Karl glanced over at him and smiled. “What’s the magic word?”

Griffin stalked off, muttering a word under his breath.

“That’s not it,” Karl called after him.

Griffin’s shoulders tightened as he realized he’d been heard, but he didn’t stop.

WHEN THE ELEVATOR doors opened onto the fourth floor, it looked as quiet and empty as the other levels. Odd. I’d worked for corporations, and even on floors staffed by nine-to-fivers you could expect to see cleaners at night. But I suppose having cleaners—even your own staff—in a Cabal office, unsupervised, wasn’t wise. Better to lock down the floors and monitor all access.

We followed Griffin until we reached the first junction. Then Karl stopped, his nostrils flaring, and veered down the adjoining hall.

We got about ten steps before Griffin’s “Hey!” rang out.

“I thought I told you to stay with me,” he said as he stalked up behind us.

“No, I don’t believe you did.”

“This is a Cabal head office. You can’t just run off like that.”

“Run?” Karl turned slowly, eyebrows arched. “I believe I was walking. I also believe you are in as much a hurry to get this over with as we are, but if I’m mistaken, then you go your way, and let me follow the smell of blood.”

“Blood?” I said.

A faint wince—he hadn’t intended to say that in front of me.

“Where?” Griffin demanded.

“I need to follow the trail to find the source. Now, if you’ll allow me to do that…”

He continued down the hall. Griffin swung into his path. He moved so fast I stumbled out of his way, but it was nothing compared to how fast Karl moved. Before I could blink, Karl had the bodyguard pinned against the wall by his shirtfront.

“You want to take a pop at me?” Griffin said. “Go right ahead.”

“I know you don’t plan to hit him, Karl,” I said. “But in case you’re provoked, I’d strongly advise against it. He’s a Ferratus.”

Karl glanced at me.

“A half-demon who can make his skin as hard as iron. Hit him and you’ll break your hand.”

Griffin smiled. “Don’t take her word for it. Go ahead.”

“Once I have you pinned, you’re no longer a threat. But before we continue this pleasant little venture, let’s come to an understanding, Griffin. I don’t trust you. You clearly don’t trust me. Sudden moves of any kind can be easily misinterpreted as aggression.”

He released Griffin’s shirtfront. “Now, let’s find the source of the blood. I doubt your employer would be pleased if you let a fellow guard bleed to death because you got into a pissing contest with a werewolf.”