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What was happening right now? I was working with priests and Pan was keeping secrets.

Women were so confusing. They’d always been confusing, but Logan was particularly perplexing. Why did she send me a photo of her dog’s butt? Why did I snap a selfie when I texted her good morning? Why was anyone doing anything? Things were less complicated in the drag bar in the French Quarter.

We were getting ready to go back to Rainer’s safe house for research. Solomon and Caleb hated repeating themselves, so they wouldn’t talk about what they found out before they fell asleep until we were all together. I had no problem talking about what I discovered, but they didn’t want to hear it twice either.

I’d found something really good from less conventional methods from my youth and I couldn’t wait to tell everyone. Unfortunately, we had to stay in the rectory. We couldn’t just book an entirely different hotel from William and his team to avoid them.

I knew as a priest, I was supposed to love everyone, but I really couldn’t stand that man. I liked him even less when Logan said he was going after kids. Sometimes, our job involved killing people. I didn’t enjoy that. Solomon and Caleb didn’t either. We were doing it because we were taught they were agents of Satan and couldn’t be saved.

William enjoyed it. He was a sick man. He blocked our path, which was stupid. I towered over him, but Caleb was much bigger than him too. Caleb tried to stay fit even with the curse on him.

“Yes, William?” Caleb asked.

“I hear you’ve got a hex on you.”

That was old news. Caleb had been hexed about three years ago. I guess Henry finally decided to tell the others. Ugh. Could I just hit this guy? Like, right on top of the head.

“Three years ago. You must not keep up with the gossip. What can I help you with?”

“I’m going to end this thing here in New Orleans and then you won’t be able to hold that thing over my head anymore.”

What thing? Caleb never told us about anything. Caleb broke into an evil grin.

“Unless you want me to announce that thing now, I suggest you get out of my sight.”

“Do I want to know?” Solomon asked as William scurried off.

I know I did.

“Probably not.”

I was itching the whole car ride. I wanted to know what everyone found out and tell everyone my news. Logan was sitting on the front porch with Pan when we got there. She was barefoot in ripped jeans and a hoodie. She was just so pretty and confusing with her black hair and pretty eyes.

Pan took off running straight at me. I crouched down and caught him. He licked my face.

“Hey, big guy.”

I was so startled, I nearly dropped him. I knew she said he was a Hellhound and could talk to me telepathically, but I wasn’t really prepared for it.

“Hey, Pan.”

“Hey, to the rest of you.”

I guess Logan took my words to heart. Solomon and Caleb were looking around trying to find the voice that just spoke. It definitely wasn’t Rainer. I could smell the onions, celery, and peppers from outside. He was inside cooking again. Yum.

“I have something to show you,” Logan said. “Set him down.”

I let Pan down and he trotted over to the fireplace. Of, fudge! I’d heard of Hellhounds and seen the illustrations, but I’d never seen one in person before. Pan morphed from being a thirty-pound Pitbull and dachshund mix to a big black hound with red eyes.

Solomon swore and nearly fell over backwards, but Caleb started raging out. His hex was triggered. Logan was on him in seconds. She had his face in her hands trying to soothe him. Pan shifted back and let out a low whine. He bumped his shoulder against Caleb’s leg.

“Is this the hex?” Logan asked.

Solomon answered while Caleb growled. Perhaps I played this wrong. We should have told them differently. I should have told Logan what the hex did and what set it off instead of just telling her he was cursed. This was on me.

“Hey, look at me. You know Pan. He’s been on several jobs with me. Aside from pissing on you several times, he hasn’t hurt you. He actually saved your life on the last job. We were showing you Pan’s secret because we trust you.”

Caleb’s eyes flashed red. That was new. He’d never done that before.