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had his way of coercing people into things, and Sebastian was sure some arrangement was made with all parties involved. Usually, Nigelā€™s deals were one-sided, the disadvantage to the other only realized too late. But who knows, maybe this one was a square sale. Possible, but unlikely.

ā€œI donā€™t care about your guests,ā€ said Sebastian. ā€œAnd I donā€™t want a beer, thanks.ā€

ā€œWasnā€™t going to offer you one. Stuffā€™s for me and me invited guests only.ā€

Sebastian couldnā€™t read Nigelā€™s mind. Nigel long ago learned how to hide thoughts, but Sebastian could still read Nigelā€™s mood, feelings, and general intent. Nigel took his hand off the second beer can and closed the fridge door.

ā€œCan we talk with a little more privacy?ā€ asked Sebastian.

Nigel rolled his eyes. He stepped over to the archway between the kitchen and living room. There werenā€™t technically two rooms, so for this kind of small space, some people liked the sense of separating them physically. Nigel pulled a curtain across the span that was printed with sexy angels wrestling with sexy devils, then returned to lean against the refrigerator. He waited in obvious impatience for Sebastian to speak up again.

ā€œLondon had a visit from a hairy stranger tonight,ā€ Sebastian began. ā€œA kind I have never seen before.ā€

ā€œWolfy?ā€

ā€œYes. But this one was a little different.ā€ Sebastian paused, not intending to make Nigel say something, but offering a moment if he felt like it. Nigel simply stared back. ā€œI waited for him to disintegrate, but he didnā€™t,ā€ said Sebastian. ā€œInstead he started to ā€“ transform.ā€

Nigel made an amused face. ā€œInto what? Lon Chaney?ā€

ā€œHonestly, I have no clue who the guy was. But Iā€™m pretty sure heā€™ll be identified by tomorrow in the papers.ā€

Nigel cocked a lopsided smile. ā€œRight. Well, that sucks for ā€˜im, then, dunnit?ā€ He sucked at his beer and shifted his weight. ā€œWassit got to do with me?ā€

Sebastian couldnā€™t hear the thought, but he knew there was something that just tweaked Nigelā€™s attention. Unconsciously, Sebastianā€™s hand fidgeted with some dirty paper plates piled on the kitchen table.

Sebastian said, ā€œI didnā€™t say it had anything to do with you. But since thereā€™s very few people with your unique associations, I figured you may be able to shed some light on this problem.ā€

Nigel scrunched his eyebrows down. ā€œSorry, mate. Iā€™m not in that biz. All I got is the same information you and your ruddy Saints already know. The last thing I heard about was the one three months ago when you was ā€˜ere before. The stupid bastards that went litā€™rally barking mad, ran around thinking theyā€™re some kind of druids, or whaā€™ever, hanginā€™ around an old cave, thinkinā€™ it gives ā€˜em power. Aā€™course, it was a rift in the cave. They wolf up, and go around chewinā€™ up some other poor bastards, then spend the rest of their short lives hiding in the woods. Canā€™t change back. Held up in the cave and some of ā€˜em die ā€˜cause their bodies ainā€™t stable, and the others get chopped up by your Saint pals.ā€ He paused and took another drag from his can. ā€œā€˜Bout it, mate. Figured this bloke you found tonight was just another wolfie from that lot, maybe just something was off when he started to dust.ā€

Sebastian was now certain Nigel was hiding something, though he had no idea what. He sat down at the kitchen table.

ā€œI wish that were true, Nigel. But thereā€™s some things that donā€™t match up. How would a seven-foot-tall wolfer, in full glory, roam around the city and get into Regentā€™s Park without anyone freaking out?ā€

Nigel shrugged. ā€œGot me, mate.ā€

ā€œHe doesnā€™t because he wasnā€™t a wolfer when he got there.ā€

Nigel shrugged again and tipped the can of beer to his lips.

Sebastian carefully pushed the remnants of Nigelā€™s bowl of ramen to the center of the table. Twice he had bumped it with his hands as he talked. ā€œNo rifts around here, Nigel. Or is there?ā€

Nigel looked at Sebastian with a comical hurt expression. ā€œCome off it, mate. I got no idea where rifts are nowadays.ā€

ā€œNo, you probably donā€™t. Nevertheless, this guy was able to transform, either at will, or very delayed, away from any known rift.ā€ Sebastian stared into Nigelā€™s eyes, trying to lock in on them.

ā€œDonā€™t try that shit with me, mate.ā€ Nigel made no aggressive move, but the tone was serious.

Sebastian smiled and dropped his eyes.

Nigel looked right and left, then grinned. ā€œMarcellus ainā€™t ā€˜ere is ā€˜e? He woulda jumped in ā€˜ere and tried to poke around some.ā€ He shook his finger lightly at his head. ā€œWouldnā€™a mattered. Got nuā€™fing up there to give ya.ā€ He leaned back against the wall and sighed. ā€œLook, ya olā€™ sod, I got no idea where this wolfy came from, and I donā€™t really care. Iā€™m sorry ā€˜e killed someone, but ā€™s not me problem. As far as helping you with your ā€˜informationā€™,ā€ he made the quotes with his fingers, ā€œI donā€™t got nuā€™fing moreā€™n what you got.ā€ Nigel slugged the last of his beer, then partially crushed it with his fingers. He smiled a politicianā€™s smile and spread his arms. ā€œNow, why would I lie to you, eh? If I knew why some lunatic was able to transform on ā€˜is own, why would it matter to me to hold it back?ā€

ā€œI donā€™t know, Nigel. I wouldnā€™t normally doubt your word, but ā€“ yes, I would normally doubt your word.ā€

ā€œMe heartā€™s broken, mate.ā€

ā€œIā€™m sure it is. But I also didnā€™t tell you that the wolfer killed anyone, did I?ā€

Nigel was quick to hide it, but Sebastian felt his little twinge of fear before the ā€œreformedā€ demon answered. ā€œBloodā€™s on your collar,ā€ said Nigel.

ā€œIā€™m not buyinā€™ that. Itā€™s a black collar. Could be water or sweat.ā€

Nigel blinked slowly. ā€œBut itā€™s blood, innit?ā€

Nice try.

The girls behind the curtain started to moan like they might have begun enjoying their evening without Nigel. The little demon flitted his eyes in that direction.

ā€œLook, Nigel, just give me whatever you know and Iā€™ll leave you alone with your Siren sweethearts.ā€

Nigel paled. Considering he was normally very pale, this was a feat. Sebastian only meant his comment as a double entendre joke. But there was a very sudden element of panic in Nigel. What did I say?

Nigel recovered and fully crushed the beer can in his fist. He tossed it into the bin next to him that was stained with a mad scientistā€™s mixture of rotted foods and chemicals. ā€œThen Iā€™ll need another beer and some more patience because I donā€™ know shit, ya ruddy bastard.ā€ He opened the refrigerator door again and looked at Sebastian. ā€œIā€™ll spare one for you if itā€™ll get you outta here faster.ā€

ā€œNo, thanks,ā€ said Sebastian.

Nigel held out two beers anyway. ā€œCome on. Tā€™s rude not to accept.ā€

Something was wrong. Nigel was nervous. Something was about to happen. Sebastian glanced again at the beer. Whatā€™s wrong with the beer? Nigel did not remove the offered can, rather held it further outstretched toward Sebastian.

ā€œNigel?ā€

Whatever bad decision Nigel had been mulling over had finally been decided. Sebastian stared at the can in Nigelā€™s extended right hand.

Nigel was very fast, abnormally so, as a supernatural being might be. Only Sebastianā€™s years of martial arts training, and his mistrust of pretty much everyone, (especially twisted souls who intentionally purchase lava lamps) made him fast enough to escape the blast. The beer can sprayed a white gas that plumed where Sebastian had been sitting. Sebastian leaped backward and got entangled with the curtain, which ripped from its fasteners. The dazed girls were still staring blankly and swaying to unheard music. Sebastian came around to Nigelā€™s right, slapped the fridge door shut, and pinned Nigelā€™s arm to his back. The demon squawked in pain and tried to pull away, but had very little room to move in his kitchen. Sebastian held firm and slammed Nigel to the floor. Nigel hit with a bounce as the old floor probably didnā€™t have much sturdy material keeping it stable anymore. Sebastian positioned his knee on the small of Nigelā€™s back and bent the arm upward.

ā€œGawwd, stop!ā€ Nigel cried.

ā€œWhat the hell was that!?ā€

The demon was no longer struggling. His eyes began to water with the beginnings of tears. Nigel could be pathetic when things went wrong. ā€œIā€™m sorry! Really. Sorry. Itā€™s just some happy juice, see? Something toā€¦ Arrrnnn! Something to kinda convince girls to come with me, see? Argggh! Really! I swear. I made it meself. Itā€™s just a happy gas. Iā€™m sorry, I didnā€™t want toā€¦ā€

ā€œSave it!ā€

ā€œIt wouldnā€™ a hurt you. I swear. Just shut ya up a bit, so I could toss you out, ya know?ā€

ā€œNigel, youā€™re a piece of shit!ā€

ā€œYeah, aā€™know. Iā€™m really sorry. Listenā€¦ ahhhkk! Listen, I mean it, I can ā€˜elp you!ā€

ā€œYou just told me you couldnā€™t.ā€

ā€œWell, I was lyinā€™ then, wasnā€™t I?ā€

Sebastian wanted to laugh at that if he wasnā€™t so pissed off.

ā€œListen, mate. Let me up and Iā€™ll tell you everything I know,ā€ pleaded Nigel.

Sebastian answered by pulling just a little on the bent arm.

ā€œAhhh, bloody hell! Christ, mate. Iā€™m not gonna lie to you again. You know Iā€™m straight. You can feel it or some rubbish.ā€

Sebastian could indeed feel it, or some rubbish. He eased up on Nigelā€™s back and released his grip on the arm. Nigel was embarrassed, miserable, and somewhat in pain, but didnā€™t seem like he had another sinister plan. Sebastian stood up and allowed the demon to his feet. Nigel took a pitiful glance at his eveningā€™s entertainment still lolling on the living room floor. Sebastian placed a hand on Nigelā€™s shoulder to turn him back around.

ā€œTalk fast and youā€™ll still have plenty of time to maul them,ā€ said Sebastian.

Nigel chuckled. ā€œAh, they ainā€™t going nowhere. I accidentally gave ā€˜em too much juice anā€™ they threw up before you showed up. I was waitinā€™ for them to kinda get settled, ya know?ā€

Sebastian gave a short nod. ā€œAndā€¦?ā€

ā€œAnd? Well, they ainā€™t all human, are they?ā€

Without giving himself away, Sebastian tried to nod again as if he knew what Nigel meant. Though he thought something was wrong with their minds, he figured it was just the anesthetic. There was something else that made Nigel nervous about them. Hoping the information would be offered without a direct question, he waited for Nigel to divulge. And Nigel did.

ā€œTheyā€™re Sirens, see? Real ones. I get to play with ā€˜em as long as I keep me mouth shut. But they werenā€™t real ā€˜appy about it, so I had to convince ā€˜em, right? But I wasnā€™t sure how much to use on ā€˜em, see? So they got a little sick.ā€

ā€œSirens? What the hell are you talking about? From where? Who?ā€

Nigel paused and gathered himself. It was obvious there was a big thing he was hiding and would be normally very reluctant to talk about. But the feeling Sebastian was getting from Nigel was that the little demon was on the verge of divulging whatever the big thing was.

ā€œThereā€™s this guy I know, right?ā€ said Nigel. ā€œHe gets paid to recruit new members. Brings ā€˜em in an stuff.ā€

ā€œIn where?ā€

ā€œCults, groups, you know. Members. These places ainā€™t no churches, they got an angle. Maybe the members donā€™t know it, right?ā€ He slid his wrist along his mouth, trying to address any slobber that had come out while he had been wrestled. ā€œSo, they get these Sirens to help, ya know, persuade folks.ā€

ā€œLiteral Sirens? Like from Greek myth?ā€

ā€œYeah, kinda. Theyā€™re just girls, see, with a little demon inside ā€˜em.ā€ He laughed nervously hoping that Sebastian would get the inference. ā€œKinda like bait, or lures, or something. Made of human stuff, but enhanced by ā€“ demon stuff. They make ā€˜em look beautiful soā€™s to attract men, see? But theyā€™re not dangerous. Theyā€™re just slaves like I was.ā€

Sebastian lowered his brows. ā€œAnd you took them in since youā€™re so in tune with their plight?ā€

ā€œCome off it, mate. You get used in this world, and ya use others when ya got the chance. Youā€™re doing the same to me.ā€

Point taken. ā€œSo, whoā€™s the recruiter?ā€ asked Sebastian.

ā€œAh, donā€™t worry ā€˜bout

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