I took a deep breath as the door shut behind us, squinting in the sun and feeling my shoulders ease. It lasted all of three seconds until Kisten asked, Skimmer sleep over?
I dont want to talk about it, I grumbled.
That bad, eh? he added, taking the steps lightly beside me.
I glanced longingly at my convertible, then back to his Corvette. Shes not being nice anymore, I complained, and Kisten picked up his pace to gallantly open the door before I could reach for the handle. Giving him a smile of thanks, I slipped in, settling myself in the familiar confines of his leather-scented, incense-rich car. God, it smelled good in here, and I closed my eyes and leaned back while Kisten went around to his side. I kept them shut even as he buckled himself in and started his car, willing myself to relax.
Talk to me, he said when he started into motion and I was still silent.
A hundred thoughts sifted through me, but what came out was, SkimmerI hesitated. She found out that Ivys the one not allowing a blood balance between us, not me.
His soft sigh drew my attention. The sun glinted on his stubble, and I stifled an urge to touch it. I watched his gaze flick behind us to the church through the rearview mirror. Depressed, I rolled my window down and let the morning breeze shift my hair.
And? he prompted as he gunned it, pulling out ahead of a blue Buick trailing smoke.
Holding my hair away from my eyes, I frowned. Shes gotten nasty. Trying to drive me away. I told her Ivys just scared and that Im waiting until she isnt, so Skimmers gone from I want to be your friend because Ivys your friend to suck my toes and die.
Kistens grip on the wheel tightened, and he hit the brakes a little too hard at the stoplight. Realizing what Id said, I flushed. I knew hed rather have me lusting after a bite from him. But if I let him bite me, Ivy would snap. Im sorry, Kisten, I whispered.
He was silent, staring at the red light.
Reaching out, I touched his hand. I love you, I whispered. But letting you bite me would tear everything apart. Ivy couldnt take it. Jenks would say that my saying no to Kisten had more to do with the threat of his biting me being a bigger turn-on than the actual bite might be. Whatever. But if Kisten found a closer relationship with me when Ivy couldnt, it would hurt her, and he loved her, too, with the fanatical loyalty shared abuse often engenders; Piscary had warped them both.
From my bag came the trill of my phone, but I let it ring. This was more important. The light changed, and Kisten pulled into traffic, his grip more relaxed. Ivy had always been the dominant one in their relationship, but he was willing to fight for me if I was ever tempted enough to give him my blood. Trouble was, saying no had never been my strong suit. I courted disaster every time I slept with him, but it made for great sex. And I never said I was smart. Actually, it was pretty stupid. But wed been over that before.
Depressed, I let my arm hang out the window and watched the Hollows turn from homes to businesses. The sun glinted dully on my bracelet and its distinctive pattern of links. Ivy had an anklet in the same pattern. Id seen a few others around Cincy here and there, earning shrugs and smiles when I tried to hide mine. I knew they were probably Kistens way to show the world his conquests, but I wore it nevertheless. So did Ivy.
Skimmer wont hurt you, Kisten said softly, and I turned to him.
Not physically, I agreed, relieved he was handling this as well as he was. But you can be sure shes going to put extra love in her petition to get Piscary out.
He sobered at that, and quiet filled the car at the thought of what might happen if she succeeded. Wed both be up shit creek. Kisten had been Piscarys scion, betraying the master vampire the night Id beaten Piscary into submission. Piscary was ignoring that right now, but if he got out, I was sure hed have a thing or two to say to his ex-scion, even if Kisten had been the one keeping Piscarys business ventures intact, since Ivy wouldnt, her scion status aside.
My phone rang again. Digging it out, I looked to see that it was an unfamiliar number before I set it to vibrate. I was with Kisten, and taking the call would be rude. You arent mad? I offered hesitantly, watching the emotion on his face shift from worry about his physical being to that of worry for his emotional state.
Mad that youre attracted to Ivy? he said, the sun flashing over him as we crossed the bridge. My face warmed, and he pulled his hand from mine to manage the thicker traffic. No, he said, his eyes slightly dilating. I love you, but IvySince leaving the I.S. and you moving in with her, shes never been happier, more stable. Besides, he said, settling himself suggestively, if this keeps up, I might have a chance at one hell of a threesome.
My mouth dropped open, and I swatted him. No way!
Hey, he said, laughing, though his eyes were firmly on the traffic. Dont knock it until youve tried it.
I crossed my arms before me and looked straight out the window. Not going to happen, Kisten. But when I met his eyes, I could tell he had only been teasing me. I think.
Dont make plans this Friday, he said as we stopped at yet another light.
I stifled a huge smile, but inside I was singing. He remembered! Why? I asked, feigning ignorance.
He smiled, and I lost my battle to remain unmoved. Im taking you out for your birthday, he said. Ive got reservations for the Carew Tower restaurant.
Get out! I exclaimed, my eyes darting to the top of the building in question. Ive never been up there to eat. I squirmed, gaze going distant as I started to plan. I dont know what to wear.
Something that comes off easy? he suggested.
A horn blew behind us, and, not looking, Kisten accelerated.
All Ive got is stuff with lots of snaps and buckles, I teased.
He went to say something, but his phone rang. I frowned when he reached to take it. I never took calls when we were together. Not that I got that many to begin with. But I wasnt trying to run Cincys underworld for my boss either.
Snaps and buckles? he said as he flipped open the top. That might work, too. Smile fading, he said into his phone, This is Felps.
I settled back, feeling good just thinking about it.
Hey, Ivy. Whats up? Kisten said, and I straightened. Then, remembering my phone, I pulled it out and looked. Crap, Id missed four calls. But I didnt recognize the number.
Right beside me, Kisten said, glancing at me, and a flicker of concern rose. Sure, he added, then handed the phone to me.
Oh, God, now what? Feeling like Id heard a shoe fall, I said, Is it Jenks?
No, Ivys irate voice said, and I relaxed. Its your Were.
David? I stammered, and Kisten pulled into the driving schools parking lot.
Hes been trying to reach you, Ivy said, her tone both bothered and concerned. He saysare you ready for this?he says hes killing women and he doesnt remember. Look, will you call him? Hes called here twice in the last three minutes.
I wanted to laugh but couldnt. The Were murder the I.S. was covering up. The demon tearing my living room apart for the focus. Shit.
Okay, I said softly. Thanks. Bye.
Rachel?
Her voice had changed. I was upset, and she knew it. I took a breath, trying to find a glimmer of calm. Yes?
I could tell by her hesitation that she wasnt fooled, but she knew that whatever it was, I wasnt running scared. Yet. Watch yourself, she said tightly. Call me if you need me.
My tension eased. It was good to have friends. Thanks. I will.
I hung up, glanced at Kistens expressive eyes waiting for an explanation, then jumped when my phone, sitting in my lap, vibrated. Taking a breath, I picked it up and looked at the number. It was Davids. I recognized it now.
You going to take that? Kisten asked, his hands on the wheel though we were parked.
In the next spot over, I watched a girl slam the door to her mothers minivan. Ponytail bobbing and mouth going nonstop, she chatted as she headed to class with a friend. They disappeared past the glass doors, and the woman behind the wheel wiped at her eye and watched through her rearview mirror. Kisten leaned forward to get into my line of sight. The phone vibrated again, and a sour smile lifted the corners of my mouth as I flipped the phone open.
Somehow I didnt think I was going to make my class.
Davids hand trembled almost imperceptibly as he accepted the glass of cold tap water. He held it to his forehead for a moment as he gathered his calm, then sipped it and set it on the solid ash coffee table before us. Thank you, the small man said, then put his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands.
I patted his shoulder and eased farther from him on his couch. Kisten was standing next to the TV, back to us as he looked over Davids collection of Civil War sabers in a lighted, locked cabinet. The faint scent of Were tickled my nose, not unpleasant at all.
David was a wreck, and I alternated my attention between the shaken man dressed in his suit for the office and his tidy, clearly bachelor town house. It was the usual two stories, the entire complex about five to ten years old. The carpet probably hadnt ever been replaced, and I wondered if David rented or owned.
We were in the living room. To one side past the landscaped buffer was the parking lot. To the other through the kitchen and dining area was a large common courtyard, the other apartments far enough away that it granted a measure of privacy by pure distance. The walls were thick, hence the silence, and the classy wallpaper done in browns and tans said he had decorated it himself. Owned, I decided, remembering that as a field adjustor for Were Insurance he was paid very well for getting the true story from reluctant policy owners trying to hide the reason their Christmas tree had spontaneously combusted and took out their living room.
Though his apartment was a calm spot of peace, the Were himself looked ragged. David was a loner, having the personal power and charisma of an alpha without the responsibilities. Technically speaking, I was his pack, a mutually beneficial agreement on paper that helped prevent David from being fired and gave me the opportunity to get my insurance at a devastatingly cheap rate. That was the extent of our relationship, but I knew he used me to keep Were women from insinuating themselves into his life.
My gaze landed on the fat little black book beside his phone. Apparently that didnt slow him down when it came to dating. Dang, he needed a rubber band to keep the thing shut.
Better? I said, and David looked up. His beautifully deep brown eyes were wide with a slow fear, looking wrong on him. He had a wonderfully trim body made for running, disguised under the comfortable suit. Clearly he had been on his way to the office when whatever threw him into such a tizzy happened, and it worried me that something could shake him like this. David was the most stable person I knew.
His shoes under the coffee table shone, and he was clean-shaven, not even a hint of black stubble marring his sun-darkened, somewhat rough skin. Id seen him in a floor-length duster and dilapidated hat once while he had been stalking me, and he had looked like Van Helsing; his luscious black hair was long and wavy, and his thick eyebrows made a nice statement. He had about the same amount of confidence as the fictional character, too, but right now it was tempered with worry and distraction.
No, he said, his low voice penetrating. I think Im killing my girlfriends.
Kisten turned, and I held up a hand to forestall the vampire from saying anything stupid. David was nothing if not levelheaded,and as an insurance adjustor he was quick, savvy, and hard to surprise. If he thought he was killing his girlfriends, then there was a reason for it.
Im listening, I said from beside him, and David took a slow breath, forcing himself to sit upright, if still on the edge of the couch.
I was trying to find a date for this weekend, he started, glancing at Kisten.
For the full moon? Kisten interrupted, earning both my and Davids annoyance.
The full moon isnt until Monday, the Were said. And Im not a college Werejockey high on bane crashing your bar. I have as much control over myself on a full moon as you do.
Obviously it was a sore spot, and Kisten raised a placating hand. Sorry.
The tension in the room eased, and Davids haunted eyes went to his address book by the phone. Serena called me last night, asking me if I had the flu. He looked up at me, then away. Which I thought strange since its summer, but then I called Kally to see if she was free, and she asked me the same thing.
Kisten chuckled. You dated two women in one weekend?
Davids brow creased. No, they were a week apart. So I called a few other women, seeing as I hadnt heard from any of them in almost a month.
In high demand are you, Mr. Peabody?
Kisten, I muttered, not liking the reference to the old cartoon. Stop it. Davids cat was peering at me from the top of the stairway. I didnt even try to coax it down, depressed.
David wasnt cowed at all by the living vampire. Not here in his own apartment. Yes, he said belligerently. I am, actually. You want to wait on the veranda?
Kisten raised a hand in a gesture of whatever, but I had no trouble believing that the attractive, mid-thirties Were had women calling him for dates. David and I were comfortable leaving our relationship at the business level, though I found it mildly irksome that he had issues with the different-species thing. But as long as he respected me as a person, I was willing to let him miss out on a good slice of the female population. His loss.
Apart from Serena and Kally, I couldnt reach one. His eyes went to his black book as if it were possessed. None of them.
So you think theyre dead? I questioned, not seeing the reason for the jump of thought.
Davids eyes were haunted. Ive been having really weird dreams about them, he said. My girlfriends, I mean. Im waking up in my own bed clean and rested, not mud-caked and naked in the park, so I never gave them much thought, but now
Kisten chuckled, and I started wishing Id left him in the car. Theyre avoiding you, wolfman, the vampire said, and David pulled himself straight, ire giving him strength.
Theyre gone, he muttered.
I watched warily, knowing that Kisten was too savvy to push him too far, but David was erratic right now.
Either they dont answer their phone or their roommates dont know where they are. His eyes slipped to mine, haunted. Those are the ones that Im worried about. The ones I couldnt reach.
Six women, Kisten said, now standing at the window wall that looked out on a small patio. Thats not bad. Half of them probably moved.
In a month and a half? David said caustically. Then, as if galvanized by the admission, he went to the kitchen, his pace fast with nervous energy.
My eyebrows rose. David dated six women in as many weeks? Weres werent any more randy than the rest of the population, but remembering his reluctance to settle down and start a pack, I decided it probably wasnt that he couldnt keep a girlfriend but rather that he was content playing the field. Playing the pro field. Jeez, David.
Theyre missing, he said, standing in his kitchen as if having forgotten why he went in there. I thinkI think Im blanking out and killing them.
My gut clenched at the lost sound of his voice. He really believed he was killing these women.
Well, there you go, Kisten said. Someone found out youre a player and called the rest. Youve been stung, Mr. Peabody. He chuckled. Time to start a new black book.
David looked insulted, and I thought Kisten was being unusually insensitive. Maybe he was jealous. You know what? I said, spinning to Kisten. You need to shut up.
Hey, Im just saying
David jerked as if remembering why he had gone into the kitchen, popping open a tin of cat food and shaking it onto a plate before setting it on the floor. Rachel, would you refuse to talk to a man youd slept with, even if you were mad at him?
My eyebrows rose. He hadnt just dated six women in six weeks, hed slept with them, too? UhI stammered. No. Id want to give him a piece of my mind at the very least.
Head lowered, David nodded. Theyre missing, he said. Im killing them. I know it.
David, I protested, seeing a hint of concern on Kistens face, Weres dont black out and kill people. If they did, they wouldve been hunted into extinction hundreds of years ago by the rest of Inderland. Theres got to be another reason they arent talking to you.
Because I killed them, David whispered, hunched over the counter.
My gaze drifted to the ticking wall clock. Two-fifteen. Id missed my class. It doesnt add up, I said, coming to sit at a barstool. Do you want me to have Ivy track them down? Shes good at finding people.
Looking relieved, he nodded. Ivy could find anyone, given time. She had been retrieving abducted vamps and humans from illegal blood houses and jealous exes since leaving the I. S. It made my familiar rescues look vapid, but we each had our own talents.
My motions shifting the stiff barstool back and forth slowed. Since I was here, I ought to see about taking the focus home with me. Anyone who cared to look it up would know that I belonged to Davids pack. Being a loner and trained to react to violence, David was a hard target. Anyone he worked with, though
Oh, shit, I said, then put a hand to my mouth, realizing Id said it aloud. Both Kisten and David stared at me. Uh, David, did you tell your dates about the focus?
His confusion turned to a soft anger. No, he said forcefully.
Kisten glowered at the smaller man. You mean to tell me you nipped six women in six weeks, and you never showed them the focus to impress them?
Davids jaw clenched. I dont need to lure women to my bed. I ask them, and if theyre willing, they come. Showing them wouldnt have impressed them anyway. Theyre human.
I pulled my elbows off the counter, my face warming in indignation. You date humans? You wont date a witch because you dont believe in mixed-species pairings, but youll sleep around with humans? You big fat hypocrite!
David pleaded with me with his eyes. If I dated a Were woman, shed want to be a part of my pack. Weve been over this before. And since Weres originally came from humans
My eyes narrowed. Yeah, I got it, I said, not liking it. Weres came from humans same as vamps, but unlike becoming a vamp, the only way to become a Were was to be born one.
Usually.
My thoughts zinged back to yesterday morning and being woken by a demon tearing my church apart looking for the focus. Oh-h-h-h, shit, I thought, remembering to keep my mouth shut this time. Missing girlfriends. Three unidentified bodies in the morgue: athletic, professional, and all with a similar look. They were brought in as Weres, but if what I thought happened had happened, they wouldnt be in the Were database but the human. Suicides from last months full moon.
David, Im so sorry, I whispered, and Kisten and David stared at me.
What? David said, wary, not distraught.
I looked helplessly at him. It wasnt your fault. It was mine. I shouldnt have given it to you. I didnt know all you had to do was have it in your possession. I never would have given it to you if I did. He looked blank at me, and, feeling nauseous, I added, I think I know where your girlfriends are. Its my fault, not yours.
David shook his head. Give me what?
The focus, I said, my face wrinkled in pity. I thinkit turned your girlfriends.
His face went ashen, and he put a hand to the counter. Where are they? he breathed.
I swallowed hard. The city morgue.
Two trips to the morgue in as many days, I thought, hoping I wasnt starting a pattern. My gardening sneakers were silent on the cement; Davids steps beside and a little behind me were heavy with a deep depression. Kisten was behind him, and the vampires obvious unease would have been funny if we werent trooping down here to identify three Jane Wolfs.
The focus was in my bag now, silent and quiescent this far from the full moon. It still held the chill from Davids freezer and made a cold spot against me. Experience said that next Monday it would have shifted from a bone statue of a womans face to a silver-sheened wolfs muzzle, dripping saliva and making a high-pitched squeal only pixies could hear. I have to get rid of this thing. Maybe I could use it to pay off one of my demon marks. But if Newt or Al sold it in turn to someone else and it started an Inderland power struggle, Id feel responsible.
We reached the end of the stairway, and with the two men trailing behind me I turned smartly to the right and followed the arrows to the double doors. Hi, Iceman, I said, smacking the left side of the swinging door open and striding in as if I owned the place.
The young man sat up, pulling his feet from his desk. Ms. Morgan, he said. Holy cow, you gave me a start.
Kisten slunk in after me, eyes darting everywhere. Come here often? he asked when the kid behind the desk put down his handheld game and stood.
All the time, I quipped, extending my hand to meet Icemans grip. Dont you?
No.
Icemans attention flicked from me to Kisten, finally lingering on David, standing with his hands at his sides. His enthusiasm to see me dimmed as he realized we were here to identify someone. Oh, uh, hey, he said, his hand slipping from mine, Its great to see you, but I cant let you in there unless you have someone from the I.S. or the F.I.B. with you. He winced. Sorry.
Detective Glenn is on his way, I said, feeling bouncy for some reason. Sure, I was here to identify a corpse or three, but I knew someone Kisten didnt, and that didnt happen often.
Relief turned him back into a young kid who should be serving smoothies at the mall, not morgue minding. Good, he said. Youre welcome to sit on a gurney while you wait.
I glanced at the empty gurney against the wall. Ah, I think Ill stand, I said. This is Kisten Felps, I added, then turned to David. And David Hue.
David pulled himself together and, finding a professional air, came forward with his hand extended. Pleasure to meet you, he said, rocking back as soon as their handshake ended. Howhow many Jane Wolfs do you get on average a month?
His voice carried a hint of panic, and Iceman went closed, sitting back behind his desk. Im sorry, Mr. Hue. I really shouldnt
David held up a hand and turned away, head bowed in worry. My good mood vanished. A sharp cadence of hard-soled shoes in the outer hallway brought our attentions up, and I puffed in relief when Glenns powerfully built frame came through the door, his thick hand holding the heavy metal easy and his dark skin and pink fingernails standing out against the stark whiteness of the chipped paint. He was in his usual coat and tie, the butt of a pistol showing past his jacket. Angling himself, he slipped in almost sideways so he wouldnt have to open the door entirely.
Rachel, he said as the door swung shut. His gaze lit on David and Kisten, eyebrows settling into a closed cast of F.I.B. officialness. Davids confidence had degraded into depression, and Kisten was nervous. I was getting the distinct impression he didnt like it down here.
Hi, Glenn, I said, conscious of my less-than-professional appearance in sneakers, faded green T-shirt, and dirt-marked jeans. Thanks for letting me get you out from behind your desk.
You said it was about the Jane Wolfs. How could I refuse?
Davids jaw tightened. The reaction wasnt missed by Glenn, and his gaze softened, now that he understood why David was here. I could feel Kisten behind me, and I turned to him. Glenn, this is Kisten Felps, I said, but Kisten had already pushed forward, smiling with his lips closed.
Weve met, Kisten said, grasping Glenns hand and giving it a firm shake. Well, in a manner of speaking. You were the one that downed the waitstaff at Piscarys last year.
Using Rachels splat gun, Glenn said, suddenly nervous. I didnt
Kisten released his hand and stepped away. No, you didnt tag me. But I saw you during the wrap-up. Good shooting. Accuracy is hard to find when your life is on the line.
Glenn smiled to show his flat, even teeth. He was the only F.I.B. guy I knew besides his dad who could talk to a vamp without fear and knew to bring breakfast when knocking on a witchs door at noon. No hard feelings? Glenn asked.
Shrugging, Kisten turned to the double doors leading to the hallway. We all do what we have to do. Its only on our days off we get to be ourselves.
You arent kidding, I thought, wondering what kind of a mess Kisten was going to find himself in if Piscary got out. I wasnt the only one the master vampire had unfinished business with. And while Piscary could hurt Kisten while he was still in prison, I had a feeling that the undead vampire enjoyed drawing out the fear of the unknown. He might forgive Kisten for giving me Egyptian embalming fluid to incapacitate him, seeing the betrayal as the act of an unruly, rebellious child. Maybe. Me, he was just ticked at.
His shoes scuffing, David came forward. David. David Hue, he said, eyes pinched. Can we please get this over with?
Glenn shook his hand, his expressive face turning to a professional detachment I knew he used so he could sleep at night. Of course, Mr. Hue, he said. The F.I.B. detective glanced at Iceman, and the college kid tossed him the Bite-Me-Betty doll with the key. Catching it, the rims of the upright, meticulous F.I.B. officers ears darkened in embarrassment.
Rachel? Kisten murmured as we all headed that way. Ah, if you can get a ride home with David, I need to fly on out of here.
I stopped. Glenn turned from holding the door open for me. Through it I could see the comfortable seating arrangement and Icemans work partner puttering around with a clipboard, peering over his glasses at us. Kisten is afraid of the dead?
KistenI coaxed, not believing it. I had wanted to stop at The Big Cherry on the way home to pick up Glenns tomato fix, at a charm shop for the lilac wine, and just about anywhere for a box of birthday candles for me in the hopes that a cake might be in my future. But Kisten backed up a step.
Really, he said. I have to go. Theres some rare cheese coming in today, and if Im not there to sign for it, Ill have to go to the post office and pick it up.
Rare cheese, my ass. And I hate not having my own car. Hip cocked, I took a breath to complain, but David interrupted with an easy, Ill get you home, Rachel.
Kistens eyes were pleading. Giving up, I muttered, Go on. Ill call you later.
He jiggled on his feet, his usual poise gone to make him look charmingly vulnerable. Leaning in, he gave me a quick kiss on my neck. Thanks, love, he whispered. His hand on my shoulder tightened, and with a quick hint of teeth he sent a spike of desire to my core.