Blood (The Grimm Cases Book 3) Read online

  She looked disappointed, and a little bit sad. But not angry.

  I didn’t know why us seeing her sister would make her sad, but I still felt the need to apologize. “I’m sorry.”

  “That being the case,”—Ms. Protean turned her gaze from the floor and watched me—“I should probably let you know, Grace died last night.”

  Mrs. Cole had died? But we’d just spoken to her!

  Goose bumps broke out over me. While Mrs. Cole was old and not in the best health, this timing was too convenient. And Ms. Protean suspected too, if the way she’d delivered the news was any indication. Almost, accusing.

  Immediately, I was terrified. What if she assumed…

  “I’m so sorry.” My apology sounded pathetic even to my own ears. But this was the second time. The second time someone had died because of me.

  “They’ve claimed her death was from natural causes,” Ms. Protean interrupted my spiral, and I glanced up to see her watching me with a raised eyebrow. “Not that you could have changed it anyway. You’re as deadly as a daisy.”

  A daisy? Where had she come up with that comparison?

  But still, I felt terrible.

  If Damen and I hadn’t gone there, she might still be alive. Perhaps she’d sunken into a deep depression. Or maybe… She’d been scared, in hiding. Could her own son have killed her? I wasn’t sure, but our appearance had hastened her demise.

  “She talked to us,” I admitted, glancing at the floor. There was no use hiding it now. “She told us who the…” My voice trailed off, remembering where we were. “Should we be talking about this here?”

  “It’s fine. There’s no one else around.” Ms. Protean pulled over a chair. “They’ve been taken care of. That’s why I came here. Meddlesome fools.”

  I shot her a curious look but decided to ignore the strange statement for now. We had other things to discuss.

  “She told me about Lily,” I confessed. Ms. Protean waved her hand, and I continued, realizing she had no idea who Lily was. “The girl who died at Professor Hamway’s house. She said a bunch of other stuff too.” I paused, unsure if I should continue.

  But Mrs. Cole had sounded so afraid.

  I decided to go for it. Ms. Protean seemed to care about her sister. She’d gone through great lengths to protect her. She deserved to know.

  “She said her son was evil,” I told her. “She had a lot of regrets.”

  “I don’t doubt it.” Ms. Protean sighed. “I’ve told you, they are rotten people. But she’s never admitted this to me. Garrett is the lesser of the two. His son is so-so. But if we’re discussing evil, there’s something fundamentally disturbing about Alexander.”

  I had no idea who these people were, but she’d mentioned them before. “Garrett and Alexander?”

  “That’s right,” Ms. Protean straightened in her seat. “It’s obvious you’re not from around here, or that you aren’t aware. Garrett Cole is one of our senators, he’s been involved in politics since a young age. Daniel is my great-nephew, his son. He’s recently announced that he’s running for state representative. He and his father share the same awful stench. They don’t know who I am, Grace never was involved with our family. But you can’t get near them without gagging.”

  Wow, she was really disturbed by the way they smelled.

  “Alexander is the one to watch for,” she continued. “Alexander Cole is the chief of police, and the older of the two. He never married, never had children. As a child, he was prone to violent outbursts. Random displays of his abilities. Garrett ignored taunts, but Alexander would face them head on.”

  A mentally unstable chief of police? How had someone so scary-sounding become so powerful? And this was the second mention of their abilities. “Mrs. Cole also mentioned their abilities. What did…”

  “The Cole family is made up of witches,” Ms. Protean responded. “Abilities are paternal, unless the mother is a controlling element over the father, and is stronger. Earth types generally become spiritual and political leaders. They are even-minded, fair, persuasive, and follow the word of the law. People admire them, and look to them for advice and counsel. That is generally how they gain influence and notoriety. Most witches don’t even need to resort to spells to gain a following. The stronger ones are monitored to prevent just that. But the Cole family…”

  She paused a moment, considering.

  Another second passed, and my patience wore thin. “The Cole family?”

  Ms. Protean blinked out of her thoughts. “I was just thinking. There are ways to measure an ability. They’ve always been on the lower-end of the power scale. In fact, they originally gained a following among necromancers. Water elementals who would normally be wary of their controllers. They weren’t strong enough to be a threat, but carried the characteristics that people value in an Earth type. Throughout the years, they’ve risen to power politically. Now no one will stand against them.”

  I wasn’t sure what she was implying, but her dark glare at the wall was disturbing. “I don’t get why this controlling thing is such a big deal. But if you think something is wrong with how they’ve managed to gain a following, why are you working under the assumption they are weak? Maybe the test is botched, and they’re actually super powerful?”

  Ms. Protean blinked, then moved to her feet. “For now, stay out of this. As for the other matter I’d sought you for, it’s settled. In fact, I think this will work quite nicely.”

  “What?” Why was she changing the subject?

  Before Ms. Protean could respond, the last person in the world I wanted to see, stepped into view.

  “Ms. Protean.” Finn looked as serious as ever. “What a surprise. I was looking for—”

  “Finn!” I leveled my meanest glare at him. How dare he show his face. I was so disappointed. I had hoped that Anthony and Bryce—despite my burning hatred of him—might have broken Finn’s legs.

  After all, Julian had said Finn would be punished. He didn’t appear to be half-dead.

  “Hello, Mr. Abernathy.” Ms. Protean didn’t seem surprised to see him. “It seems as though your line has a knack for getting in my way.”

  “What?” Finn shot her a curious look, then shook his head. “Never mind. I wasn’t aware that you knew Bianca—”

  “How Miss Brosnan and I are acquainted is no business of yours.” Ms. Protean leaned on her cane. “But she and I will be more familiar with each other, soon enough.”

  What did she mean by that?

  Finn appeared to be curious about the same thing. “I beg your pardon? I’m not sure—”

  “You’re a nosy lot. But you don’t need to know everything.” Ms. Protean rolled her eyes. “Besides, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m not the big, bad wolf in this situation. You have greater concerns at the moment.”

  “Concerns?” Finn repeated, suspicion lacing his voice.

  “Goodbye.” Ms. Protean stepped out, and without another word, left me alone with Finn Abernathy.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bianca

  Trois

  “What are you doing here?” I hissed at Finn, hating that he so nonchalantly had taken over the seat Ms. Protean abandoned.

  When had he gotten so quick and sneaky? I hadn’t even had time to run away, like when I fled from Damen. And besides, this had been grating on my nerves for a while. But where were all the people? How had no one complained about us talking?

  “Don’t glare at me like that.” Finn leaned back in his chair, his gaze not leaving my form. “I’m not here to bother you. I’m only here to protect you from them.”

  My skin prickled at his words.

  Them? Who was them? Why did I suddenly feel a sense of déjà vu?

  “Oh, you beat me here!” An unfamiliar man poked his head around the end of the cubical. “Finn, why do you need to be like this? No wonder nobody likes you.”

  My pulse picked up. I was just getting used to the new people in my circle, and now there was this. Who was he? Sure
, he looked respectable enough with his curly, brown hair and modest dress. But it was a fact that many people who looked nice, weren’t.

  Take Finn, for example. He was attractive. Even I admitted to that. But he was also evil.

  Before panic could grip me, the stranger glanced at me, and our gazes met.

  Time stopped. Sharp hazel eyes bore into mine, almost seeing through me. It reminded me, actually, of the first time I’d seen Bryce.

  It was my first class at college, and I’d been nervous and alone. I’d wanted to avoid attention, so I’d sat at the middle of the lecture hall. Too close, and professors would notice you. Too far, and other students would try to socialize. Neither were options I preferred.

  Class had barely begun, and he walked into the room. Tall, dark-haired, and handsome. He carried himself with a confidence I would never possess. It was like he knew he was the most important person in the room. As soon as I spotted him, I knew he was trouble.

  Professor Hamway introduced him as her student teacher. He was studying for his doctorate. Bryce was a botanist, and I should have found him fascinating from that information alone.

  But it didn’t matter what he studied, nor what his thesis was. All interest fled when, as Professor Hamway spoke, he turned his attention from her.

  And looked directly at me.

  After that second, it had taken me another five to hate Bryce. I’d been startled at first, then scared. But why would I feel afraid? Someone who liked plants couldn’t be all bad.

  There was a challenge in his eyes. It was uncharacteristic of me, but I’d been hit with the desire to defeat him. To show him I was a force to be reckoned with.

  But I was a coward, and despising myself, I looked away from Bryce Dubois. It felt as though I’d lost something important. And it was all his fault.

  This person now—this experience—was similar to that moment I shared with Bryce.

  Yet it was different this time, easier to hold my ground. I’d stopped breathing, but I wasn’t afraid. He was like Bryce, formidable. And not someone I’d usually challenge.

  But I wouldn’t lose.

  “Okay, I’m done.” The stranger blinked and glanced toward Finn. Finn raised his eyebrow in response but didn’t seem surprised. The man stepped into the cubical and leaned against the opening.

  “Brayden!” Bryce’s face peeked out of the spot that Brayden had abandoned. “How could you do that to me?”

  Brayden shrugged. “Because I’m not an idiot.” He looked between Bryce and me, and despite the situation, I couldn’t hold back my annoyed glare at my arch-nemesis.

  My expression amused Brayden, and he grinned at Bryce. “I’m not going to issue a challenge I can’t win. If you had an ounce of self-preservation, you’d submit too.”

  Bryce looked crestfallen. “But our plan—”

  “It’s a stupid plan,” Brayden said, examining his fingernails. “Besides, I like her already.”

  His words pulled my attention back to him.

  He liked me already? I couldn’t look away now, because the fact of the matter was, even though we’d just met, I liked him too.

  He had no problem calling Bryce out. He didn’t stare at me in the same rude manner.

  “Are we going to be friends?” I wondered, unsure how to take this bizarre turn of events. How could I be friends with someone related to that arrogant man? And were you even allow to befriend your subordinates?

  “No.” Brayden stepped closer, grasping my hands. “We’re going to be best friends. I can see the possibilities now.”

  I already had four best friends, even though they’d been misbehaving recently. But it felt like the friendship between Brayden and myself wouldn’t be the same.

  “You don’t want to be her best friend,” Finn grumbled. “You put yourself in a vulnerable position, and she wouldn’t hesitate to murder you if you piss her off. She’s scary.”

  I narrowed my gaze at Finn. Who was he to trash talk me in front of my minions?

  “I’m going to be honest, I’m not entirely sure what you’ve been up to, nor do I care. That’s Bryce’s concern,” Brayden said to Finn as he nodded toward Bryce. “But I do know you’re not trustworthy. If you think you can waltz into our world and do whatever you want, you’re sadly mistaken. I don’t care who you are.”

  Finn’s mouth snapped shut.

  “And your brother is no better.” Brayden wasn’t finished. “Believing he can order us about like he’s our master. Someone needs to inform him I’m not his research minion.”

  I’d been watching in silence, unsure where to interject. But at this declaration, my pulse raced.

  He was insulting Damen. I couldn’t ignore it. This beautiful friendship might already be dead. I didn’t want that. Brayden was a good person. He didn’t listen to Bryce. He hated Finn. He had been wonderful so far.

  Why did he have to open his mouth?

  Brayden missed my glare. “When I see him next, I’m going to tell him—”

  “He was doing research for me,” I interrupted, not wanting to hate him. “I dragged him into this situation.”

  “Oh.” Brayden’s eyebrow rose slowly. “That’s curious. If it’s for you, that’s okay.”

  Perfect. We were in a better place already. Now to divert his anger toward the correct person. “It’s all Finn’s fault. He wouldn’t help me.”

  Finn groaned, covering his face. “Not this again.”

  “Don’t worry, Bray.” Bryce leaned against the opposite side of the cubical. “Anthony and I have got it under control.”

  “Wow, they even sicced Anthony on you.” Brayden shook his head, his gaze almost pitying. “My, aren’t you in trouble?”

  “Shut up, Bryce,” Finn hissed at the other man, ignoring Brayden. “This is between us, not him.”

  “It could be worse,” Brayden continued. “At least Julian isn’t a part of this.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Bryce chimed in. “Julian has made it clear that he’s involved. He’s got me and Anthony both watching Finn. It’s highly inconvenient. I do have a class.”

  “Don’t get so full of yourself; you’re not even a real teacher.” Finn scowled.

  I watched the three of them, wary. What were these implications about Julian being scary?

  Julian was the kindest, most gentle person of all my new friends. I would admit that I had hopes that Julian would beat the crap out of Finn. But this level of foreboding seemed rather dramatic.

  I had to ask.

  “Why would Julian’s involvement be a bad thing?” I asked Brayden—the most trustworthy one. “What would he and Anthony do?” Why was I beginning to feel bad for Finn? “What are you talking about?”

  “Never mind, Bianca.” Finn closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat. “Are you going to leave now?”

  Which brought up the question of the day.

  “How did you know I was here?” I asked Finn, ignoring the others. “Are you stalking me again? Besides, usually you’re only lurking around abandoned places. I’m surprised no one has come and yelled at us for talking in a library yet.”

  “Why would anyone yell at you?” Brayden interjected. “We’re alone. It’s not like we’re bothering anyone.”

  I shot him a dubious look—it was midafternoon. Where were all the people?

  “You don’t know?” Brayden seemed to pick up on my doubt, his voice unsure. “He said you looked like you wanted to work. And that you had anxiety near others. So, he sectioned off this portion of the building so you’d be left alone. We only came because Ms. Protean ignored the memo.”

  What? I watched Brayden suspiciously. “Who?”

  “Shut up, Brayden.” Finn kicked his shin.

  I couldn’t hide my shock. Finn had manipulated the situation so I’d be alone? “What is he talking about? How did you do that? What about everyone else? Don’t they need to study?”

  Finn refused to look at me, glaring at the floor instead. “Who cares about other
people.”

  “Finn!” I gasped, appalled.

  “Hold on a moment.” Brayden was holding his leg, but his attention was on me. “You don’t know?”

  I didn’t like not knowing things. “What don’t I know?”

  “She doesn’t know!” Bryce joined in, alarmed. The smugness had vanished from his expression, and he looked almost human. “You said you were friends for over ten years!”

  “What don’t I know?” I repeated. This was the worst. I had no choice but to depend on Bryce as a source of knowledge, but I would do anything to figure out what I was missing.

  But it was Brayden, not Bryce, who began to answer. “I’ll tell you what you don’t know. Finn—”

  “All right, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. It’s time to shut up now.” Finn stood up, brushing off his pants. “We have places to go.”

  “No.” I glared at Finn. “You shut up. I want to know.”

  “There’s no time.” Finn shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets. “Julian is waiting for you. Maybe if you meet with me alone—talk to me—I’ll tell you later.”

  Wow, he drove a hard bargain. “Maybe—”

  “How do you know Julian is waiting for her?” Bryce mused, watching Finn suspiciously. “Are you monitoring him too?”

  “No.” Brayden rolled his eyes. “He feels the weight of his impending doom.”

  “Neither, you idiots,” snapped Finn as he nodded at the space behind Bryce. “He’s standing right there.”

  My gaze shot to the end of the aisle, where Julian was, in fact, leaning cross-armed against the bookcase. His frame was half-shrouded in shadow, but it was still easy to see that his focus was entirely on Finn.

  His expression was almost terrifying.

  “Julian!” He was here already? I’d completely lost track of time. “Why are you standing way over there?” After all, we were clearly having some kind of privileged meeting in my cubicle. He should have joined us.

  “I’m holding myself back.” Julian pushed from the shelves and strode forward slowly, his hands in his pockets. “It’s easier to do from a distance. I told you to keep him away.”