Great. So if the big bosses weren’t controlling folks anymore, then he’d probably keep finding demons with appetites for murder.
“But long ago, those guys sent out the cazadores del alma.”
Gyth stepped forward. “I’ve heard of ’em.”
“Yeah, I haven’t.” Todd realized he was still holding Cara’s wrist. Stroking her pulse point with his thumb.
He dropped her hand. Put some space between them.
“They’re soul-hunters. Born of witch and demon, those guys are incredibly powerful. Have few vulnerabilities. And they’re basically the boogeymen who come after Other when things get out of control.”
“Do these boogeymen ever go after humans?” Gyth asked, eyes hard.
“Not that I know of.” Her brows lowered. “Anything’s possible, though.”
Todd was trying to assimilate the information as quickly as he could. “So let me get this straight. Succubi stopped their sex death party in the Middle Ages because the cazadores del alma were sicced on them?”
“Basically.”
“And you’re saying none of your kind has killed since then?” Not buying it.
Cara hesitated. “I’m saying succubi don’t normally kill. Not anymore. There’s no need. The sexual culture today is so much more open. Hell, we can get a little rush of energy just by going into a bar—”
Understanding dawned. “Or by singing to a hungry crowd.”
“As long as humans are there, yes,” she said—and did a faint flush color her cheeks? “If there aren’t humans in the crowd, it won’t work. Demon power doesn’t infuse us.” A slanted look at Gyth. “Shifter strength can work, just not as well.”
His head was aching. Temples pounding. And he’d thought working the cases before was tough. “Fuck it. We’re going to see the bodies.”
She shook her head, sending the blond locks flying. “I told you, I didn’t want—”
“Cara, I need your help. House needs you—just look at ’em, okay? I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t damn important.” And just the idea of letting her into the Crypt was unorthodox as hell, but he was desperate. With every word she’d spoken, he’d become more convinced that a succubus was out in Atlanta, killing. And to catch a murderer, or a sex demon, well, he just might have to use…a sex demon.
The knowledge Cara could provide to him was priceless, and he wasn’t about to let her slip away. Not when he needed her so much.
For the case.
And for…well, hell, he just needed her.
She swallowed. “Todd…”
“Cara, I need you.”
Her gaze held his. One breath of time. Two. Then, “All right.”
Relief had his shoulders dropping.
Smith had wanted someone with more “expertise” to look at the print on House’s body.
Looked like she’d just gotten the perfect expert.
“What do you think?” Danny McNeal asked quietly as he and Dr. Emily Drake watched the threesome file out of the interrogation room.
Emily stared through the thin mirror. “I think I’m not going to be able to help you very much on this case.” Her palms were sweating, but her voice was perfectly controlled.
“Could that woman, Cara Maloan, be a killer?”
Yes. “I can’t answer that question.” Her shoulders were stiff as she turned to face him. “I’m sorry.”
A line appeared between his brows. “What? Why can’t—”
“Doctor-client confidentiality.” The words were soft.
McNeal’s eyes widened, then, “Shit.”
Nice sum up, but McNeal had always seemed to possess a special talent with words.
“You didn’t go inside,” she said softly. When Todd had called him out, she’d felt the electric arc in the air as McNeal tensed.
A growl. “Can’t prove she’s involved yet.” A pause. “And Brooks has never been wrong on a case before.”
But he’d never had one like this before, either.
Emily glanced back over her shoulder just as the door shut behind Colin. Damn, but this case had taken a bad turn. Cara was a sweet woman. Smart. Unquestionably beautiful.
But sad. So very sad on the inside.
And, even though she couldn’t tell McNeal, Cara was also a woman with the complete capacity for killing. Emily had learned about Cara’s darker side months ago—when the succubus had finally confessed about her sister’s murder…and the ensuing death of her sister’s lover.
Emily’s fingers curled into fists. She sure hoped Todd knew what he was doing. Colin wouldn’t slip up—he’d never let his guard down around the other woman.
But Emily was trained to observe other people. To read their emotions, and when she’d watched Todd, she’d seen the hunger in his eyes. The need for Cara.
A need that could prove to be very, very dangerous.
A need that had proved fatal for another.
Chapter 10
“Ah, not so fast, Gyth.” Todd brought his hand up, and barred the entrance to the elevator.
Cara frowned at him.
“What the hell are you doing now, Brooks?” The shifter glowered at him.
“Getting time with my lady. We need to talk, alone. ” The words held an unmistakable edge.
Gyth’s face hardened. “If the captain finds out…”
“Then he can call my ass out again—but I’m talking to Cara now. Take the stairs.”
Todd stepped back and the doors slid closed, blocking the sight of the shifter’s stony visage. Then he turned around and locked his stare right on her.
All alone now. She looked at him and said, “Asshole.”
Todd blinked. “Cara, I told you, I had to—”
“You could have warned me!” She wanted to hit him, hard. “You didn’t have to let that jerk shifter haul me off to the interrogation room—”
“I had to fight like hell to stay on the case, Cara.”
“I thought you said I was clear—”
“You were! Baby, I wouldn’t have slipped into your bed otherwise.” Blazing eyes. “But then we found out that we weren’t just looking for your run-of-the-mill killer—we’re looking for a succubus—and you’re the only one in the area who fits that bill.”
Damn it.
He stepped closer to her. His left hand shot out. Punched a red button on the elevator control panel.