I heard someone shift behind me, and chose not to look back. Unless it was Dastien, I didn’t want to see any of that.
“I’m open to suggestions,” said Mr. Dawson.
Dad cleared his throat as he walked toward us, carrying a few gallons of gasoline. “I turned off the cams on the cop cars. It took some doing, but thankfully Officer Johnson was thoroughly distracted by the end of that fight.” He set the bright red canisters down, and brushed off his hands. “I think it’s time to cover our tracks.”
My jaw dropped open. “Dad! We can’t burn this place. All these houses… It’s wrong.”
He sighed. “This is wrong, kiddo, but there aren’t a lot of options. Not unless you want to come out to the humans about Weres, witches, demons, vampires, and whatever else is out there.”
Cosette met my gaze and subtly shook her head.
Yup, that’s as bad of an idea as it sounds. “But what do we do about the other covens? Won’t they blame us?”
“I’m on supernatural damage control.” Cosette rubbed her hands together and I heard a faint crackling noise at the edge of my hearing. I hoped she was still powered up because I had no idea how to fix this without her help. “I’ll contact my coven in Colorado and get them to spread the news of Luciana’s draining. Then I have to report to the mother ship.” She shuddered at the thought.
“What about Johnson over there?” I pointed to the cop car. “Do we get rid of him, too?” I said with a thick coating of sarcasm.
“I’ll make a deal with him,” Cosette said. “He won’t remember a thing.”
I knew she was fey, but I still had no idea what her powers were. After tonight, I realized how much she was hiding. There was more to Cosette than a flirty girl who liked her rag mags. “You can do that?”
She nodded, her blonde curls bouncing. How she appeared so sweet and innocent after decapitating a demon, I’d never know. “I can do a lot of things.”
“Good to know.” I had to wonder what else ‘a lot of things’ included, but I wasn’t going to ask as long as she was using her powers for us. “Fine.” Not that anyone really cared what I thought
. It seemed like everyone already knew what to do. Who was I to object?
“If you can handle Johnson, we’ll take care of the compound,” Mr. Dawson said. “I have my contacts at the coroner’s office make the four bodies in custody disappear.” Shit. I’d totally forgotten about the others. He sighed. “And Kelly. I’ll have to notify his family.”
I swallowed as I took in the lone wolf lying still, his fur matted with dark blood. We’d already lost one fighter, and that was just one minor demon.
I hadn’t even known the Were’s name.
“I’m sorry for your loss. You take care of yours, and I’ll get baby cop to take me to the station so I can tie up the rest of our loose ends.” Cosette sighed.
I winced at the sound. She was really putting herself on the line for us. “How much trouble are you in?”
“I’ll spin it somehow.” Then she smirked. “Why are werewolves so much trouble?”
I shrugged. “Don’t ask me. I’m still new here.”
She laughed. “For being so new to the supernatural world, you’re handling it well.”
That was high praise coming from her. “Th—” I caught myself before I thanked her. “I mean, that’s nice to hear?” My manners were too ingrained. It felt wrong not to say thanks when she was putting herself out there for us.
“See? You’re used to it already.”
A wolf head-butted my hand, and I glanced down at Dastien’s light gray coat. “Did you get any of its blood on you?” He gave a small whimper and licked my palm. I couldn’t sense much pain from him, but I could’ve sworn some of the blood got on his fur. “Gross.” I wiped my hand on my jeans, and squatted down, pressing my forehead to his. His love came pouring through the bond, and I reveled in it for a moment. He was here. Safe. We were both alive. I could breathe easier for a second, before the tension built right back up. I hadn’t thought a demon would be able to latch on just from a wound, but after what happened to Raphael…
“Let me see where the blood hit you. Was it your back?” I leaned over him and sniffed. The charred patch of fur smelled like sulfur. No way did I want him to end up like Raphael. I had to do something before any demonic energy took hold. I didn’t have any holy water. Nothing that could cleanse it. Except…
I reached into my bag and grabbed one of the vials. The potion looked like dark gray sludge but it was brewed with holy water and bits of the relic.
I slowly unscrewed the cap. “I’m going to put this your back.”
“Is that a good idea?” Meredith asked. “Don’t those explode when they hit the demons?”
“Dastien isn’t a demon.” I was pretty sure it wouldn’t damage him, but the potion should be strong enough to burn off the demon’s blood. It would be worth a little sting to make sure there was no chance of him getting possessed. “Guess we’ll find out.” This might burn a little, okay?