Of course, she said, settling back as her expression clouded.
And if nothing turns up there, well go on to the next step. I tried to make my smile reassuring. Ill meet you at Dans apartment a little after eight?
Hearing the dismissal in my voice, she nodded and stood. Jenks flitted into the air, and I rose as well. All right, she said. Its out at Redwood
Edden shuffled his feet. Ill tell Ms. Morgan where it is, Ms. Gradenko.
Yes. Thank you. Her smile was starting to look stilted. Im just so worried
I disguised putting my lie-detecting amulet away by digging through my bag and pulling out one of my cards. Please let me or the FIB know if you hear from him in the meantime, I said as I handed it to her. Ivy had the cards professionally printed, and they looked slick.
Yes. I will, she murmured, her lips moving as she read VAMPIRIC CHARMS, the name Nick had given my and Ivys agency. She met my eyes as she tucked the card in her purse. I shook her hand, deciding her grip was firmer this time. Her fingers, though, were still cold.
Ill show you out, Ms. Gradenko, Edden said as he opened the door. At his subtle gesture, I sank back into my chair to wait.
Jenks buzzed his wings for my attention. I dont like it, he said as our eyes met.
A flash of ire took me. She wasnt lying, I said defensively. He put his hands on his hips, and I waved him off my cup to take a sip of my lukewarm coffee. You dont know her, Jenks. She hates vermin, but she tried to keep Jonathan from tormenting me though it might have meant her job.
She felt sorry for you, Jenks said. Pitiful little mink with a concussion.
She gave me part of her lunch when I wouldnt eat those disgusting pellets.
The carrots were drugged, Rache.
She didnt know that. Sara Jane suffered as much as I did.
The pixy hovered six inches before me, demanding I look at him. Thats what Im saying. Trent could be using her to get to you again, and she wouldnt even know it.
My sigh pushed him back. Shes trapped. I have to help her if I can. I looked up as Edden opened the door and poked his head in. He had an FIB hat on, and it looked odd with his white shirt and khakis as he gestured for me.
Jenks flitted to my shoulder. You and your rescue impulses are going to get you killed, he whispered as I found the hallway.
Thanks, Morgan, Edden said as he grabbed my canister of fish and led me up front.
No problem, I said as we entered the FIBs back offices. The hustle of people enfolded me, and my tension eased in the blessed autonomy it offered. She wasnt lying about anything other than having a key to let his cat out. But I could have told you that without the spell. Ill let you know what I find out at Dans apartment. How late can I call you?
Oh, Edden said loudly as we slipped past the front desk and headed for the sunlit sidewalk. No need, Ms. Morgan. Thank you for your help. Well be in touch.
I stopped short in surprise. A curl of escaped hair brushed my shoulder as Jenkss wings clattered against themselves in a harsh noise. What the hell? he muttered.
My face warmed as I realized he was brushing me off. I did not come down here just to invoke a lousy lie-detecting amulet, I said as I jerked into motion. I told you Id leave Kalamack alone. Get out of my way and let me do what Im good at.
Behind me, conversations were going quiet. Edden never hesitated in his slow stride to the door. Its an FIB matter, Ms. Morgan. Let me help you out.
I followed, tight to his heels, not caring about the dark looks I was getting. This run is mine, Edden, I almost yelled. Your people will mess it up. These are Inderlanders, not humans. You can have the glory. All I want is to be paid. And see Trent in jail, I added silently.
He pushed open one of the glass double doors. The sun-warmed concrete threw up a wave of heat as I stomped out after him, almost pinning the short man against the building as he gestured for a cab. You gave me this run and Im taking it, I exclaimed, yanking a curl out of my mouth as the wind blew it up into my face. Not some stuck-up, arrogant cookie in an FIB hat who thinks hes the greatest thing since the Turn!
Good, he said lightly, shocking me into taking a step back. Putting my canister on the sidewalk, he stuffed his FIB hat into his back pocket. But from here on out, you are officially off the run.
My mouth opened in understanding. I was officially not here. Taking a breath, I willed the adrenaline out of my system. Edden nodded as he saw my anger fizzle out. Id appreciate your discretion on this, he said. Sending Glenn out to Pizza Piscarys alone isnt prudent.
Glenn! Jenks shrilled, his voice scraping the inside of my skull, making my eyes water.
No, I said. I already have my team. We dont need Detective Glenn.
Jenks left me. Yeah, he said as he flew between the FIB captain and me. His wings were red. We dont play well with others.
Edden frowned. This is an FIB matter. You will have an FIB presence with you when at all possible, and Glenn is the only one qualified.
Qualified? Jenks scoffed. Why not admit hes the only one of your officers who can talk to a witch without pissing his pants?
No, I said firmly. We work alone.
Edden stood beside my canister, his arms crossed to make his squat form look as immovable as a stone wall. Hes our new Inderland specialist. I know hes inexperienced
Hes an ass! Jenks snapped.
A grin flashed over Edden. I prefer rough around the edges, myself.
My lips pursed. Glenn is a cocky, self-assured I fumbled, looking for something suitably derogatory.FIB flunky who is going to get himself killed the first time he runs into an Inderlander who isnt as nice as I am.
Jenks bobbed his head. He needs to be taught a lesson.
Edden smiled. Hes my son, and I couldnt agree more, he said.
Hes what? I exclaimed as an unmarked FIB car pulled up to the curb beside us. Edden reached for the handle of the back door and opened it. Edden was clearly from European decent, and GlennGlenn wasnt. My mouth worked as I tried to find something that couldnt be remotely construed as being racist. As a witch, I was sensitive to that kind of thing. How come he doesnt have your last name? I managed.
Hes used his mothers maiden name since joining the FIB, Edden said softly. Hes not supposed to be under my direction, but no one else would take the job.
My brow furrowed. Now I understood the cold reception in the FIB. It hadnt been all me. Glenn was new, taking a position everyone but his dad thought was a waste of time. Im not doing this, I said. Find someone else to baby-sit your kid.
Edden put my canister into the back. Break him in gently.
You arent listening, I said loudly, frustrated. You gave me this run. My associates and I appreciate your offer to help, but you asked me here. Back off and let us work.
Great, Edden said as he slammed the cars back door shut. Thanks for taking Detective Glenn with you out to Piscarys.
A cry of disgust slipped from me. Edden! I exclaimed, earning looks from the passing people. I said no. There is one sound coming past my lips. One sound. Two letters. One meaning. No!
Edden opened the front passenger door and gestured for me to get in. Thanks bunches, Morgan. He glanced into the backseat. Why were you running from those Weres, anyway?
My breath came in a slow, controlled sound. Damn.
Edden chuckled, and I put myself in the car and slammed the door, trying to get his stubby fingers in it. Scowling, I looked at the driver. It was Glenn. He looked as happy as I felt. I had to say something. You dont look anything like your dad, I said snidely.
His gaze was fixed with a ramrod stiffness out the front window. He adopted me when he married my mother, he said through clenched teeth.
Jenks zipped in trailing a sunbeam of pixy dust. Youre Eddens son?
You got a problem with that? he said belligerently.
The pixy landed on the dash with his hands on his hips. Nah. All you humans look alike to me.
Edden bent to put his beaming round face in the window. Heres your class schedule, he said, handing me a yellow half page of paper with printer holes along the sides. Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Glenn will buy any books you need.
Hold it! I exclaimed, alarm washing through me as the yellow paper crackled in my fingers. I thought I was just going to poke around the university. I dont want to take a class!
Its the one Mr. Smather was taking. Be there, or you wont get paid.
He was smiling, enjoying this. Edden! I shouted as he backed up onto the sidewalk.
Glenn, take Ms. Morgan and Jenks to their office. Let me know what you find at Dan Smathers apartment.
Yes sir! he barked. His knuckles gripping the wheel showed a fierce pressure. Pink patches of Ivy-Aid decorated his wrists and neck. I didnt care that he had heard most of the conversation. He wasnt welcome, and the sooner he understood that, the better.
Four
Right at the next corner, I said, resting my arm on the open window of the unmarked FIB car. Glenn ran his fingertips through his close-cropped hair as he scratched his scalp. He hadnt said a word the entire way, his jaw slowly unclenching as he realized I wasnt going to make him talk to me. There was no one behind us, but he signaled before turning onto my street.
He had sunglasses on, taking in the residential neighborhood with its shady sidewalks and patchy lawns. We were well within the Hollows, the unofficial haven for most of Cincinnatis resident Inderlanders since the Turn, when every surviving human fled into the city and its false sense of security. There has always been some mingling, but for the most part humans work and live in Cincinnati since the Turn, and Inderlanders work anduhplay in the Hollows.
I think Glenn was surprised the suburb looked like everywhere elseuntil you noticed the runes scratched in the hopscotch grid, and that the basketball hoop was a third again taller than NBA regulation. It was quiet, too. Peaceful. Some of that could be attributed to Inderlands schools not letting out until almost midnight, but most was self-preservation.
Every Inderlander over the age of forty had spent their earliest years trying to hide that they werent human, a tradition that is unraveling with the cautious fear of the hunted, vampires included. So the grass is mown by sullen teenagers on Friday, the cars are dutifully washed on Saturday, and the trash makes tidy piles at the curb on Wednesday. But the streetlights are shot out by gun or charm as soon as the city replaces them, and no one calls the Humane Society at the sight of a loose dog, as it might be the neighbors kid skipping school.
The dangerous reality of the Hollows remains carefully hidden. We know if we color too far out of humanitys self-imposed lines, old fears will resurface and they will strike out at us. They would losebadlyand as a whole, Inderlanders like things balanced just as they are. Fewer humans would mean that witches and Weres would start taking the brunt of vampires needs. And while the occasional witch enjoyed a vampiric lifestyle at his or her own discretion, wed bind together to take them out if they tried to turn us into fodder. The older vampires know it, and so they make sure everyone plays by humanitys rules.
Fortunately, the more savage side of Inderlanders naturally gravitates to the outskirts of the Hollows and away from our homes. The strip of nightclubs along both sides of the river is especially hazardous since swarming, high-spirited humans draw the more predatorial of us like fires on a cold night, promising warmth and reassurance of survival. Our homes are kept as human looking as possible. Those who strayed too far from the Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver veneer were encouraged in a rather unique neighborhood intervention party to blend in a little moreor move out to the country where they couldnt do as much damage. My gaze drifted over the tongue-in-cheek sign peeping out from a bed of foxgloves. DAY SLEEPER. SOLICITORS WILL BE EATEN. For the most part, anyway.
You can park up there on the right, I said, pointing.
Glenns brow furrowed. I thought we were going to your office.
Jenks flitted from my earring to the rearview mirror. We are, he said snidely.
Glenn scratched his jawline, his short beard making a rasping sound under his nail. You run your agency out of a house?
I sighed at his patronizing lilt. Sort of. Anywhere here is fine.
He pulled to the curb at Keasleys house, the neighborhoods wise old man who had both the medical equipment and know-how of a small emergency room for those who could keep their mouths shut about it. Across the street was a small stone church, its steeple rising high above two gigantic oaks. It sat on an unreal four city lots and had come with its own graveyard.
Renting out a defunct church hadnt been my idea but Ivys. Seeing tombstones out the small stained-glass window of my bedroom had taken a while to get used to, but the kitchen it came with made up for having dead humans buried in the backyard.
Glenn cut the engine, and the new silence soaked in. I scanned the surrounding yards before I got out, a habit begun during my not-so-distant death threats, which I thought prudent to continue. Old man Keasley was on his porch as usual, rocking and keeping a sharp eye on the street. I gave him a wave and got a raised hand in answer. Satisfied he would have warned me if I had needed it, I got out and opened the back door for my canister of fish.
Ill get it, maam, Glenn said as his door thumped shut.
I gave him a tired look over the cars roof. Drop the maam, will you? Im Rachel.
His attention went over my shoulder and he visibly stiffened. I whipped around expecting the worst, relaxing as a cloud of pixy children descended in a high-pitched chorus of conversation too fast for me to follow. Papa Jenks had been missedas usual. My sour mood evaporated as the darting swooping figures in pale green and gold swirled about their dad in a Disney nightmare. Glenn took his sunglasses off, his brown eyes wide and his lips parted.
Jenks made a piercing whistle with his wings, and the horde broke enough for him to hover before me. Hey, Rache, he said. Ill be out back if you want me.
Sure. I glanced at Glenn and muttered, Is Ivy here?
The pixy followed my gaze to the human and grinned, undoubtedly imagining what Ivy would do when meeting Captain Eddens son. Jax, Jenkss eldest child, joined his father. No, Ms. Morgan, he said, pitching his preadolescent voice deeper than it normally fell. Shes doing errands. The grocery store, the post office, the bank. She said shed be back before five.
The bank, I thought, wincing. She was supposed to wait until I had the rest of my rent. Jax flew three circles about my head, making me dizzy.Bye, Ms. Morgan, he called out, zipping off to join his siblings, who were escorting their dad to the back of the church and the oak stump Jenks had moved his very large family into.
My breath puffed out as Glenn came around the back of the car, offering to carry my canister. I shook my head and hefted it; it wasnt that heavy. I was starting to feel guilty for having let Jenks pix him. But then I hadnt known I was going to have to baby-sit him at the time. Come on in, I said as I started across the street to the wide stone steps.
The sound of his hard-soled shoes on the street faltered. You live in a church?
My eyes narrowed. Yeah. But I dont sleep with voodoo dolls.
Huh?
Never mind.
Glenn muttered something, and my guilt deepened. Thanks for driving me home, I said as I climbed the stone steps and pulled open the right side of the twin wooden doors for him. He said nothing, and I added, Really. Thanks.
Hesitating on the stoop, he stared at me. I couldnt tell what he was thinking. Youre welcome, he finally said, his voice giving me no clue, either.
I led the way through the empty foyer into the even more empty sanctuary. Before we rented out the church, it had been used as a daycare. The pews and altar had been removed to make a large play area. Now all that remained were the stained-glass windows and a slightly raised stage. The shadow of a huge, long-gone cross spread across the wall in a poignant reminder. I glanced at the tall ceiling, seeing the familiar room in a new way as Glenn looked it over. It was quiet. Id forgotten how peaceful it was.
Ivy had spread tumbling mats over half of it, leaving a narrow walkway running from the foyer to the back rooms. At least once a week wed spar to keep fresh, now that we were both independents and not on the streets every night. It invariably ended with me a sweating mass of bruises and her not even breathing hard. Ivy was a living vampas alive as I was and in possession of a soul, infected by the vamp virus by way of her, at the time, still-living mother.
Not having to wait until she was dead before the virus began molding her, Ivy had been born possessing a little of both worlds, the living and dead, caught in the middle ground until she died and became a true undead. From the living she retained a soul, allowing her to walk under the sun, worship without pain, and live on holy ground if she wanted, which she did to tick her mother off. From the dead came her small but sharp canines, her ability to pull an aura and scare the crap out of me, and her power to hold spellbound those who allowed it. Her unearthly strength and speed were decidedly less than a true undead, but still far beyond mine. And though she didnt need blood to remain sane, as undead vampires did, she had an unsettling hunger for it, which she was continually fighting to suppress, since she was one of the few living vamps who had sworn off blood. I imagine Ivy must have had an interesting childhood, but I was afraid to ask.
Come on in to the kitchen, I said as I went through the archway at the back of the sanctuary. I took off my shades as I passed my bathroom. It had once been the mens bathroom, the traditional fixtures replaced with a washer and dryer, a small sink, and a shower. This one was mine. The womens bathroom across the hall had been converted into a more conventional bathroom with a tub. That one was Ivys. Separate bathrooms made things a heck of a lot easier.
Not liking the way Glenn was making silent judgments, I closed the doors to both Ivys and my bedrooms as I passed them. They had once been clergy offices. He shuffled into the kitchen behind me, spending a moment or two taking it all in. Most people did.
The kitchen was huge, and part of the reason I had agreed to live in a church with a vampire. It had two stoves, an institutional-size fridge, and a large center island overhung with a rack of gleaming utensils and pots. The stainless steel shone, and the counter space was expansive. With the exception of my Beta in the brandy snifter on the windowsill, and the massive antique wooden table Ivy used for a computer desk, it looked like the set of a cooking show. It was the last thing one would expect attached to the back of churchand I loved it.
I set the canister of fish on the table. Why dont you sit down, I said, wanting to call the Howlers. Ill be right back. I hesitated as my manners clawed their way up to the forefront of my mind. Do you want a drinkor something? I asked.
Glenns brown eyes were unreadable. No, maam. His voice was stiff, with more than a hint of sarcasm, making me want to smack him a good one and tell him to lighten up. Id deal with his attitude later. Right now I had to call the Howlers.
Have a seat, then, I said, letting some of my own bother show. Ill be right back.
The living room was just off the kitchen on the other side of the hallway. As I searched for the coachs number in my bag, I hit the message button on the answering machine.
Hey, Ray-ray. Its me, came Nicks voice, sounding tinny through the recording. Shooting a glance at the hallway, I turned it down so Glenn couldnt hear. Ive got em. Third row back on the far right. Now youll have to make good on your claim and get us backstage passes. There was a pause, then, I still dont believe youve met him. Talk to you later.
My breath came in anticipation as it clicked off. I had met Takata four years ago when he spotted me in the balcony at a solstice concert. I had thought I was going to be kicked out when a thick Were in a staff shirt escorted me backstage while the warm-up band played.
Turned out Takata had seen my frizzy hair and wanted to know if it was spelled or natural, and if natural, did I have a charm to get something that wild to lie flat? Starstuck and repeatedly embarrassing myself, I admitted it was natural, though I had encouraged it that night, then gave him one of the charms my mother and I spent my entire high school career perfecting to tame it. He laughed then, unwinding one of his blond dreadlocks to show me his hair was worse than mine, static making it float and stick to everything. I hadnt straightened my hair since.
My friends and I had watched the show from backstage, and afterward, Takata and I led his bodyguards on a merry chase through Cincinnati the whole night. I was sure he would remember me, but I hadnt a clue as to how to get in touch with him. It wasnt as if I could call him up and say, Remember me? We had coffee on the solstice four years ago and discussed how to straighten curls.
A smile twitched the corner of my mouth as I fingered the answering machine. He was all right for an old guy. Course, anyone over the age of thirty had seemed old to me at the time.
Nicks was the only message, and I found myself pacing as I picked up the phone and punched in the Howlers number. I plucked at my shirt as the number rang. After running from those Weres, I had to take a shower.
There was a click, and a low voice nearly growled,Ello. Ya got the Howlers.
Coach! I exclaimed, recognizing the Weres voice. Good news.
There was a slight pause. Who is this? he asked. How did you get this number?
I started. This is Rachel Morgan, I said slowly. Of Vampiric Charms?
There was a half-heard shout directed off the phone, Which one of you dogs called the escort service? Youre athletes, for Gods sake. Cant you pin your own bitches without having to buy them?
Wait! I said before he could hang up. You hired me to find your mascot.
Oh! There was a pause, and I heard several war whoops in the background. Right.
I briefly weighed the trouble of changing our name against the fuss Ivy would raise: a thousand glossy black business cards, the page ad in the phone book, the matched oversized mugs she had imprinted our name on in gold foil. It wasnt going to happen.
I recovered your fish, I said, bringing myself back. When can someone pick it up?
Uh, the coach muttered. Didnt anyone call you?
My face went slack. No.
One of the guys moved her while they cleaned her tank and didnt tell anyone, he said. She was never gone.
Her? I thought. The fish was a her? How could they tell? Then I got angry. I had broken into a Weres office for nothing? No, I said coldly. No one called me.
Mmmm. Sorry about that. Thanks for your help, though.
Whoa! Wait a moment, I cried, hearing the brush-off in his voice. I spent three days planning this. I risked my life!
And we appreciate that the coach started.
I spun in an angry circle and stared out at the garden through the shoulder-high windows. The sun glinted on the tombstones beyond. I dont think you do, Coach. Were talking bullets!
But she was never lost, the coach insisted. You dont have our fish. Im sorry.
Sorry wont keep those Weres off my tail. Furious, I paced around the coffee table.
Look, he said. Ill send you some tickets to the exhibition game coming up.
Tickets! I exclaimed, astounded. For breaking into Mr. Rays office?
Simon Ray? the coach said. You broke into Simons office? Damn, thats rough. Bye now.
No, wait! I shouted, but the phone clicked off. I stared at the humming receiver. Didnt they know who I was? Didnt they know I could curse their bats to crack and their pop flies to land foul? Did they think I would sit back and do nothing when they owed me my rent!
I flopped into Ivys gray suede chair with a feeling of helplessness. Yeah, right, I said softly. A noncontact spell required a wand. Tuition at the community college hadnt covered wand making, just potions and amulets. I didnt have the expertise, much less the recipe, for anything that complicated. I guess they knew who I was right enough.
The sound of a foot scraping linoleum came from the kitchen, and I glanced at the hall. Swell. Glenn had heard the entire thing. Embarrassed, I pulled myself up from the chair. Id get the money from somewhere. I had almost a week.
Glenn turned as I entered the kitchen. He was standing next to that canister of useless fish. Maybe I could sell it. I put the phone beside Ivys computer and went to the sink. You can sit down, Detective Edden. Were going to be here a while.
Its Glenn, he said stiffly. Its against FIB policy to report to a member of your family, so keep it to yourself. And were going to Mr. Smathers apartment now.
I made a scoffing bark of laughter. Your dad just loves to bend the rules, doesnt he?
He frowned. Yes maam.
We arent going to Dans apartment until Sara Jane gets off work. Then I slumped. Glenn wasnt the one I was angry with. Look, I said, not wanting Ivy to find him while I was in the shower. Why dont you go home and meet me back here about seven-thirty?
Id prefer to stay. He scratched at the welt showing a light pink under his watchband.
Sure, I said sourly. Whatever. I gotta shower, though. Clearly he was concerned Id go without him. The worry was well-founded. Leaning to the window over the sink, I shouted out into the lavish, pixy-tended garden, Jenks!
The pixy buzzed in through the hole in the screen so fast, I was willing to bet hed been eavesdropping. You bellowed, princess of stink? he said, landing beside Mr. Fish on the sill.
I gave him a weary look. Would you show Glenn the garden while I shower?
Jenkss wings blurred into motion. Yeah, he said, going to make wide wary circles around Glenns head. Ill baby-sit. Come on, cookie. Youre going to get the five-dollar tour. Lets start in the graveyard.
Jenks, I warned, and he gave me a grin, tossing his blond hair artfully over his eyes.
This way, Glenn, he said, darting out into the hall. Glenn followed, clearly not happy.
I heard the back door shut, and I leaned to the window. Jenks?
What! The pixy darted back in the window, his face creased with irritation.
I crossed my arms in thought. Would you bring in some mullein leaves and jewel weed flowers when you get the chance? And do we have any dandelions that havent gone to seed?
Dandelions? He dropped an inch in surprise, his wings clattering. You going soft on me? Youre going to make him an anti-itch spell, arent you?
I leaned to see Glenn standing stiffly under the oak tree, scratching his neck. He looked pitiful, and as Jenks kept telling me, I was a sucker for the underdog. Just get them, all right?