Band of Demons (The Sanheim Chronicles, Book Two) (27 page)

“No,” Quinn said. “Of course not.”

“Do you know who did?”

Quinn hesitated only a fraction of a second before he responded, “No,” again. But it was too late. He could see in Tim’s eyes that he didn’t believe it.

Surprisingly, however, Tim didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked strangely satisfied.

“There is, of course, another problem,” Tim said.

“Fantastic,” Quinn said sarcastically.

“This one helps you,” Tim said.

“Fantastic,” Quinn said again, this time with actual enthusiasm.

“According to the coroner’s report, Summer Mandaville wasn’t decapitated by a sword, which until now has been the Prince’s modus operandi,” Tim said. “She was mauled by a wild animal.”

Everyone in the room looked surprised.

“How do you know that already?” Brown asked.

“Mauled by a what?” Kate asked at the same time.

Tim looked nonchalant.

“I talked with the coroner on my way in,” Tim said. Again, if he was embarrassed, he didn’t show it.

“I haven’t even seen the report yet,” Brown said.

“The coroner owed me a favor,” Tim said. “He provided me with information that will be made public within a few days. The report will be on your desk within a few hours, Sheriff. But it will say what I just told you.”

“So she wasn’t murdered?” Brown asked.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Tim responded. “It’s clear she was lured out to Holober’s old house—Lord Halloween’s hiding spot—and her car was disabled. It looked like someone went underneath the vehicle and tore it up. So there’s plenty of evidence of foul play. Clearly the tip you received this morning was also placed by someone who wanted to blame Quinn for this. That suggests that whoever did so is, in fact, the real murderer.”

“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to trace it,” Brown said.

Tim nodded, as if he expected that.

“There was a tip?” Quinn asked.

“Of course,” Tim replied. “How else do you think the police so quickly decided you did it?”

Quinn had a sarcastic answer to that about the geniuses at work on the force, but decided not to offer it given the current company.

“The only thing that is clear now is that my reporters don’t appear to be involved in any way,” Tim said.

If Brown noticed that Tim had said “reporters,” plural, rather than just referring to Quinn, he didn’t remark on it.

“It’s time to let Mr. O’Brion go,” Tim concluded.

Brown nodded.

“We have some paperwork to clear up first,” he said. “Mr. O’Brion, I’ll put you in a room where you can be more comfortable, but it will take a few hours to clear everything up. In the meantime, I’d appreciate it if you could provide any information on the Prince of Sanheim. My officers tell me they found several books in your possession, including one written in your own hand.”

“Of course,” Quinn said. “Obviously, Kate and I have been doing some research of our own.”

Brown nodded and stood up. Tim looked at Kate and Quinn.

“I’ll expect to see the two of you in my office later today,” he said. “We have to decide how to cover this.”

“I trust you will keep this conversation private, Tim,” Brown said.

Tim nodded.

“Of course,” he said. “It wouldn’t be good for either of us.”

“Ms. Tassel,” Brown said. “You can wait with Mr. O’Brion if you like.”

“Thanks,” Kate said.

You okay here by yourself?
she asked.  

Quinn already knew what she had in mind.

Yes
, he responded.

“But if it’s alright with you, I have some sources I’d like to check up on,” she said.

“I trust if you find anything, you’ll share it with the police?” Brown asked. “We do not want a repeat of the Lord Halloween situation. Am I clear, Ms. Tassel?”

“Absolutely, sir,” she responded.

Be careful
, Quinn said.

A few minutes later, Kate was on the road again.

*****

Kate drove down the driveway of what she had come to think of as Loudoun Castle, shoved the car into park and opened the car door.

Two
moidin
immediately came forward to greet her and she walked past them as if they weren’t even there. When one started shouting at her, she ignored him.

She opened the front doors and strode past at least five others who tried to talk to her or get in her way. The last one she shoved hard enough that he fell to the ground. There was nothing supernatural in the push, but she was a cop’s daughter. When she applied force, it generally worked.

She strolled into the main room without slowing down, oblivious to anyone who called for her. She could see the two of them sitting on their ‘thrones’ at the front, with Kieran watching her curiously from the side as she approached. Sawyer nodded almost imperceptibly to Elyssa, who rose and approached Kate.

Kate never slowed down, just approached Elyssa at a brisk and deliberate pace. Elyssa was talking, but Kate didn’t listen to a word she said. When Elyssa put out her arms to stop her, Kate hit her with considerable force. Elyssa, who never saw it coming, went down hard.

Sawyer was out of his seat and yelling and even Kieran had sprung into action, but Kate did not slow down.

Sawyer put up a hand to block her, but Kate was too quick. She grabbed his neck with both hands and started to squeeze. She saw surprise, anger and just enough fear in Sawyer’s eyes as she gritted her teeth and held on.

Behind her, there was a snarl, the kind of sound appropriate in a zoo or rainforest.

A giant animal—almost certainly something from myth, not reality—launched itself at Kate and she reacted on instinct. She ducked at exactly the right moment, letting go of Sawyer in the process.

The animal slammed into Sawyer, knocking him off his feet. The two went down in a tangle of black fur and a dark suit.

The animal recovered first, rolling to its feet and launching itself in another attack.

Kate didn’t have time to react. As the animal flew at her—its eyes wild with anger and hate—she felt herself change. She wasn’t sure how she did it—it had just happened as a response to the threat—but instead of connecting with her, the animal sailed right
through
Kate as if she wasn’t there.

When the animal landed, it turned around but didn’t attack again. Kate shimmered and felt herself turn solid. She didn’t understand what had just happened, but she kept the surprise off her face. She stood her ground and kept her eyes on Sawyer, who had stood up and was brushing himself off.

He looked at Kate with a cold fury.

“Enough,” he said, but the comment seemed directed at the animal, not Kate.

Kate didn’t need to look behind her to know that it was now gone, replaced by Elyssa again.

“Listen to me, you arrogant son of a bitch,” Kate said. “You might think you accomplished something yesterday, killing Summer and trying to frame us for it. But all you’ve done is make us angry. You wanted us on your side? You wanted us to go to war with you against Sanheim? Fat chance of that now.”

The room was silent except for the sound of weeping. Kate looked to see some of the
moidin
crying, apparently worried for their beloved leader.

Look at how weak they are
, she thought.

Only Kieran seemed unperturbed. He calmly turned toward Sawyer and offered, “I told you it was a mistake to kill her.”

“Shut up!” Sawyer said and strolled toward Kate, who did not move in the least.

He put his face inches from hers.

“Listen to me, you little whore,” Sawyer said. “If you go to war against us, you will die. I’ll kill Quinn first so you can watch him suffer. By the time I get to you, you’ll beg for death. Look around you. Elyssa and I have destroyed other Princes, we’ve attracted dozens of
moidin
. You have none. We are legion. You are two—and you don’t even fully understand your own powers. What hope do you have against us?”

Kate smiled.

“Yeah, you’re a regular band of demons all right,” she said, “but you’re wrong. You don’t face two of us, just one. Quinn and I are two halves of a whole—and more than enough to take you down.”

“Don’t make me destroy you,” Sawyer said again.

“You can’t and you won’t,” Kate replied. “You might have had a chance to convince us to surrender—a thin one, but a chance—but you blew it. You’re a monster, nothing more.”

“And what are you? The good guys?”

“No,” Kate said, and smiled. “We’re the Prince of Sanheim.”

Kate turned on her heel and calmly walked away. Elyssa looked fit to murder her then and there, but didn’t move an inch. The
moidin
in the room watched as Kate strolled out.

“You’re making a mistake,” Sawyer said. “I’ll give you a few more days to change your mind.”

Kate stopped near the door, but didn’t turn around.

“You were right when you said we are just beginning to understand our powers,” she said softly. “But one thing I know is fear. I can sense it. You think you’re scaring me. But I feel the fear coming off you and Elyssa in waves. You’re afraid of us—and you should be.”

Kate then turned around.

“Let me make you this offer,” Kate said, and she spoke to the entire room, not just Sawyer. “Leave now. Get the hell out of Loudoun County and we need never see each other again. Stay—and die. It’s as simple as that.”

Sawyer laughed, but it sounded forced and hollow.

“You dare threaten me?”

“No,” she said. “I was threatening everyone here, including you.”

Kate looked around carefully.

“Leave,” she said. “Leave now, while you still can. Don’t follow this man on his mad quest.”

She started to turn around.

“I will destroy everything,” Sawyer said, and his voice was calm now, almost quiet. “By the time Halloween comes, this entire place will be burning. It will be a Halloween no one will ever forget.”

Kate turned and walked to the door. As she opened it, she made a parting shot. “You’re talking to the wrong crowd. The last man who said that to me begged for his life.”

Chapter 25

October 18, 2007

There was a knock at the door later that evening. Kate opened the door to find Tim Anderson standing outside.

“Mind if I come in?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I feel like I should pat you down first to check for a listening device or maybe a hidden camera.”

“You could,” Tim responded. “I don’t happen to have one, but there’s no good reason for you to trust me.”

“Well, you got Quinn off today. That should count for something, even if you have been spying on us.”

She opened the door wide and Tim walked in. He looked around briefly, but Kate felt like he already knew the layout of the place.

“Quinn will be along any minute,” Tim said.

Kate nodded, though she already knew.

“They sure kept him a long time,” she said.

“It was the books,” Tim said. “If it hadn’t been for them, Quinn would have walked out right after meeting Brown. As it was, they knew he didn’t kill Summer but they still wanted to find out what he knew about Sanheim.”

“Why did they think he killed Summer in the first place?” Kate asked. “You mentioned a tip-off? You can sit down, you know.”

Tim had been standing somewhat awkwardly in the middle of the room. Kate gestured to the lounge chair and Tim sat down. Kate had only just finished cleaning the place. She didn’t have a high opinion of the Loudoun County police department when it came to their search for Lord Halloween, but she had to admit the cops had been frighteningly thorough today. The only things they appeared to have taken were the Prince of Sanheim books, but Kate couldn’t be sure.

“The body was found at 6 a.m. this morning,” Tim said. “I think the police would have been inclined to think it was an animal attack, but they had been told where to find it.”

“By an anonymous tip?” Kate asked.

“Yes—someone claiming she saw Quinn and Summer near Holober’s old house,” Tim said. “The caller said the two of them were arguing—and she heard a girl scream shortly afterward. From there, it was remarkably easy. They found Summer’s notes, which repeatedly claimed Quinn was the Prince of Sanheim. They called her editor, who confirmed she was working on a story about the Prince’s identity. After that, they jumped to a number of conclusions.”

“Why didn’t the caller just paint a giant arrow by our door?” Kate asked. “It would have been easier.”

“That actually worked in your favor,” Tim said. “Whoever was behind this was too obvious about pointing everything in your direction. Brown was skeptical from the beginning.”

“He still arrested Quinn,” Kate said.

“Apparently the arresting officer, Stu, was a little more zealous than Brown intended,” Tim replied.

“But you never believed Quinn was the Prince of Sanheim?” Kate said.

“Oh, let’s get one thing clear,” he said. “I know for a fact that one, or both, of you is the Prince of Sanheim. That’s not the issue for me. The issue is whether you killed Summer Mandaville—and that I don’t believe.”

“Because you had us watched or because you know us?” Kate asked.

Tim shrugged.

“I told you, I don’t take chances like that any more,” he said. “If my mother were still alive and a potential suspect, I would probably put her under surveillance. You can’t be too careful.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is paranoid, Tim,” Kate said.

The two were interrupted by a rattle of keys at the door. Quinn walked in and waved nonchalantly to Tim while he moved to Kate and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“Interesting,” Tim said.

Both Kate and Quinn looked at him quizzically.

“How did you know I was here, Quinn?” Tim asked. “Most people would be surprised to find their boss in their house.”

Quinn smiled.

“Most people would be surprised to learn their boss is spying on them, too,” he said. “For some reason, I just assumed you’d be here. Would anyone like a drink?”

Tim nodded and Quinn went into the kitchen, pulled two beers from the fridge, and handed one to Tim.

“I’m a little surprised you aren’t angrier,” Tim said.

“We have other problems to worry about,” Kate said. “And in this case, your spying was damn convenient.”

“Now that Quinn’s here, can I cut to the chase?” Tim asked.

Both Quinn and Kate nodded.

“I have a lot of questions,” he said. “If you answer them truthfully, I’ll tell you everything I know, which is considerable. If you lie—about anything—I will tell the police everything I know, which in this case means you will spend time in jail. Both of you.”

Quinn actually smiled at that.

“If we don’t kill you first,” he said calmly.

“Granted,” Tim said. “I thought about that possibility. You should know that if anything happens to me…”

“Save it,” Kate said. “He’s kidding. We’re not going to kill you.”

“Nevertheless, I should tell you…”

“Seriously, we aren’t going to kill you,” Quinn said. Then, just for fun, added, “Probably.”

Tim stopped and searched Quinn’s face.

“Okay, first question,” he said. “Did you kill Lord Halloween?”

“Yes,” Quinn said. He didn’t hesitate. The time for hoping they could bluff their way out of this was long past.

“How did he die?”

“I think you know that part,” Quinn said. “I cut off his head with a sword.”

“That wasn’t what I meant,” Tim said. “I meant how did he die? Was he afraid? Did he beg for mercy?”

It was Kate who answered that.

“He was terrified,” she said. “For the first time in a long time, he was not in control. He meant to kill me and Quinn and things didn’t go according to plan. Before he died, he begged for his life.”

Tim looked thoughtful at that.

“Did he really?”

“Yes,” Kate said. “And right before he died, he thought he was almost free. He died with a surprised expression on his face.”

Tim looked satisfied.

“Thank you,” he said. “You have no idea what that means to hear.”

“Believe me, I understand,” Kate responded.

“Did you write the letter?”

“Yes,” Kate answered.

“Why?”

Kate paused a long time. She wasn’t trying to lie, just thinking how to respond.

“I honestly don’t know,” she said. “I wanted to…”

She thought of what Sanheim said. Had she become what she hated?

“I wanted to send a message,” she said. “I wanted the police to know who did it.”

“Why use an ancient Celtic myth? What made you choose that?”

“How much do you know?” Quinn asked.

“Not enough,” Tim responded. “I’ve done research, but it’s frustratingly vague. I know it’s connected with dark powers and the origin of Halloween. I know a poet named… Crowley, I think, claimed to be one. At first I assumed the letter came from Lord Halloween himself. That he was still alive. Prince of Sanheim and Lord Halloween. They are two sides of the same coin, at least to me.”

Kate visibly flinched at that.

“It’s not a name we chose, Tim,” was all she said.

“I see,” he responded. “Did you kill Robertson?”

“No,” both Kate and Quinn said at once.

“Did you kill Summer?”

“No,” Quinn said again, “but you knew that.”

“Did someone try to kill Maggie Frank, the director of The Rainbow School?” Tim asked.

“Yes,” Kate responded. “The same person who killed Summer tried to kill her.”

“And you stopped them?”

Quinn nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell the police who did it?” he said. “The time to be like Buzz is over. If you know who killed Summer, let me know. I guarantee the police will raid him or her within hours.”

“You have quite some pull with Brown, don’t you?” Kate asked. “Why is that?”

“Did you forget I was the crime reporter many years ago?” he asked. “I was damn good at my job, Kate. I knew every officer in that department, some better than others. Brown was a good source and he came to trust my judgment. We went through hell together. He knows I wouldn’t try to protect you if I thought you killed those people.”

“Except for Lord Halloween,” Kate said.

“Oh, that I consider a public service,” he said. “If I told Brown, he would have to act on it, but he doesn’t want to. The less said of that one, the better.”

“But you knew about Maggie?”

“I’ve been in constant contact on this investigation,” Tim said. “Why do you think I came back? The death of Lord Halloween solved one problem for me, but created another: I wanted to know who did it and why. I came to believe quite quickly it was the two of you, what I didn’t understand was how or what was your rationale.”

“He was trying to kill us,” Kate said. “Does it have to be more complicated than that?”

“You could have told the police if that was all there was. Why didn’t you?”

“Uh, Tim, it’s hard to claim self-defense when you decapitate someone,” Quinn said. “Even if Brown wanted to let it go, he couldn’t. Besides, think of the publicity. Two reporters murder a fellow reporter and then claim he’s Lord Halloween? Would anyone have believed that?”

“He had faked his own death,” Tim said. “They might have.”

“Okay, but they might not,” Quinn said. “Or worse, they might think we were all in it together. There were a lot of possibilities, none of them good.”

“Plus the physical evidence,” Kate said. “How were we going to explain the horse tracks or the sword, for God’s sake? Or how we knew where he was holed up?”

“Which brings me to my next question,” Tim responded. “How did you know?”

“I think you know the answer to all of this,” Kate said. “You’ve been watching us for months.”

“You want me to believe you have supernatural powers?” Tim asked.

“Oh come on,” Kate said. “You already do.”

“I believe no such thing. There is a rational explanation for everything.”

Since taking the image of her mother last year, Kate had tried time and again to transform, but had only managed to fail repeatedly—until today. This morning, when the animal attacked, she had stopped thinking and just acted, turning herself insubstantial. She let her emotions overwhelm her and reacted on instinct.

When Tim said, “You want me to believe you have supernatural powers?” the same anger she had felt when confronting Sawyer and Elyssa came roaring back. He must already know, but had just convinced himself it wasn’t true.

“Rationalize this,” Kate said suddenly.

She didn’t waste time thinking about
what
she was going to do or
how
to do it—she just did it. In that moment, her image flickered and shimmered. Instead of a blonde, blue-eyed woman standing in the room, there was a stocky man with a fu-manchu mustache.

Tim stood up immediately and backed away. Quinn looked at Kate in alarm.

What are you doing?
he said in her mind.

But there was no response.

Instead, he watched in horror as Tim pulled a gun out of his jacket pocket and aimed it at the man.

 “Kyle,” he breathed. “Kyle, you son of a bitch.”

“I prefer Lord Halloween,” the man said in a mocking tone. “Miss me, Mr. Anderson? Is that why you came back? Couldn’t stay away, could you? You’ve wanted me to die for so many years, I finally do, and you can’t let go. Instead of moving on with your life, you came back.”

“No,” Tim said. “You’re not real.”

Tim was visibly shaking now.

“Kate, that’s enough!” Quinn said.

“No, Quinn,” the man responded. “You aren’t the one he wants to question. Neither is Kate. It’s me. I know everything Kyle Thompson knew. I raided his mind before he died. If you want to know something, just ask, Tim.”

Tim had tears running down his face. He looked stricken and old. The gun wavered in his hand.

“Why me?” Tim finally asked. “Why did you pick me?”

“Why not?” Kyle responded. “I needed a partner and I wanted your job. And then I admit it was fun to watch you dance. Amusing to watch you struggle with Ethan and Laurence. You were my puppet.”

Tim Anderson raised the gun. If he knew it was a mirage, he didn’t show it.

“Kate, drop it!” Quinn said. “Now!”

He tried reaching out with his mind, but met only a stone wall of silence.

“Why should I, Quinn?” Kyle responded. “This is what I am now. Didn’t you hear what Sanheim said? You are what you hate. I am Lord Halloween. Reborn, but better. I’m his legacy, his successor.”

Kyle Thompson grinned at Quinn.

“Turn back into Kate or I will pull this trigger,” Tim said.

“Try it,” Kyle responded. “You don’t have the guts. I followed you, remember? I watched you while you slept. You wouldn’t…”