Octavia's War Read Free

didn’t know you were in Mexico.” He held out his hand.
    Remmy squeezed it. “I was here in my human capacity, until three days ago.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the remains in the middle of the courtyard. “This is not a complication I was expecting.”
    “What happened three days ago?” Alex asked.
    “I was executed by Garcia’s people.” He shrugged. “The end of Bear Dawson. I was hiding out here to consider what to do next.”
    “You could always help me,” Alex said.
    “You’re chasing the Grimoré, still?”
    Alex didn’t let his body move or react in any way the Sub-officer would see. “What do you think did this?” he asked.
    “This was Grimoré?” Remmy was startled and Alex could see his pale eyes widen.
    “Who did you think did it?” Alex asked.
    “ La Espada .” Remmy shrugged.
    “It’s been a long time since I was down this way,” Alex said apologetically.
    “Severo Garcia. Son of the head of the Garcia cartel.”
    Alex was surprised. “You think a human did this?”
    “I don’t think Severo Garcia has much that is human left in him. This sort of thing is just the next step up. He was going to turn me into fillets and leave me for the crows in the Rio Grande valley.”
    “Sounds as if he’s someone to avoid at all costs,” Alexander said. “I knew a few like him in San Diego.” He shifted on his feet. “Come with me. Help me hunt the vampeen down. They’ll be slow.” He grimaced. “They’ve just fed,” he explained.
    Remmy let out a deep breath. “I can’t,” he said apologetically. “What are you doing in Mexico, anyway, Alex? I thought you were in New York, hiding away from everyone you knew.”
    “I was.” Alex shrugged. “How much do you know about the Grimoré?”
    “My clan passed on all the data. The threesomes forming to fight them…that sounds like a stretch to me.”
    “It’s all true,” Alex said flatly.
    Remmy’s grin faded. “You’re mixed up in that?”
    “I am.” Alex took the wide-brimmed hat off and fanned his face with it. It was three in the morning, yet still warm despite being December. The air was still and thick in this walled courtyard and the stench would be overwhelming if he let himself think about it.
    No wonder the Sub-officer had looked so bewildered.
    Alex considered Remmy. “There are more trinities forming,” he said. “Each of us who is already in one is finding secondary trinities. Basic mathematical progression,” he added.
    “Right. I forgot about that math freak thing of yours,” Remmy said. “You’re here to create a second trinity?”
    “I don’t create it. It forms by itself. I just have to find it…and before the Grimoré do.”
    “Guess they don’t like the idea of threesomes ganging up on them,” Remmy said, smiling. From his expression, Alex could tell he still thought the trinities were a cute excuse for adventurous sex.
    “You don’t understand,” Alex said heavily. “Before the trinity forms, it’s just three people. Not even people. We’ve got vampires, humans, hunters, a succubus, even a ghost. There are all sorts make up the trinities. They’re nothing before the trinity bonds. After it bonds, though, the trinity is so powerful it can hold back a small army of the fuckers that did this.”
    Remmy looked over Alex’s shoulder. He didn’t have to stretch to do it, because he was almost the same height as Alex. His gaze settled back on Alex. “Everyone is stronger?”
    “And linked, mentally and physically.” Alex shrugged. “You’re not going to properly understand this unless you’re in one. You can still help, though. We need all the help we can get.”
    “You’re losing,” Remmy said flatly.
    “We’re at the turn of the tide,” Alex shot back. “The next few weeks will settle things. We’d like to make sure they get settled the right way.”
    “So if you don’t form the trinity, if it just forms all by its lonesome, then why did you come down