Lost Souls (A Caitlyn O’Connell Novel) by Delilah Devlin

entity.”
    “What’s it going to take to kill him?” Cait asked, her stomach quivering slightly at the thought of what she might have to do. “Should I be looking for a priest to do an exorcism?”
    Morin smirked. “The only thing a priest might do is annoy the demon into seeking another residence where hewill continue killing. Take heart in the fact the demon has betrayed his source of power and his Achilles’ heel. He consumes souls inside his walls. He has become the hotel.” His hands outlined the roof and the sides of the building. “The only way to vanquish him completely is to burn the structure to the ground.”
    Deflated, Cait slumped in her chair. “Well, hell. That’s not helpful. There are a dozen full-time residents and laws that will make that a really bad idea. There has to be another way.”
    Morin gave an impatient shake of his head. “Then take his accomplice out of the picture first. We can worry about the demon later when he can’t see beyond his walls.”
    “How do we find him?”
    Morin’s head canted. His gaze swept her body before landing on her mouth. “I think he will find you.”
    “Dammit, Cait.” The chair beside her scraped on the floor.
    “Shut up, Sam,” she said giving him a sideways glance. “This is like any other investigation. We’re baiting a perp to show himself.” To Morin, she asked, “Any hints how we’ll know which of the guests or staff he is? He’s not attached to the hotel. He can move around freely. He could be anybody.”
    “You’ve interviewed everybody. Who is the most eager to involve themselves in your investigation? Incubi are inquisitive, mischievous. He’ll consider seducing you a challenge.”
    Sam stiffened. “The TV crew.”
    Cait nodded and gave Sam a tight smile. “Then that’s where we’ll start. We’ll invite them to join us. To set up theircameras. But while they’re watching for ghosts, we’ll be watching for the one who’s most curious about us.”
    Sam turned to Morin. “Once we’ve found him, what then? How do we take him out?”
    Morin’s smile was benign. “He’s a true shape-shifter. He lives in a stolen life. Don’t worry that you must destroy a human. His shell is as vulnerable as any man’s. Kill him by any ordinary means.”
    “That’s good news,” Cait said, as a bit of tension released inside. “We lost the demon-sucking bellows when we shattered the mirror.”
    Morin smiled at her words. “You won’t be drawing a demon out of a human host. No bellows required. Besides, do you think that was the only tool at my disposal?”
    Cait sighed. “How do you do it? How do you always have everything? How do you even replenish your stores?”
    “Celeste brings me things. Ingredients, groceries for when I grow bored with what is always in my cupboards.”
    Her attention caught on that last statement. “Is it magical? If I eat the bread in your bread basket, will there be another loaf when I look again?”
    His smile stretched wide, deepening the faint crow’s feet at the sides of his eyes. “And how many years has it taken you to figure that out?”
    “Give me some credit.” Cait frowned. “I didn’t know you were trapped in an enchanted shop. Have you ever tried walking out the door when someone leaves?”
    His smile tightened, and he physically winced. “I’ve tried walking, running, jumping through the door, and all the windows. There is no escape for me. Each time, I meet a barrier I can’t crash through.”
    His gaze rested on her again, and she felt a weight settle in her chest. “You still expect me to free you?”
    “Someday, I hope you will find the confidence in me to try.”
    “It’s not a matter of confidence, Morin. You’re the most powerful sorcerer even Celeste has ever known. If you don’t know a spell, how the hell do you expect me to work the magic?”
    His eyebrows moved up and down. “Frustrating, isn’t it?”
    She bit her lip then giggled.
    “Cait.” Sam’s hand slid