“Well, I hate doing things that are frowned upon.” Braden’s smile was easy and light but I didn’t miss the darkness that fleetingly lurked behind those fascinating eyes. “As for the wraith ... .”
Before he could finish speaking the gate gave a hiccup of sorts. My memories of the gate were clouded by childhood — and one big event — but the slight spasm jarred my memory. For a brief moment I was back in time. It was the night my parents died and my world irrevocably changed. The gate did the same thing ... and then something was there in the room with us, giving chase. I couldn’t remember what it was. The harder I tried to remember, the more elusive the images became.
That was probably a good thing, because thoughts of the past fled in an instant when the gate surface sparked again.
“What is that?” Braden asked, casting me a sidelong look. “Is it malfunctioning?”
“It’s not a computer system,” I growled, my instincts taking over as I grabbed his arm and gave it a good tug. “I mean ... we have a computer system that works in conjunction with it, but it’s not a program or anything.”
“That’s not really what I asked,” Braden said dryly, refusing to budge. “Why is it making that noise?” When I didn’t immediately answer — I couldn’t because my heart was threatening to pound out of my chest — he flicked his eyes to Oliver. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” Oliver’s face was sheet white. “I don’t know what this is. I ... .”
A hand, almost transparent except for the red fingernails, emerged from the gate. My instincts kicked into overdrive and I tugged as hard as I could to get Braden out of the line of fire.
“Step back!” I instructed.
Confused, Braden did as he was told. That was good, because at that exact moment a creature emerged from the gate and stepped into the real world. It was impossible. There was no way to cross over, yet something had. I recognized the figure right away, although somehow it was different.
“That’s the wraith.” I was breathless as I tried to control my feelings. “That’s the same wraith that crossed over.”
If he doubted me, Braden didn’t show it. Instead he brushed my hand off his arm and reached inside his coat, coming back with a wicked-looking silver dagger. The wraith seemed dazed, as if the trip had somehow altered its thinking. Still, it recognized the dagger and took a loping and unsteady step away from the threatening reaper.
“Kill it,” Renee demanded. “Kill it before it touches us.”
Braden didn’t have to be told twice. He strode directly toward the creature, a little added swagger in his step, but he stopped before he could close the distance when the creature screamed ... and then practically bowled him over as it ran toward the door.
Braden looked as if he was going to fight, but thought better of it and wisely stepped out of its way as it slammed through the double doors and disappeared down the corridor. Its hissing scream sent chills down my spine.
Braden found his voice first.
“Well, that was different.”
I felt sick to my stomach. “What was your first clue?”
Four
I wasn’t having the best first day. So far I’d inadvertently allowed a wraith that may or may not have been stalking the facility to cross over to the other side – which was unheard of – but I’d also allowed it to escape upon return. I wasn’t sure, but that probably had to go down at the top of the list in the annals of bad days everywhere.
“He’s here,” Renee announced excitedly an hour later, rubbing her hands together as she scurried from her spot at the door where she’d been holding watch for what felt like forever. “He’s here and he’s not alone.”
I had no idea what that was supposed to mean. “Who is here?” I jerked my gaze from the computer screen, where I’d been watching footage of the wraith arriving and leaving on a continuous loop, and focused on the door. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“The home office sent someone to take over the investigation,” Renee explained. “He’s practically famous in certain circles.”
“Yes, he’s famous,” Braden drawled, straightening when a middle-aged man who happened to look exactly like him strolled through the door with three other men who shared his eyes and coloring. “He’ll never let you forget it either.” His smile was rueful as he met the older man’s gaze. “Dad.”
“Braden.” The man’s eyes bounced around the room, lingering on the gate before landing on me. “You must be Isabella Sage.”
“Izzy.” The need to constantly clarify my name was getting old, but it was something of a reflex. “You may call me Izzy.”
“Right now I’m simply going to call you Ms. Sage,” he replied, his expression hard to read. “I’d rather not make things personal at present.”
Something about his tone grated. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. I don’t even know your name. No one informed me that you were coming.”
“I don’t believe I have to inform you of my actions. I am in charge.”
His pompous attitude threw me for a loop. “Excuse me?”
Braden cleared his throat to keep things from flying further off the rails, stepping between his father and me but focusing on the man who clearly served as a source of the entire family’s looks. “Give her a break, Dad,” he instructed, his voice strong and clear. “She’s had a lot to deal with for a first day, and it’s not even ten yet.”
The man didn’t appear happy with the suggestion. “And what exactly did happen here?”
That seemed an important question. I had another one. “Wait.” I held up my hand to still Braden before he answered. “I’m not trying to be a pain — at least I’m not trying to be a big one — but I have no idea who you are. I don’t know the pecking order of this particular office. I feel out of my depth ... and kind of like you’re trying to intimidate me. I could be way off on that. It wouldn’t be the first time, but I feel it so I’m going to say it.”
Instead of immediately responding, all five Grimlock men merely stared in my direction. Finally, the one with the long hair commented.
“Oh, she’s going to make me laugh.”
His tone told me that was an insult. “I’m merely trying to do my job.”
“Of course you are,” Braden said smoothly, his lips twitching. He appeared ready to burst into gregarious guffaws. “In the interests of saving time, I will make the introductions.”
He extended a finger. “That is my father, Cormack Grimlock. He’s second in command at the Detroit office so ... don’t get him going.”
Second in command? Uh-oh. That meant the imposing figure was even higher in the food chain than I realized. “Nice to meet you, sir.” I extended my hand, a lame gesture that Cormack clearly found amusing. He shook it, though, which was something.
“The one in the back who looks as if he’s about to give himself a conniption fit laughing is Redmond,” Braden continued. “The one who looks like he belongs in a band is Cillian. The quiet one is Aidan. We also have a sister, but she’s clearly not here.”