Free Grimm: A Novel In The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 3) by Shayne Silvers

distractedly, eyeing the destruction clinically. The windows were shattered, the tires slashed, every section of metal dented, and a growing puddle of noxious liquids slowly grew from underneath the vehicle, inching towards our feet despite the cold weather. Which meant it was recent. The liquids hadn’t had time to freeze. We probably should have heard something from Tomas’ apartment. A car alarm at least.
    But we hadn’t heard a thing. Which was puzzling, and blatantly pointed towards a supernatural attack rather than a mundane crime of opportunity.
    Now, monetarily , this was no big deal to me. But as a message , it was powerful indeed. Someone wanted me to know I was in their crosshairs, but I spotted no calling card or flashing neon sign stating his or her name. We were now stranded outside Tomas’ apartment, so someone obviously knew we were here. The question was did they already know Tomas lived here, or did they just happen to recognize my car and made a move? Regardless, if they didn’t know yet, it was likely that they would soon connect the dots, realizing Tomas lived here, which explained what I was doing here. I had no other reason to be in this part of town. Which put him in danger. I shot him a text, warning him that he might already be compromised. Finished, I looked up to find Gunnar watching me.
    “Call a cab. I need to make a quick call.”
    “Ashley’s already on her way. She’ll be here in ten minutes.” He growled, still unsuccessfully trying to track the scent. Which was odd. A lot of sniffer problems for the werewolf lately. Maybe the thugs had another moonstone. Or maybe he was still feeling the effects from the vampire’s moonstone in the sewer. It didn’t matter now. I sensed no supernatural presence. At least I could reliably do that with my new powers.
    “Good. I’m just going to step over here for a minute. We might want to walk a few blocks away. Let Ashley know to pick us up wherever you decide. As long as it’s away from this.” I waved a hand at the vehicle’s remains.
    Gunnar grunted, but began walking down the street, Indie hot on his heels, both of them giving me space. My phone vibrated, revealing a string of curse words from Tomas. I smiled at the screen as I followed a few steps behind Gunnar and Indie, scrolling through my contacts until I found the right name. Arrogrant prickface . I clicked the name with a smile and readied myself for a cryptic, but not obviously so, conversation with a man who I hated and who hated me back even harder.
    Jafar, Captain of the Justices.
    “Who is this?” A scratchy, sleepy voice answered.
    “It’s your buddy. Your pal. Your BFF. Nate Temple. How you doing, sport?” I spoke, doing my best to sound overly positive and cheerful.
    He growled back. “Do you know what time it is? What do you want?”
    “To chat, of course. It’s what friends… and allies do.”
    He waited a few seconds, gathering his sleepy thoughts together for an appropriate political response at the term allies . “I don’t feel like chatting. What do you need?”
    “Alright. No foreplay.” I took a breath, forcing myself to sound confused and a little nervous. “Something is going on in town. I’m out of the loop, but everyone’s acting… strange. Do you guys happen to know anything about it?” I waited a long second, replacing my fake anxiety with a harder tone. “If not, consider this a heads up. When things get strange here, I usually end up taking out the trash, and I don’t want you guys thinking I’m overstepping myself. You are more than welcome to come investigate if you find it necessary.”
    I waited. The line was so quiet that I almost thought he had hung up. Then I heard faint rustling and some murmured words in the background. “Give me a minute,” He muttered. He was apparently excusing himself to a more secure environment. “Okay. Strange how?” He finally asked.
    I pondered how to answer that. If he was complicit, I didn’t