down, Katie," I said,to the bench "Nobody here will hurt you"

She cast a slightly worried gaze at Elyssa before sitting down again, but with a bit more space on the bench between her and Shelton

"Finally," Shelton said with a frustrated look heavenward "The Devoted are the cream of the assassin crop Some say they lead the Brotherhood Others say they’re independent" He shrugged "I don’t know and it really doesn’t matter What I can tell you is anyone can afford their fee, butto pay it"

"So someone very determined wants Dad dead," I said "But why? What did he ever do to anyone?"

"That," Shelton said, turning his head to gaze at Dad, "is a very good question Someone would have to really hate your dad to pay the fee for a Devoted hit"

"Who put the bounty on me, Shelton?" Dad asked "I looked at the Conclave website but it didn’t say"

Shelton shook his head "I don’t know I assumed it was the Conroys They weren’t too happy with you sending norators to poke into their business"

Dad’s face flushed crimson and his lips curled back in a snarl "They have hter What do they expect me to do? Send them a thank you card?"

"Whoa, cowboy Don’t take it out onyou know a lot more than you let on," I said to Shelton "As you told me before--you’re a detective And I know you’re not stupid If you found out where we live, then I’ll bet you know exactly who put the bounty out on us"

"I told you, I don’t know"

In a flash, I gripped Shelton’s duster by the collar and jerked hi into htened his jaw and said, "Even if I kneouldn’t tell you"

I resisted the urge to launch him across the plaza and into the fountain

Elyssa’s hand touchedHe knoants my father dead, too, I’ll bet"

Shelton snorted "If I knew do you think I’d be helping you right now?"

"Someone threatened hirip went slack, dropping Shelton on his feet He brushed off his duster and took a seat on the bench I turned to Elyssa "What--how do you know this?"