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something special about the jumpers?”
    “They were
ash
victims. Casey Lewis and Mike Everton.”
    I froze, jeans halfway up my thighs, hands still, and staring at nothing. It took me a second to process his words. “Anyone see them?”
    “Only the entire metropolitan area. It’s all over the news, online …” The chief’s heavy sigh crackled the speakers. “No one was up there with them, Charlie. They just held hands and … jumped. I don’t think I have to tell you what we might be up against.”
    I settled in because whenever the chief said that, it meant he was going to do the opposite.
    “Fact is we got ten people hooked on
ash.
Ten people who are perfect hosts for possession because of that damn drug and the Sons of Dawn. After last week on Helios Tower, the cult’s been exposed; they know we’re coming after them. If Casey and Mike were possessed by the spirits of deceased Sons of Dawn members, the cult could’ve ordered the suicides, Charlie. It means they’re scared, scared one of them will talk. They don’t want us knowing the names of their high-ranking members. Anyone who might be possessed is now a liability.”
    I struggled to keep the shake from my voice. “We need to contact everyone, the other ten
ash
vics.” Not twelve anymore.
    “Already done. They know. We’ve got a man on theinside for those who agreed to it and guys on the outside for those who didn’t, whether they like it or not. If any of our
ash
vics go climbing rooftops or standing on bridges, our guys will stop them.”
    I continued getting dressed. “That won’t stop them from opening a vein over their bathroom sink or swallowing a handful of pills if they’re told to.”
    “I know. And as much as I hate to admit, there’s not a goddamned thing we can do about it. I can’t force a man into their homes.”
    “We have to find a damn exorcist and fast. Call outside the city, fly one here, whatever it takes.”
    “Sian’s here right now,” he said. “She’s been on the phone for the last hour. The exorcists’ union has issued a warning to all registered members not to come to Atlanta. They know that several exorcists have already fled the area and some have gone missing. It’d take a miracle to get one to come here right now.”
    Or a whole lot of cash.
“Tell her to keep trying. Offer them whatever they want. I’m heading to the scene now.”
    “Look.” His voice dropped. “I know you’re worried about Bryn, but she’s fine. She’s been called, and the League knows what’s going on. There’s a guard in her room. You just get to the Healey and find out what you can.”
    After I agreed and hung up the phone, I sat back on the bed and pulled on my boots, debating on whether or not to call Bryn anyway. I knew she was sleeping.With a whispered curse, I picked up the cell and hit her speed dial number.
    She picked up on the sixth ring. “Charlie.” Her voice was groggy.
    I went to my mirror, dragged my fingers through my chin-length hair, tucked one side behind my ear, and then left the room. “Hey. You okay?”
    “Yeah.” She yawned. “I’m fine. Are you?”
    No. I feel like putting my fist through a wall or, better yet, murdering Grigori Tennin.
“I’m okay. Just checking in. Someone there with you?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Good. I don’t want you doing anything alone, even going to the bathroom. I mean it. Leave the door open. Just don’t be alone. Please. Promise me.” I left my room and walked down the hallway.
    “I promise.”
    A relieved breath escaped me. “Okay, thanks. I’ll come by first thing tomorrow.”
    “Okay.”
    “Now let me talk to your guard.” As expected, she sighed into the phone. But I wasn’t taking any chances. If I couldn’t be there myself, I had to know she was being protected, even if it was from herself.
    After talking to her guard, saying my piece, and being assured Bryn would not make a move without his knowing, I hung up, clipped my cell on my hip, and inched