Crest (Ondine Quartet Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

remembered the blazing hatred and uncontrollable rage in Edmundo's eyes last night. "We're at war. It's what they do."
    Part of the reason Aquidae maintained a strict hierarchical structure was their hunger for violence. Without rigid regulation, the demons would cause destructive havoc in human society.
    Lieutenants of individual cells managed discipline over members, especially newly turned Aquidae. The highly organized trafficking ring we shut down last month was an example of the iron control the Shadow used to direct his demons.
    Fujio shook his head. "These aren't the usual random acts. These are carefully targeted prominent Redavi ondines under high security protection. Everything points to planned kills, not murders of opportunity. Someone on the inside is leaking information."
    "There's no evidence of anyone turning Aquidae." Urian crossed his arms, face hard as granite. "Not like Miriam Moreaux."
    After what happened with Chloe's mother, every gardinel throughout the world was on alert. Security checks were too tight for an elemental to turn and remain unnoticed.
    The real gravity of the situation sank in.
    "It's someone who hasn't turned." My stomach twisted. "An elemental."  
    Someone high up enough to have security clearance was providing Aquidae with information leading to the murders of our own people.
    Satisfaction settled on Fujio's face. He'd been waiting for me to arrive at the same conclusion.
    "That's why you need me to work Empath better."
    As a magical lie detector, my Virtue was the perfect method for uncovering the traitor.
    "You'll return to Haveleau soon and attend the Elemental conference," Fujio said. "You'll have access to high ranking Redavi."
    All of whom were now possible suspects.
    Whoever this was had balls of steel. With recently heightened security measures, it was almost impossible to pull off a betrayal like this.
    A highly intelligent elemental adept at concealment, lies, and manipulation who felt no remorse for their actions.
    I was looking for a sociopath.
    Catrin twisted her hands. "Rhian believes it might even be someone on the Governing Council."
    This was just getting better and better.
    Fujio leaned forward, eyes intent. "We want you to find the traitor."
    Unsaid implications hung in the air. Investigating the Council and other prominent individuals was not the greatest start for my path to Governor.
    But if I found the person targeting Redavi families, it could go a long way toward earning the elemental acceptance I needed.
    Manhattan Lieutenant. Traitor. Shadow.
    I now had to hunt down three of the most difficult bastards I'd ever come across.
    I smiled. "Piece of cake."
    "Thank you, Chevalier Viel, Gardinel Karinser." Catrin dismissed them politely.
    Fujio unfolded his slender body and left without another word. Urian followed.
    I leaned back, the beginnings of a headache grinding against my temple. All I wanted to do in New York was prepare for the Governorship and work with Julian to find the Shadow.
    Things rarely stayed that simple.
    Catrin stood and walked to the windows overlooking the Hudson.
    "Renee informed me of last night's events. Did..." She paused. "Did she do all right?"
    I didn't have the heart to bitch about her daughter. "She did fine."
    Relief gently touched her face. The tilt of her head suddenly made her seem vulnerable.
    "She used her Virtue," I said carefully.
    After finding out about Julian's unusual magic and his real parentage, I didn't want to assume anything. But Virtues like Renee's Kinetic only manifested in Redavi first-borns and the Bessettes were definitely not a Redavi family.
    Catrin's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "I was born a Desmarais."
    "You're a relative of Nanette?"
    Nanette Desmarais was a strong Irisavie supporter on the Governing Council. Her grandchild was one of the kidnapped children rescued from the Aquidae trafficking ring and her daughter, Patrice, helped manage a covert ondine training program.
    "A very distant relative.