Hard Bitten 4

PraiseforChloeNeill’sChicagolandVampiresNovels

TwiceBitten

“Thepagesturnfastenoughtosatisfyvampireandromancefansalike.”

—Booklist

“Neill’sbrisklypacedthirdChicagolandVampiresparanormalromance...willsatisfyreturningfans.
Merit’sfrequentlysnarkyvoiceandamusingobservationsabouttheoccasionalabsurditiesofhersituation
combinewiththemagicofNeill’sworldinarefreshingtakeonurbanfantasy.”

—PublishersWeekly

“Neillcontinuestohitthesweetspotwithherblendofhighstakesdrama,romanticentanglements,anda
touchofhumor....Certaintowhetreaders’appetitesformoreinthisentertainingseries!”

—RomanticTimes(4½stars)

FridayNightBites

“FridayNightBitesiswonderfullyentertaining,andimpossibletosetdown.”

—DarqueReviews

“Provingthatherdebutwasnofluke...thisqualifiesasfirst-ratefun!”

—RomanticTimes

SomeGirlsBite

“Neillcreatesastrong-minded,sharp-wittedheroinewhowillappealtofansofCharlaineHarris’s
SookieStackhouseseriesandLaurellK.Hamilton’sAnitaBlake.”

—LibraryJournal

“ChloeNeillowesmeagoodnight’ssleep.Withherwonderfullycompellingreluctantvampireheroine,
andhercarefulworldbuilding,IwasdrawnintoSomeGirlsBitefrompageoneandkeptreadingfarinto
thenight.”

—USATodaybestsellingauthorJulieKenner

“Smart,sexy,anddelightful.Amust-read.”

—CandaceHavens,authorofDragonsPreferBlondes

“Afuncastofquirkycharactersandsmokin’-hotsexualtension...astunningcombination.”

—TateHallaway,authorofAlmostFinalCurtain

“Packedwithcomplexsubplots,embitteredfamilymembers,andpolitics,thisisanexcellentfirst
installmenttowhatshouldbeanoutstandingseriesinacrowdedfield.”

—MonstersandCritics

“There’sanewtalentintown,andifthisdebutisanyindication,she’sheretostay.NotonlydoesNeill
introduceanindomitableandfunnyheroine,hersecondarycharactersareenormouslyintriguingandmake
terrificfoils....Trulyexcellent.”

—RomanticTimes

“SomeGirlsBiteisengaging,wellexecuted,andpopulatedwithcharactersyoucan’thelpbutlove.It
wasimpossibletosetdown.”

—DarqueReviews

“ThismaybeChloeNeill’sdebutnovel,butitdoesn’treadlikeone.Herworldbuildingisflawless.Her
charactersaresassy,sexy,andmesmerizing.Meritisaheroinewhostrollsontotheparanormalscenelike
sheownsit.SomeGirlsBiteisfang-tabulous!Youwon’twanttomissthisone.”

—Wendy’sMindingSpot

“Ididn’twanttoputitdown...excellentlywritten....[SomeGirlsBite]bringsafreshperspectiveon
thevampirecrazethatisgoingaroundthesedays....Ifyouareafanofvampirenovels,Ithinkyou
shouldgivethisoneatry.IloveditentirelyandamnowveryanxioustoreadmorefromMs.Neill.”

—PinkIstheNewBlog

“ChloeNeillsinksherteethintoanewseriesthatwillattractbothteenandadultreadersalike.The
ChicagolandVampiresseriesstartswithabangandleavesyouanxiousformore.”

—TeensReadToo

“Icouldnotputthisonedown....Meritisgoingtoevolveintoafantastickick-buttheroine....The
thingthatelevatesthisstoryfromgreattoexcellent,asidefromthestrongheroineandburninghunksof
manlyvampires,isthewell-roundedsupportingcastofcharacters.”

—DirtySexyBooks

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Neill,Chloe.

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1.Vampires—Fiction.2.Chicago(Ill.)—Fiction.I.Title.

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CHAPTERONE

MAGICISASMAGICDOES

LateAugust
Chicago,Illinois

WeworkedbeneaththeshineoffloodlightsthatpunchedholesinthedarknessofHydePark—nearlyone
hundredvampiresairingrugs,paintingcabinetdoors,andsandingtrim.

Ahandfulofsevere-lookingmeninblack—extramercenaryfairieswe’dhiredforprotection—stood

outsidethefencethatformedabarrierbetweentheblocks-widegroundsofCadoganHouseandtherestof
thecity.

Inpart,theywereprotectingusfromasecondattackbyshape-shifters.Thatseemedunlikely,butsohad

thefirstonslaught,ledbytheyoungestbrotheroftheleaderoftheNorthAmericanCentralPack.
Unfortunately,thathadn’tstoppedAdamKeene.

Theywerealsoprotectingusfromanewthreat.
Humans.
IglancedupfromtheelegantcurveofwoodentrimIwasswabbingwithstain.Itwasnearlymidnight,

butthegoldenglowoftheprotesters’candleswasvisiblethroughthegapinthefence.Theirflames
flickeredinthestickysummerbreeze,threeorfourdozenhumansmakingknowntheirquietobjectionsto
thevampiresintheircity.

Popularitywasaficklething.
Chicagoanshadriotedwhenwe’dcomeoutoftheclosetnearlyayearago.Fearhadeventuallygiven

waytoawe,completewithpaparazziandglossymagazinespreads,buttheviolenceoftheattackonthe
House—andthefactthatwe’dfoughtbackandindoingsohadthrownshiftersoutintotheopen—had
turnedthetidesagain.Humanshadn’tbeenthrilledtolearnwe’dexisted,andifwerewolveswereout
there,too,whatelselurkedintheshadows?Forthepastcoupleofmonthswe’dseenraw,uglyprejudice
fromhumanswhodidn’twantusintheirneighborhoodandcampedoutsidetheHousetomakesurewe
wereawareofit.

Mycellphonevibratedinmypocket;Iflippeditopenandanswered,“Merit’sHouseofCarpentry.”
MalloryCarmichael,mybestfriendintheworldandasorceressinherownright,snortedfromthe

otherend.“Kindofdangerous,isn’tit,beingavampirearoundallthosewould-beaspenstakes?”

Ilookedoverthetrimonthesawhorseinfrontofme.“I’mnotsureanyofthisisactuallyaspen,butI

takeyourpoint.”

“Iassumefromtheintrothatcarpentry’sonyouragendaagainthisevening?”
“Youwouldbecorrect.Sinceyouasked,I’mapplyingstaintosomelovelywoodwork,afterwhichI’ll

probablyapplyalittlesealant—”

“Oh,myGod,yawn,”sheinterrupted.“Pleasesparemeyourhardwarestories.I’doffertocome

entertainyou,butI’mheadingtoSchaumburg.Magicisasmagicdoes,andallthat.”

Thatexplainedtherumblingofthecarinthebackgroundonherend.“Actually,Mal,evenifyoucould

makeit,we’reahuman-freeaboderightnow.”

“Noshit,”shesaid.“WhendidDarthSullivanissuethatdictate?”
“WhenMayorTateaskedhimto.”

Malloryletoutalowwhistle,andhervoicewasequallyconcerned.“Seriously?Catcherdidn’teven

sayanythingaboutthat.”

CatcherwasMallory’scurrentlive-inboyfriend,thesorcererwho’dreplacedmewhenImadethe

movetoCadoganHouseafewmonthsago.Healsoworkedintheofficeofthecity’ssupernatural
Ombudsman—mygrandfather—andwassupposedtobeintheknowaboutallthingssupernatural.The
Ombudsman’sofficewasakindofparanormalhelpdesk.

“TheHousesarekeepingitonthedown-low,”Iadmitted.“WordgetsoutthatTateclosedtheHouses,

andpeoplepanic.”

“Becausetheythinkvampiresposearealthreattohumans?”
“Exactly.Andspeakingofrealthreats,whatareyoulearningtonightinSchaumburg?”
“Har-har,mylittlevampirefriend.Youwillloveandfearmeinduetime.”
“Ialreadydo.Areyoustilldoingpotions?”
“Actually,no.We’redoingsomedifferentstuffthisweek.How’stheheadhoncho?”
Thequickchangeofsubjectwasalittleweird.Malloryusuallylovedaninterestedaudiencewhenit

cametotheparanormalandhermagicapprenticeship.Maybethestuffshewaslearningnowwasactually
asdullascarpentry,althoughthatwashardtoimagine.

“EthanSullivanisstillEthanSullivan,”Ifinallyconcluded.
Shesnortedinagreement.“AndIassumehealwayswillbe,beingimmortalandall.Butsomethingsdo

change.Speakingof—andhow’sthatforasegue?—guesswho’snowgotabigol’pairofspectacles
perchedontheendofhisperfectlittlenose?”

“JossWhedon?”Althoughithadtakenheralittlewhiletogetusedtotheideaofhavingmagic,Mal

hadalwayshadathingforthesupernatural,fictionorotherwise.BuffyandSpikewereparticularobjects
ofaffection.

“Gad,no.Althoughwouldn’tthattotallygivemeanexcusetopopintotheWhedonverseand,like,

magicallycorrecthiseyesightorsomething?Anywho,no.Catcher.”

Igrinned.“Catchergotglasses?Mr.I’m-so-suave-I-shaved-my-head-even-though-I-wasn’t-baldinggot

glasses?Maybethisisgoingtobeagoodnightafterall.”

“Iknow,right?Tobefair,theyactuallylookprettygoodonhim.Ididoffertoworkalittleabracadabra

andhookhimupwithtwenty-twenty,buthedeclined.”

“Because?”
Shedeepenedhervoiceintoaprettygoodimitation.“‘Becausethatwouldbeaselfishuseofmagic—

expendingthewilloftheuniverseonmyretinas.’”

“Thatdoessoundlikesomethinghe’dsay.”
“Yep.Soglassesitis.AndI’lltellyou,theyarelittlemiracleworkers.Wehavedefinitelyturneda

cornerinthebedroom.It’slikehe’sanewperson.Imean,hissexualenergylevelisjustoffthe—”

“Mallory.Enough.Myearsarebeginningtobleed.”
“Prude.”Apiercinghonkrangthroughthephone,followedbyMallory’svoice.“Learntomerge,

people!Comeon!Okay,I’vegotWisconsindriversinfrontofme,andIhavetogetoffthephone.I’lltalk
toyoutomorrow.”

“Night,Mal.Goodluckwiththedriversandthemagic.”
“Smooches,”shesaid,andthelinewentdead.Ituckedthephonebackintomypocket.ThankGodfor

besties.

Tenminuteslater,Ihadachancetotestmy“EthanisstillEthan”theory.

Ididn’tevenneedtoglancebacktoknowthathe’dsteppedbehindme.Therisingchillalongmyspine

wasindicationenough.EthanSullivan,MasterofCadoganHouse,thevampirewho’daddedmetoits

ranks.

Aftertwomonthsofwooing,EthanandIhadspentaprettygloriousnighttogether.But“together”

hadn’tlasted;he’dreversedcourseafterhe’ddecideddatingmewasanemotionalriskhecouldn’tafford
totake.He’dregrettedthatdecision,too,andhe’dspentthepasttwomonthsattempting,orsohesaid,to
makeamends.

Ethanwastall,blond,andalmostobscenelyhandsome,fromthelong,narrownosetothesculpted

cheekbonesandemeraldgreeneyes.Hewasalsosmartanddedicatedtohisvampires...andhe’d
brokenmyheart.Twomonthslater,Icouldacceptthathe’dfearedourrelationshipwouldputhisHouse
atrisk.ItwouldhavebeenalietosayIdidn’tfeeltheattraction,butthatdidn’tmakemeanylesseager
forarematch,soIwaswarilystandingmyground.

“Sentinel,”hesaid,usingthetitlehe’dgivenme.AHouseguard,ofsorts.“They’resurprisinglyquiet

tonight.”

“Theyare,”Iagreed.We’dhadafewdaysofloudchants,picketsigns,andbongodrumsuntil

protestersrealizedweweren’tawareofthenoisestheymadeduringtheday,andthedenizensofHyde
Parkwouldtoleratenoiseafternightfallforonlysolong.

ScoreoneforHydePark.
“Makesforanicechange.Howarethingsouthere?”
“We’removingalong,”Isaid,wipingawayanerrantdripofstain.“ButI’llbegladwhenwe’redone.I

don’tthinkconstructionismybag.”

“I’llkeepthatinmindforfutureprojects.”Icouldheartheamusementinhisvoice.Aftertakinga

secondtocheckmywillpower,Ilookedoverathim.TonightEthanworejeansandapaint-smearedT-
shirt,andhisshoulder-lengthgoldenhairwaspulledbackatthenapeofhisneck.Hisdressmighthave
beencasual,buttherewasnomistakingtheairofpowerandunfailingconfidencethatmarkedthisprince
amongvampires.

Handsonhiships,hesurveyedhiscrew.Menandwomenworkedattablesandsawhorsesacrossthe

frontlawn.Hisemeraldgazetrackedfromworkertoworkerashegaugedtheirprogress,buthis
shouldersweretense,asifhewaseverawarethatdangerlurkedjustoutsidethegate.

Ethanwasnolesshandsomeinjeansandrunningshoeswhiletakingstockofhisvampirickin.
“Howarethingsinside?”Iasked.
“Movingalong,albeitslowly.Thingswouldgofasterifwewereallowedtobringinhuman

constructionworkers.”

“Notbringingthemindoessaveustheriskofhumansabotage,”Ipointedout.
“Andtheriskthatadrywallcontractorbecomesasnack,”hemused.Butwhenhelookedbackatme

again,alineofworryappearedbetweenhiseyes.

“Whatisit?”Iprompted.
Ethanoffereduphissignaturemove—asinglearchedeyebrow.
“Well,obviouslyotherthantheprotestersandconstantthreatofattack,”Isaid.
“Tatecalled.Heaskedforameetingwiththetwoofus.”
Thistime,Iwastheonewhoraisedmyeyebrows.SethTate,Chicago’ssecond-termmayor,generally

avoidedminglingwiththecity’sthreeMastervampires.

“Whatdoeshewanttomeetabout?”
“This,Iassume,”hesaid,gesturingtowardtheprotesters.
“Doyouthinkhewantstomeetwithmebecauseheandmyfatherarefriends,orbecausemy

grandfatherworksforhim?”

“That,orbecausethemayormay,infact,besmittenwithyou.”
Irolledmyeyes,butcouldn’tstopthewarmblushthatroseonmycheeks.“Heisn’tsmittenwithme.

Hejustlikesbeingreelected.”

“He’ssmitten,notthatIcan’tunderstandtheemotion.Andhehasn’tevenseenyoufightyet.”Ethan’s

voicewassweet.Hopeful.

Hardtoignore.
Forweekshe’dbeenthisattentive,thisflattering.
Thatwasnottosayhedidn’thavehismomentsofsnark.HewasstillEthan,afterall,stillaMaster

vampirewithaHousefulofNovitiateswhodidn’talwayspleasehim,andtoaddinsulttoinjury,hewas
nearingtheendofamonths-longrehabofthatHouse.Constructiondidn’talwaysgoquicklyinChicago,
anditmovedevenmoreslowlywhenthesubjectoftheconstructionwasathree-storydenofvampires.
Anarchitecturalgemofaden,sure,butstilladenofnight-walkingbloodsuckers,blahblahblah.Our
humansupplierswereoftenreticenttohelp,andthatdidn’texactlythrillEthan.

Theconstructionnotwithstanding,Ethanwasdoingalltherightthings,makingalltherightmoves.

Problemwas,he’dshakenmytrust.Ihopedtofindmyownhappilyeverafter,butIwasn’tyetprepared
totrustthatthisparticularPrinceCharmingwasreadytorideoffintothesunset.Twomonthslater,the
hurt—andhumiliation—wasstilltooreal,thewoundtooraw.

Iwasn’tnaïveenoughtodenywhatwasbetweenmeandEthan,orthepossibilitythatfatewouldbring

ustogetheragain.Afterall,GabrielKeene,theheadoftheNorthAmericanCentralPack,hadsomehow
sharedwithmeavisionaboutapairofgreeneyesthatlookedlikeEthan’s...butweren’t.(Iknow.
“Whatthehell?”hadbeenmyreaction,too.)

Iwantedtobelievehim.JustlikeeveryothergirlinAmerica,I’dreadthebooksandseenthemovies

inwhichtheboyrealizeshemadeahorribledecision...andcomesbackagain.Iwantedtobelievethat
Ethanmournedthelossofme,thathisregretwasreal,andthathispromiseswereearnest.Butthiswasn’t
agame.AndasMalloryhadpointedout,wouldn’tithavebeenbetterifhe’dwantedmefromthe
beginning?

Inthemeantime,whileIweighedthenewEthanagainsttheoldEthan,IplayedthedutifulSentinel.

KeepingthingsprofessionalgavemethespaceandboundariesIneeded...andithadtheaddedbenefit
ofirritatinghim.Immature?Sure.Butwhodidn’ttaketheopportunitytotweaktheirbosswhentheyhad
thechance?

Besides,mostvampiresweremembersofoneHouseoranother,andIwasimmortal.Icouldn’texactly

sidestepworkingwithEthanwithoutdamningmyselftoaneternityspentasanoutcast.ThatmeantIhadto
makethebestofthesituation.

Avoidingtheintimacyinhisvoice,Ismiledpolitelyathim.“Hopefullyhewon’tneedtoseemefight.

IfI’mbrawlinginfrontofthemayor,thingshavedefinitelygonesouth.Whendoweleave?”

EthanwasquietlongenoughthatIlookedoverathim,sawtheearnestnessinhisexpression.Itplucked

myheartstringstoseehimlooksodecidedaboutme.Butwhateverfatemighthaveinstoreforusdown
theroad,Iwasn’ttakingthatexittoday.

“Sentinel.”
Therewasgentlereprobationinhisvoice,butIwasstickingtomyplan.“Yes,Liege?”
“Bestubbornifyouwishto,ifyouneedto,butweknowhowthiswillend.”
Ikeptmyfaceblank.“Itwillendasitalwaysdoes—withyourbeingMasterandmybeingSentinel.”
Thereminderofourpositionsmusthavedoneit.Asabruptlyashe’dturnedonthecharm,Ethanturned

itoffagain.“Bedownstairsintwentyminutes.Wearyoursuit.”Andthenhewasgone,striding
purposefullyupthestairsandbackintoCadoganHouse.

Isworequietly.Thatboywasgoingtobethedeathofme.

CHAPTERTWO

AFISTFULOFVAMPIRES

LeavingCadoganHouseusedtobeabitofatrick,mostlyinvolvingavoidingtheirritationofthe
paparazzionthecornerwhowerewaitingtosnapourpictures.Nowitwasactuallydangerous.

Wewerebothinblacksuits(officialCadoganwear)andinEthan’sblackMercedesconvertible,a

slickroadsterheparkedinthebasementbeneaththeHouse.Wedroveuptherampthatledtotheground
level,thenwaitedwhileoneofthefairiesstationedatthegatepusheditopen.Asecondstoodinfrontof
theramp,hiswarygazeontheprotesterswhowerebeginningtomoveinourdirection.

Wepulledontothestreet.Thefairyatthegatecloseditagain,thenjoinedhispartneratthesideofthe

car.Wemovedatacrawlashumansbegantogatheraroundus,candlesinhand.Theymovedwithout
sound,theirexpressionsblank,likezombiebelievers.Theirsilencewascompletelyunnerving.Thatwas
worse,Ithink,thanifthey’dbeenshoutinganti-vampireepithetsorobscenities.

“Apparentlythey’veseenus,”Ethanmuttered,lefthandonthesteeringwheel,rightonthegearshift.
“Yes,theyhave.Doyouwantmetogetout?”
“AsmuchasIappreciatetheoffer,let’sletthefairieshandleit.”
Asifoncue,thefairiestookpoint,oneateachdoor.“Wepaythem,right?Forthesecurity?”
“Wedo,”Ethansaid.“Although,astheydetesthumansevenmorethantheydetestus,it’sprobablya

taskthey’dhavetakenonforfree.”

Sofairieshatedvampires,buthatedhumansmore.Somehumanshatedvampiresand,iftheyhadknown

whatthefairieswere,probablywouldhavehatedthem,too.

Andvampires?Well,vampireswerelikepoliticians.Wewantedtobefriendswitheveryone.We

wantedtobeliked.Wewantedpoliticalcapitalwecouldtradelaterforpoliticalbenefits.Butwewere
stillvampires,andhoweverpoliticalandsocialwemighthavebeen,wewerestilldifferent.

Well,mostofus,anyway.EthanoftenremarkedthatIwasmorehumanthanmost,probablybecauseI’d

beenavampireforonlyafewmonths.Butlookingoutattheprotesters,Ifeltalittlemorevampirethan
usual.

Theprotestersstaredintothewindows,holdingtheircandlestowardthecarasifnearnesstotheflame

wasenoughtomakeusdisappear.Luckily,firewasnomorehazardoustousthanitwastohumans.

EthankeptbothhandsonthewheelnowashecarefullymaneuveredtheMercedesthroughthecrowd.

Wecrawledforwardonefootatatime,thehumansswarminginacloudsothickwecouldn’tseetheroad
ahead.Thefairieswalkedalongside,onehandontheroofofthepetiteroadsterlikemembersofthe
SecretServiceinapresidentialmotorcade.Wemovedslowly,butwemoved.

Andaswemoved,wepassedtwoteenagerswhostoodonmysideofthecar,armslinkedtogether—a

boyandgirl.Theyweresoyoung,andtheyweredressedinshortsandtanktopslikethey’dspenttheday
atthebeach.Buttheirexpressionstoldadifferentstory.Therewashatredintheireyes,hatredtoointense
forsixteen-year-olds.Thegirlhadsmearedmascarabeneathhereyesasifshe’dbeencrying.Theboy
watchedthegirl,hishatredformemaybepromptedbyhisinfatuationwithher.

Withjarringsuddenness,theybegantochanttogether,“Nomorevampires!Nomorevampires!No

morevampires!”Overandoveragaintheycriedoutthemantra,zealotryintheirvoices,likeangelsready
tosmite.

“They’resoyoungtobesoangry,”Iquietlysaid.
“Angerisn’tmerelyfortheold,”Ethanpointedout.“Eventheyoungcanfacemisery,tragedy,andtwist

sadnessintohatred.”

Therestofthecrowdseemedtofindtheteenagersinspiring.Onepersonatatime,theyechoedthe

chantuntiltheentirecrowdhadjoinedin,achorusofhatred.

“Getoutofourneighborhood!”shoutedahumanclosetothecar,athinwomanoffiftyorsixtywith

longgrayhair,whoworeawhiteT-shirtandkhakipants.“Gobacktowhereyoucamefrom!”

Ifacedforwardagain.“I’mfromChicago,”Imurmured.“Bornandbred.”
“Ibelievetheyhadamoresupernaturaldominioninmind,”Ethansaid.“Hell,perhaps,orsome

paralleldimensioninhabitedsolelybyvampiresandwerewolvesand,inanyevent,farfromhumans.”

“OrtheywantusinGaryinsteadofChicago.”
“Orthat,”heallowed.
Iforcedmyselftofaceforward,blockingoutthesightoftheirfacesatthewindow,wishingIcould

willmyselfinvisible,orsomehowmergeintotheleatherupholsteryandavoidthediscomfortoflistening
tohumansscreamabouthowmuchtheyhatedme.Ithurt,morethanIwouldhavethoughtpossible,tobe
surroundedbypeoplewhodidn’tknowmebutwhowouldhavebeenmorethanhappytohearIwasgone
andnolongerpollutingtheirneighborhood.

“Itgetseasier,”Ethansaid.
“Idon’twantittogeteasier.IwanttobeacceptedforwhoIam.”
“Unfortunately,noteveryoneappreciatesyourfinerqualities.Buttherearethoseofuswhodo.”
Wepassedafamily—father,mother,andtwoyoungsons—holdingahand-paintedsignthatreadHYDE

PARKHATESVAMPS.

“Now,that,”Ethangrumbled,“Ihavelittlepatiencefor.Untilthechildrenareoldenoughtoreachtheir

ownconclusionsaboutvampires,theyshouldbeimmunefromthediscussion.Theycertainlyshouldnot
havetobeartheweightoftheirparents’prejudices.”

Inoddedandcrossedmyarmsovermychest,tuckingintomyself.
Afterahundredfeet,theprotestersthinnedout,theurgetoberateusapparentlydiminishingaswe

movedfartherfromtheHouse.Myspiritdeflated,weheadednortheasttowardCreeleyCreek,whichsat
inChicago’shistoricPrairieAvenueneighborhood.

IglancedoveratEthan.“Havewethoughtaboutacampaignorsomethingtoaddressthehatred?Public

serviceannouncementsorget-to-know-youforums?Anythingtohelpthemrealizewearen’ttheenemy?”

Hesmirked.“Oursocialchairatworkagain?”
AspunishmentforchallengingEthantoafight—althoughI’dbeensufferingfromabitofasplit

vampirepersonalityatthetime—EthanhadnamedmeHousesocialchair.Hethoughtitafitting
punishmentforagirlwhospentmoretimeinherroomthangettingtoknowherfellowvampires.I’ll
admitIwasabookworm—I’dbeenanEnglish-litgradstudentbeforeIwaschanged—butI’dbeen
makinginroads.Ofcourse,theshifterattackhadputadamperonmyplansforabarbecuesocialmixer.

“I’mjustaNovitiatevampiretryingtomakeitthroughthenightwithalittlelesshatred.Seriously—it

mightbesomethingtoconsider.”

“Julia’sonit.”
“Julia?”
“Housedirectorofmarketingandpublicrelations.”
Huh.Ihadn’tevenknownwehadoneofthose.
“MaybewecouldholdalotteryforoneoftheInitiatespotsnextyear,”Isuggested.“Gethumans

interestedinbeingaCadoganvampire?”

“I’vegotagoldenticket,”Ethanbegantosing,thenchuckled.
“Somethinglikethat.Ofcourse,ifyouopenaspotuptothepublic,youprobablyincreasetheoddsof

addingasaboteurtotheHouse.”

“AndIthinkwe’reratherfullinthesaboteurdepartmentlately.”

ThinkingofthetwotraitorousvampstheHousehadlostsinceIjoined,Inodded.“Wholeheartedly

agreed.”

Ishouldhaveknockedonwood,offeredupalittleprotectionagainstthejinxI’dcausedbytalking

aboutsabotage...becauseitsuddenlylookedliketheprotestershadcalledahead.

OurheadlightsbouncedofftwoSUVsthatwereparkeddiagonallyinthemiddleofthestreet,sixhefty

meninfrontofthem,allwearingblackT-shirtsandcargopants.

“Holdon,”Ethanyelledout,pullingthesteeringwheelwithascreechofburningrubber.Theroadster

bankedtotheright,spinningclockwiseuntilwesatperpendiculartotheSUVs.

Ilookedup.Threeofthemenjoggedaroundus,gunsattheirwaists,surroundingthecarbeforeEthan

couldpullawayfromtheroadblock.

“Iamnotcrazyaboutthissituation,”Imuttered.
“Me,either,”Ethansaid,pullingouthiscellphoneandtappingkeys.Iassumedhewasrequesting

backup,whichwasfinebyme.

“Military?”IaskedEthan,myheartbeatingwildly.
“It’sunlikelyofficialmilitarywouldapproachusthisway.Notwhentherearesignificantlyeasier

meanswithlesspotentialcollateraldamage.”

“Whateverelsetheyare,Iassumethey’reanti-vamp.”
Twoofthethreemeninfrontofthecarunholsteredtheirweapons,approachedus,andpulledopenthe

doors.

“Out,”theysaidinunison.Itookmentalinventory—Ihadmydagger,butnotmysword.IhopedI

wouldn’tneedit.

“Anti-vamp,indeed,”Ethanmuttered,thenslowlyliftedhishandsintotheair.Ididthesame.
Steady,Sentinel,hetelepathicallytoldme.Saynothingaloudunlessit’sabsolutelynecessary.
You’retheboss,Ireplied.
Allevidencetothecontrary.Thewordsweresilent,butthesnarkwasobvious.
WesteppedoutsideontothedarkChicagostreet.Thevibrationintheair—thebuzzofsteelIcouldfeel

aftermykatanahadbeentemperedwithblood—wasintense.Theseguys,whoevertheywere,werewell
armed.Ourhandsintheair,theirweaponstrainedonourhearts,wewereescortedinfrontofthe
Mercedes.Asvampires,wehealedquicklyenoughthatbulletswouldn’tgenerallydousin.Anaspen
staketotheheart,however,woulddothetrickwithoutquestion.

NowthatIthoughtaboutit,theirgunsdidn’texactlylookoff-the-rack;theylookedlikecustomunits,

withmuzzlesalittlewiderthanthoseintheHouse’sarsenal.

Isitpossibletomodifyaguntoshootaspenstakes?IaskedEthan.
I’dprefernottofindout,hereplied.
Mystomachchurnedwithnerves.I’dbecomeusedtothefactthatmyjobcalledforviolence,usually

perpetratedbycrazyparanormalsagainstmeandmine.Buttheseweren’tparanormals.Theseweregun-
wieldinghumanswhoapparentlybelievedtheywerebeyondthereachofthelaw,whobelievedtheyhad
theauthoritytostopusandholdusatgunpointwithintheboundsofourowncity.

Thethirdmaninfrontofus—bigandbulky,withacne-markedskinandamilitaryhaircut—stepped

forward.

Watchhim,echoedEthan’svoiceinmyhead.
Hardtomissahumantankheadingrightforme.
“Youthinkwedon’tknowwhatyou’redoingtoourcity?”Tankasked.“You’rekillingus.Sneaking

aroundinthenight,pullingusfromourbeds.Enticingus,thendrinkingusdownuntilthere’snothingleft.”

Mychesttightenedathiswords.Icertainlyhadn’tdoneanyofthosethings,nordidIknowofanyother

vampireswhohad,atleastnotsinceCelinaDesaulniers,Chicago’svampirebadgirl,haddisappeared
fromthescene.ButTankseemedveryconvincedhewastellingthetruth.

“I’vedonenothingtoyou,”Itoldhim.“I’venevermetyou,andyoudon’tknowanythingaboutme

exceptthatI’mavampire.”

“Bitch,”hemuttered,buthesnappedhisheadbackwhenthereardooropenedontheleft-handSUV.

Twobootedfeethitthepavement,followedbyanothermaninthesameblackuniform.Unliketheothers,
thisonewashandsome,withlong,wideeyesandhigh,pertcheekbones,hisdarkhairperfectlyparted.
Hishandsbehindhisback,hewalkedtowarduswhileTankclosedtheSUV’sdoor.

IguessedNewGuywastheoneincharge.
“Mr.Sullivan.Ms.Merit,”hesaid.
“Andyouare?”Ethanasked.
NewGuysmiledgrandly.“Youcancallme...McKetrick.”Thepausemadeitsoundlikehe’donly

justdecidedonthename.“Thesearesomeofmyfriends.Fellowbelievers,ifyouwill.”

“Yourmannersleavesomethingtobedesired.”Ethan’stonewasflat,butangrymagicpepperedtheair.
McKetrickcrossedhisarmsoverhischest.“Ifindthatinsultrathercomical,Mr.Sullivan,comingfrom

aninterloperinourcity.”

“Aninterloper?”
“We’rehumans.You’revampires.Butfortheresultofageneticmutation,you’dbelikeus.Andthat

makesyouaberrationsinourtown,uninvitedguests.Gueststhatneedtomindtheirmannersandtaketheir
leave.”Histonewasmatter-of-fact,asifhehadn’tjustsuggestedweweregeneticaberrationsthatneeded
tohightailitoutofthecity.

“Ibegyourpardon,”Ethansaid,butMcKetrickheldupahand.
“Come,now,”hesaid.“Iknowyouunderstandme.Youseemtobeanintelligentman,asdoesyour

colleaguehere.Atleastfromwhatweknowofherparents.”

Myparents—theMerits—werenew-moneyChicago.Myfatherwasarealestateinvestormentionedin

thepapersonadailybasis.Smart,butruthless.Weweren’tclose,whichmademethatmuchlessexcited
tolearnIwasbeingjudgedonthebasisofhisnarcissisticpresscoverage.

Don’tlethimfazeyou,Ethansilentlysaid.Youknowwhoyouare.
“Yourprejudices,”hesaidaloud,“arenotourproblem.Wesuggestyouputdowntheweaponsand

continueonyourway.”

“Continueonourway?That’strulyrich.Asifyourkindaremerelygoingtocontinueonyourway

withoutbringingthiscityintoall-outsupernaturalwar?”Heshookhishead.“No,thankyou,Mr.Sullivan.
Youandyoursneedtopack,leave,andbedonewithit.”

“I’mfromChicago,”Isaid,drawinghisattentiontome.“Bornandraised.”
Heliftedafinger.“Bornandraisedhumanuntilyouswitchedsides.”
Ialmostcorrectedhim,toldhimthatEthanhadsavedmefromakillerhiredbyCelina,broughtmeback

tolifeafterI’dbeenattacked.IcouldalsohavetoldhimthatnomatterthechallengesIfacedasa
vampire,EthanwasthereasonIstilldrewbreath.ButIdidn’tthinkMcKetrickwouldbethrilledtolearn
thatI’dbeennearlykilledbyonevampire—andchangedwithoutconsentbyanother.

“Noresponse?”McKetrickasked.“Notsurprising.Giventhehavocyour‘House’hasalreadywreaked

inChicago,I’mnotsureI’dobject,either.”

“WedidnotprecipitatethestrikeonourHouse,”Itoldhim.“Wewereattacked.”
McKetricktiltedhisheadatus,aconfusedsmileonhisface.“Butyoumustrecognizethatyou

promptedit.Withoutyou,therewouldhavebeennoviolence.”

“Allwewantistogoaboutourbusiness.”
McKetricksmiledmagnanimously.Hewasn’tanunattractiveman,butthatsmile—socalmandself-

assured—wasterrifyinginitsconfidence.“Thatfitsmefine.Simplytakeyourbusinesselsewhere.As
shouldbeclearnow,Chicagodoesn’twantyou.”

Ethansteeledhisfeatures.“Youhaven’tbeenelected.Youhaven’tbeenappointed.Youhavenorightto

speakonbehalfofthecity.”

“Acitythathadfallenunderyourspell?Acityfinallywakinguptoyourdeviance?Sometimes,Mr.

Sullivan,theworldneedsaprophet.Amanwhocanlookbeyondthenow,seethefuture,andunderstand
what’snecessary.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”
Hechuckled.“Wewantourcityback,ofcourse.WewantthedepartureofallvampiresinChicago.We

don’tcarewhereyougo—wejustdon’twantyouhere.Ihopethat’sunderstood?”

“Fuckyou,”Ethansaid.“Fuckyou,andyourprejudice.”
McKetricklookeddisappointed,asifhetrulyexpectedEthantoseetheerrorofhisways.
Heopenedhismouthtoretort,butbeforehecouldanswer,Iheardit:cuttingthroughthenightlike

roaringthunder,thesoundofrumblingexhaust.Iglancedbehindmeandsawtheheadlights—adozenin
all—movinglikeanarrowtowardus.

Motorcycles.
Ibegantogrin,nowknowingwhomEthanhadcontactedonhiscellphone.Theseweren’tjust

motorcycles;theywereshifters.Thecavalryhadarrived.

Thetroopslookedbacktotheirleader,notsureofthenextstep.
Theycutthroughthedarknesslikesharksonchrome.Twelvegiant,gleaming,low-ridingbikes,one

shifteroneach—brawnyandleather-clad,readyforbattle.AndIcouldattesttothebattlepart.I’dseen
themfight,Iknewtheywerecapable,andthetinglethatliftedthehairatthebackofmyneckprovedthey
werewellarmed.

Correction—elevenofthemwerebrawnyandleather-clad.Thetwelfthwasapetitebrunettewitha

massoflong,curlyhair,currentlypulledbackbeneathaCardinalsballcap.FallonKeene,theonlysister
amongsixKeenebrothers,namedalphabeticallyfromGabrieldowntoAdam,who’dbeenremovedfrom
theNACandsentintothelovingarmsofarivalPackafterhetookouttheirleader.Noonehadheard
fromAdamsincethatexchangehadtakenplace.Givenhiscrime,Iassumedthatwasn’tagoodsign.

InoddedatFallon,andwhensheofferedbackaquicksalute,IdecidedIcouldlivewithherpoor

choiceofbaseballallegiances.

GabrielKeene,PackApex,rodethebikeinfront,hissunkissedbrownhairpulledintoaqueueatthe

napeofhisneck,hisambereyesscanningthescenewithwhatlookedlikemaliciousintent.ButIknew
better.Gabrieleschewedviolenceunlessabsolutelynecessary.Hewasn’tafraidofit,buthedidn’tseek
itout.

Gabrielrevvedhisbikewithaflickofhiswrist,andlikemagic,McKetrick’smensteppedback

towardtheirSUVs.

Gabeturnedhisgazeonme.“Problems,Kitten?”
IlookedoveratMcKetrick,whowasscanningthebikesandtheirriderswithanervousexpression.I

guesshisanti-vampbravadodidn’textendtoshifters.Afteramomentheseemedtoregainhiscomposure
andmadeeyecontactwithusagain.

“Ilookforwardtocontinuingthisconversationatamoreappropriatetime,”McKetricksaid.“We’llbe

intouch.Inthemeantime,stayoutoftrouble.”Withthat,heslippedbackintotheSUV,andtherestofhis
troopsfollowedhim.

Ibitbackdisappointment.I’dalmostwishedthey’dbeennaïveenoughtomakeamove,justsoIcould

enjoywatchingtheKeenespummelthemintooblivion.

Witharoarfromcustommufflers,theSUVssquealedintoactionanddroveaway.Pityitwasn’t

forever.Icheckedthelicenseplates,buttheywereblank.Eithertheyweredrivingaroundwithout
registrationsorthey’dtakenofftheplatesfortheirlittleintroductorychat.

GabeglancedatEthan.“Who’sG.I.Joe?”
“HesaidhisnamewasMcKetrick.Heimagineshimselftobeananti-vampirevigilante.Hewantsall

vampsoutofthecity.”

Gabecluckedhistongue.“He’sprobablynottheonlyone,”hesaid,glancingatme.“Troubledoes

seemtofindyou,Kitten.”

“AsEthancanverify,Ihadnothingtodowithit.WeweredrivingtowardCreeleyCreekwhenwehit

theroadblock.Theypoppedoutwithguns.”

Gaberolledhiseyes.“Onlyvampireswouldfindthatalimitationinsteadofachallenge.Youare

immortal,afterall.”

“Andweprefertokeepitthatway,”Ethansaid.“Theweaponslookedcustom.”
“Anti-vamprounds?”Gabrielasked.
“Itwouldn’tsurpriseme.McKetrickseemedlikethetype.”
“AndmyswordisattheHouse,”IpointedouttoGabe.“Yougivemethirty-twoinchesoffoldedsteel,

andI’lltakeonanyoneyouwant.”

Herolledhiseyes,thenrevvedhisbikeandglancedoveratEthan.“You’reheadedtoCreeleyCreek?”
“Weare.”
“Thenwe’reyourescorts.Hopinthecarandwe’llgetyouthere.”
“Weoweyouone.”
Gabrielshookhishead.“ConsideritonemorenotchoffthetabIoweMerit.”
He’dmentionedthatdebtbefore.Istillhadnoideawhathethoughtheowedme,butInoddedanyway

andjoggedbacktotheMercedes.

Islidinsidethecar.“Yousaidthefairiesdetestedhumans.Rightnow,Ifeellike‘detest’ishardlya

strongenoughword.Anditlookslikewecanaddonemoreproblemtothepunchlist.”

“Thatwouldappeartobethecase,”hesaid,turningontheengine.
“Atleastwe’restillfriendswiththeshifters,”Isaidaswezoomedthroughthestopsignaheadofus,

theshiftersmakingashieldlikeVofbikesaroundthecar.

“Andofficiallyenemieswithhumansagain.Someofthem,anyway.”
Aswemoveddownthestreetandfinallybegantogainspeed,ourescortofshape-shiftersbesideus,I

turnedbacktotheroadandsighed.

“Letthegoodtimesroll.”

CHAPTERTHREE

SCIENCEFRICTION

CreeleyCreekwasaPrairie-stylebuilding—lowandhorizontal,withlotsoflongwindows,overhanging
eaves,andbare,honeyedwood.ItwasbiggerthantheaveragePrairie-stylehome,builtattheturnofthe
twentiethcenturybyanarchitectwitharenownedego.Whentheoriginalownerdied,hisestatedonated
thehousetothecityofChicago,whichdeemedittheofficialresidenceofthemayor.ItwastoChicago
whatGracieMansionwastoNewYorkCity.

CurrentlylivingtherewasthepoliticianChicagohadalwayswanted.Handsome.Popular.Amaster

oratorwithfriendsonbothsidesoftheaisle.Whetherornotyoulikedtheslantofhispolitics,hewas
very,verygoodathisjob.

Thegateopenedwhenwearrived,theguardwhostoodinsidetheglassboxattheedgeofthestreet

wavingusontothegrounds.EthancircledtheMercedesaroundthedriveandpulledintoasmallparking
areabesidethehouse.

“FromaHouseofvampirestoahouseofpoliticians,”hemutteredaswewalkedtothefrontdoor.
“Saidthemostpoliticalofvampires,”Iremindedhim,andgotagrowlinresponse.ButIstoodmy

ground.Hewastheonewho’dtradedarelationshipwithmeforpoliticalconsiderations.

“Ilookforward,”hesaidaswewalkedacrossthetidybrickdriveway,“toyourturnatthehelm.”
IassumedhemeantthedayI’dbecomeaMastervampire.Itwasn’texactlysomethingIlookedforward

to,butitwouldgetmeoutofCadoganHouse.

“Youlookforwardtoitbecausewe’llbeequallymatched?Politically,Imean?”
Heslidmeadryglance.“BecauseI’llenjoywatchingyousquirmunderthepressure.”
“Charming,”Imuttered.
Awomaninasnugnavybluesuitstoodinfrontofthedoublefrontdoorsbeneathalowoverhanging

stoneeave.Herhairwaspulledintoatightbun,andsheworethick,horn-rimmedglasses.Theywere
quiteacontrasttothepatentplatformheels.

Wasshegoingforsexylibrarian,maybe?
“Mr.Sullivan.Merit.I’mTabithaBentley,themayor’sassistant.Themayorisreadytoseeyou,butI

understandtherearesomepreliminariesweneedtoaddress?”Sheliftedhergazetothethresholdabove
us.

Theoldwives’talewasthatvampirescouldn’tenterahouseiftheyhadn’tbeeninvitedin.Butlikelots

ofotherfang-relatedmyths,thatwaslessaboutmagicandmoreaboutrules.Vampireslovedrules—what
todrink,wheretostand,howtoaddresshigherrankingvampires,andsoon.

“Wewouldappreciatethemayor’sofficialinvitationintohishouse,”Ethansaid,withoutdetailingthe

reasonsfortherequest.

Shenoddedprimly.“IhavebeenauthorizedtoextendaninvitationtoyouandMerittoCreeleyCreek.”
Ethansmiledpolitely.“Wethankyouforyourhospitalityandacceptyourinvitation.”
Thedealstruck,Ms.Bentleyopenedthedoorsandwaitedwhilewewalkedintothehallway.
Itwasn’tmyfirsttimeinthemansion.Myfather(beingwellmoneyed)andTate(beingwellconnected)

wereacquaintances,andmyfatherhadoccasionallydraggedmetoCreeleyCreekforsomefund-raiseror
other.Ilookedaroundandconcludedithadn’tchangedmuchsincethelasttimeI’dvisited.Thefloors
weregleamingstone,thewallshorizontalplanksofdarkwood.Thehousewascoolanddark,thehallway
illuminatedwithgoldenlightcastdownfromwall-mountedsconces.

Thesmellofvanillacookiespermeatedtheair.Thatsmell—ofbrightlemonsandsugar—remindedme

ofTate.ItwasthesamescentI’dcaughtthelasttimeI’dseenhim.Maybehehadafavoritesnack,andthe
CreeleyCreekstaffobliged.

Butthemaninthehallwaywasn’toneI’dexpectedtosee.Myfather,dapperinasharpblacksuit,

walkedtowardus.Hedidn’tofferahandshake;thearrogancewastypicalJoshuaMerit.

“Ethan,Merit.”
“Joshua,”Ethansaidwithanod.“Meetingwiththemayorthisevening?”
“Iwas,”myfathersaid.“You’rebothwell?”
Sadly,Iwassurprisedthathecared.“We’refine,”Itoldhim.“Whatbringsyouhere?”
“Businesscouncilissues,”myfathersaid.HewasamemberoftheChicagoGrowthCouncil,agroup

gearedtowardbringingnewbusinessestothecity.

“IalsoputinagoodwordaboutyourHouse,”headded,“aboutthestridesyou’vetakenwiththecity’s

supernaturalpopulations.Yourgrandfatherkeepsmeapprised.”

“Thatwas...verymagnanimousofyou,”Ethansaid,hisconfusionmatchingmyown.
Myfathersmiledpleasantly,thenglancedfromustoTabitha.“Iseethatyou’reheadingin.Don’tletme

keepyou.Goodtoseeyouboth.”

Tabithasteppedinfrontofus,heelsclackingonthefloorasshemarcheddeeperintothemansion.

“Followme,”shecalledback.

EthanandIexchangedaglance.
“Whatjusthappened?”Iasked.
“Forsomeunknownreason,yourfatherhassuddenlybecomefriendly?”
Therewasundoubtedlyabusiness-relatedreasonforthat,whichIassumedwe’dfindoutsoonenough.

Inthemeantime,wedidasweweretold,andfollowedTabithadownthehallway.

SethTatehadthelookofaplayboywho’dneverquitereformed.Tousled,coalblackhair,blueeyesunder
long,darkbrows.Hehadafacewomenswoonedoverand,asasecond-termmayor,thepoliticalchopsto
backupthelooks.Thatexplainedwhyhe’dbeennamedoneofChicago’smosteligiblebachelors,and
oneofthecountry’ssexiestpoliticians.

Hemetusinhisoffice,along,lowroomthatwaspaneledfloortoceilinginwood.Agiganticdesksat

atoneendoftheroominfrontofatufted,redleatherchairthatcouldhavedoubledasathrone.

Boththedeskandthronestoodbeneathanominousfive-foot-widepainting.Mostofthecanvaswas

dark,buttheoutlinesofagroupofsuspicious-lookingmenwerevisible.Theystoodaroundaman
positionednearthecenterofthepainting,hisarmsabovehishead,coweringastheypointeddownathim.
Itlookedliketheywerecondemninghimforsomething.Itwasn’texactlyaninspiringpainting.

Tate,whostoodinthemiddleoftheroom,reachedoutahandtowardEthan,nohesitationinthe

movement.“Ethan.”

“Mr.Mayor.”Theysharedamanlyhandshake.
“HowarethingsattheHouse?”
“I’dsaythemoodis...anticipatory.Withprotestersatthegate,onetendstowaitfortheothershoeto

drop.”

Afterthey’dsharedaknowinglook,Tateturnedtome,asmileblossoming.“Merit,”hesaid,voice

softer.Hetookbothmyhandsandleanedtowardme,pressingasoftkisstomycheek,thescentofsugared
lemonfloatingaroundhim.“Ijustmetwithyourfather.”

“Wesawhimonthewayout.”
Hereleasedmeandsmiled,butashelookedmeover,thesmilefaded.“Areyouallright?”
Imusthavelookedshaken;beingheldatgunpointcoulddothattoagirl.ButbeforeIcouldspeak,

Ethansentawarning.

Don’tmentionMcKetrick,hesaid.Notuntilweknowmoreabouthisalliances.
“TherewasaprotestoutsidetheHouse,”IobedientlytoldTate.“Itwasunnerving.Alotofprejudice

wasthrownaround.”

Tateofferedanapologeticlook.“Unfortunately,wecan’tdenytheprotesterstheirpermitsforFirst

Amendmentreasons,butwecanalwaysstepinifmattersescalate.”

“Wehadthingswellinhand,”Iassuredhim.
“GabrielKeene’sannouncementthatshape-shiftersexisthasn’tdonemuchforyourpopularity.”
“No,ithasn’t,”Ethanadmitted.“ButhecametothefightattheHousewhenourbackswereagainstthe

wall.Goingpublic—gettinghissideofthestoryoutthere—wasthebestofabadsetofoptionsfor
protectinghispeople.”

“Idon’tnecessarilydisagree,”Tatesaid.“Hedoesn’tmaketheannouncement,andweenduphavingto

arresteveryshifterthereforassaultanddisturbingthepeace.Wecouldn’tjustletthemoffwithoutsome
justification.Theannouncementgaveusthatreason,helpedthepublicunderstandwhythey’djoinedthe
fightandwhyweweren’tarrestingthemonsight.”

“I’msuretheyappreciateyourunderstanding.”
Tateofferedasardoniclook.“Idoubtthatkindofthingintereststhem.Shiftersdon’tstrikemeasthe

mostpoliticaltypes.”

“Theyaren’t,”Ethanagreed.“ButGabrielissavvyenoughtounderstandwhenafavor’sbeendone,

andwhenafavorneedstobereturned.Hewasn’thappyaboutmakingtheannouncement,andhehaseven
lessinterestinhispeoplegettingpulledintothepublic’sfearofvampires.He’sworkingonthatnow,
keepinghispeopleoutofthepublic’snotice.”

“That’sactuallythereasonI’veaskedyoutomeetwithme,”Tatesaid.“Irealizeit’sanunusual

request,andIappreciateyourcomingonsuchshortnotice.”

Hesatdowninthethronebehindhisdesk,theonlookersintheportraitnowpointingdownathim.Tate

gesturedtowardtwosmallerchairsthatsatinfrontofhisdesk.“Please,haveaseat.”

Ethantookachair.Itookpointbehindhim,Sentinelattheready.
MayorTate’seyeswidenedatthegesture,buthisexpressionturnedbacktobusinessfastenough.He

flippedopenafolderanduncappedanexpensive-lookingfountainpen.

Ethancrossedonelegovertheother.Thesignal:hewasmovingintopolitical-chatposition.“Whatcan

wedoforyou?”heasked,hisvoiceoh-so-casual.

“YousaidthemoodattheHousewasanticipatory.That’stheconcernIhaveaboutthecitymore

broadly.TheattackonCadoganhasreactivatedthecity’sfearofthesupernatural,oftheother.Wehad
fourdaysofriotsthefirsttimearound,Ethan.I’msureyou’llunderstandthetrickypositionthatputsmein
—keepingthecitizenrycalmwhiletryingtobeunderstandingtowardyourchallenges,includingAdam
Keene’sattack.”

“Ofcourse,”Ethangraciouslysaid.
“Buthumansarenervous.Increasinglyso.Andthatnervousnessisleadingtoanuptickincrime.Inthe

lasttwoweeks,we’veseenmarkedincreasesinassaults,inbatteries,inarson,intheuseoffirearms.I’ve
workedhardtogetthosenumbersdownsincemyfirstelection,andIthinkthecity’sbetterforit.I’dhate
toseeusslidebackward.”

“Ithinkwe’dallagreewiththat,”Ethansaidaloud,butthatwasjusttheprecursortothesilent

conversationbetweenusasEthanactivatedourtelepathiclink.What’shebuildingtoward?

Yourguessisasgoodasmine,Ianswered.
Tatefrownedandglanceddownatthefolderonhisdesk.Hescannedwhateverinformationhefound

there,thenliftedadocumentfromitandextendedittowardEthan.“Humans,itseems,arenottheonly
increasinglyviolentfolkinourcity.”

Ethantookthedocument,staringsilentlydownatituntilhisshoulderstensedintoaflatline.
Ethan?Whatisit?Iasked.Withoutbotheringtoanswer,Ethanhandedthepaperoverhisshoulder.I

tookitfromhim.Itlookedlikepartofapolicetranscript.

Q:Tellmewhatyousaw,Mr.Jackson.
A:Thereweredozensofthem.Vampires,youknow?Fangsandthatabilitytogetinside
yourmind.Andtheywasblood-crazy.Allofthem.Everywhereyoulooked—vampire,
vampire,vampire.Bam!Vampire.Andtheywerealloverus.Noescape.

Q:Whocouldn’tescape?
A:Humans.Notwhenthevampireswantedyou.Notwhentheywantedtotakeyoudown
andpullthatbloodrightoutofyou.Allof’emwereonyouandthemusicwassoloudand
itwaspoundinglikeahammeragainstyourheart.Theywerecrazedwithit.Crazywithit.

Q:Withwhat?
A:Withtheblood.Withthelustforit.Thehunger.Youcouldseeitintheircrazyeyes.
Theyweresilver,justliketheeyesofthedevil.Yougetonlyonelookatthoseeyesbefore
thedevilhimselfpullsyoudownintotheabyss.

Q:Andthenwhathappened,Mr.Jackson?
A:[Shakinghishead.]Thehunger,thelust,itgotthem.Drovethem.Theykilledthree
girls.Threeofthem.Theydrankuntiltherewasnolifeleft.

Thepagestoppedthere.Myfingersshakingaroundthepaper,Iskippedthechainofcommandand

glancedupatTate.“Wheredidyougetthis?”

Tatemetmygaze.“CookCountyJail.Thiswasfromaninterviewwithamanwho’dbeenarrestedfor

possessionofacontrolledsubstance.Thedetectivewasn’tsureifhewasdrunkordisturbed...orif
he’dactuallyseensomethingthatrequiredourattention.Fortunately,shetookthetranscripttoher
supervisor,whobroughtittomychiefofstaff.We’veyettofindthevictimsofwhomMr.Jacksonspoke
—nomissingpersonsmatchhisdescriptions—althoughweareactivelyinvestigatingtheaccusation.”

“Wheredidthisoccur?”Ethanquietlyasked.
Tate’sgazedroppeddowntoEthanandnarrowed.“HesaidWestTown,andhehasn’tbeenmore

specificthanofferinguptheneighborhood.Sincewehaven’tidentifiedacrimesceneorthevictims,it’s
possibleheexaggeratedtheviolence.Ontheotherhand,asyoucanseefromthetranscript,he’squite
convincedthevampiresofourfaircitywereinvolvedinabloodlust-drivenattackonhumans.Anattack
thatleftthreeinnocentsdead.”

Afteramomentofsilence,Tatesatback,crossedhishandsbehindhishead,androckedbackinthe

chair.“I’mnotthrilledthisisgoingoninmycity.I’mnothappyabouttheattackonyourHouseand
whateveranimosityliesbetweenyouandthePacks,andI’mnothappythatmycitizensarescaredenough
ofvampiresthatthey’velinedupoutsideyourhometoprotestyourexistence.”

Tatesatforwardagain,furyinhisexpression.“Butyouknowwhatreallypissesmeoff?Thefactthat

youdon’tlooksurprisedaboutMr.Jackson’sreport.ThefactthatI’velearnedyou’rewellawareofthe
existenceofdrinkingpartiesyoucall‘raves.’”

Mystomachclenchedwithnerves.Tatewasnormallypoised,politic,carefulwithwords,and

invariablyoptimisticaboutthecity.Thisvoicewasthekindyou’dexpecttohearinasmokybackroomor
adarkrestaurantbooth.Thekindoftoneyou’dhaveheardinAlCapone’sChicago.

ThiswastheSethTatethatdestroyedhisenemies.Andwewerenowhistargets.
“We’veheardrumors,”Ethanfinallysaid,amasterofunderstatement.

“Rumorsofbloodorgies?”
“Ofraves,”Ethanadmitted.“Smallgatheringswherevampiresdrinkcommunallyfromhumans.”
RaveswereusuallyorganizedbyRoguevampires—theonesthatweren’ttiedtoaHouseandtended

nottofollowtraditionalHouserules.FormostHouses,thoserulesmeantnotsnackingonhumans,
consentingornot.Cadoganalloweddrinking,butstillrequiredconsent,andIdidn’tknowofanyHouse
thatwouldcondoneoutrightmurder.

We’dcomeclosetohavingravespopintothepubliceyeafewmonthsago,butwithalittle

investigationonourpart,we’dmanagedtokeeptheminthecloset.Iguessthatblissfulignorancewas
behindus.

“We’vebeenkeepingourearstotheground,”Ethancontinued,“toidentifytheorganizersoftheraves,

theirmethods,themannersinwhichtheyattracthumans.”

ThatwasMalik’sjob—Ethan’ssecond-in-command,therunnerupforthecrown.Afterablackmailing

incident,he’dbeenputinchargeofinvestigatingtheraves.

“Andwhathaveyoufound?”Tateasked.
Ethanclearedhisthroat.Ah,thesoundofstalling.
“We’reawareofthreeravesinthelasttwomonths,”hesaid.“Threeravesinvolving,atmost,halfa

dozenvampires.Theseweresmall,intimateaffairs.Whilebloodlettingdoesoccur,wehavenotheardof
the,shallwesay,freneticviolenceofwhichMr.Jacksonspeaks,norwouldwecondonesuchthings.
Therehascertainlyneverbeenanallegationthatanyparticipantwas...drained.Andifwehadheardof
it,we’dhavecontactedtheOmbudsman,orputastoptoitourselves.”

Themayorlinkedhisfingerstogetheronthedesktop.“Ethan,Ibelievethatpartandparcelofkeeping

thiscitysafeisintegratingvampiresintothehumanpopulation.Divisionwillsolvenothing—itwillonly
leadtomoredivision.Ontheotherhand,accordingtoMr.Jackson,vampiresareengaginginviolent,
largescale,andhardlyconsensualacts.Thatisunacceptabletome.”

“Asitistomeandmine,”Ethansaid.
“I’veheardtalkaboutarecallelection,”Tatesaid.“Iwillnotgodowninflamesbecauseof

supernaturalhysteria.Thiscitydoesnotneedareferendumonvampiresorshape-shifters.

“Butmostimportant,”hecontinued,gazeburrowingintoEthan,“youdonotwantabevyofaldermen

showingupatyourfrontdoor,demandingthatyouclosedownyourHouse.Youdonotwantthecity
councillegislatingyououtofexistence.”

IfeltaburstofmagicfromEthan.Hisangst—andanger—wererising,andIwasgladTatewashuman

andcouldn’tsensetheuncomfortableprickleofit.

“Andyoudonotwantmeasanenemy,”Tateconcluded.“Youdonotwantmerequestingagrandjury

toconsiderthecrimesofyouandyours.”Heflippedthroughthefolderonhisdesk,thenslidoutasingle
sheetandhelditup.“Youdonotwantmeexecutingthiswarrantforyourarrestonthebasisthatyou’ve
aidedandabettedthemurderofhumansinthiscity.”

Ethan’svoicewasdiamond-cold,butthemagicaltinglewasseismicinmagnitude.“Ihavedoneno

suchthing.”

“Oh?”Tateplacedthepaperonhisdeskagain.“Ihaveitongoodauthoritythatyouchangedahuman

intoavampirewithoutherconsent.”Heliftedhisgazetome,andIfeltthebloodrushtomycheeks.“I
alsohaveitongoodauthoritythatwhileyouandyourvampirecouncilpromisedtokeepCelina
DesaulnierscontainedinEurope,she’sbeeninChicago.Arethoseactionssuchafarstretchfrom
murder?”

“WhosuggestedCelinawasinChicago?”Ethanasked.Thequestionwascarefullyput.Weknewfull

wellthatCelina—theformerheadofNavarreHouseandmywould-have-beenkiller—hadbeenreleased
bytheGreenwichPresidium,theorganizingbodyforEuropeanandNorthAmericanvampires.Wealso
knewthatoncetheGPlethergo,she’dmadeherwaytoChicago.Butwehadn’tthoughtshewasstill

here.Thelastfewmonthshadbeentoodramafreeforthat.Orsothey’dseemed.

Tatearchedhiseyebrows.“Inoticeyoudon’tdenyit.Asfortheinformation,Ihavemysources,justas

I’msureyoudo.”

“Sourcesornot,Idon’ttakekindlytoblackmail.”
Withshockingspeed,TateswitchedbackfromCaponetofront-pageorator,smilingmagnanimouslyat

us.“‘Blackmail’issuchaharshword,Ethan.”

“Thenwhat,precisely,doyouwant?”
“Iwantforyou,forus,todotherightthingforthecityofChicago.Iwantforyouandyourstohavethe

chancetotakecontrolwithinyourowncommunity.”Tatelinkedhishandsonthedeskandlookedusover.
“Iwantthisproblemsolved.Iwantanendtothesegatherings,theseraves,andapersonalguaranteethat
youhavethisproblemundercontrol.Ifit’snotdone,thewarrantforyourarrestwillbeexecuted.I
assumeweunderstandeachother?”

TherewassilenceuntilEthanfinallybitout,“Yes,Mr.Mayor.”
Likeapracticedpolitico,Tateinstantlysoftenedhisexpression.“Excellent.Ifyouhaveanythingto

report,orifyouneedaccesstoanyofthecity’sresources,youneedonlycontactme.”

“Ofcourse.”
Withafinalnod,Tateturnedbacktohispapers,justasEthanmighthavedoneifI’dbeencalledinto

hisofficeforafriendlychat.

Butthistime,itwasEthanwho’dbeencalledout,anditwasEthanwhoroseandwalkedbacktothe

door.Ifollowed,everthedutifulSentinel.

Ethankeptthefearorconcernorvitriolorwhateveremotionwasdrivinghimtohimselfevenaswe
reachedtheMercedes.

AndImeant“driving”literally.Heexpressedthatpent-upfrustrationwitheightythousanddollarsof

Germanengineeringanda300-horsepowerengine.Hemanagednottoclipthegateashepulledoutofthe
drive,buthetreatedthestopsignsbetweenCreeleyCreekandLakeShoreDrivelikemeeksuggestions.
EthanflooredtheMercedes,zoominginandaroundtrafficlikethesilver-eyeddevilwasonourtail.

Problemwas,wewerethesilver-eyeddevils.
Wewerebothimmortal,andEthanprobablyhadacenturyofdrivingexperienceunderhisbelt,butthat

didn’tmaketheturnsanylessharrowing.HeracedthroughalightandontoLakeShoreDrive,turned
south,andgunnedit....Andhekeptdrivinguntilthecityskylineglowedbehindus.

Iwasalmostafraidtoaskwherehewastakingus—didIreallywanttoknowwherepredatory

vampiresblewoffpoliticalsteam?—buthesavedmethetroublewhenwereachedWashingtonPark.He
pulledoffLakeShoreDrive,andafewsquealingturnslaterwewerecoastingontoPromontoryPoint,a
smallpeninsulathatjuttedintothelake.Ethandrovearoundthetowertoppedbuildingandstoppedthecar
infrontoftherockledgethatseparatedgrassfromlake.

Withoutaword,heclimbedoutofthecarandslammeditshutagain.Whenhehoppedtherockledge

thatringedthepeninsulaanddisappearedfromsight,Iunfastenedmyseatbelt.Itwastimetogotowork.

CHAPTERFOUR

THESAVAGEBEAST

Theairwasthickanddamp,thesharpsmellofozonesignalingrain.Thelakelookedlikeitwasalready
inthemiddleofasquall:whitecapsrolledacrossthewaterlikejaggedteeth,andwavespoundedthe
rockyshoreline.

Iglancedupatthesky.Theanvil-shapedmarkerofagiganticthunderstormwasswellinginthe

southwesternsky,visibleeachtimelightningflashedacrossit.

Withoutwarning,acracksplittheair.
Ijumpedandlookedbackatthebuilding,thinkingithadbeenstruckbyanearlyboltoflightning.But

thebuildingwasquietandstill,andwhenanothercrackshatteredthesilence,Irealizedthesoundhad
comefromastandoftreesontheothersideofthebuilding.

IwalkedaroundtoinvestigateandfoundEthanstandingatthebaseofapinetreelikeafighterfacing

downaforty-foot-tallopponent.Hisfistswereup,hisbodybladed.

“Everytime!”heyelled.“EverytimeImanagetobringthingsundercontrol,webecomeenmeshedin

bullshitagain!”

Andthenhepivotedandthrustout—andpunchedthetree.
Crack.
Thetreewobbledlikeithadbeenrammedbyatruck,needleswhooshingaslimbsmoved.Thesmellof

pineresin—andblood—liftedinthebreeze.Andthoseweren’ttheonlythingsintheair.Magicrippled
offEthan’sbodyinwaves,leavingitstelltaletinglearoundus.

Andthat,Ithought,explainedwhyhe’ddrivenhereinsteadoftheHouse.Withthatmuchangerbanked,

therewasnowayEthancouldhavegonehome.Cadogan’svampires—eventhosewhoweren’tas
sensitivetomagicasIwas—wouldhaveknownsomethingwaswrong,andthatcertainlywasn’tgoingto
easetheanticipatorymood.ItwasanobviousdownsideofbeingaMastervampire—tobeallriledup
withnowheretogo.

“Doyouhaveanyideahowlong—howhard—I’veworkedtomakethisHousesuccessful?Andthis

human—thistemporaryblipinthechronologyoftheworld—threatenstotakeitallaway.”

Ethanrearedbackforasecondstrike,buthe’dalreadysplithisknucklesandthepoortreeprobably

wasn’tfaringmuchbetter.Iunderstoodtheurgetorailoutwhenyouwerebeingheldaccountablefor
another’sevils,buthurtinghimselfwasn’tgoingtosolvetheproblem.Itwastimetointervene.

Iwasstandingonthelawnbetweenthebuildingandthelake;Ifiguredthatwasaperfectplacetowork

offalittletension.“Whydon’tyoupickonsomeoneyourownsize?”Icalledout.

Helookedover,oneeyebrowdefiantlyarched.“Don’ttemptme,Sentinel.”
Ipeeledoffmysuitjacketanddroppeditontotheground,thenputmyhandsonmyhipsand,hopefully

forthelasttimetonight,pulledoutmyvampirebravado.“Areyouafraidyoucan’thandleme?”

Hisexpressionwaspriceless—equalpartstemptedandirritated—themasculinitywarringwiththe

urgetotampdownthechallengetohisauthority.“Watchyourmouth.”

“Itwasalegitimatequestion,”Icountered.Ethanwasalreadywalkingcloser,thesmellofhisblood

growingstronger.

Iwon’tdenyit—myhungerwasperked.I’dbittenEthantwicebefore,andbothtimeshadbeen

memorable.Sensual,inwaysIwasn’tentirelycomfortableadmitting.Thescentofhisbloodtriggered
thosememoriesagain,andIknewmyowneyeshadsilvered,evenifIwasn’tthrilledaboutbring

tempted.

“Itwasachildishquestion,”hegrowledout,takinganotherstepforward.
“Idisagree.Ifyouwanttofight,tryavampire.”
“Yourattemptsatbeingcleveraren’tservingyou,Sentinel.”
Hemovedwithinstrikingrange,blooddrippingfromhisrightknuckles,whichweresplitnearlytothe

bone.They’dheal,andquickly,buttheymusthavehurt.

“Andyet,”Isaid,squeezingmyownhandsintofists,“hereyouare.”
Hiseyesflashedsilver.“Rememberyourposition.”
“Doesputtingmeinmyplacemakeyoufeelbetter?”
“IamyourMaster.”
“Yes,youare.InHydeParkandinCreeleyCreek,andwhereverelsevampiresaregathered,you’remy

Master.Butouthere,it’sjustyouandmeandthechipTateputonyourshoulder.Youcan’tgobacktothe
Houselikethis.You’repouringmagic,andthat’sgoingtoworryeveryoneevenmorethantheyalready
are.”

Therewasaticabovehiseyebrow,butEthanheldhistongue.
“Outhere,”Iquietlysaid,“it’sjustyouandme.”
“Thendon’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.”Withnomorewarning,heoffereduphisfavoritemove,a

roundhousekickthatheswiveledtowardmyhead.ButIdroppedmyarmandshoulderandblockedit.

Thatmovethwarted,Ethanbouncedbackintoposition.“Don’tgetcocky,Sentinel.You’veonlytaken

medownonce.”

Itriedaroundhouseofmyown,buthedodgedit,duckingandspinningaroundthekick,beforepopping

upagain.“Maybeso,”Isaid.“ButhowmanyNovitiateshavebeatenyoubefore?”

HescowledandofferedajabcombinationthatIeasilyrebuffed.Forallthevampiricpowerwecould

putbehindourshots,thiswasn’tarealbattle.Thiswasplay-fighting.Thereleaseoftension.

“Neverfear,”hesaid.“Youmayhavegottenmedown,butI’vebeenaboveyoubefore,andI’msure

I’llmanageitagain.”

Hewasbeingarrogant,lettingthegentle,insistentveneerhe’dbeenwearinglatelyslip.ButI’d

managedtotransmutehisangerintoromanticsteam,whichsoftenedhispunches.

Iswattedawayahalfheartedjab.“Don’tgetyourhopesup.I’mnotthatkindofhungry.”
“Myhopes,asyoucallthem,areperpetuallyupwhenyou’reinthevicinity.”
“ThenI’lltrytostayfartheraway,”Isweetlyresponded.
“Thatwon’texactlybeconducivetoyourstandingSentinel.”
“Neitherwillyourbeingarrested,”Isaid,bringinghimbacktothepoint.
Ethanranhishandsthroughhisblondlocks,thenlinkedhisfingerstogetheratophishead.“Iamdoing

everythingIcantokeepthecitytogether.Andit’sonlygettingharder.Andnow,withinafewhours,we
seetheuglysideoffreedomofspeech,welearnChicagohasamilitia,andwediscoverTate’soutfor
blood.Myblood.”

Myheartclenchedinsympathy,butIresistedtheurgetoreachouttohim.Wewerecolleagues,I

remindedmyself.Nothingmore.

“Iknowit’sfrustrating,”Isaid,“andIknowTatewasoutoflinewiththewarrant.Butwhatcanwedo

buttrytosolvetheproblem?”

Frowning,Ethanturnedbacktothelake,thenwalkedtowardit.Theedgeofthepeninsulawasterraced

intostoneringsthatformedgiantstepsintothewater.Heshedhissuitjacket,placingitgingerlyonthe
stoneledgebeforesittingdownbesideit.

WasitwrongthatIwasaweebitdisappointedhedidn’tjustshedtheshirtaltogether?
WhenIjoinedhim,hepickedupapebbleandpitchedit.Evenwiththechop,itflewlikeabullet

acrossthewater.

“Thisdoesn’tsoundlikearave,”Isaid.“WhatMr.Jacksondescribed,Imean,atleastnotlikehow

you’vedescribedthembefore.Thisdidn’tsoundlikeitwasaboutseductionorglamour.Thisisn’tsome
undergroundhobby.”AsIwaitedforhimtoanswer,Ipushedthebangsfrommyface.Thewindwas
pickingup.

Ethanwoundupandthrewanotherpebble,therockzingingasitskippedahead.“Continue,”hesaid,

andIincrementallyrelaxed.Wewerebacktopoliticsandstrategy.Thatwasagoodsign.

“I’veexperiencedFirstHunger,andFirstHungerPartDeux.Therewasasensualcomponenttoboth,

sure,butatbasetheywereabouttheblood—thethirst.Notaboutconqueringhumansorkillingthem.”

“Wearevampires,”hedrylypointedout.
“Yes,becausewedrinkblood,notbecausewe’repsychopaths.I’mnotsayingtherearen’tpsychopathic

vampires,orvampireswhowouldn’tkillforbloodiftheywerestarvingforit,butitdoesn’tsoundlike
that’swhathappenedhere.Itsoundslikeviolence,pureandsimple.”

Ethanwasquietforamoment.“Thehungerforbloodisantitheticaltoviolence.Ifanything,it’sabout

seduction,aboutdrawingthehumancloser.Thatisthequintessentialpurposeofvampireglamour.”

Glamourwasold-schoolvampiremojo—theabilityofvampirestoentranceothers,eitherby

manipulatingtheirtargetsorbyadjustingtheirownappearancestomakethemselvesmoreattractiveto
theirvictims.Icouldn’tglamourworthadamn,butIseemedtohavesomeimmunitytowardit.

“Thisisthesecondtimeraveshavegottenusintrouble,”Ipointedout.“We’veavoidedthemuntil

now,andit’stimeweshutthemdown.Butwecan’tgoinassumingthisissomerun-of-the-millpartythat
gotoutofhand.Thisjustsounds...different.Andifyouwantasilverlining,atleastTate’sgivingyoua
chancetoresolvetheproblem.”

“Givingmeachance?That’sputtingitmildly.He’sdoingpreciselywhatNickBreckenridgeattempted

todo—blackmailingusintotakingaction.”

“Orhe’sgivingusanopportunitywedidn’thavebefore.”
“Howdoyoufigurethat?”
“He’sforcingourhands,”Isaid.“WhichmeansthatinsteadoftiptoeingaroundtheGPandworrying

whatthisHouseorthatmightthinkofus,we’reforcedtogetoutthereanddosomethingaboutit.Weget
tospendsomeofthatpoliticalcapitalyou’realwaysharpingabout.”

Ethanarchedaneyebrowimperiously.
“Talkingabout.Talkingaboutinwell-reasonedandmeasuredtones.”
Thistime,herolledhiseyes.
“Look,”Icontinued.“Thelasttimeweworkedontheraves,youmademefocusonthemediarisk.

Tonight,we’veproventhatworryingsomeonemightfindoutabouttheproblemdoesn’tactuallysolvethe
problem.Weneedtogetinfrontoftheissue.Weneedtoclosethemdown.”

“Youwanttotellvampirestheycannolongerengageinhumanbloodorgies?”
“Well,Iwasn’tgoingtousethosewords,exactly.AndIdidplantotakemysword.”
Hesmiledalittle.“Youarequiteathingtobeholdwhenyou’vegotsteelinyourhands.”
“Yes,”Iagreed.Itouchedahandtomystomach.“Andnowthatwe’relookingonthebrightside,let’s

findsomegrub.Iamstarving.”

“Areyouevernotstarving?”
“Har-har.”Inudgedhisarm.“Comeon.Let’sgetanItalianbeef.”
Heglancedoveratme.“IassumethathassomemeaningimportantwithinChicagoculinarycircles?”
Ijuststoodthere,bothsaddenedthathehadn’texperiencedthejoyofagoodItalianbeefsandwich—

andirritatedthathe’dlivedinChicagoforsolongandhadsocompletelysequesteredhimselffromthe
stuffthatmadeitChicago.

“Asimportantasredhotsanddeepdish.Let’sgo,Liege.It’syourturntogetschooled.”
Hegrowled,butrelented.

WedrovetoUniversityVillage,parkedalongthestreet,andtookourplacesinlinewiththethird-shifters
onlunchbreaksandtheUICstudentsneedinglate-nightsnacks.Eventuallyweplacedourordersand
movedtoacounter,whereItaughtEthantostandthewayGodintendedChicagoanstostand—feetapart,
elbowsonthetable,sandwichesinhand.

Ethanhadn’tspokensincehisowneight-inchItalianbeefsandwichhadbeendelivered,stilldripping

fromitsdipingravy.Whenhisfirstbiteleftatrailofjuiceonthefloorinfrontofhisfeet—andnotonhis
expensiveItalianshoes—hesmiledgrandlyatme.

“Welldone,Sentinel.”
Inoddedthroughmybiteofbread,beef,andpeppers,happythatEthanwasinabettermood.Saywhat

youmightaboutmyobsessionwithallthingsmeatandcarbohydrate,butneverunderestimatetheability
ofastackofthin-slicedbeefonabuntomakeamanhappy—vampireorhuman.

Andspeakingofhappiness,IwonderedwhatelseEthanhadbeenmissingouton.“Haveyoueverbeen

toaCubsgame?”

Ethandabbedhismouthwithapapernapkin,andIgotaglimpseofhisknuckles—alreadyhealedfrom

theblows.“No,Ihavenot.Asyouknow,I’mnotmuchofabaseballfan.”

Hewasn’tmuchofafan,buthe’dstilltrackeddownasignedCubsbaseballtoreplaceoneI’dlost.

Thatwasthekindofmovethatthrewmeoffbalance,butImanagedtokeepthingslighthearted.

“Juststakemenow,”Isaid.“Seriously—you’vebeeninChicagohowlongandyou’veneverbeento

Wrigley?That’sashame.Youneedtogetoutthere.Imean,foranightgame,obviously.”

“Obviously.”
AcoupleoflargemenwithmustachesandBearsT-shirtsmovedtowardthehighbarwherewestood,

sandwichesinhand.TheytookaspotbesideEthan,spreadtheirfeet,unwrappedtheirownItalianbeefs,
anddugin.

Itwasn’tuntilbitenumbertwothattheyglancedoverandnoticedtwovampireswerestandingbeside

them.

TheoneclosesttoEthanrananapkinacrosshisdrippingmustache,hisgazeshiftingfrommetoEthan.

“Youtwolookfamiliar.Iknowyou?”

Sincemyphotohadbeensmearedacrossthefrontpageofthepaperacoupleofmonthsago,andEthan

hadmadethelocalnewsmorethanoncesincetheattackonCadogan,weprobablydidlookfamiliar.

“I’mavampirefromCadoganHouse,”Ethansaid.
Ourareaoftherestaurant,notfullbutstilldottedwithlate-nightmunchers,wentsilent.
Thistime,themanlookedsuspiciouslyatthesandwich.“Youlikethat?”
“It’sgreat,”Ethansaid,thengesturedtowardme.“ThisisMerit.She’sfromChicago.ShedecidedI

hadtotryone.”

Themanandhiscompanionleanedforwardtolookatme.“Thatso?”
“Itis.”
Hewasquietforamoment.“Youhaddeepdishyet?Oraredhot?”
Myheartwarmed.Wemighthavebeenvampires,butatleasttheseguysrecognizedthatwewerefirst

andforemostChicagoans.WeknewWrigleyFieldandNavyPier,Daleyandrushhourtraffic,Soldier
FieldinDecemberandOakStreetBeachinJuly.Weknewfreaksnowstormsandfreakierheatwaves.

Butmostofall,weknewfood:taquerias,redhots,deepdish,greatbeer.Webakedit,friedit,sautéed

it,andgrilledit,andinourquesttoenjoythesunshineandwarmthwhilewecould,wesharedthatfood
together.

“Both,”Isaid.“IgothimpizzafromSaul’s.”
Theman’sbushyeyebrowspoppedup.“YouknowaboutSaul’s?”

Ismiledslyly.“Creamcheeseanddoublebacon.”
“Oooh,”themansaid,grinningeartoear.Hedroppedhisnapkinandthrewhishandsintotheair.

“Creamcheeseanddoublebacon.OurfangedfriendhereknowsaboutSaul’sBest!”Heraisedhisgiant
papercupofsodainatoast.“Toyou,myfriend.Goodeatsandwhatnot.”

“Andtoyou,”Ethansaid,raisinghissandwichandtakingabite.
Hotbeefinthenameofpeace.Ilikedit.

“I’msurprisedyoutoldhimwewerevampires,”ItoldEthanonthewaybacktothecar.“Thatyou
admittedtoit,Imean,givenwhatwesawearliertonight.”

“Sometimestheonlywaytocounterprejudiceistoremindthemhowsimilarweare.Tochallengetheir

perceptionsofwhatitmeanstobevampire...orhuman.Besides,hewouldn’thaveaskedwhowewere
ifhehadn’tatleastsuspected,andlyingprobablywouldhaveirritatedhimfurther.”

“Quitepossibly.”
Hesmiledmagnanimously.“Besides,youclearlywooedthemwithyourcreamcheeseanddouble-

bacontalk.”

“Whowouldn’tbewooedbycreamcheeseanddouble-bacontalk?Imean,otherthanvegetarians,I

guess.Butaswehavethoroughlyestablished,vegetarianismisnotmygig.”

Ethanopenedmycardoor.“No,Sentinel,itisnot.”
I’dclimbedinsideandhedidthesame,buthedidn’tstartthecarrightaway.
“Problems?”Iasked.
Hefrowned.“I’mnotsureI’mreadytoreturntotheHouse.NotthatI’dprefertobeatCreeleyCreek,

ofcourse,butuntilIgobacktoHydePark,thedramahasn’tquitesolidified.”Heglancedatme.“Does
thatmakesense?”

Onlyafour-hundred-year-oldMastervampirewouldwonderifagradstudentcouldunderstand

procrastination.“Ofcourseitdoes.Procrastinationisaveryhumanemotion.”

“I’mnotsurehumanshaveamonopolyonprocrastination.And,moreimportant,I’mnotsurethis

countsasprocrastination.”Heturnedbackagainandstartedtheignition.“Unlikewhatyou’redoing.”

“WhatI’mdoing?”
Hesmiledjustalittle—ateaseofasmile.“Procrastinating,”hesaid.“Avoidingtheinevitabilityofyou

andme.”

“Howlongdoes‘inevitability’takewhenyou’reimmortal?”
HegrinnedandpulledtheMercedesawayfromthecurb.“Isupposewe’llfindout.”
OnesummernightinChicago.Threesetsofbattlelinesdrawn.

Theprotesterswerestilloutsidewhenwereturned,theirapparenthatredofusundiminished.Ontheother
hand,theirenergydidseemtobealittlediminished;thistime,theyweresittingonthenarrowstripof
grassbetweenthesidewalkandstreet.Somesatinpop-upcampingchairs.Otherssatonblanketsin
pairs,one’sheadontheother’sshoulder,giventhelatehour.Late-nightprejudicewasapparently
exhausting.

Malikmetusatthedoor,folderinhand;Ethanhadgivenhimaheads-upcallinthecaronthewayback

totheHouse.

Malikwastall,withcocoaskin,palegreeneyes,andcloselycroppedhair.Hehadtheregalbearingof

aprinceintraining—shouldersback,jawset,eyesscanningandalert,asifwaitingformarauderstoscale
thecastlewalls.

“Militiamenandarrestwarrants,”Maliksaid.“I’mnotsureit’sadvisableforyoutwotoleavethe

Housetogetheranymore.”

Ethanmadeasnortofagreement.“Atthispoint,I’dtendtoagreewithyou.”
“Tateindicatedthesupposedincidentwasviolent?”
“Exceptionallyso,accordingtothefirsthandaccount,”Ethansaid.
OncewewereinEthan’sofficeandhe’dclosedthedoorbehindus,hegottotheheartofit.“Thestory

is,thevampslostcontrolandkilledthreehumans.ButMr.Jackson’sdescriptionrangmoreof
uncontrolledbloodlustthanofatypicalrave.”

“Mr.Jackson?”Malikasked.
Ethanheadedforhisdesk.“Oureyewitness.Potentiallyundertheinfluence,butsoberenoughthatTate

wasapparentlyconvinced.Andbyconvinced,Imeanhe’sthreateningmyarrestifwedon’tfixthe
problem,whateveritis.”

Malik,eyeswide,lookedbetweenthetwoofus.“He’sserious,then.”
Ethannodded.“He’shadthewarrantdrawn.Andthatmakesthisproblemourcurrentfocus.Tatesaid

theincidentoccurredinWestTown.Lookthroughyourraveintelagain.Anyconnectionstothat
neighborhood?Anytalkaboutviolence?Anythingthatwouldsuggestthescalethewitnesstalkedabout?”

Thatassignmentgiven,Ethanlookedatme.“Whenthesunsets,talktoyourgrandfather.Askhimto

trackdownwhattheycanabouttheJacksonincident—thevampiresinvolved,Houses,whatever—and
anynewinformationthey’vegottenabouttheraves.Thismaynotactuallybeone,butatthemomentit’s
thebestleadwe’vegot.Andonewayortheother,”headded,lookingbetweenus,“let’sclosethese
thingsdown,shallwe?”

“Liege,”Iagreedwithanod.I’ddefinitelyvisitmygrandfather,butmycircleoffriendshadgrowna

littlewideroverthelastfewmonths.I’drecentlybeenaskedtojointheRedGuard,akindofvampire
watchdoggroupthatkeptaneyeonMastervampsandtheGP.I’ddeclinedtheinvitation,butI’dmadeuse
oftheresource,callingontheRGforbackupduringtheattackontheHouse.Thismightbethetimeto
makethatcallagain....

“AndthisMcKetrickfellow?”Malikasked.
“He’llwait,”Ethansaid,determinationinhiseyes.“He’llwaituntilhellfreezesover,becausewe’re

notleavingChicago.”

I’dvisitmygrandfatherwhenthesunset.Butfirst,Ihadacouplemorehoursofdarknessandmanyhours
ofdaylighttogetthrough.

AllthebedroomsintheHouse,whichaccommodatedaboutninetyofCadogan’sthree-hundred-odd

vampires,lookedlikesmalldormrooms.Abed.Abureau.Anightstand.Smallcloset,smallbathroom.
Theyweren’texactlyfancy,buttheygaveusarespitefromvampiredrama.Giventhemesseswetended
togetinto,dramafreewasdefinitelyagoodthing.

Mysecond-floorroom—justliketherestoftheHouse—stillsmelledlikeconstruction.Newpaint.

Varnish.Drywall.Plastic.Itsmelledgoodsomehow,likeanewbeginning.Afreshstart.

ThestormbrokeoverheadjustasIshutmydoor,rainbeginningtopelttheshutteredwindowinmy

room.IpeeledoffmysuitandtoedoffMaryJaneheels,thenheadedtomysmallbathroom,whereI
scrubbedmyface.Themakeupwashedoffeasily.Thememories,ontheotherhand,weren’tgoing
anywhere.

Thosewerethetoughthingstoignore—thesounds,theexpressions,thesensationofEthanandhis

body.I’dtriedtolockthememoriesaway,tokeepmymindclearoftheminordertogetmyworkdone.
Buttheywerestillthere.Theystungalittlelessnow,butyoucouldn’tunringthebell.Forbetteror
worse,I’dprobablyalwayshavethosememorieswithme.

WhenI’ddressedagaininatanktopandshorts,Iglancedbackattheclock.Ihadtwohourstokilluntil

dawn,whichmeantIhadanhourtokilluntilmyweeklydatewithmyotherfavoriteblondvampire.

Myfirsttask—takingcareofbasicvampiricnecessities.Iwalkeddownthehallwaytothesecond-

floorkitchen,smilingatacoupleofvaguelyfamiliar-lookingvampiresasIpassedthem.Eachofthe
House’sabovegroundfloorshadakitchen,averyhandythingsincevampiricemergenciesdidn’trespect
cafeteriahours.IopenedthefridgeandpluckedouttwodrinkboxesoftypeAblood(preparedbythe
lamelynamedBlood4You,ourdeliveryservice),thenheadedbacktomyroom.Mostvampswere
fortunateenoughtoretainaprettygoodholdontheirbloodlust,meincluded.ButjustbecauseIwasn’t
rippingattheseamsoftheboxesdidn’tmeanIdidn’tneedtheblood.Mostofthetime,bloodlustin
vampswaskindoflikethirstinhumans;ifyouwaitedtodrinkuntilyouweretrulythirsty,itwas
probablyalreadytoolate.

Whilewaitingforherhighness’sarrival,Ipokedastrawintooneofthedrinkboxesandporedthrough

thestackofbooksthatwasbeginningtocrawlitswayupmybedroomwall.ItwasmyTBR—myToBe
Readstack.Theusualsubjectswerethere.Chicklit.Action.APulitzerPrizewinner.Aromancenovel
aboutapirateandadamselinalow-cutblouse.(What?Evenavampireenjoysalittlebodiceripping
nowandagain.)

EventhoughI’dspentthefinalhoursofmorethanafeweveningsinmyvampiredormroom,myTBR

stackhadn’tgottenanyshorter.WitheachbookIfinished,IfoundareplacementintheHouse’slibrary.
AndI’doccasionallywakeatdusktofindapileofbooksoutsidemydoor,presumablyleftbytheHouse
librarian,anotherNovitiatevampire.Hisselectionswereusuallyrelatedtopolitics:storiesaboutthe
ancientconflictsbetweenvampiresandshape-shifters;biographiesoftheonehundredmostvampire-
friendlypoliticiansinWesternhistory;timelinesofvampiriceventsinhistory.Unfortunately,nomatter
howseriousthetopic,thenameswereusuallyjustsilly.

GettothePoint:VampireContributionsinWesternArchitecture.
FangsandBalances:VampirePoliticiansinHistory.
ToDrinkorNottoDrink:AVampireDialectic.
BloodSausage,BloodStew,BloodOrange:FoodforAllSeasons.
AndtheawfullynamedPlasmatlas,whichcontainedmapsofimportantvampirelocales.
Maybethemanagingeditorofthevampirepresswasthesameguywhowrotethechaptertitlesforthe

CanonoftheNorthAmericanHouses,myvampireguidebook.Bothwereequallypunny—andjustas
ridiculous.

Thenamesaside,let’sbehonest—withEthanrunningaroundtheHouse,thereweredefinitely

advantagestoreadinginmyroom.WasitMasteravoidance?Absolutely.Butwhenfacedwiththe
temptationofsomethingyoucouldn’thave,whynotfindsomethingmoreproductivetodo?

Putanotherway,whyorderdessertifyoucouldn’ttakeabite?
SothereIwas—inatankandboxers—cross-leggedonmybedwithToDrinkorNottoDrinkinhand,

therainpummelingtheroofaboveme.Isighed,leanedbackagainstthepillows,andsankintothewords,
hopingthatImightfindsomethingmoderatelyedutaining.Orinfotaining.

Whatever.

Anhourlater,Lindseyknocked,andIdog-earedthebook(abadhabit,Iknow,butIneverhada
bookmarkhandy).

Thebookhadactuallybeeninformative,discussingtheearliestrecordedinstancesofaconditionthe

authorcalledhemoanhedonia—theinabilitytotakepleasurefromdrinkingblood.Vampswiththe
conditiontendedtodemonizethosewhodrank.Addthattothefactthatbeinga“practicing”vampirewas
dangerousinitsownright—humansdidn’tusuallytakekindlytobeingtreatedlikesippycups—and
vampiresbegandrinkingtogetherprivately,awayfromthecriticism.Abracadabra,ravesareborn.

Withthathistoricalnuggetinmind,Iputthebookonthenightstandandopenedthedoor.

Lindsey,fellowguardandmybestfriendintheHouse(assumingEthandidn’tcount,andIdon’tthink

hedid),stoodinthehallwaywithablondponytail,killerfigure,andsillysmileonherface.Shewore
jeansandablackT-shirtwithCADOGANprintedinwhiteblocklettersacrossthefront.Herfeetwere
bare,hertoenailspaintedgleaminggold.

“Hi,blondie.”
“Merit.Ilikethoseduds.”ShecastanappraisingglanceatmyILLINOISISFORLOVERS!tanktop

andshamrock-patternedCubsshorts.

“Off-dutyCadoganSentinelatyourservice.Comeonin.”
Shehitthebed.Ishutthedoorbehindher.
Oneofourearliestdatesasnewfriendshadbeenanightinherroomwithpizzaandrealitytelevision.

Itwasn’texactlycerebral,butitgaveusachancetobesillyforalittlewhile,tobeconcernedwithwhich
celebutantewasdatingwhichrockstarorwhowaswinningthisweek’scrazychallenge...insteadof
worryingaboutwhichgroupsofpeopleweretryingtokillus.Thelatterwasexhaustingafterawhile.

Iflippedonmytinytelevision(mySentinelstipendatwork)andchangedthechanneltotonight’s

realityopera,whichinvolvedmalecontestantssolvingpuzzlessotheycouldescapefromanislandofex-
girlfriends.

Itwashigh-qualitystuff.Classystuff.
IjoinedLindsonthebedandpulledapillowbehindmyhead.
“HowwasthemeetingwithTate?”sheasked.
“Drama,drama,drama.Lucwillfillyouin.Sufficeittosay,EthancouldbeinCookCountylockup

nextweek.”

“Sullivanmayhaveaheartofcoal,butIbethelooksreallygoodinorange.Andstripes.Rawr,”she

said,curlingherfingerslikeacat.

LindseywasevenlessconvincedthatEthanhadhadalegitimatepost-breakupchangeofheart.Butthat

didn’tmakehimanylesspretty.

“I’msurehe’llappreciateyourcomplimentswhenhe’sclimbingintothatjumpsuit,”Isaid.“Although

Lucmightgetjealous.”

Asaguard,LucwasLindsey’sboss.Hewastallandtouslehaired,hisdarkblondlockssunstreaked

fromyears,Iimagined,asaboots-wearingcowboyonsomehigh-plainsranchwherecattleandhorses
outnumberedhumansandvampires.Luckeptthebootsafterbecomingavampire,andhe’ddevelopeda
monumentalcrushonLindsey.Longstoryshort,nothinghadcomeofituntiltheattackontheHouse.Then
theystartedspendingmoretimetogether.

Ididn’tthinkitwasüberserious—morelikeamovienighthere,asnackatsunsetthere.Butitdidseem

likehe’dfinallymanagedtopushthroughtheemotionalbarriersshe’derectedtokeephimatadistance.I
completelyapprovedofthatdevelopment.Luchadpinedprettyhard;itwasabouttimehetastedvictory.

“Luccantakecareofhimself,”Lindseysaid,hervoicedry.
“He’denjoyitmoreifyouweredoingthecaring.”
Lindseyheldupahand.“Enoughboytalk.IfyoukeepharpingaboutLuc,I’mgoingtohityouwitha

Sullivanone-twocombination,inwhichcaseI’llbequizzingyouabouthishotbodandemotionaliciness
fortherestoftheevening.”

“Spoilsport.”Ipouted,butletitgo.Iknewshewasn’tcompletelyconvincedaboutLuc,evenifshe

wasspendingmoretimewithhim,andIdidn’twanttopushhertoofartoofast.Andtobefair,just
becauseIthoughtthey’dbegoodtogetherdidn’tmeanshewasobligatedtodatehim.Itwasherlife,andI
couldrespectthat.

SoIletitgoandsettledintoacomfypositionbesideher,andthenletmyminddriftonthewavesof

prerecorded,trashytelevision.Asrelaxationwent,itdidn’texactlyrankuptherewithahotrockmassage
andmudbath,butavampiretookwhatavampirecouldget.

CHAPTERFIVE

DOWNBYTHERIVER

WhenIawokeagain,Idressedinmypersonaluniform—jeansandatanktopoverhigh-heeledboots,my
Cadoganmedal,mysword,andmybeeper—andheadedout.

IstoppedattheHousegate,intendingtogetasenseofthegauntletI’dhavetowalktogettomycar.

Oneofthetwofairiesatthegateguessedmygame.

“Theyarequiettonight,”hesaid.“Ethanplannedahead.”
Iglancedoverathim.“Heplannedahead?”
Thefairypointeddownthestreet.Ipeekedoutsidethegate,smilingwhenIrealizedEthan’sstrategy.A

foodtruckhawkingItalianbeefswasparkedatthecorner,adozenprotestersstandingbesideit,
sandwichesinhand,theirsignsproppedagainstthesideofthetruck.

Ethanmusthavemadeaphonecall.
“Hotbeefinthenameofpeace,”Imurmured,thenhustledacrossthestreettomyride,aboxyorange

Volvo.Thecarwasoldandhadseenbetterdays,butitgotmewhereIneededtogo.

Tonight,Ineededtogosouth.
You’dthinkanameasfancyas“Ombudsman”(whichreallymeant“liaison”)wouldhavegottenmy

grandfatheraniceofficeinsomefancycitybuildingintheLoop.

ButChuckMerit,copturnedsupernaturaladministrator,wasamanofthepeople,supernaturalor

otherwise.Soinsteadofaswankofficewithariverview,hehadasquatbrickbuildingontheSouthSide
inaneighborhoodwherethelawnsweresurroundedbychain-linkfences.

Normally,thestreetwasquiet.Buttonight,carsspilledacrosstheoffice’syardanddownthestreeta

coupleofblocks.I’dseenmygrandfathersurroundedbycarsbefore—athishouseinthemidstofa
water-nymphcatfight.Thosevehicleshadbeenroadsterswithrecognizablevanityplates;thesewere
beat-up,harddrivenvehicleswithrustybumpersandpaintsplatter.

Iparkedandmademywayacrosstheyard.Thedoorwasunlocked,unusualfortheoffice,andmusic—

JohnnyCash’srumblingvoice—echoedthroughout.

Thebuilding’sdecorwasall1970s,buttheproblemsweremodernandparanormallydriven.So,I

assumed,weretheboxymenandwomenwhomingledinthehallways,plasticcupsoforangedrinkin
hand.TheyturnedandstaredatmeasIwovethroughthem,theirsmallisheyeswatchingasIwalked
downthehallway.Theirfeaturesweresimilar,liketheymighthavebeencousinsrelatedbycommon
grandparents.Allhadslightlyporcinefaces,upturnednoses,andapplecheeks.

OnmywaybacktotheofficeCatchersharedwithJeffChristopher—anadorableshifterwithmadtech

skillsandaformercrushonme—Ipassedalargetableoffruit:spearsofpineappleandred-orange
papayainawatermelonbowl;bloodorangeslicesdottedwithpomegranateseeds;andapineappleshell
fullofblueberriesandgrapes.Snacksfortheofficeguests,Iassumed.

“Merit!”Jeff’sheadpoppedoutfromadoorway,andhebeckonedmeinside.Isqueezedthroughafew

moremenandwomenandintotheoffice.Catcherwasnowhereinsight.

“Wesawyouonthesecuritymonitor,”Jeffsaid,movingtothechairbehindhisbankofcomputer

monitors.Hisbrownhairwasgettinglonger,andnearlyreachedhisshouldersnow.Itwasstraightand
parteddownthemiddle,andcurrentlytuckedbehindhisears.Jeffhadpairedabutton-upshirt,ashe
alwaysdid,withkhakis,hisshirtsleevesrolleduptohiselbows,presumablytogivehimroomto
maneuveroverhismonstrouskeyboard.Jeffwastallandlanky,butwhathelackedinmasshemorethan

madeupforinfightingskills.Hewasashifter,andaforcetobereckonedwith.

“Thanksforfindingme,”Itoldhim.“What’sgoingonoutthere?”
“Openhouseforrivertrolls.”
Ofcourseitwas.“Ithoughtthewaternymphscontrolledtheriver?”
“Theydo.Theydrawthelines;thetrollsenforcethem.”
“Andthefruit?”
Jeffsmiled.“Goodcatch.Rivertrollsarevegetarians.Fruitarians,really.Offerupfruitandyoucan

lurethemoutfrombeneaththebridges.”

“Andtheyprefernottoleavethebridges.”
Iglancedback.Catcherstoodinthedoorway,plateoffruitinhandand,justasMalloryhadsaid,

rectangularframesperchedonhisnose.Theywereaninterestingcontrastwiththeshavedheadandpale
greeneyes,buttheytotallyworked.He’dgonefrombuffmartialartsexperttorippedsmart-boy.The
Sentineldefinitelyapproved.IalsoapprovedofhistypicallysnarkyT-shirt.Today’sreadIGOTOUT
OFBEDFORTHIS?

“Mr.Bell,”Isaid,offeringasmallsalutetomyformerkatanatrainer.“Iliketheglasses.”
“Iappreciateyourapproval.”Hemovedtohisdeskandbeganstabbingthefruitwithatoothpick.
So,Catcherwasasorcerer,andJeffwasashifter.Vampireswerealsorepresented,atleastpartly.

BecauseChicago’sMasterswereprettytight-lippedaboutHousegoings-on,mygrandfatherhadasecret
vampireemployeewhoofferedupinformation—avampireIsuspected,largelywithoutevidence,was
Malik.

“Dotheyliveunderthebridges?”Iwonderedaloud,returningtothetrolls.
“Rainorshine,summerorwinter,”Catchersaid.
“Andwhytheopenhouse?Isthatjustmaintaininggoodsupernaturalrelations?”
“Nowthatthingsareescalating,”Catchersaid,frowningasheusedthetoothpicktopushouttheseeds

fromachunkofwatermelon,“we’reworkingthroughthephonebook.Everypopulationgetsavisit—an
eveningwiththeOmbudsman.”

“Thingsaredefinitelychanging,”Jeffagreed.
“Thingsaregettinglouder.”
Wealllookedbackasabroad-shoulderedrivertrollwithshort,gingerhairlookedintotheoffice.His

wide-seteyesblinkedcuriouslyatus.Hedidn’thavemuchnecktospeakof,sohisentiretorsoswiveled
ashelookedusover.Alightbreezeofmagicstirredtheair.

“Hey,George,”Catchersaid.
Georgenoddedandofferedasmallwave.“It’sgettinglouder.Thevoices.Thetalk.Thewindsare

changing.There’sangerintheair,Ithink.”Hepaused.“Wedon’tlikeit.”Heshiftedhisgazetome,a
questioninhiseyes:WasIpartoftheproblem?Makingthecitylouder?Addingtotheanger?

“ThisisMerit,”Catcherquietlyexplained.“Chuck’sgranddaughter.”
AwarenessblossomedinGeorge’sexpression.“Chuckisafriendtous.Heis...quieterthantherest.”
Iwasn’tentirelysurewhatGeorgemeantby“quiet”—Ihadthesenseitmeantmoretohimthansimply

theabsenceofsound—butitwasclearhemeantitasacompliment.

“Thankyou,”IsaidwithasmuchsincerityasIcouldpushintothosetwowords.
Georgewatchedmeforamoment.Thinking.Evaluating,maybe,beforehefinallynodded.
Theactseemedtocarrymoresignificancethanjustanacceptanceofmythanks—likeI’dbeen

approvedbyhim.Inoddedback,myactjustassignificant.Weweretwoparanormalcreatures—members
ofdifferenttribes,butneverthelesslinkedtogetherbythecity’sdramaandanOmbudsmantrying
diligentlytostemthetide—acceptingeachother.

Theconnectionmade,Georgedisappearedagain.
“Soft-spoken,”Icommentedwhenhewasgone.

“Theyare,”Jeffsaid.“TheRTskeeptothemselves,exceptwhenthenymphsrequestit.Andeventhen,

theyappear,theyworkthetask,andtheyheadbackbeneaththebridgesagain.”

“Whatkindofthingsdotheydo?”
Jeffshrugged.“Generallytheydotheheavylifting.Playingmuscleforanymphalongherchunkofthe

riverifthere’saboundarydispute,maybeenforcingthepeace,maybehelpingcleanupthatchunkofthe
riverifthewatersaremovingtooquickly.”

Apparentlydonewithhisexplanation,Jeffstretchedouttostraightenasilverpictureframenowonone

cornerofhisdesk.I’dpreviouslyseenthemany-tentacledplushdollthatsatatoponeofhismonitors,but
theframewasnew.

Iwalkedoverandpeekedaroundhisdesktogetaglimpseofthepicture.Itwasashotofhimand

FallonKeene.They’dapparentlyhititoffwhentheKeenefamily—andrepresentativesoftherestofthe
Packs—hadcometoChicagotodecidewhethertostayintheirrespectivecitiesorheadofftotheir
ancestralhomeinAurora,Alaska.ThePackshadvotedtostay,andtheKeenefamilyhadn’tyetreturned
totheirHQinMemphis.ThatrespitemusthavegivenJeffandFallontimetogettoknoweachother.

Inthepicture,JeffandFallonstoodbesideeachotherinfrontofaflatbrickwall,theirfingers

intertwined,gazingateachother.Andintheireyes—somethingweightyandimportant.Love,already?

“Youlookveryhappy,”ItoldJeff.
Crimsonroseonhischeeks.“Catcher’sgivingmecrapaboutmovingtoofast,”hesaid,keepinghis

gazeonthemonitorsinfrontofhim.“Buthe’sonetotalk.”

“Heisalreadylivingwithmyformerroommate,”Iagreed.
“Stillintheroom,”Catchersaid.“Andspeakingofthingsintheroom,whatbringsyouby?”
“Justtheusualdoor-darkeningcrap.Firstitemontheagenda—somekindofG.I.Joe–wannabe

organization,ledbyamannamedMcKetrick.TheysetuparoadblocknotfarfromtheHouse.Theyhad
fullmilitarygear—combatboots,blackclothes,blackSUVswithoutlicenseplates.”

“Noblackhelicopters?”Jeffasked.
“Iknow,right?McKetrickhasstyledhimselfassomekindofhumansaviorfromthevampireinvasion.

Hethinksfangsmakeusageneticmistake.”

“Amistakehe’sgoingtoremedy?”Catcherasked.
Inodded.“Precisely.HesayshisgoalisgettingvampsoutofChicagoand,Iassume,fillingthat

vacuumwithhissparklingpersonality.”

“We’lldosomedigging.Findoutwhatwecan.”Catchertiltedhisheadcuriously.“How’dyougetout

oftheroadblock?”

“EthancalledourfavoritePackmembers.Keenebroughtthefamilyandthensome.”
“Nice,”Jeffsaid.“Um,wasFallonthere?”
“Shewas.ButinaCardinalscap.Can’tyoudosomethingaboutthat?”
Heshruggedsheepishly.“Iknowhowtopickmybattles.Sono.Oh—anddidyouhear?Tonyahadthe

baby.Anine-poundboy.ConnorDevereauxKeene.”

Ismiledbackathim.TonyawasGabriel’swife;she’dbeenquitepregnantthelasttimeI’dseenher,

andthey’dalreadydecidedon“Connor”asaname.“Ninepounds?That’sabigboy.”

Jeffsmiledknowingly.“That’swhatshesaid.”
Catcherclearedhisthroat.“What’sthesecondthing?”
“Raves.”
Theybothlookedupatme.
“Whataboutthem?”Catcherasked.
“Thatwasactuallymyfirstquestion.Atbest,wehaveravespoppingintothepubliceye—forrealthis

time.”

“Andworst?”Catcherasked.

“Wehavesomethingwiththemarkingsofarave,butthatactuallyinvolvespsycho-vampscommitting

atrocitiesagainstmultiplehumans.Threesupposeddeathssofar,butthere’snophysicalevidence.”

Therewassilenceintheoffice.
“You’reserious?”Catcherasked,voicegrave.
“Aspenserious.”IgavethemthedetailsonMr.Jacksonandhisexperience,onthemayor’s

investigation,andonourvisittohishome.Itworriedmethattheydidn’talreadyhavethesedetails;my
grandfather,afterall,wasthecity’ssupernaturalOmbudsman.HeshouldhavebeenthefirstpersonTate
called.

“Isitbecauseofme?”Iasked.“IsTatekeepinginformationfromhimbecauseI’mhisgranddaughter?

BecauseI’minCadogan?”

Catcherpushedawayhisplateoffruit,proppedhiselbowsonthetable,andrubbedhistemples.“I

don’tknow,andIreallydon’tlikethatidea.ButIdoknowChuckwon’tbepleasedatthepossibilitythat
we’reafigureheadgroup,anofficeTatekeepsopentomakesupsthinkhegivesashit—”

“Whilehe’skeepingimportantinformationfromus,”Jefffinished.
“Ontheotherhand,”Catcherthoughtfullysaid,“itwouldn’tbeourjobtoinvestigate.That’stheroleof

CPDdetectives.Buthe’dnormallygiveusaheads-upsowecouldmakecontactwiththeHousesorthe
Rogues.”Heshookhishead.“WealwaysthoughtTatewasalittlecagey.Iguessthisprovesyouhaveto
keeponeeartothegroundevenwhenyou’resupposedlyintheloop.”

“Andspeakingofkeepinganeartotheground,what’sthewordonraves?Anythingnewintheether?”
Hefrowned.“Iassumedyou’vetalkedtoMalikorEthanandyouknowaboutthethreewetracked?”
“I’veheard,”Igrowledout.
Withanod,Catcherroseandwenttoawhiteboardnewlyinstalledononeendoftheoffice,uncappeda

greenmarker,andbeganwriting.Accompaniedbythesqueakofthepen,hestartedbydrawingwhat
lookedlikeanangled,limpfish.

“What’sthat?”
“Chicago,”hesaidwithoutturningaround.
“Seriously?That’showyourepresentthecityyouworkfor?Asafish?”
“Itreallydoeslooklikeafish,”Jeffsaidexcitedly.“Oh,maybeit’sanAsiancarp.Areyoumakinga

metaphoraboutravesandinvasivespecies?”

“Clever,”IsaidwithasmileforJeff.
Heleanedbackinhischair,smilingproudly.“That’swhattheladiessay.”
IrolledmyeyesandturnedbacktoCatcher,whowasglaringatbothofusabovehisBuddyHolly

glasses.Ihadtobitemyliptokeepfromlaughingaloud.

“AsIwassaying,”hecontinued,beforeplacingstarsonthemapindifferentlocations,“weknowabout

threenewravesinthelasttwomonths.”

“Intelfromthesecretvampire?”Iwonderedaloud.
“Twoofthem,”Catcheradmitted.“ThethirdfromMalik.Allweresecond-orthirdhandreports.”
Okay,sothatprettymuchblewmyMalik-is-the-secret-sourcetheory.
“There’salsotheravewevisitedalongthelakeshore,”Catcheradded,placinganotherstaronthe

board.

Wedidn’tfindoutaboutthatoneuntilaftertheravewasoverandthevampshadclosedupshop.Asa

result,weonlywalkedawaywithaguessaboutthenumberofattendeesandaclueastowho’dalso
investigated—theRedGuardandashifterwelaterlearnedhadbeenourblackmailer.

“Therearealsotheravesweknewaboutbeforewevisitedthatrave.AndtheoneTateidentified.It

wasinWestTown.”

Catchernodded,grabbedabluemarker,andfilledinthosestars.
IsquintedatCatcher’s“drawing,”butstillcouldn’tmakeheadsortailsofit.Exceptthatitstilllooked

likeafish.“CouldyouatleastshowuswhereNavyPieris?”Iaskedhim.“IhavenoideawhatI’m
lookingat.”

Catchergrumbled,butobliged,anddrewatinyrectanglepokingoutfromonesideofthefish.
Jeffchuckled.“IsthatNavyPier,orisChicagojusthappytoseeme?”
IlaughedsohardIsnortedalittle,atleastuntilCatcherpoundedafistonthetopoftheclosesttable.
“Hey,”Iobjected,pointingathim,“myMastermightbeinCookCountylockupbytheendoftheweek,

andthatwon’texactlybegoodforme.Sarcasmismywayofrelievingstress,asyouknow,sinceyou’ve
seenmeandMalloryatit.”

Ironically,sayingthejailbitaloudagainmademystomachcrumplewithnerves.ButCatcher’s

expressionsoftened.Heglancedbackattheboard,asmileatonecornerofhismouth.“Iguessitdoes
lookkindofridiculous.”

“Andsinceyou’veacknowledgedthat,youmaycontinue,”Imagnanimouslyoffered.
“Sotheraves,”hesaidwithoutdelay,“aresprinkledacrossthecity.Noapparentpattern.Noapparent

locusofactivity.”

“That’stellinginitself,”Isaid,sittingup.“Thatsaysthere’snoraveheadquarters,notwherethe

partiesareheld,anyway,andthatthevampsaresmartenoughtomovethepartyaround.”

“SonohumansorMasters—iftheseareHousedvamps—getsuspicious,”Jeffadded.
“Exactly,”Catchersaid.
“Whataboutthesize?”Iasked.“Thescale?Mr.Jacksonwasconvincedthereweredozensofvamps

there,andthattheentirethingwasAmericanPsychoviolent.”

“Justlikethesitewevisited,ourcurrentintelsaysravesareahandfulofvampsandafewhumans.

Small,intimate.Focusedontheactofgivingandacceptingblood.Tocontinuethemovieanalogy,this
isn’tFightClub.”

“MorelikeLoveatFirstBite,”Jeffsaid.
Catcherrolledhiseyesagain.“Sothisnewincidentwe’retalkingaboutissomethingunprecedentedin

termsofsizeandviolence,withoutmatchingmissingpersonsreports,andnoactualevidenceofacrime.”
Heshrugged.“ThatsuggestsMr.Jacksonwasn’tentirelyhonest.Problemis,wehaven’ttalkedtoany
vampireswhowereactuallythere.Thatwouldbetherealcoup—gettingsomeoneinfromthebeginning.
Onthegroundfloor.Figuringoutwho’sthere,howtheinformationisbeingpassed,who’sparticipating,
andwhetherthey’reparticipatingwillingly.”

“CanyoupullindatafromtheCPD?”Iasked.“Seewhattheirfileshavetosay?”
“Doneanddone,”Jeffsaid,sittingforwardandbeginningtotaponhiskeyboard.“Imighthavetodiga

littletofindit—theirITarchitectureisforshit—butI’llletyouknow.”

Ofcourse,justbecausetheOmbud’sofficedidn’thaveinformationdidn’tmeantherewasn’t

informationtobehad.Itwasprobablytimetotapmynextsource....

“Thanks,”Itoldbothofthem.“Canyougivemeacallifyouhearanythingelse?”
“Ofcourse.IassumeSullivan’sgoingtosendyououtonsomesortofcrazypsycho-vampire-hunting

fieldtrip?”

“Theforecastisstrong.”
“Callmeifyouneedbackup,”Catchersaid.
“Ofcourse,”Iagreed,butIactuallyhadanideaaboutthat,aswell.Afterall,Jonahhadbeenoffered

upasapartner.

“Andifyoudogo,”Catcheradded,“lookforidentifyinginformation,listenforanywordabouthow

they’recontactingvampsoridentifyinghumans.”

“Willdo.”
“YouwantmetofindChuckbeforeyouleave?”Jeffasked.
Iwavedhimoff.“Noworries.He’sbusy.Lethimhandlehisopenhouse.”

“I’mprettysureIcanmanageajobandfamilyboth,”saidagravellyvoiceatthedoor.Iglancedback

andsmiledasmygrandfatherwalkedintotheoffice.Hewasdresseduptonight,havingtradedinthelong-
sleevedplaidshirtforacorduroyblazer.Buthe’dstuckwiththekhakipantsandthick-soledgrandpa
shoes.

HewalkedovertowhereIsatattheedgeofthedeskandplantedakissonmyforehead.“How’smy

favoritevampire?”

Iputanarmaroundhiswaistandgavehimahalfhug.“Arethereanyothersintherunning?”
“Nowthatyoumentionit,no.Theytendtoberatherhighmaintenance.”
“Amen,”CatcherandJeffsimultaneouslysaid.
Igavethemasnarkylook.
“Whatbringsyoutoourneckofthewoods?”
“IwasfillinginCatcherandJeffaboutourlatestdrama.Longstoryshort,blackopsandravestwo-

point-oh.”

Hegrimaced.“Thatwouldn’tthrillmeevenifIweren’tyourgrandfather.”
“Nope,”Iagreed.
“Ihatetobethebearerofbadnewsmyself,”hesaid,“butyourfathertellsmeyouhaven’tspokenina

fewweeks.”

Ididn’tcareformyfather,butIcaredevenlessforthefactthathe’dputmygrandfatherinthemiddle

ofourfeud.

“Actually,Isawhimleavingthemayor’shomelastnight.Wehadaverypleasantexchange,”Iassured

mygrandfather.

“Goodgirl,”hesaidwithasmile.
Ihoppedoffthedesk.Itwastimetogettherestoftheinvestigativeshowontheroad.“Ineedtorun,

andyouneedtogetbacktoyourparty,soI’llletthemfillyouinonthedetails.”

“Asifthere’sachanceIcouldavoidit,”mygrandfathersaid.Hehuggedmeonemoretime,thenletme

go.

Isaidmygoodbyesandwalkedbacktothefrontdoor,therivertrollsnoddingatmewhenIpassedasif

I’dbeenvetted.Notasavampire,maybe,butatleastthegranddaughterofamantheytrusted.

Friendsinhighplacesdefinitelyhelped—especiallyifyouhadenemiesinevenhigherspots.
MyphonerangjustasIwasgettingbackintomycar.Ipulledthedoorshutandflippeditopen.Itwas

Mallory.

“Hey,BlueHair.What’sup?”
Shedidn’tspeak,butsheimmediatelybegansobbing.
“Mal,what’swrong?Areyouokay?”
“Catharsis,”shesaid.“It’soneofthosecatharsiscries.”
Iblewoutabreath.I’dbeenpreparedtosquealtiresintherushtogettoherifshe’dbeenindanger.

Buteverygirlknowstheimportanceofacatharticcry—whenyouaren’tnecessarilycryingover
somethingspecific,butbecauseeverythinghasworkeditselfintoagiant,contortedknot.

“Anythingyouwanttotalkabout?”
“Kindof.Notreally.Idon’tknow.Canyoumeetme?”
“Ofcourse.Whereareyou?”
Shesniffed.“I’mstillinSchaumburg.I’mattheGoodwin’soffI-90.Iknowit’sfaraway,butcouldyou

meetmeouthere?Doyouhavetime?”

Goodwin’swasoneofthoseubiquitoustwenty-four-hourrestaurantsthatyousawinofficeparksand

hotelparkinglots.Thekindfrequentedbyseniorcitizensatfourintheafternoonandteenagersat
midnight.Iwouldn’tcallMalloryafoodie,butshedefinitelyhadaninterestinhipcuisine.Ifwewere
meetingataGoodwin’s,shewantedeitherblandfoodoranonymity.

Iwasn’tcrazyabouteitheroption.
“I’mjustleavingtheOmbud’soffice.It’lltakemeaboutforty-fivetogetthere.Thatokay?”
“Yeah.I’mstudying.I’llbehere.”
Thestudyingexplainedthechoiceofrestaurants.WesaidourgoodbyesandIlookedbackattheoffice

doorforaminute,wonderingifIshouldheadbackinandwarnCatcherthathisgirlwasastressball.But
IwasaBFF,andtherewasacodeofhonor.Aprotocol.She’dcalledme,notCatcher—eventhoughhe
wasintheofficeandclearlyreachable.Thatmeantsheneededtoventtome,sothatwaswhatwe’ddo.

“Onmyway,”Imuttered,andstartedthecar.

WhileIdrove,Imadeplansforthesecondpartofmyinvestigation.Andthatpartwasalittlebittrickier,
mostlybecauseIdidn’tthinkmysourcelikedme.Thefirsttimewe’dmet,Jonahhadbeenbrusque.The
secondtimeIdiscoveredhimonthedarkstreetsofWrigleyville,havingfollowedmearoundsohecould
getalookatme.Testmymettle,asitwere.

TheRedGuardhadbeenorganizedtwocenturiesagotoprotectMastervampires,butnowoperatedto

keepawatchfuleyeontheMastersthemselves.WhenNoahBeck,theleaderofChicago’sRogues,made
themembershipoffer,he’dinformedmethatJonah,captainoftheguardsofChicago’sGreyHouse,would
bemypartnerifIsignedup.Iwasflatteredbytheoffer,butjoiningagroupwhosepurposewastokeep
aneyeonMasterswouldhaveprovokedWorldWarIIIinCadoganHouse.Ethan,ifhe’dlearnedofit,
wouldhaveseenthemoveasaslapinhisface.

Iconsideredmyselftobeaprettylow-dragvampire;purposefullyaddingtomystockpileofdrama

wasn’treallymycupoftea.

Jonah,havingbeensingularlyunimpressedwithme,probablywasn’tbummedthatI’dsaidno.Iwasn’t

expectingthistelephonecallwasgoingtogoanybetter,buttheRGhaddetailsontheraves—including
theravethey’dcleanedup.AndsincemyvisittotheOmbud’sofficehadn’texactlybeenproductiveonan
intelgatheringbasis(albeitveryproductiveonariver-troll-diplomacybasis),JonahwasasourceI
neededtotap.

He’dcalledmeoncebefore,sowhenIwasonthemovenorthtowardSchaumburg,Idialedhisnumber.

Heansweredafteracoupleofrings.

“Jonah.”
“Hi.It’sMerit.”
Therewasanawkwardpause.“Housebusiness?”
IassumedhewasaskingifIwascallingonbehalfofCadoganHouse—orourRGconnection.“Not

exactly.Doyouhaveaminutetotalk?”

Anotherpause.“Givemefiveminutes.I’llcallyouback.”
Thelinewentdead,soImadesuremyringerwasturnedonandputthephoneinthecupholderwhileI

mademywaytowardI-90.

Jonahwaspunctual;thedashboardclockhadmovedaheadexactlyfiveminuteswhenhecalledback.
“Ihadtogetoutside,”heexplained.“I’monthestreetnow.Figuredthatwouldavoidthedrama.”Scott

Grey’svampireslivedinaconvertedwarehouseintheAndersonvilleneighborhood,notfarfromWrigley
Field.Theluckyducks.

“What’sup?”heasked.
Idecidedtoofferupthetruth.“MayorTatecalledusintohisofficeyesterday.Toldushehadan

eyewitnessaccountthatabandofvampireshadkilledthreehumans.”

“Damn.”Hiscursewaslowandalittletired-sounding.“Anythingelse?”
“Tatesuggestedtheviolencewaspartoftheraveculture.Butbasedonourintel,thissoundsdifferent.

Bigger.Meaner.Ifthewitness,aMr.Jackson,wastellingthetruth,thishasthemarkingsofsomekindof

attack.Thatithappenedataravemightbetheminorissue.Inanyevent,it’stimetodosomethingabout
them,andinordertodothat,Ineedinformation.”

“Soyoucalledme?”
Irolledmyeyes.Thequestionsuggestedhewasdoingmeafavor—andthathe’daskforoneinreturn.

Howveryvampire.

“You’remybesthopeforanswers,”Imatter-of-factlysaid.
“Unfortunately,Idon’thavealottotellyou.Iknowaboutthelastrave—theonetheRGcleanedup—

butonlybecauseNoahfilledmein.Iwasn’tthere.”

“DoyouthinkNoahmighthaveanymoreinformation?”
“Maybe.Butwhynotjustcallhimdirectly?”
“Becauseyouwereoffereduptomeasapartner.”
Jonahpaused.“IsthiscallanindicationofinterestintheRG?”
It’salast-ditchefforttogleaninformation,Ithought,butofferedinstead,“Ithinkthisisbigenough

thatittranscendsHousesorRGmembership.”

“Fairenough.I’llasksomequestionsandgetbacktoyouifIlearnanything.Iassumeyouwon’ttell

anyonewe’vetalked.”

“Yoursecretissafewithme.Andthanks.”
“Don’tthankmeuntilIdigsomethingup.I’llbeintouch.”
Thelinewentdead,soItuckedthephoneaway.Thereweremoredramaandcomplicationswitheach

daythatpassed.

Rarelydidanightpasswithoutmorevampiredrama.
Sometimeshangingoutinpajamaswithagoodbooksoundedlikeaphenomenalidea.

ThephonerangagainalmostimmediatelyafterI’dhungup.Iglancedatthescreen;itwasmyfather.

Ibrieflyconsideredsendinghimdirectlytovoicemail,butI’dbeendoingthatalotlately—enoughthat

mylackofcommunicationhitmygrandfather’sradar.Ididn’twantmyproblemsonhisplate,soIsucked
itup,flippedopenthephone,andraisedittomyear.

“Hello?”
“I’dliketospeakwithyou,”myfathersaid,apparentlybywayofgreeting.
Thatwasinevitablytrue.I’msuremyfatherhadanumberoftopicsinthequeueforme.Thetrickwas

figuringoutwhichparticulartopicwasonhismindtoday.

“About?”Iasked.
“Somethingsonthehorizon.I’vebecomeawareofsomeinvestmentsinwhichIthinkEthanmightbe

interested.”

Ah,thatexplainedthegoodhumoratCreeleyCreek.Iftherewasanythingthatmademyfatherhappy,it

wasthepossibilityofacapitalgainandafatcommission.Still,Ididappreciatethathewasinterestedin
workingwithEthan—insteadoftryingtoburyusall.

“We’reinthemiddleofsomethingrightnow.ButI’lldefinitelyadviseEthanofyouroffer.”
“Hecancallmeintheoffice,”myfathersaid.HemeanthisskyscraperonMichiganAvenueacross

fromMillenniumPark.Onlythebestrealestateforthecity’sbestrealestatemogul.

Withthatbitofinstruction,thelinewentdead.
Ifonlywecouldhavepickedourfamily...

CHAPTERSIX

SEASONOFTHEWITCH

Ipulledintotherestaurant’salmostemptyparkinglot.Therestaurant’swindowsglowed,onlyahandful
ofmenandwomenvisiblethroughtheglass.

IparkedtheVolvoandheadedinside,glancingarounduntilIfoundMallory.Shesatatatableinfront

ofalaptopcomputerandafoot-highstackofbooks,herstraight,icebluehairtuckedbehindherears.She
frownedatthescreen,ahalf-fulltumbleroforangejuiceatherside.

SheglancedupwhenIcamein,andInoticedthedarkcirclesbeneathhereyes.
“Hi,”shesaid,reliefinherface.
Islidintothebooth.“Youlooktired.”NoneedtoequivocatewhenyourBFFwasinpain,Ifigured.
“Iamtired.”Sheclosedthelaptopandsliditoutoftheway,thenlinkedherhandsonthetable.

“Practicumisn’tallit’scrackeduptobe.”

Icrossedmylegsonthebench.“Hardwork?”
“Physicallyandemotionallyexhausting.”Shefrownedoveratthepileofbooks.“Thisislikesorcery

bootcamp—learningstuffIshouldhavestudiedtenyearsago,crammingallthatintoafewmonthperiod.”

“Isitusefulstuff?”
“Yeah.Imean,I’vegoneoveritwithmytutorsomuchit’skindofsecondnaturenow.”
BeforeIhadtimetoblink,theplasticsaltandpeppershakerswereslidingacrossthetableinfrontof

me.

IglancedupandfoundMallorycompletelystill,herexpressionbland.I’dseenMallorymovethings

before—furniture,thelasttime—butIhadn’tseenhersolackadaisicalaboutit.

“That’s...impressive.”
Sheshrugged,buttherewassomethingdarkinhereyes.“Icandoitalmostwithoutthinkingaboutit.”
“Andhowdoyoufeelaboutthat?”
Thatwaswhenthetearsbegantowell.Shelookedupandaway,asifthegesturealonewouldkeepthe

tearsfromfalling.Buttheyslippeddownhercheeksanyway.Andwhenshebrushedawaythetears,I
realizedherfingerswereredandraw.

“Talktome,”Itoldher,thenglancedaround.Ourcorneroftherestaurantwasempty;theonlywaitress

insightsatatatableontheothersideoftheroom,rollingsilverwareintopapernapkins.“It’spractically
justmeandyouinhere.”

Thatunleashedanewfloodoftears.Myheartclenchedatthethoughtthatshe’ddoneorseenthingsin

thelastcoupleofweeksthathadbroughthertotears—andthatIprobablycouldn’thavestoppedit.

Igotupandmovedtohersideofthetable,waitinguntilshesliddownbeforeItookaseatbesideher.
“Tellme,”Isaid.
“Idon’tknowwhoIamanymore.”
Icouldn’thelpit;Ismiled.IftherewaseveraproblemIcouldunderstandasanewbievampire,that

wasit.Ibumpedmyforeheadagainsthershoulder.

“Keepgoing.”
Thefloodgatesopened.“Iwasthisgirl,right?Doingmything.Havingbluehair,workingmyad-exec

mojo.Andthenyou’reavampire,andEthanSullivanistouchingmyhairandtellingmeIhavemagic.And
thenthere’sCatcherandI’mawitchandI’mlearningKeysandhowtothrowflamingballsofcrapat
targetssoI’mreadywhenthevampireshitinevitablyhitsthefan.”

Shesuckedinair,thenstartedagain.“Iwassupposedtobeapartneratthirty,Merit.Haveacondoon

thelake.HaveaBirkinbagandgenerallybesatisfiedwithmyveryfancylot.AndnowI’mdoing”—she
lookedaround—“magic.Andnotjustmagic.”

Anothertearsliddownhercheek.
“Whatdoyoumean,notjustmagic?”
Hervoicedroppedanoctave.“YouknowaboutthefourKeys,right?”
“Sure.Power,beings,weapons,text.”
“Right.Thosearethefourmajordivisionsofmagic.Well,turnsoutit’snotthatsimple—thosearen’t

theonlymajordivisions.”

Ifrownedather.“Sowhataretheothers?”
Sheleanedintowardme.“They’reblackmagic,Merit.Thebadstuff.There’sanentiresystemofdark

magicthatoverlaysthefourgoodKeys.”Shegrabbedanapkinanduncappedapen.“You’veseen
Catcher’stattoo,right?”

Inodded.Itwasacrosshisabdomen,acircledividedintoquadrants.
ShesketchedouttheimageI’dseen,thenpointedatthefourpielikesegments.“Soeachquadrantisa

Key,right?Adivisionofmagic.”Shepulledanothernapkinfromtheholderandunfoldedit,thendrew
anotherdividedcircle.Whenshewasdone,sheplacedthesecondnapkinontopofthefirstone.

“It’sthesamefourdivisions—butallblackmagic.”
Thistime,myvoicewassofter.“Givemesomethingtogoon,here.Whatkindofblackmagicarewe

talking?Elphaba,WickedWitchoftheWest–typestufforSlytherin-typestuff?”

Sheshookherhead.“Ican’ttellyou.”
“Youcantellmeanything.”
Shelookedoveratme,frustrationclearinherface.“Notwon’ttellyou,can’ttellyou.There’sOrder

jujuatwork.Iknowthings,butIcan’tgetthemout.Icansummonupthephrasesinmyhead,butcan’t
actuallygivevoicetothewords.”

Ididnotlikethesoundofthat—thefactthatthealready-secretiveOrderwasusingmagictokeep

Malloryfromtalkingaboutthethingsthatworriedher.Darkthings.

Regrettablethings?
“IsthereanythingIcando?”
Sheshookherhead,eyesonherhandsonthetable.
“Isthatwhyyourhandsaresochapped?”
Shenodded.“I’mtired,Merit.I’mtraining,andI’mlearningwhatIcan,butthis—Idon’tknow—it

usesyoudifferently.”Sheclenchedherhandsintofistsandthenreleasedthemagain.“It’sawhole
differentkindofexhausting.Notjustbody.Notjustmind.Soul,too,kindof.”Hereyebrowsknottedwith
worry.

“HaveyoutalkedtoCatcheraboutanyofthis?”
Sheshookherhead.“He’snotintheOrder.Ican’ttellhimanythingIcan’ttellyou.”
IsuddenlyhadanunderstandingofwhyCatcherwasn’tsuchabigfanoftheOrder—andwhyit

matteredwhetherhewasstillamemberornot.

“HowcanIhelp?”
Sheswallowed.“Couldwejustsithereforalittlewhile?”Shesighedhaggardly.“I’mjusttired.AndI

haveexamscomingup,andthere’ssomuchpreptodo—somanyexpectationsonmerightnow.Ijust
don’twanttogohome.Notbacktomylife.Ijustwanttositinthiscrappycorporaterestaurantfor
anothercoupleofhours.”

Iputmyarmaroundhershoulders.“Aslongasyouwant.”

Wesatintheboothforanhour,barelytalking,Mallorysippingorangejuicefromhercupandstaringout
thewindowattherarecarthatpassedtherestaurant.

Whenhertumblerwasempty,Ibumpedhershoulderagain.“Helovesyou,youknow.Evenifitfeels

likesomethingyoucan’ttaketohim,youcan.Imean,Igetthatyoucan’tgivehimthedetails,butyoucan
tellhimthisisworryingyou.”

“Youknowthatforsure?”
Icaughtthetinythreadofhopeinhervoiceandtugged.“Iknowthatforsure.It’sCatcher,Mallory.

Crazystubborn?Sure.Gruff?Absolutely.Butalsototallyinlovewithyou.”

Shesniffed.“Keepgoing.”
“RememberwhatyoutoldmeaboutEthan?ThatIdeservedsomeonewhowantedmefromthe

beginning?Well,CatcherBellisyoursomebody.Hewouldsnapanyonewhocameatyouinhalf,and
that’sbeenobvioussincethesecondhemetyou.There’snotadoubtinmymindthathe’sallin,and
there’snothingyoucan’ttellhim.Well,”Iaddedwithasmile,“unlessyoubecomeavamp.Thatwould
probablybeadealbreaker.”

Malmadeahalflaugh,halfcryandwipedherfaceagain.
“Iassumeyou’renotmakingsecretplanstobecomeavampire?”
“Notrightatthismoment.”
“Good.Ithinkonevampinthefamilyisplentyenough.”
“Concuronthatone.It’sjust...”Shepaused,thenstartedagain.“Thereareveryfewdecisionsinmy

lifethatIregret.NotgrabbingthatvintageChanelwesawatthatconsignmentstoreonDivision.Not
watchingBuffyuntilthethirdseason.Minorstuff,butyouknowwhatImean.”Sheshookherhead.“But
this.BeingID’dasasorcerer,agreeingtogoalongwiththisstuff,takingpartinthings—Idon’tknow.
MaybeIshouldhavejustignoredthewholething.Keptonwiththeadgigandignoredthevampiresand
thesorceryandEthantouchingmyhair.Imean,whodoesthat?Whotouchessomeone’shairand
pronouncestheyhavemagic?”

“DarthSullivan.”
“DarthgoddamnedSullivan.”Shechuckledalittle,thenputherheadonmyshoulder.“Didyouever

wishyoucouldjustwalkaway?Rewindyourlifebacktothedaybeforeyoubecamesupernaturally
inclinedandcatchanAmtrakoutoftown?”

Ismiledalittle,thinkingofwhatEthanhadsaid.“Thethoughthasoccurredtome.”
“Allright,”shesaid,puttingherpalmsflatonthetableandblowingoutabreath.“It’stimeforapep

talk.Ready,set,go.”

Thatwasmycuetocalladultswimatthepitypoolandkickherout—andthenofferupalittle

motivationalmagicofmyown.

“MalloryCarmichael,you’reasorceress.Youmaynotlikeit,butit’safact.Youhaveagift,andyou

arenotgoingtositaroundaGoodwin’sdrinkingfifty-nine-centcoffeebecauseyou’vegotconcernsabout
yourassignments.You’reasorceress—butyou’renotarobot.Ifyouhaveconcernsaboutyourjob,talkto
someoneaboutit.Ifyouthinksomethingyou’redoingflunksthesmelltest,thenstopdoingit.Breakthe
chainofcommandifthat’swhatittakes.Youhaveaconscience,andyouknowhowtouseit.”

Wesatquietlythereforamoment,untilherdecisivenod.
“That’swhatIneeded.”
“That’swhyyouloveme.”
“Well,thatandwewearthesameshoesize.”Sheswiveledinherseatandpulledupaknee.Herfoot,

nowproppedontheseat,wassnuginsideapairoflimegreen,limited-editionPumas...oneofthepair
I’dleftatMal’shousewhenI’dmovedintoCadogan.

“Arethose—”
“Whattheyareissocomfy.”

“MalloryDelanceyCarmichael.”
“Hey,StreetFestisthisweekend,”shesuddenlysaid.“Maybewecouldheaddownandnoshsome

meatonastick.”

StreetFestwasChicago’sannualend-of-summerfoodbash.Restaurantsandcaterersputuptheirwhite

vinyltentsinGrantParktohawktheirwaresandcelebratetheendofAugust’sroastingheatandsteamy
humidity.Normally,Iwasaprettybigfan.SamplingChicago’sfinestgrubwhilelisteningtolivemusic
wasn’texactlyabadwaytospendanevening.

Ontheotherhand,“Areyoutryingtodistractmewithroastbeast?”
Shebattedhereyelashes.
“Seriously,Mallory.Thoseshoesarelimitededition.DoyourememberhowlongItriedtofindthem?

WestakedouttheWebfor,like,threeweeks.”

“Epistemologicalcrisishere,Mer.Seriously.Onecannottreadlightlyincheapknockoffsneakswhen

oneisenmeshedinacrisis.”

Isighed,knowingI’dbeenbeaten.

Asitturnedout,shedidn’thavetwohoursinher.Sheneededonlytwentymoreminutesbeforeshewas
readytoreturntoherlife—toKeysandmagicandCatcher.Shedecidedtomakeanearlynightof
practicum,andinsteadputinacalltoCatcherthatwassicklysweetenoughthatmybloodsugarrose.

Buthoweversickening,shewassmilingbytheendofthecall,soIhadtogivepropstoCatcher.We

exchangedhugsintheparkinglot,andIsentherhometoWickerParkandthewaitingarmsofagreen-
eyedsorcerer.

Whateverworked.
Ironic,Iguess,thatIwasheadingbacktotheHouseofagreen-eyedvampire,althoughdefinitelynot—

tohischagrin—hiswaitingarms.Iwasnearlybackinthatvampire’sterritorywhenmyphonerangagain.

“Merit,”Ianswered.
“Something’sgoingontonight,”Jonahsaid.
“Arave?”
“Mightstartoutthatway.Butifthesethingsreallyareasviolentasyou’rehearing...”
Hedidn’tneedtofinishthesentence,unfortunately.Theimplicationwasobvious—andbad.
“Howdidyoufindout?”
“Textmessage.Aflashmob,justliketheothers.”
“Andthistimewegotinearlyenough?”Iwonderedaloud.
“Thistimewegotluckyandfoundthephone,”Jonahsaid.“SomeoneleftitatBenson’s.”
“Benson’s,asinacross-the-street-from-Wrigley-FieldBenson’s?”
“Yeah.That’stheGreyHousebar.”
Oneofthemanybarsaroundthestadiumthathadinstalledbleachersonitsroof,Benson’swas,inmy

opinion,thebestspotintowntogetaviewofWrigleyFieldwithoutaticket.

“Kudosonthatone,”Isaid.“I’vespentmanyafineeveninginBenson’s.”
“Andsoyouwereinthecompanyofvampiresbeforeyouwereevenawareofthem,”hesaid.“How

ironic.”

Icouldn’thelpbutchuckle.Hemightbepretentious,butJonahapparentlyhadasenseofhumor,as

well.

“Anyway,Ihadthephoneinmyoffice,andwedidn’tthinkmuchofituntilwegotthetext.Same

format,samemessageastheothers.”

“Isthephoneuseful?Canwetracethenumberorsomething?”
“Thephonewasadisposable,andithadn’tbeeninuselong.Theoutgoingcallswerealltobusinesses

thatdon’tkeeptrackofcustomercalls.Theonlyincomingwasthetext.Wecalledthatnumberback,and
it’salreadybeendisconnected.Wehaven’tbeenabletofindanyotherinformation.”

Ah,buttheydidn’thaveaJeffChristopher.“Canyougivemethenumber?I’vegotafriendwithsome

computerskills.Wouldn’thurttohavehimlookatit.”

Jonahreadmethedigits;Igrabbedanenvelopeandapenfromthegloveboxandwroteitdown,

makingamentalnotetosendittoJefflater.

“Sowhere’stherave?”
“ApenthouseinStreeterville.”
StreetervillewasthepartofdowntownChicagothatstretchedfromMichiganAvenuetothelake.Lots

ofskyscrapers,lotsofmoney,andlotsoftourists.

“IamnotcrazyabouttheideaofravingvampiresinStreeterville.”
“Althoughthatwouldmakeagoodhorror-flicktitle.‘VampiresinStreeterville,’Imean.”
Asecondjokeinamatterofminutes.“I’mgladtoknowyouhaveasenseofhumor.”
“I’mavampire,notazombie.”
“Goodtoknow.”
“Ifyou’rein,meetmeatthewatertower.Twoo’clock.”
Icheckedthedashboardclock—itwasbarelypastmidnight,whichgavemejustenoughtimetoget

backtotheHouse,changeclothes,andheadoutagain.“I’llbethere,”Iassuredhim.“Weapon-wise,what
shouldIbring?Swordorhiddendagger?”

“I’msurprisedatyou,Sentinel.Vampiresgenerallydon’tusehiddenblades.”
Hewasright.Hiddenbladeswereconsideredadishonorablewaytofight.Iheardthequestioninhis

voice:Areyouanhonorablesoldier?

Admittedly,carryingahiddenbladedidn’tpassthesmelltestI’djusttoldMallorytouse,butwhat

couldIdo?

“Thehidden-bladetaboowasmadebeforeCelinagotawildhairanddecidedtooutustotheworld.I

canfightwithoutsteelifnecessary,butI’dprefertohavebackup.”IthinkI’dproventhatpointprettywell
lastnight.Andtothink—onlyafewmonthsago,I’dbeenagraduatestudentinEnglishlit.Gofigure.

“Wellput.”
Athoughtoccurredtome.“Ican’ttellEthanI’mvisitingaravealone,andIcertainlycan’ttellhimI’m

goingwithyouifyouwanttokeepyourRGmembershipasecret.”

“MaybeyoushouldsubstituteNoahintheversionyoutellEthan.”
SinceNoahwasthedefactoleaderofChicago’sRoguevampires,thatmadesense.Ofcourse,I’dstill

havetolietoEthan.Iwasn’tcrazyaboutthatidea,butitwasn’tfairtorelyonJonahandhisintelandthen
outhisRGmembership.

“Probablyagoodidea,”Iconcluded.
“I’llgiveNoahacallandfillhimin,”Jonahsaid.“I’llseeyoutonight.Callmeifyouneedanything.”
Isaidmytemporarygoodbyes,sincerelyhopingIcouldmakeitthroughthenextfewhoursbefore

meetingJonahwithouthavingtocallhimforhelp.

Ofcourse,evenifIwasn’tcallingavampireforhelp,Istillhadtoaskavampireforpermission.

ThefoodtruckwasgonewhenIreturnedtotheHouse,andthehumanslookedtiredagain.Ethan

probablyhadn’tcountedonthetruck’ssecondbenefit—thepost-hot-beeffoodcoma.

Iwalkedpasttheprotesterswithafriendlysmileandwave,thentrottedintotheHouseandheadedfor

Ethan’sfirst-flooroffice.Ifoundthedooropen,theofficeabuzzwithactivity.

Helen,theHouseliaisonfornewbievamps,stoodinthemiddleoftheroom,pinkbinderinhand,

directingtheflowofsleeknewfurnitureintoEthan’soffice.Theroomhadbeenmostlyemptiedafterthe

attack,thebulkofhisfurniturereducedtomatchsticks.Butthatwasbeingremediedbythemenand
women—presumablyvampires,givenTate’shuman-free-Housepolicy—whowerecarryinginpiecesof
agiganticnewconferencetable.

AnothervampireIdidn’trecognizeflittedaround,offeringsuggestionstothemoversaboutfurniture

placement.SincesheworeanubbypinksuitthatexactlymatchedHelen’s,IassumedshewasHelen’s
assistant.

Ethansatbehindanewdesk,hischairpushedback,oneanklecrossedoveroneknee,hisgazeon

Helen.Hewatchedthetwoofthemworkwithamixofamusementandirritationinhisexpression.

Iwalkedoverandnoticedthespreadofglossypaperonhisdesk—home-decorcatalogs,catering

menus,lightingplans.“What’sgoingon?”

“We’repreparing.”
Handsbehindmyback,Iglanceddownatoneofthecateringmenus.“Forseniorprom?Letmeguess

—‘ANightUndertheStars’isyourtheme.”

Ethanglancedupatme,alinebetweenhiseyes.“FortheimminentarrivalofDariusWest.”
Thatflooredme.DariusWestwastheheadoftheGreenwichPresidium.SincetheGPwas

headquarterednearLondon,Icouldn’timagineDarius’sarrivalinChicagoportendedanythinggood.

ThattookcareofconvincingEthannottojoinmeandJonahattheravetonight.Dariusgavemea

perfectexcusetokeepJonahinthecloset.

Butthatdidn’tmeanIwouldn’ttaketheopportunitytotweakEthan.“Yetanothersurprisevisitto

CadoganHouse?”

Hekepthisvoicelow.”Aswe’vediscussed,Lacey’svisitwasn’tasurprise,althoughitwassomewhat

accelerated.”Helookedupatme.“Andaswe’vealsodiscussed,you’retheonlyoneI’minterestedin.”

Iwasn’tupforthisconversationinanemptyroom,muchlessaroomfullofvampires,soIchangedthe

subject.“Whenwillouresteemedleaderbehere?”

“Evidentlyintwohours.”
Iblinked,shockedEthanwouldn’tgetalittlemoreadvancenoticeforthearrivalofamanwehadto

callSire.“Andyou’rejustdiscoveringthisnow?”

Ethanwethislips,irritationcrossinghisface.“Dariusapparentlybelieveditwouldbebestifhe

visitedtheHouseaunaturel,sotospeak.NowarningmeantnotimetofakeconditionsintheHouse,or
somesuchconcern.Hewantstoseeusinourtypicalhomeenvironment.”

“Beingtheknuckledraggersweusuallyare?”
Hesmiledthinly.“Asyousay.He’sonaplane—hasbeensincebeforesunset—andwillbehere

relativelyshortly.Helenispreparinganeveningmeal.Thereare...traditionsthatmustbefollowed.”

“Virginsacrifice?”
“Thefinestcorn-fed,midwesternbeef.IncopiousamountsforDariusandhisentourage.”
Thatwordtightenedmystomach.“Whenyousayentourage—”
“I’mnotincludingCelina.Hewon’tbebringinganyotherGPmembers,justhisusualtravelingstaff.

He’salreadygotanadvancemaninChicago.They’llbestayingattheTrump.”

“I’msurprisedhe’snotstayinghereifhewantstokeepaneyeonthings.”
Ethanscoffed.“Thelargestroomwehaveavailableistheconsortsuite,andDarius’stasterunsto

somethinglarger—andmorerefined.”

Ihadn’tdevelopedmuchrespectfortheGPintherelativelyfewmonthsI’dbeenavampire;thisinfo

wasn’tdoingmuchformyimpressionofDariusWest,either.

Nowthathe’dexplainedthefurnitureshenanigans,itwastimetogiveEthanaseconddoseoffunnews.

IgesturedtowardHelenandherhelpers.“CanIspeaktoyouprivately?”

“Todiscuss?”
“Housebusiness.”

Heglancedup,meetingmygazeforamomentwhilegaugingmyrequest.“Helen,”hesaid,hiseyesstill

onme,“couldyougiveusamoment?”

“Ofcourse.”Withasmile,sheclosedherbinder.Withatwirlofherhand,sheroundedupherassistant

andthemovers.

“Youhavethefloor,”hesaidwhentheofficedoorclosedbehindthem.
“Firstmatterofbusiness,myfatherwantstoinvolveyouinsomekindofinvestment.Feelfreetocall

himbackornot;IonlypromisedthatI’dtellyouaboutit.”

Ethanrolledhiseyes.“ThatexplainshischippernessatCreeleyCreek.”
“Mythoughtsexactly.AsfortheotherCreeleyCreekbusiness,IvisitedtheOmbud’soffice.They

haven’theardanychatteraboutviolentepisodes.”IsteeledmywillandofferedupthelieI’dprepared.
“Sincewe’vesuspectedtheravesareoperatedbyRogues,IcalledNoah.”

Ethanpaused,probablydebatingwhetheritwasworththetroubletoscoldmeformakingacalltothe

leaderoftheRoguevampireswithouthispermission.Butafteramoment,herelented.“Goodthinking.”

Itwasalie,iswhatitwas.Andthatdidnotsitwellinmystomachorheart.Butithadtobedone.
“Hecalledafewminutesago,”Iadded.“Hewasflashmobbedatimeandplaceforsomesortofevent

tonight.”

“Arave?”
Ishrugged.“Hedoesn’tknow.Heonlygottimeandplace.Ahigh-rentplaceinStreeterville.Two

a.m.”

Ethanpushedbackhisshirtsleeveandglanceddownathiswatch.“That’snotmuchtime.Andwith

Dariuscomingin,Ican’tgo,andIcan’tspareanyguards.”

“Iknow.Noahvolunteeredtogowithme.”
Ethanwatchedmeforaminute.We’dusually,bycircumstance,endeduponourvariousadventures

together.Thiswouldbeafirstforme—anescapadewithanothervampire.

“I’mnotcrazyaboutthisidea,”hesaid.
“IfTate’sinformationiscorrect,we’relookingatsomethingbiggerandnastierthanraves—maybe

somethingtheravesareevolvinginto.Wehavetofigureoutwhatitis.Ifwedon’t,you’llbewearingan
orangejumpsuit.”

“Iknow.”Hepickedupablackpencilandtappeditabsentlyonthedeskbeforegazingupatmewith

translucentlygreeneyes.“You’llbecareful?”

“Ihavenointerestinendinguponthewrongendofanaspenstake,”Ipromised.“Andbesides,Itook

twooathstoserveyourHouse.Itwouldn’texactlybekosherofmetoskipoutjustbecauseIwasafraid.”

Hisexpressionsoftenedsympathetically.“Areyou?”
“Iprefertoavoidviolence.”
“Iknowthefeeling.”
Atthesuddenknockonthedoor,webothlookedup.Twovamps,unescortedbyHelen,stoodinthe

doorway,sharingtheweightofamassivemarblepedestal.

IglancedatEthan,eyebrowlifted.
“ItbelongedtoPeterCadogan,”hedrylyexplained.“We’vehaditinstorage,butHelenthoughtit

wouldaddvervetotheroom.”

“Farbeitfrommetodisagree.”
“Wecanmovethisin?”oneofthevampsasked.
Ethanwavedthemin.“Ofcourse.Thankyou.”Astheyscurriedacrossthefloor,marbleinhand,he

glancedbackatme.“Goodlucktonight.Reportwhenyou’reback.”

Withthat,helookeddownathispapers,excusingmefromhisoffice.
Ittookmeamomenttoturnaroundandheadforthedooragain.ItwasnotthatI’dexpectedateary

goodbye,butwehadbecomedefactopartners.Icouldunderstandhisreticencetotalkaboutravesin

frontofothervamps,butafewwordsofwisdomwouldn’thavebeenamiss.Imighthavebeenasoldier,
butIwasstillanewbieone...andevenvampiresoldierswereoccasionallyfrightened.

AsmuchasIlovedcasual,andassteamyasAugusthadbeensofar,Iknewjeansandacottontanktop
weren’tgoingtocutittonight.Wewereheadingtoarave.Atbest,itwasgoingtobeapartyforvamps,
andIneededtolookthepart;atworst,itwasgoingtobeabattleofvamps,andIwasgoingtoneedthe
protection.

No,tonightwasanightforleather.Well,leatherpants,atleast,sinceitwasmuchtoohotforthefull

ensemble.

Iknow,stereotypicalvampire.IhadthatthoughteverytimeIpulledtheleatheroutofmycloset.But

youaskanyHarleyriderwho’sexperiencedroadrash,andhe’llexplainwhyhewearsleather.Becauseit
works.Steelcanslice,andbulletscanpierce.Leathermakesthosethingsalittlehardertogetthrough.

Ipulledalongish,flowy,graytanktopfromtheclosetandpairedthatwiththeleatherpants,then

pulledmyhairintoahighponytail,leavingafringeofbangsacrossmyforehead.IskippedtheCadogan
medal—Iwasattemptingtoflyundercover,afterall—butIpulledalongnecklacemadeofstrandsof
pewter-coloredbeadsoverthetank.Withmyblackboots,theensemblelookedhalf-runway,half–party
girl.Itdidn’tscreamvampiresoldier,whichIfiguredcouldonlyhelp.Elementofsurprise,andallthat.

Islidmydagger,inscribedononeendwithmyposition,intomyrightboot,thenstuckmyphoneand

beeperintoatinyclutchpurse.Iwouldn’ttakethepurseorthebeepertotheevent,butatleastIwouldn’t
havetocarryahandfulofgadgetstothecar.Enmasse,theyweren’texactlyergonomic.

I’djustaddedblushandlipglosswhentherewasaknockatthedoor.Luc,Iassumed,havingbeensent

upstairsbyEthanforalast-minutestrategysession.

“Abouttime,”Isaid,pullingthedooropen.
Greeneyesstaredbackatme.Ethanhadn’tsentLucupstairs;he’dcomeonhisown.Hescannedmy

outfit.“Datenight?”

“I’mtryingtofitinwiththerestofthepartygoers,”Iremindedhim.
“SoIsee.You’vegotweapons?”
“Adaggerinmyboot.Anythingelsewouldbetooobvious.”
Theemotionwasclearinhiseyes,butIneededtostayfocused.Ikeptmyvoiceneutral,mywords

careful.“I’llbesafe.AndNoahwillhavemyback.”

Ethannodded.“I’veupdatedLuc.Theguardsareallonstandby.Ifyoucall,theycomerunning,

immediately.Ifyouneedanything,youcalloneofthem.Ifanythinghappenstoyou—”

“I’mimmortal,”Iinterrupted,remindinghimofthebiologicalclockhe’dstoppedfromticking.“AndI

havenointerestintakinglibertieswithmyimmortality.”

Henodded,regretinhiseyes.Thatlookmadeitseemhewasseekingadiscussionbetweentwolovers,

notbetweenbossandemployee.Maybehedidhavefeelingsforme.Realones,unboundbyobligationor
position.ButevenifIwasinterestedinpursuingthatlead,nowwasnotthetime.Ihadatasktoperform.

ButbeforeIcouldremindhimofthatandsendhimonhisway,hecuppedmyfaceinhishands.
“Youwillbecareful.”Itwasanorderthatbrookednoargument.Thatwasconvenient,sincewords

failedme.

“Youwillbecareful,”herepeated,“andyouwillstayintouchwithme,Luc,orCatcher.Dariuswill

behere,soMalikandImaybeindisposed.Getincontactwithwhomeveryoucan.Takenounnecessary
risks.”

“IpromiseIwasn’tplanningonit.Notbecauseyouaskedmeto,”Ihastilyadded,“butbecauseIlike

beingalive.”

Heclearlywasn’tdissuaded,andstrokedmyjawlinewithhisthumb.“Youcanrun.Youcankeep

runningtotheendsoftheearth.ButIwon’tbefarbehindyou.”

“Ethan—”
“No.Iwillneverbefarbehindyou.”HetippedupmychinsothatIcoulddonothingelsebutlookback

intohiseyes.“Dothethingsyouneedtodo.Learntobeavampire,tobeawarrior,tobethesoldieryou
arecapableofbeing.ButconsiderthepossibilitythatImadeamistakeIregret—andthatI’llcontinueto
regretthatmistakeandtrytoconvinceyoutogivemeanotherchanceuntiltheearthstopsturning.”

Heleanedforwardandpressedhislipstomyforehead,myheartmeltingevenasmymorerationalside

harboredsuspicions.

“Noonesaidlovewaseasy,Sentinel.”
Andthenhewasgoneandthedoorwasclosedagain,leavingmestandingthere,dumbfounded,staring

atit.

WhatwasIsupposedtodowiththat?

CHAPTERSEVEN

MOREHUMANTHANHUMAN

TheChicagoWaterTowersatlikeawedding-caketopperinthemiddleofMagnificentMile.Ithad
survivedtheGreatFire,andnowitservedasasymbolofthecity—andabackgroundfortourist
photographs.

Jonahleanedagainstthestonerailingbesidethestepsintothebuildingintrimjeansandasilvery

button-up,hisgazeonthephoneinhishands.Hishairwasloosearoundafacethatmighthavebeen
carvedbyMichelangelohimself—ifMichelangelohadsculptedamanwhohadlookedlikeanIrishgod.
Perfectcheekbones,thinnose,squarejaw,andlongalmond-shapedblueeyesframedbylocksofhis
auburnhair.

Yes,Jonahwasplentyhandsome,evenwiththedourexpressionthatmarredhisfacewhenhelooked

up.Hetuckedthephoneintoapocketandmovedcloser.Iwatchedhimlookmeover,takingintheleather
anddebatingwhetherI’dbeahelporahindranceonthisparticularescapade.

“You’reearly,”hesaid.
Iremindedmyselftopickmybattles.“Ipreferearlytolate.Ithoughtwemightwanttotalkstrategy

beforewegoin.”

HegestureddownMichigantowardtheriver.“Let’swalkandtalk.”
AndsowestarteddownMichiganAvenue,twotallandwelldressedvampires,probablylookinglike

wewereonadateinsteadofplanningtoinfiltrateavampirebloodorgy.Andwelookednormalenough,
apparently,thatnoonemadeusoutasvamps.Ah,thebenefitsofnightfall.

“Howmanyvamps?”Iaskedhim.
“Idon’tknow.Ravesareprettyintimateaffairs,soifthisisone,notmany.”
“IfyoufoundthephonewiththeinviteatBenson’s,areyouthinkingitbelongedtoaGreyHouse

vamp?”

Jonahglowered.“I’mhoping,forthesakeoftheGreyHousevamps,thatitdidn’t.Butasyousaid,the

barhasanopen-doorpolicy,andwegenerallykeepitsHouseaffiliationasecret.Soitcouldhave
belongedtoanyone.”

Inodded.“HaveyoualwaysbeeninGreyHouse?”
“Ihavenot.IwasbornRogue.GrewupinaroughpartofKansasCity.Nottheeasiestplacetocomeof

age.Ialmostdidn’tmakeitout.AndthenalongcameMax.”

“He’stheonewhomadeyouavampire?”
“Hewas.Hehelpedmeescapeabadscene.Well,totheextentinheritingvampirepoliticsanddramais

anescape.”

“Icanrelate.”
“Ifigured.Nooffense,butSullivan’saspoliticalastheycome.”
Ilaughedaloud.“Truerwordshaveneverbeenspoken.He’sagoodMaster.Caresdeeplyabouthis

House.”Buttotheexclusionofallelse,Isilentlyadded.

“Andyoutwo—?”
Icutoffthequestion.MostoftheCadoganvampsknewEthanandIhadsharedanighttogether,soit

didn’tcomeasmuchofasurprisethatJonah,memberofanespionagegroup,did,too.ButwhileI
appreciatedthathewasgivingmetheopportunitytoclarify,itirkedmethatheassumedI’dbealiability,
emotionallyorotherwise.Startingoffwithacleanslatewouldhavebeennice.

“Wearenotanitem,”Iassuredhim.
“Justchecking.Iliketogetalineonanypossiblecomplicationsthatmightspillmyway.”
“Nonefromthisend,”Iassuredhim.MuchtoEthan’sdisappointment.
WeseparatedasaflockofteenagersboundeddownMichigan.Itwastwointhemorning,andthestores

werelongsinceclosed,butitwasalsoasummernightandschoolhadn’tyetstarted.Isupposewandering
MichiganAvenuewasarelativelysafeactivityifyouwereateenagerwithtoomuchtimeonyourhands.

“Anyway,MaxwasavampirewithMaster-worthypower,butnoHouse.TheGPconsideredhim

unstableandwouldn’tgivehimanofficialtitle.Theywererightabouttheinstability.Myguess?Maxwas
bipolarasahuman,andbecomingavampdidn’thelp.”

“Can’tbeagoodideatohavehimrunningaroundKansasCitywithoutoversight.”
“Andthatwasexactlytheproblem.TheGPdidn’tthinkhewassaneenoughforaHouse,butthatjust

meantanego-drivenpsychopathwasrunningaroundmakingonevampafteranother.Thecreationof
MurphyHousewasawayfortheGPtoreinintheRoguesandone-upMax.TheygaveRichtheHouse
andgrandfatheredusinundersomeancientCanonprovision.”

“How’dyouendupinChicago?”
“ItransferredtoGreywhenScottgothisMasterdom.EachnewHousegetstostealafewNovitiates

fromtheotherstohelpfillitout.They’reabletoinitiatenewvamps,aswell,obviously,butthetrade
givesthemastart.”

“Areyouworriedsomeoneatthepartymightrecognizeyou?Imean,you’vebeenaroundforawhile,

andifanyonethereisfromGreyHouse...”

“IfanyonethereisfromGreyHouse,they’llthinkI’mtheretofindthem,enforceHouserules,anddrag

thembacktorationality—rightbeforeIkicktheirasses.GreyHouseisnotNavarreHouse.Wemayenjoy
sports,butwerespectauthority.We’reateam—aunit.There’saclearchainofauthority,andwefollow
it.”

“AndScott’sthecoach?”
“Andthegeneral,”heagreed.
Whilethatmightbetheoreticallytrue,Ithought,Jonahwasstillamemberofanorganizationwhose

missionwastosecretlypolicetheMasters.Thatdidn’texactlyfittheScott-is-my-generalanalogy.

“Anyway,noworriesonmyend,”Jonahconcluded.
Wepassedalineoftouristsburdenedwithrestaurantleftoversandshoppingbags.Theylooked

exhausted,asifitwaswellpasttimeforthemtoreturntotheirhotel.

“I’veneverbeentoanactualravebefore,”Isaidafterwepassedthem.Ilookedoverathim.“Have

you?”

“Nearone,didn’tgoin.”
“I’mnervous,”Iconfessed.
“Ihavenoobjectiontonervesbeforeanop,”Jonahsaid.“Theykeepyousharp.Onyourtoes.Aslong

asyouwon’tfreezeup—andfromwhatI’veheardabouttheattackonCadogan,youaren’tgoingtofreeze
up.”

“I’vebeengoodsofar.”
“Sofarcounts.”Hecametoastopatthelightandpointedtotheleft.“We’llcrosshere,thenacouple

ofblocksup.”

Whenthelightchanged,wewalkedacrossthestreetandheadedeast,acoupleofblocksoffMichigan.
“Thisisit,”Jonahsaid.
Itwas...definitelysomething.Thebuildinglookedlikeagleamingblackspearthrustintothebanksof

theChicagoRiver—atleastuptothetopthreeorfourfloors.Theywerestillunderconstruction,their
skeletalstructureswrappedinhazyplastic.

Aplywoodsignannouncedthebuildingwasthefuturehomeofafinancecompany.

Withvampireslikethese,Ithought,whoneedsenemies?
“Today,”Jonahsaid,“we’replayinginvitedguests.Actlikeyoubelong.”Hepushedthroughthe

building’srevolvingdoor.AsIfollowed,Jonahsmiledatthemanbehindthesecuritydeskandsauntered
over,lookingexactlylikehebelongedinapenthousevampireparty.

“We’rehereforthe,er,mixer,”Jonahcasuallysaid.
“Securitycode?”theuniformasked.
Jonahsmiled.“Temptress.”
Forasecond,Ithoughthe’dgottenitwrong.TheuniformlookedatJonah,thenme,beforeapparently

decidingwewereinthebuildingforlegitimatereasons,andgesturingtowardtheelevator.“Topfloor.
Stayawayfromtheedges.It’sanastyfall.”

Jonahwalkedtowardtheelevator,thenpushedthebutton.Whenthecararrived,weslippedinside.
“Areyoureadyforthis?”heaskedwhenthedoorclosed.
“I’mnotentirelysure.”
“Youcandoit.Justremember,ifthisisarave,ourgoalisn’ttoclosethemdowntonight.Westepin,

andwefigureoutwhatMr.Jacksonmighthaveseen.Weidentifyperps,feuds,whateverwecan.Onestep
forwardisgoodenoughforourpurposes.”

“Thatsoundsreasonableenough.”
“TheRGisaveryreasonableorganization.”
“Notthatitmatterstonight,”Ipointedout.
“TheRGalwaysmatters.Ourwelfarealwaysmatters.”
Theintensityinhisvoicemademeask,“Isthisatest?AnRGvettingprocess?”
Theelevatorzippedustothetopfloor,andafemalevoiceannounced“Penthousesuite”asthedoors

shushedopen.

“Onlycoincidentally,”Jonahfinallyanswered,puttingahandatmywaist.“Let’sgo.”
Inodded,andwesteppedoutoftheelevator.
Tocallitapenthousewasvastlyoverstatingit.Oneday,itmightgetthere.Buttoday,itwasa

constructionsite.

Thespaceitselfwashumongous,agiant,mostlyemptyrectanglewithacentercoreofsteelbeamsthatI

assumedmarkedtheplaceswhereinnerwallswouldeventuallystand.Theroomitselfwasdarkish,litby
ahandfulofhangingworklightsandthelambentglowofthenight-litcitythroughtheplasticthatwrapped
theexteriorwalls.Thefloorwasconcreteandmarkedbyconstructiondebris,andboxesofmaterialssat
inpilesthroughouttheroom.

Altogether,theeffectwascreepy,liketheplaceinahorrormoviewheretwoloverssneakofftomake

out—justbeforethekillerburststhroughthewalls,knifeinhand.

Ididn’tseeanyhumans,butacoupledozenvampiresstoodinclustersthroughoutthespace,theirattire

rangingfromcouturetocasual,fromJimmyChootothrift-storeflannel.Withthismanyvampsinplay,it
seemedunlikelytheywereallRogueswithoutaHouseconnection.

“Doyouseeanyoneyourecognize?”IaskedJonah,scanningthecrowdforsomesignofHouse

affiliation—goldmedalsonchainsforNavarreandCadoganvamps,jerseysforGreyHousevamps.ButI
didn’trecognizeanyCadoganvamps,andIsawnothingthatgavemeanysenseofwheretheyotherwise
mighthavecomefrom.

“Noone,”heabsentlysaid.
ThismagicalmysterymixofvampiresswayedasthewhiningguitarofRobZombie’s“MoreHuman

ThanHuman”buzzedthroughtheair,whichwasthickwithmagic.Ahazeofit,potentstuff,that
immediatelyraisedgoosebumpsonmyarms.

“Magic,”Imurmured.
Hisfingerstightenedatmywaist.“Alotofmagic.Alotofglamour.Willyousuccumb?”

Icouldfeelthetendrilsofglamourmovingaroundme,checkingmeout,tryingtoseepinside.I’d

sensedtestingmagiconcebefore—thefirsttimeImetCelina,whensheworkedmeoverwithmagictoget
asenseofmypower.

ButevenwithCelina,Ihadn’tsensedthismuchofitinasingleplace.Icenteredmyselfandforced

myselftobreathethroughit,torelaxandletthemagicflowasitwould.Generallyresistanceonlymade
glamourhardertoresist,likeitwelcomedthechallengetoswayyoutoitsside.

ButIdidn’tthinkthisglamourwastryingtoconvincemeofanything.Ididn’tsenseanyvampirestrying

tomakemebelievetheyweresmarter,prettier,orstrongerthantheywere,ortoconvincemetogiveup
myinhibitions.Maybethiswasjustthecollectiveswellofmagicleakedfromaroomfulofvampires.Add
thattotheresoundingbassandzingyguitar,andyouhadarecipeforamigraine.

IrolledmyshouldersandimaginedthemagicrollingovermelikeawarmGulfCoastwave.Asit

flowedanddiscoveredIdidn’tofferagametobewon,thewaverolledpast.Theairstillprickledwith
magic,butIcouldmovethroughit,insteadofviceversa.

“I’llbefine,”IquietlytoldJonah,myarmsandlegstingling.
“Youdohaveresistance,”hesaid,gazingatmewithappreciationinhiseyes.
“Ican’tglamour,”Iconfessed.“ResistanceisthegiftIgot.Butthisfeeling,thisroom,isstillwrong.

Stilloff.”

“Iknow.”
ImademyselfthrowouttheconnectionI’dalreadymade.“Celinacanworkthiskindofmagic.Maybe

notthequantity,butitdoesfeellikeher.Thewayitlooksintoyou.”

“Goodthought.Let’shopewearen’trunningagainsther,aswell.”Hereleasedthegriponmywaist,

butentwinedhisfingersintomine.“Untilwefigureitout,stayclose.”

“I’mrightbesideyou,”Iassuredhim.
Henodded,thenguidedmethroughthecrowd.
Avampireortwoglancedoveraswewalked,butmostignoredus.Theytalkedamongthemselves—

theirwordsinaudible,buttheirgesturesmakingcleartheemotionintheireyes.Theywerereadyand
waitingforsomethingtobegin.Itwasanticipatorymagic.

Aswepassedonecluster,thevampclosesttoussnappedhisheadtothesidetogazeatus.Hisfangs

haddescendedandhisirisesweresilver,hispupilsshrunkentotinypinpoints,eveninthemoodylighting.

Hisupperlipcurled,butanothervampinhisknotpulledhimbackandintowhateverargumentthey’d

beenhaving.

“Ihavetoadmit,thisisn’texactlywhatIexpected.”
Ilookedaroundthespaceandnoticedtheplastichadbeenpeeledbackatoneendoftheroom,andthe

openingledtoabalcony.“Let’stryoutthere,”Isuggested.“Ifhumansarehere,they’regoingtowantto
takeintheview.”

Jonahnoddedhisagreementandwemaneuveredourwayoutside.Thebalconywasemptyoffurniture

—butfullofhumans.

“StillnotexactlywhatIexpected,”hemuttered.
Theyweresprinkledhereandthere,mostlywomen,probablyundertwenty-fiveorso.Likethe

vampires,thegirlsworeeverythingfrompartydressesandheelstogothensembleswithshortskirtsand
bigboots.Onegirl,ablondewhowasabittallerandcurvierthantherest,woreatiarawithwhite
streamersandapinksatinsashacrossherchest.Whenthecrowdcleared,IcouldseeBRIDEwritten
acrossitinglitteryletters.Thegirlbesideherheldherhand,bothofthemgrinninginanticipation.

Asnonchalantlyaswecould,wewalkedtotheedgeofthebalcony,wherearailinghadbeeninstalled.

Thelakewasspreadononesideofus,thecityontheother.Jonahslidanarmaroundmywaist,andwe
continuedtheguiseoftwoloversenjoyingaprebloodlettingchat.

“Awould-bebridelookingforafinalpremaritaladventure?”Isaidquietly.

“Quitepossibly.Theymaybefullyawareofwhatthey’regettinginto.Checkthewristbands.”
Igavethegirlsanotherlook.Aroundeachoftheirwristswasaredsiliconewristband.“Whatabout

them?”

“Thebandsmarkthemasvampiresympathizers.Theoneswhostillthinkwe’redarkanddelicious.”
Likehigh-cocoachocolate,Ithought.“Evenastherestofthecitybeginstoturnagainstus?”
“Apparently.Isupportthesupport,althoughaplasticbraceletdoesn’texactlyscream‘long-term

politicalallies.’”Heshrugged.“Butheretheyare,andasmuchasScottandMorganmaydeploreit,
drinkingfromhumansisn’tasin.”

“Bravewordsforanon-Cadoganvampire.”
Jonahhumphed.“Istandbymystatement.Inanyevent,wewaituntilweseesomethingamiss—and

thenwemovein.”

Ismiledupathim,thentuggedplayfullyonalockofhisauburnhair,playingthepartinwhichI’dbeen

cast.“Worksforme.”

Hegrinned,andthelookwaseffectiveenoughthatitmadeevenmyhardenedhearttripabit.“AndI

thoughtyou’dbestubbornanddifficulttoworkwith.”

Thistime,IgavehimapinchonthearmIhopelookedplayful—andnotspiteful.“Incaseyou’ve

forgotten,EthanSullivantrainedme.Andincaseyoudidn’tknow,CatcherBellschooledmeinsword
craft.Iwasraisedon‘difficulttoworkwith.’”

Hechuckled.“Thenyou’reforgiven.”
“Somagnanimous.”
Heputhishandonhisheartlikeamanconfessinglove.“That’sthenatureofRGservice.”
Igavehimaquickpatonthecheek.“Darling,I’lljusthavetotakeyourwordforit.”

Wewanderedaroundthebalconyforawhile,fingersintertwined,occasionallysharingstrategically
furtivewhispers.Ifthiswasarealrave,therewasalotlessdrum-and-bassandmanyfewerglow-in-the-
darknecklacesthanI’dhaveexpected.Butpillsandpowderswerestillpassedaround,andtherewas
enoughglamourintheairthatmyskincrawledwithit,myneckbeginningtoachefrommyconstantly
shakingoffthepeculiartickle.

Wekeptaneyeonthehumans,andfromourperchhundredsoffeetabovethecity,wewatchedtheplay

takeshape.Vampiresmovedinandaroundthesprinklingofhumans,plyingthemwithalcoholand
glamour.Thevampswereclearlyintouchwiththeirpredatoryinstincts—andtheyactedonthem.Once
glassesofchampagnewerepassedout,thehumanswereseparatedanddivided,thenescorted,oneby
one,backintothepenthouse.Theywereprobablyunawarethey’dbeensingledoutlikecalvesfroma
herd.

Ontheotherhand,wehadn’tseenanythingthatlookedremotelylikecrazedviolence.Thispartywas

definitelybiggerthanpriorraves,butitwasn’texactlythefree-for-allMr.Jacksonhaddescribed.

Whenatall,dark-hairedvamptookoneofthegothgirlsbythehandandledherbackthroughthe

plastic,Jonahnudgedme.“Let’sheadinside.I’lltakeher,makesurethingsstayaboveboard.Youkeepan
eyeontherestofthem.”

“Willdo,”Isaid,ignoringtheflutterinmystomachwhenhekissedmyhandandwalkedbackintothe

room.

Ifollowedhim,andI’lladmitit:myboytroublesaside,IcouldappreciateafinewalkonGreyHouse

vampire.

Unfortunately,I’dbeendoingjustthatwhenIfoundmyselfsurrounded.

CHAPTEREIGHT

THEARTOFWAR

Itstartedwithabump,anobviouslydrunkfemalevampstumblingbackward.Wewereinsidethewould-
bepenthouseagainwhensheranintome,pushingmeintotwoguysatmyback.

Sheglancedcattilyatme.“Sorry.”
“Noproblem,”Isaidwithatightsmile.ButwhenIturnedaroundtoapologizetotheguysI’druninto,

theywereevenlessthrilled.

Theywerebothvamps,bothaverage-looking,bothinbutton-downshirtsandjeans,oneslightlytaller

thantheother.Thetallervamphaddarkhair;theshorteronewasablond.Theyboxedmein,close
enoughthatIcouldsmelltheircheapcologneandthefainttangofbloodthatsurroundedthem.They’d
takenbloodrecently—butfromsomeoneintheroom?

Istartedwithpoliteness.“Sorry.Igotbumped.”
“Yeah,well,watchwherethefuckyou’regoing.”
Okay,bitofanoverreaction,butwewereatapartywithalotofpeople.Couldbethey’dbeenstepped

onbeforeandweresickofthecrowd.

Ismiledlightly.“Surething.”
Theblondguygrabbedmyelbow.“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikemuchofanapology,youknow.Itdoesn’t

soundlikeyouweretrulysorryforrunningintous.”

Wasthisguyserious?I’dbarelybumpedhim.
Ipulledmyarmaway.“Again,sorry.”Iglancedcasuallyaround,checkingbothforJonahandanysign

ofthegirls,butthecrowdseemedtohavethickened,andneitherwasinsight.Forthefirsttime,Iactually
wishedI’dbeenwithEthaninsteadofJonah.AtleastheandIcouldhavecommunicatedtelepathically.

“Idon’tappreciateyourattitude,”theblondguysaid.
“I’msorry?”Ioffered.“Iwasjusttryingtogetoutofyourway.”Whilebattingmyeyelashes,Ilooked

himover,hopingtofindsomeclueofHouseaffiliation.Buttherewasnomedal,nojersey.Outofluckon
thatfront.

“Youknowthepassword?”heasked.
“Um,temptress,”Isaid,boredominmyvoice.“I’mgoingtofindmydate.”Iturnedtostepawayfrom

theguysandtowardthepartoftheroomJonahhadheadedinto,butthevampiresanticipatedthemove.
Thedark-hairedonemovedinfronttoblockme,whiletheblondonetookuppointatmyback.

“That’snotallofit,”mumbledthedark-hairedguy.
Theotheronenarrowedhisgaze.HiseyeswereinthesameshapeasthefangedvampI’dseenearlier

—hispupilspinpricksofblackamidaseaofsilver.Theseguyswereseriouslyvampedouttonight.Was
thatasideeffectofallthemagicintheair?Didmyeyeslooklikethatrightnow?

“What’stheotherhalfofthepassword?”hedemanded.
Mystomachwentcold.EvenifJonah’stextmessagehadoffereduptherestofthepassword,Ihadno

cluewhatitwas.Ifiguredofferingthewrongwordwasonlygoingtopissthemoffmore.Itwastimeto
bluff,andsinceIwasdressedforthepart,Ioptedtoplaypartygirl.

Iwrappedastrandofbeadsaroundmyfingerandleanedforward.“Youguysdon’tseriouslyneedthe

otherhalfofthepasswordfromme,right?Myboyfriendwastheonewhotalkedtothesecuritydude.
Haveyouseenhimanywhere?Reddishhair.Reallytall?”

“Everyone’sresponsibleforthepassword,”thedark-hairedguysaid.“Ifyoudon’tknowit,youdon’t

belonghere.”Iwaiteduntilheturnedbacktometocheckhiseyes:sameastheothertwo.Completely
silveredout,butthepupilsconstrictedlikethevampswerestaringdownthesun.

“AndIdon’tknowyou,”confirmedtheblondone,hisexpressionturningcold.Thathedidn’tknowme

wasalittlemiraclegivenmypreviousfront-pageantics.“Idon’tlikevampiresIdon’tknow.”

Iwinked.“Maybeyoushouldgettoknowme.Ifmyboyfriendapproves,Imean.”
Thetwoofthemexchangedaglance,andthentheymadetheirfirstmistake.Theblondvampwrapped

anarmaroundmywaistandyankedmebackagainsthim.“Enoughwiththegames.You’recomingwith
me.”

Iraisedmyvoicetoagirliesqueal.“Oh,myGod,getyourhandsoffme!”
“Aw,fighting’sonlygonnagethimexcited,sunshine,”saidthetallone.
“Notinthislifetime,”Imuttered,thendugtheheelofmybootintotheblondguy’sfoot.Heyelledouta

stringofcursesbutreleasedme.That’swhatI’dbeenhopingfor.Itookastepaway,thenlookedoverat
thedark-hairedguywithdoeeyes.

“Hehurtme.”
“Yeah,well,it’sgonnagetworse.”Helurchedforward,armsoutstretchedtoreachforme,butIwasn’t

abouttogetintoafightwithsomesociallyobnoxious,magic-drunkvampatapartyIwascrashing.Iwas
not,however,tooproudtokeepmyshotsabovethebelt.Iputahandonhisshoulderandgavehimaknee
tothegrointhatdroppedhimtohisknees.

“Jackass,”Imuttered,beforeadoptingthesquealytoneagain.“Andyoukeepyourhandstoyourself!”I

poutilyyelled,beforesteppingoverhim—curledonthefloor,groaning—andhustlingintotheanonymity
ofthecrowd.IfiguredIhadagoodminuteortwobeforetheybarreledafterme,whichmeantIneededto
findJonahandweneededtojet.Icouldn’tyetsaywhetherTateorJacksonhadbeenrightaboutthe
violence,butsomeofthesevampsweredefinitelyonahairtrigger—andIwasintheirlineofsight.

Iglancedaroundtofindsomesignofmywould-bepartner,buthewasnowheretobeseen.Still

keepinganeyeonthegirl,probably,butthatwasn’tgoingtohelpme.Thecrowdhadthickened,which
wasgreatintermsofshelteringmefromthethugs,butnotforfindingtheneedleinthevampirehaystack.

Idecidedtomakeconcentriccirclesaroundthespace.Witheachturn,I’dmovealittleclosertothe

middle.IhadtohitJonaheventually,andhopefullyI’dalsoconfusetheguyswhothoughtIwasnothing
morethanafangedpartycrasher.

Imademywayovertotheplasticwall,whichwasdampwithhumidity,andbegantomoveforward

alongit,eyespeeledforanysignofJonah.Ihadtobobandweavethroughthecrowdtomakeprogress,
butstilldidn’tseehim.

WhatIdidseewerevampiresandhumansenjoyingoneanother’scompany.Randombitsoffurniture

hadbeenplacedhereandthere.Vampiresweredrapedalongthefurniture,andhumans,nowbroughtinto
thevampiremix,weredrapedacrossthevampires.Theyseemedmorethanhappytobethecenterof
fangedattention.

AndImeant“fanged”literally.Afewofthehumanshadalreadybeentapped—withavampireata

wristorattachedtosomeone’scarotid.Iworkedtoblockouttheperkofinterestthebloodprompted—
wishingI’dhadaprophylacticdrinkboxbeforeI’dleft—andtofighttheurgetoshakethehumansbackto
theirsenses.Buttheirexpressionsfairlyscreamedconsent...untilIreachedoneofthemwhodidn’tlook
sointerested.Istoppedshort.

Shesatontheconcretefloor,herbackagainstasteelpost.Herkneeswereup,herheadrolledtothe

side,eyesslowlyblinking,asifshewashavingtroublefocusingontheworldaroundher.

Glamour.Alotofit,ifthetingleintheairwasanyindication.
Humansvolunteeringtodabbleinthedarkwasonething.Butthislookedlikesomethingdifferent.

Somethingmuchlessconsensual.

Ethanhadtoldmeoncethatglamourwasaboutreducingahuman’sinhibitions.Thatahumanwouldn’t

doanythingheorshedidn’tordinarilywanttodo.Buttherewasnothinginthisgirl’seyesthatspokeof
pleasure...orconsent.

I’dneverdrunkfromahumanbefore.Ofcourse,Ialsohadn’treallyhadtheurge.Myrecent

experienceswithhumanshadn’texactlybeenpleasant.Andthisgirl?SufficeittosayIfoundnothingeven
mildlyinteresting,vampireornot,aboutbitingagirlwhoseemedtobedruggedbeyondhercapacityto
consenttotheact.Iguessrationalitycouldovercomehunger.

Icroucheddowninfrontofherandcouldn’tseeanyvisiblebitemarks.Whileshemighthavebeen

bitteninsomehiddenspot,therewasn’tanybloodintheair.

“Areyouallright?”Iaskedher.
Shelookedupatme,hereyesorbsofblack,herpupilsalmostfullydilated.Theoppositeofthevamps’

eyes.“I’mperfectlycontent.”

Iwasprettyconfidentshedidn’tactuallybelievethat.“Ithinkthat’stheglamourtalking.Haveyou—

havethey—”

“Didtheydrinkmyblood,doyoumean?”Shesmiledabitsadly.“No.Ikeephopingtheywill.Doyou

thinkit’sbecauseI’mnotprettyenough?”Shereachedoutawobblyhandandtouchedtheendofmy
ponytail.“You’reverypretty.”

Butthenherhanddropped,andhereyesflutteredclosed.Shelookedpale.Toopale.Iwasn’tsureif

glamourwasstrongenoughtoactuallysickenahuman;ifnotglamour,andnotbloodloss,maybe
somethingslippedintoherdrink?

Whateverthereason,Ineededtogetheroutofhere.
Hereyesopenedagain,justasliverbeneathherlashes.“You’llliveforever,youknow.Allvampires

do.”

“Unfortunately,probablynottheoneswhogetintoasmuchtroubleasIdo.”
Ishouldhaveknockedonwoodaftersayingthat,butatleastIsmelledoldbloodonthevampirebehind

mebeforeheattacked.

Imouthedasilentcursebeforestandingandspinningtofacehim.Hewastallandmuscularwithdark,

curlyhairandachinthatfellonthewrongsideoftoosquare.Therewasbloodatthecornerofhismouth,
andI’mproudtosayIdidn’thavetheslightestinterestinit.

Andhiseyes—whollysilveredjustlikethoseoftheothervampsI’dseen.
“Areyoupoaching,vampire?”
“She’ssick,”Itoldhim.“Thisisn’ttheplaceforher.Youwanthumanblood,finditsomewhereelse.”
Thevampiresaroundusbegantoglanceourway,theirgazesdartingbetweenmeandhimasifthey

weretryingtoworkoutwhosesidetheyshouldtake.Helookedaroundatthem,acajolingsmileonhis
face.

“Aw,dowehaveahumansympathizeronourhands?Doyoufeelsorryforthelittlehumans?”
Notsomuchsorryforasempathetic.Iknewwhatitmeanttobedrunkwithoutconsent.Withsomeluck,

I’dmadeitthroughmyattack,butIwouldn’twishitonanyoneelse.

Unfortunately,thevampiresaroundmeweren’tyetconvinced.
“Ifeelsorryforanyonewho’snotherebychoice.”
Hebelly-laughed,onehandpressedtohisabdomenashechortled.“Youthinkanyofthesehumans

don’twanttobehere?Youthinktheywouldn’tpaytobeherewithus?Letthehumanscallusnames.Let
thepresscallusmonsters.Weareallthattheyaspiretobe.Stronger.Morepowerful.Eternal.”

Therewerevaguemumblingsofagreementinthecrowd.I’dapparentlygonefromanti-vampire

demonstrationtopro-vamprallyinamatterofhours.

YouknowwhatIthought?Ithoughtpeopleneededtostopholdingontotheirblindprejudicesanddo

somerationalthinking.Stopforcingthemselvesintothemoldoftheloversorhaters.Somevampshad
issues,asthisguywasdemonstrating,andtherewereplentyofhumansinChicago—someofthemelected

—whoweren’texactlyparagons.

“Enough,”Isaid.“Enoughtalk.Thisgirlisn’tinastateofmindtoconsenttoanything.I’mtakingher

outofhere.”Isqueezedmyhandsintofists,preparingmyselfforbattle,andrubbedmycalfagainstthe
insideofmyboot,feelingforthetelltalebumpofthedaggerhiddenthere.

Butthevampwasn’tbuyingmyspeech,andclearlywasn’tafraidofme.“YouarenotmyMaster,child.

Findsomethingelsetodo.Someprettyboytobite.”

“I’mnotleavingher.”
HenarrowedhisgazeandIfelttheheadrushofhisglamour,thelooseningofworryandfear,andthe

urgetofindaspotonthefloorandoffermyselfovertohim,regardlessofthecircumstances.

ButIkeptmyeyestrainedonhisandfoughtthroughthedizziness.Istraightenedmyspineandgavehim

aquestioningglance.“Wereyoutryingtodosomethingthere?”

Hetiltedhisheadatme,interestinhisexpression.Ifoughttheurgetoslinkbackandhidefromhis

intriguedstare,butaslongasIwasthetarget—andthegirlwasn’t—IfiguredIcouldstandit.

“Youare...interesting.”
Ialmostrolledmyeyes,butthenIrealizedthegifthe’dhandedme.Iglancedslylyathim.“Wouldyou

liketofindouthowinteresting?”Likeacoquettishteenager,Itwirledtheendofmyponytail,thenthrewit
backovermyshoulder,revealingmyneck.

Asbaitwent,itmightnothavebeenmuch,butitworkedwellenough.Hedroppedhiseyes—staringat

mebeneathhoodedlashes—andbeganstalkingtowardmelikeahuntinglion.I’dseenavampirestalk
before—I’dseenEthaninhisprime,movinginmydirectionwithlustinhiseyes.Thiswasn’tthatkindof
lust.Thiswasn’taboutloveorconnection—butcontrol.Ego.Victory.

Istaredrightback,evenastheintensityinhisexpressionmademyskincrawl.Hewoulddrink—buthe

wouldn’tstop,notuntiltherewasnothingleftofmeorher.Maybeitwasthemagicintheairthatpushed
himtowardthebrink;maybeitwashisownpredatoryinstincts.Whateverthereason,Iwantednopartof
it.

Inasilky-smoothmovethatwouldhavefilledCatcherwithpride,Iwhippedahandaroundandslidthe

daggerfromitssheath.Andthenitwasupandinmyhand,lightpouringdowntheblade,thesteelleaving
acomfortabletingleinmypalm.Itightenedmyfingersaroundthehandle.

ThevampfinallyseemedtorealizeIwasserious.Hisexpressionfell.
Thedaggerinhand,Ilookeddownatthegirl.“Canyougetup?”
Shenodded,tearsslippingfromhereyes.“I’mokay.ButIwanttogohome.”
Ireachedoutmyhand.Whenshegrabbedit,Ituggedhertoherfeet.Unfortunately,gettinghertoher

feetdidn’thelpusmuch.Wewerestillsurrounded—byonevamppissedthatI’dpoached,andbyadozen
morewhodidn’thaveaspecificinterestinthegirlbutseemedbizarrelyeagerforafight.

WasthistheviolenceMr.Jacksonhadspokenabout?
Iswalloweddownfearthatknottedinmythroat,andstoodstraight,gazingoutatthecrowdwithforced

bravery.“I’mtakingheroutofhererightnow.Anyonegotaproblemwiththat?”

Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantophraseitintheformofaquestion.
“Tryme,cupcake,”saidthevampwhowantedme,andcoldtrickleddownmyspine.Iwasstrongand

fastandimmortal,butthegirlwasnot.EvenifIfoughtmywaythroughthecrowd,Icouldn’tfightfullout
andprotectheratthesametime.

WhatIneeded,Ithought,wasadistraction.
Histimingcouldn’thavebeenbetter.
“Goddamnit!”Iheardacrosstheroom,followedbythecrashofglassthatsilencedtherestofthe

crowd.

Themetallictangofbloodfilledtheair,andallthevampsinthevicinityturnedtowardthelocusofthe

smell.IsawJonahthroughthecrowd,staringdownacoweringvampire.

Bloodhadbeenspilled,maybefromabrokenglassorpitcher.Notabadwaytogettheattentionof

vampires—andtogivemeawaytogettothedoor.

Ilookedatthegirlonmyarm.“What’syourname?”
“Sarah,”shesaid.“Sarah.”
“Well,Sarah,we’regoingtomakearunforit.Youready?”
Shenodded,andassoonasthebrawlerandtherestofthevampsbegantomovetowardthewavesof

scent,webolted.

Iunderstoodthedrawoftheblood.Iwasbeginningtogethungry.Wewerenearingtheendofthe

evening,andithadbeenhourssinceI’deaten...orhadblood.Thesmellwasbecomingundeniably
delicious,soIgnawedonmyliptostayfocused,thesharpstingofpainpushingbackthehunger.Aswas
sooftenthecase,thiswasn’tthetimeortheplace.

IguidedSarahthroughthevampiresnowrushingtowardtheblood,herarmovermyshoulder,myarm

aroundherwaist.Weweren’texactlygraceful,butwegotclosertothedoorandtheedgeofchaos.

Andchaoshaddefinitelyerupted.
Theroombecameahurricaneofviolenceasvampiressteppedandcrawledoveroneanothertogetto

theblood.Oneangryvampirespurredabrawlwithanother,andthatbrawlpusheditswayintosomeone
else’sconversation,whichangeredthosevampires,aswell.Theviolencetraveledlikeavirusthrough
theroom,spreadingasitmadecontact.Andastheviolenceincreased,sodidthemagic—spillingintothe
airandmakingthevampiresevenmorepredatorythantheyalreadyhadbeen.

“Ithoughtyoumightneedthecavalry.”
Ilookedtomyright,relievedtofindJonahatmysideagain.“Tookyoulongenough.Thanksforthe

distraction.”

“You’rewelcome.Ididn’texactlyexpectyoutohavepulledabladeandkidnappedahuman.”He

glancedatSarah.“Whathappened?”

“Don’tknow.Drugs?Glamour?I’mnotsure.Eitherway,weneedtogetheroutofhere.”
“I’mrightbehindyou,”hesaidwithanod,andwemadeourwaytotheelevators.
Thedoorswereopenwhenwegotthere;IhelpedSarahinsidewhileJonahmashedbuttonsuntilthe

doorsclosed,mutingthesoundsoffightingbehindus.Islippedthedaggerbackintomyboot.

Itwasn’tuntilwewerehalfwaydownthebuildingagainthatIletoutthebreathI’dbeenholding.I

glancedoveratSarah.“Areyouokay?”

Shenodded.“I’mokay.Butallthoseotherpeopleinthere.Weneedtogetthemout,too.”
JonahandIexchangedaglance.
“Maybeyoucouldcallthepolice?”sheasked.“Tellthemabouttheparty,andwhentheycome,they

cangettherestofthehumansout?”

Jonahlookedbackatme.“Ifthecopscome...”
Inodded,understandinghisconcern.Ifittookcopstoshutthisthingdown,we’dbeswimminginbad

pressandrightbackinthemayor’soffice—assumingTatehadn’talreadyissuedEthan’swarrant.

Butmaybewedidn’tneedthecops.Maybewejustneededthefearofthecops....
“Wecanbeatthemtoit,”Isaidastheelevatordoorsopenedagain.“Helpheroutside.I’llmeetyou

thereinaminute.”

WeshiftedpositionsatSarah’sside,andwhiletheyshuffledtothefrontdoor,Ihustledtothesecurity

desk.Theguard’sgazefollowedJonahandSarahoutthefrontdoor,hishandonthewalkie-talkieonhis
desk.

“Hey,”IsaidwhenIreachedit,drawinghisattentiontome.“Wejustgotacall—thecopsareontheir

waytothetopfloor.Youbetterheadupstairsandmakesuretheyclearout,orthere’ssuretobearrests
andagiganticmess.Iknowyoudon’twantthatinthepaperstomorrow.Your,um,fangedclientelewon’t
behappyaboutit.”

Theguardnoddedwithunderstanding,thenpickeduphiswalkie,turnedaknob,andaskedforbackup.I

hopedhehadenoughofit—andmaybesomevampirerepellentwhilehewasatit.

Ilefthimtohispreparations,gulpinginfresh,untaintedairwhenImadeitoutsideagain.Iwatched

JonahandSarahhobbleacrossthestreettoasmallsquareofgreen.HehelpedSarahtoawroughtiron
bench;IstayedwhereIwasuntilIwassuremymindwasclearandmyhungerwasundercontrol.

Aminuteortwolater,Icrossedthestreet.
“Evacuationinprogress,”ItoldJonah,thencroucheddowninfrontofSarah.“Howareyoufeeling?”
Shenodded.“I’mokay.Justreally,reallyembarrassed.”Shepressedahandtoherstomach.Whatever

hazehadsilencedherpassed,andshebegantosobinearnest.

JonahandIexchangedanuncomfortableglance.
“Sarah,”Isoftlysaid.“Canyoutelluswhathappened?Howdidyouendupthere?”
“Iheardvampswerehavingthisparty.”Sherubbedahandbeneathhernose.“Ithought,oh,vampires,

thatcouldbefun,youknow?Atfirstitwasokay.Butthen—Idon’tknow.Thetensionintheroomgotkind
ofhigh,andthenIstartedtofeelreallyweird,andIsatdownonthefloor.Icouldseethemoutofthe
cornersofmyeyes.They’dmovearoundandtakealookatme,liketheyweretryingtoseeifIwas
ready.”

“Ready?”Iasked.
“Readytogiveblood?”Sheshudderedandsighed.“Andthenyoucamealong.”Sheshookherhead.

“I’mjustreallyembarrassed.Ishouldn’thavebeenthere.Ishouldn’thavegone.”Shelookedupatme.“I
reallywanttogohome.Doyouthinkyoucouldfindmeacab?”

“Onit,”Jonahsaid,steppingbacktotheroadtoscanforpassingcabs.Itwaslate,butwewerestill

withinacoupleofblocksofMichigan,soitwasn’tcompletelyunlikelythatwe’dfindone.

Ashemovedaway,IlookeddownatSarahagain.“Sarah,howdidyoufindoutabouttheparty?”
Sheblushedandlookedaway.
“Itwouldreallyhelpusifyoucouldtellme.Itmighthelpusputastoptotheseparties.”
Shesighed,thennodded.“MygirlfriendandIwereoutatabar—oneofthosevampirebars?Wemeta

guythere.”

“Doyouknowwhichvampirebar?”
“Temple?”
Mystomachsank.ThatwastheCadoganbar.“Goon.”
“So,Iwentoutsidetogetsomefreshair—therewerealotofpeopleinthere—andtherewasaguy

outside.Hesaidapartywashappeningandwe’dhaveagoodtime.Myfriend,Brit,didn’twanttogo,but
Iwantedto,youknow,seewhatitwasabout.”

SoSarahhadgotteninfoabouttheraveatTempleBar,andJonahhadfoundthephoneatBenson’s.That

meantthefolkswhofrequentedthebarsalsoknewabouttheraves.Ethanwasgoingtobepissedabout
thatone.

“Theguyyoutalkedto—whatdidhelooklike?”
“Oh,um,hewaskindashort.Older.Darkhair.Kindofgrizzled-looking?Andtherewasagirlwith

him.Irememberbecauseshehadonthis,like,gigantichat,soIcouldn’tseeherface.Oh,butwhenIwas
walkingbackinside,hecalledhername.Itwaskindofold-fashioned,likeMaryorMartha....”Sarah
squeezedhereyesclosedasshetriedtoremember.

Myheartthuddedinanticipation.“WasitMarie?”
Hereyespoppedopenagain.“Yeah!ItwasMarie.Howdidyouknow?”
“Luckyguess,”Isaid.Imaynothaveknownaparticularlyshortman,butIknewavampwitha

predilectionforcausingtrouble.Andonceuponatime,shehadbeenknownasMarie.

BeforeIcouldaskafollow-upquestion,Sarahgrimaced.
“Areyouokay?”

“Justaheadache.Therewassomethingweirdintheirair,Ithink.”
Excellentseguetomynextquestion.“Didyoutakeanythingwhileyouwerethere?Maybeadrink

someonehandedyou?”

Sheshookherhead.“You’reaskingaboutdrugs,butIdon’tdodrugs.AndIknownottodrinkanything

Ididn’tpourmyself.ButIdidseethis.Anothergirl—ahuman—handedittome.”

Shepulledasmallpaperenvelope,thekindthatmightholdagifttag,fromherpocket.Itwaswhite,

andtherewasaVinscribedonthefront.Istuffeditintomypocketforlater.AndthenIaskedaquestion
thatmademehatemyselfalittlebit,butithadtobeasked.Thestakesweretoohigh.

IhadtoknowifsheposedarisktoCadogan.
“Sarah,areyouthinkingaboutgoingtothepolice?”
Hereyeswidened.“Oh,God,no.Ishouldn’thavegonetotheparty,andifmyparentsfoundout,ifmy

boyfriendfoundout,theywouldfreak.Besides,”sheshylyadded,“ifIcalledthecops,you’dgetin
trouble,too,right?You’reavampire,too,butyouhelpedme.”

Inodded,reliefinmychest.“Iamavampire,”Iconfirmed.“Myname’sMerit.”
Shesmiledalittle.“Merit.Ilikethat.Itkindofdescribesyou.Likeyouwerealwaysmeanttobegood,

youknow?”

Thistime,Iwastheonesniffingbackasuddenerranttear.
Theclackofacardooropeningpulledmygazetothestreet.Jonahstoodbesideablackandwhitecab,

dooropen.“Let’sgetyouhome.”

Sarahnodded.Shestillwobbledonherfeet,butwemadeitthedozenorsofeettothecab.Atthedoor,

sheturnedbackandsmiledatme.

“Willyoubeokay?”Iasked.
Shenodded.“Iwill.Thankyou.”
“Youdon’thavetothankme.I’msorryaboutwhathappened.I’msorrytheymadeyoufeel

uncomfortable.”

“It’sforgotten.ButIwon’tforgetthis,”shesaid,“notwhatyoudidtonight.”
Whenthedoorclosed,wewatchedthecabpullaway.
Jonahglancedbackatme,andthenattheeasternsky.“Dawnwillbeheresoon,”hesaid.“Weshould

gethome.”Hegestureddownthestreet.“Iactuallyparkedprettyclose.Youwantaridebacktoyour
car?”

“Thatwouldbegreat,”Iagreed,theadrenalinegivingwaytoexhaustion.
Wewalkedinsilenceafewblocks,thenstoppedatahybridsedan.
“Thinkingabouttheenvironment?”
Hesmiledruefully.“Iftheclimategoesbad,we’regoingtobehereforit.Mightaswellplanahead.”
Whenheunlockedthedoorsandweclimbedinside,Igavehimdirectionstomyownparkingspot,then

closedmyeyesanddroppedmyheadbacktotheseat.

Iwasoutinseconds.

CHAPTERNINE

BEITEVERSOHUMBLE...UNLESSYOU’REIMMORTAL

ANDUNDERSTANDCOMPOUNDINTEREST

Ishudderedawake,blinkingintheglowofunfamiliarlights.Iwascurledintoaballatopagiantsleigh
bedthatsmelledlikewoodsycologneandcinnamon.Isatupandtookinunfamiliarsurroundings.A
massivebed,toppedbyapileoftaupebedclothes.Anequallylargeflat-screentelevisionattheendona
facingbureau.Andleaningagainstthebureau,armscrossedoverhischest,wasJonah.Hewasdressed
morecasuallytodayinaV-neckT-shirt,jeans,andsneakers.

“Goodevening,Sentinel.”
“Wherearewe?”
“GreyHouse.Myroom.”
“Grey—,”Ibegantorepeat,butthenightbegantoreplay.Ifellasleepinhiscar,andhemusthave

broughtmehere.No,notjustbroughtme—carriedme—intoGreyHousewhileIwasout.

“Iwasn’tcomfortabledroppingyouoffatyourcar.Youwerecompletelyout,andyourbeingherewas

easiertoexplainthanmyshowingupwithyouatCadoganHouse.Dawnwasmovingin;Ihadtomakea
call.”

Thatmadesense,althoughIwasn’tthrilledthatI’dbeencarriedaroundlikeahaplessgirlinoneofmy

favoritebodicerippers.

“Thanks.Didanyoneelseseemecomein?”Ifso,sinceI’dspentthenightinJonah’sroom,Icould

imaginewellenoughmyselfwhatthey’dbeenthinking.Ifelttherisingblushonmycheeks.

“Nope.Everyoneelsewasbunkedinbythen.”
Iswungmyfeetoverthebedandburiedmytoesinexpensive,thicklypiledcarpet.“Wheredidyou

sleep?”

Hehitchedathumboverhisshoulder.“Sittingroom.I’magentleman,andthere’snothingabout

seducinganunconsciousvampirethatappealstome.”Heshrugged.“Besides,thesunwasnearlyup.We
wereout.Icouldhavesleptrightbesideyou,andnoonewouldhavebeenthewiser.We’dbothhavebeen
angels.”

Iwasonenoughofaboyhiatustoagree,butappreciatedthathe’dgivenmespace.Itwasa

gentlemanlythingtodo,andnotsomethingI’dtakeforgranted.

“Thankyou.”
Heshrugged.“Iborrowedyourphone.SentamessagetoEthantolethimknowyouwereokay.I

thoughtyou’dprobablyhavecheckedinwhenyoureturned,andacallfrommewouldhavebeenreally
suspicious.”

Inoddedmyagreement.Ofcourse,justbecausehehadn’toutedhimselftoEthandidn’tmeanthere

weren’tgoingtobequestions.EthanwasstillgoingtowonderwhereI’dspenttheday.

Iglancedintothesittingroomwherehe’dslept.Aplushcouchandloveseatwerepoisednearanother

enormousflat-screentelevisionmountedtothewall.Therestoftheroomwasequallynice.Luxecarpet,
richcolors,crownmolding,andwainscoting.Anarcadevideogamestoodagainstonewall,andaframed
RyneSandbergjerseyhungontheother.

ThisplacecouldhavebeenfeaturedonvampireCribs.
“Thisisaprettysweetplace.”

“NewHouse,newdigs.Well,relativelynewHouse,anyway.Onlyeightyearsold,whichisn’tmuch

whenimmortalityisthecontext.”Hewalkedtoamini-fridgebuiltintoacabinetonthefarwalland
openedit,revealingtidyrowsoflongneckbottles.Hepluckedoneoutandwalkedmyway.

“Idon’tthinkhairofthedogisgoingtodoitformetoday.”
“It’snotbeer.”Whenhehelditout,Ilookeditover.Itwasblood.Traditionalbeerbottle,butdefinitely

notthetraditionalbrew.ItwasanotherBlood4Youproduct—theunfortunatelynamedLongBeer.They
reallycoulduseMallory’smarketingexpertise.

“Youlookedlikeyoucoulduseit.”
Inoddedmyagreementandtwistedoffthecap,myfingersshakingwiththesuddenhunger.Theblood

wascoldandhadapepperyzingtoit,likeithadbeendoctoredwithadashortwoofTabasco.

Asbloodwent,itwasdelicious.But,moreimportant,itsatiatedtheneed.Ifinishedthebottlein

secondsflat,thenlowereditagain,chestheaving.

“Guessyouneededthat?”
Inodded,wipingmymouthwiththebackofmyhand.“Sorry.Sometimesthehungertakesme.”
Jonahreachedoutandtookthebottlefrommyhand.“Itcandothat.Andyouhadabignightlastnight.”
“Notasbigasitmighthavebeen,butbigenough.Igothungryattheparty,andIwasluckynottoflip

outlikeeveryoneelsethere.”

Hedroppedthebottleintoabinbesidetherefrigerator.“Speakingof,youcertainlygotthevampsfired

up.”

“Itwasn’tme,”Iassuredhim.“Afemalevampbumpedme,andIendedupwithtwovampsinmyface

tryingtotakemeout.”

Jonahfrowned.“Theredidseemtobealotofaggressionintheair.”
“Anddidyounoticetheireyes?”Iasked.“Totallysilver,barelyanypupil.Theywereseriously

vampedout.”

“Therewasalsoalotofmagicintheroom.Youputthosetwothingstogetherandyougetvampsitching

forafight.”

Ishookmyhead.“Thiscouldn’tjustbevolume—allthevampiresinaroomtogether.TheHouses

couldn’texistifjustbeingnearothervampiresmadethempredatoryenoughtofightfornoreason.Maybe
it’samob-mentalitything?Onevampsanctionsviolenceandtherestofthemfallintoline?”

Jonahshookhishead.“I’vegotanothertheory.Whatifthemagicwasn’tjustleakedbythevamps—

whatifitwasdirectingthem?”

“You’resuggestingsomeonewasusingmagicagainstus?Fuelingtheaggression?”
Henodded.“Makingthevampssuperpredatorial.”
“Okay,”Iallowed,“sayitismagic.Butwhodoesthatimplicate?Sorcerers?Theyusuallytrytostay

awayfromvampdrama,andthereareonly,like,threeintheChicagoarea.Iknowtwoofthem,and
makingvampsplaygladiatorisn’texactlyontheirto-dolist.”Granted,I’dnevermetMallory’stutor,butI
hadaprettygoodideahowhewasspendinghistime—trainingher.

“Okay,soprobablynotsorcerers.HowdidyoufindSarah?”Jonahasked.
“Shewassittingonthefloor,lookedcompletelyspaced-out.Novisiblebitemarks,sosomethingelse

hadtobegoingon.Isitpossibletoglamoursomeoneintoillness?Imean,tomakethemphysically
weakerjustfromtheglamour?”

Hefrowned,consideringit.“I’veneverseenit.Butthat’snottosayit’snotpossible.Didyoulearn

anythingfromher?Howshefoundoutabouttheparty?”

Ipassedalongtheinformationshe’dgivenmeaboutTempleBarandthemanshe’dseenoutside.“She

alsogavemethis,”Isaid,diggingtheenvelopefrommypocket.Ipulleditout,thenopenedtheflapand
emptiedtheenvelope’scontentsintomyhand.

Twowhitepillsfellintomypalm.

“Well,”hesaid,“thatmightexplainwhyshewassooutofit.”
Iheldonetabletuptothelight.ThesamecurvyVwaspressedintoitssurface.
“Shesaidshedidn’ttakeanything.”
“Shewasalsoembarrassedaboutwhathappened.”
“True,”Iagreed.“TatesaidMr.Jacksonhadbeenarrestedfordrugpossession.Somaybevampsare

drugginghumanstomakethem,what,moresusceptibletoglamour?”

“Giventhecrowdyousawlastnight,wouldthatseemfarfetchedtoyou?”
Unfortunately,itdidn’t.Ofcourse,wealsodidn’thaveanyevidenceofit.Sarahcouldhavebeen

glamoured—notthatvampsmanipulatinghumanswasabigimprovementoverdruggingthem.

Whateverthecase,itwasworthlookinginto.Iputthepillsbackintotheenvelope,thentuckeditinto

mypocketagain.“I’lltakethemtotheOmbud’soffice,”Itoldhim.“Maybetheycanfindoutmore.”

Thedebriefingdone,Jonahletmefreshenupinhissmallbathroom.Irubbedatmascarasmearsand

hitchedupmyponytailagain.

WhenIcameout,hewaspullingabuzzingphonefromhispocket.Heglancedupatme.“I’mgoingto

takethis.I’llberightback.Makeyourselfathome.There’smorebloodifyouneedit.”

Inoddedathim.“Thanks.”
Hesteppedoutsideandclosedthedoorbehindhim,leavingmealoneinthecoolcomfortofhissuite.
Iroundedthecorner,movingintothesittingroomandtowardagroupofframedpapersonthewall.

Theywerediplomasforfourdoctorates:threefromstateschoolsinIllinois(history,anthropology,and
geography)andonefromNorthwestern(Germanliteratureandcriticalthought).Eachdiplomaborea
variationofhisname—John,Jonah,Jonathan,Jack—andtheirdateswerespreadintimeacrossthe
twentiethcentury.

Iguessgraduateschoolwaspossibleforavampire.
Thedooropened.“Sorry,”hesaidbehindme.“ItwasNoah.Heisnowawareyouspentthenightathis

condolastnight.”

“Goodcall,”Isaid,assumingEthandidn’tquizmeonthefinerpointsofNoah’shome—oranyother

detailsaboutNoahotherthanthelittleIalreadyknew.

Ipointedatthedegrees.“You’requitethestudent.”
“Is‘student’aeuphemismfor‘geek’?”
“It’saeuphemismfor‘manwithfourPhDs.’Howdidyoumanageallthis?”
“WhilehidingthefactthatI’mfanged,youmean?”
Inodded,andhegrinnedandwalkedtowardme.“Verycarefully.”
“Lotofnightclasses?”
“Exclusively.Allofthesewerebeforeonlineclasseswereanoption.”Hesmiledsecretlyashelooked

overthecertificates.“Inearlierdays,gradschoolwasstillaplaceforeccentrics.Itwaseasytoplaythe
lonegenius—theonewhoonlytookeveningclasses,sleptduringtheday,etcetera.”

“DidyouTAany?”BeingaTA,ateachingassistant,seemedlikeitwouldhavebeenharder.
“Ididnot.Igotluckywithsomefellowshipmoney,andIlikedresearching,sotheykeptmeawayfrom

theclassrooms.Otherwise,itwouldhavebeenhardtoarrange.”Hetiltedhisheadatme.“Didyoudo
timeingradschool?”

“BeforeIwaschanged,yeah.”
Hemusthaveheardtheregretinmyvoice.“I’mguessingthere’sastorythere?”
“IwasingradschoolatUofCbeforeIwasmadeavampire.Englishlit.Threechaptersintomy

dissertation.”BeforeIcouldstopmyself,theentirestorywasout.“Iwaswalkingacrosscampusone
night,andIwasattacked.”Ilookedoverathim.“OneoftheRoguesCelinahired.”

Heputtwoandtwotogether.“Youwereoneoftheparkvictims.Theonewhowasbittenoncampus?”
Inodded.“EthanandMalikhappenedtobethere.Theyjumpedout,scaredtheattackeraway,andEthan

tookmehomeandbegantheChange.”

“God,thatwasluckyforyou.”
“Itwas,”Iagreed.
“SoEthansavedyourlife.”
“Hedid.AndmademeaCadoganvampireandHouseSentinel.”Ifrowned.“Healsopulledmeoutof

school.Hedidn’tthinkIcouldgobackasavamp.”ThatwasrightbeforetheNorthAmericanVampire
RegistryoutedmyInitiateclassinthepaper,sohe’dprobablybeenright.

“Hehadapoint,”Jonahsaid.“Schoolasaclosetedvampirewasn’taneasytask.Itwasalittleeasier,I

think,asanoldervampwhoknewtherules,knewhowtoplaythegame.ForanInitiatestilllearningthe
ropes?”Heshrugged.“Itwouldhavebeendifficult.”

“Saidthemanwithfourdoctorates.”
“Fairpoint.Butyouseemtohaveadjustedtobeingavampire,evenifthetransitionwasn’texactlyby

choice.”

“Itwasn’teasy,”Iadmitted.“Ihadmymomentsofirritatingwhininess.ButIeventuallyreachedthe

pointwhereIhadtoacceptwhoIwasanddealwithit—orleavetheHouseandpretendtobeahuman
again.”Ishrugged.“IoptedfortheHouse.”

Jonahwethislips,thenlookedatmeaskew.“Ishouldgivecreditwherecreditisdue.Youdidwell

lastnight.”

“Thatwouldbemoreflatteringiftherewasn’tsomuchsurpriseinyourvoice.”
“Myexpectationswerelow.”
“Yes,I’mawareofthat.”Ithoughtofthefirsttimewe’dmet,ofthedisdaininhisvoice.“Andwhyis

thatexactly?Whytheanti-Sentinelsentiment?”

Hesmirked.“It’snotsomuchanti-Sentinel—”
“Asanti-Merit?”Ifinishedforhim.
“Iknowyoursister,”hesaid.“Charlotte.Wehavemutualfriends.”
Charlottewasmyoldersister,currentlymarriedwithtwochildrenandengagedasafull-timecharity

soireeattendeeandfund-raiser.Ilovedmysister,butIwasn’tapart—bychoice—ofthefancycirclesshe
ranin.Soitdidn’texactlyimpressmethatheknewher.

“Okay,”Isaid.
Hesighed,thenlookedupatmealittleguiltily.“I’dassumed—yourbeingaMerit—thatyouwereher

clone.”

Ittookmeamomenttogatherupananswer.“What,now?”
“Ijustfigured—sinceyou’resistersandall.AndbothMerits...”Hetrailedoff,butdidn’tneedto

finishtherestofit.Jonahwasn’tthefirstvampirewho’dconfessedhe’djudgedmebasedonmyfamily
name—andthebaggagethataccompaniedwealthandnotoriety.I’mnotsayingmoneydoesn’thaveits
advantages,butbeingjudgedonone’sownmerits—punverymuchintended—isn’toneofthem.

Ontheotherhand,thatdidexplainwhyhe’dbeensocoldthefirstcoupleoftimeswe’dmet.He’d

expectedabrattynewvampirefromnew-moneyChicago.

“Ilovemysister,”Itoldhim.“ButI’mfarfrombeingherclone.”
“SoIsee.”
“Andnowyoubelievewhat?”
“Oh.Well.”Hesmiled,andtherewasprideinhiseyes.“NowI’veseenyouinaction.I’veseenthis

avengingangel—”

“IpreferPonytailedAvenger,”Idrylysaid.ThatwasthenicknameascribedtomebyNick

Breckenridge(aka“theblackmailer”).

Jonahrolledhiseyes.“Thisavengingangelofavampire,”hecontinued,“comingtotherescueof

humansandroaringthroughthefolkswhocrossher.AndnowI’mwonderingifyouwouldn’tbesucha

badadditiontotheRG.”

“AsopposedtothetrainwreckIwouldhavebeenacoupleofmonthsago?”
Hehadthegracetoblush.
“Iknowyouweren’timpressedbyme.Youdidn’texactlyhideit.AndIwouldn’tcallmyselfan

avengingangel.I’mSentinelofmyHouse,andIdowhatIcantoprotectthem.”

“Toprotectonlythem?”
Imethissteadygaze.“Fornow,onlythem.”
Westoodthereforamomentandletthephrasestandbetweenus.Iwasagainpassingupthe

opportunitytobecomehispartner,butadmittingthatIwasn’trulingitoutcompletely.Immortality,after
all,lastedalongtime.

Henodded.“Ishouldprobablygetyoubacktoyourcar.”
“Thatwouldbeagoodidea.Ineedtogethome.”BacktotheHouse,backtoEthan.Backtoaroutine

thatdidn’tinvolvemyfightingcrazedvampires—butnowinvolvedlyingtohimaboutthem.

Jonahgrabbedupkeys,andwelefthisroom.
Thesightoutsideitwasunbelievable.
GreyHousewaslocatedinaconvertedwarehousenearWrigleyField,andthey’ddefinitelymadeuse

ofthespace.Hisdoorwasoneofmanyalongthewall,eachevenlyspacedlikeinahotel.Thehallway
wasopenontheotherside,arailingmadeofsteelpostsandthinwiregivingwaytoafour-storyatrium.
Acrosstheatrium,atthesamelevelonwhichwestood,wasanotherlineofdoors.Bedrooms,I
supposed.

Iwalkedtotherailingandglanceddown.Themiddleofthespacebelowuswasfilledbyaforty-foot-

talltreeandalushislandofgreenery.Therewerealsoplantsandtreesalongapaththatwoundthrough
thespace.Blackpostsstoodatintervalsalongthepath,eachbearingaverticalflagofaChicagosports
team.

ItwasunlikeanythingI’dseenbefore—andcertainlyunlikeanythingI’dseenintherealmofvampires.
“Thisisspectacular,”IsaidwhenJonahjoinedmeattherail.Iglancedupattheceiling,whichwasall

glass.Butthatcouldn’tworkinaHouseofvampires.“Howdothetreesgrow?Imean,don’tyouhaveto
closeuptheskylightsduringtheday?”

Jonahmadeacirclewithhishands.“Theroofhasaparaboliccanopythatrotatestocloseduringthe

day.”Heswiveledhisfingers.“Theyclosejustlikeacamerashutter,soitleavesagapinthemiddlefor
thetree.Andthemechanismisphotosensitive,sothecirclefollowsthesunastheearthrotatestoensure
thetreealwayshaslight.”

“Thatisamazing.”
“Thetechnologyisprettyimpressive,”heagreed.“Scott’stakenthetimetotrynewthings,whichwe

can’talwayssayaboutMasters.”

“Theydotendtobealittlestodgy.”
Hemadeavaguesoundofagreement.“Therestofthefoliagegetslightastheshuttersturn.”
“Andifavamphasanemergencyandneedstomovethroughtheatriumduringtheday?”
“Theydon’t,”Jonahsaidsimply.“TheinteriorarchitectureoftheHouseisorganizedsoyouneverhave

tocrosstheatriumspacetogettoanylivingquartersorexits.”Hepointedbelow.“Theroomsonthe
sidesoftheatriumarenonessential—officesandthelike—andthereareshadedwalkwaysinanyevent.”

Heturnedandbeganwalkingdownthehallway,andIfollowedhimtoanelevatorandabasement

parkinglevelthatwasprettysimilartoours:longconcretevault,lotsofexpensivecars.

Istoppedshortwhenwepassedaplatinumsilverconvertible.Itwassmallandcurvy,withround

lights,ahoodvent,andwirewheels,anditlookedexactlylikethekindofcarJamesBondwoulddrive.

“Isthis—isthatanAstonMartin?”
Heglancedover.“Yeah.That’sScott’scar.He’sbeenalivefornearlytwohundredyears.Aman

accumulatesprizesinthattime.”

“SoIsee,”Isaid,clenchingmyhandstofightbacktheurgetorunmyfingersacrossthespotlesspaint.

I’dneverseenoneinperson.Neverseenoneatalloutsidethemovies.Butitwasstunning.Ididn’t
considermyselftobeacarperson,butitwashardnottolikelonglinesandsweetcurves.AndwhatI’d
imaginewasaprettyfastengine.

“Lotsof,youknow,horsepowersorwhatever?”
Hesmiledandunlockedhishybrid’sdoor,andwasstillgrinningwhenweclimbedinside.“Notmuch

ofacarbuff?”

“Icanappreciateabeautifulthing.Butcarsareonlyaskindeepinfatuationforme.”
“Dulynoted.”
WedrovefromWrigleyvillebacktoMagnificentMileandmycar.AndItotallyluckedout—mycar

hadbeenparkedinthesamespotfornearlytwenty-fourhours,butwhiletherewasaticketunderthe
wiper,therewasnobootonthetire.StreetparkinginChicagowasahazardousactivity.

“Areyougoingtogethassledforsleepingover?”heaskedthroughtheopenwindowasIunlockedmy

door.

OnlyifEthanthinksI’msleepingwithNoah,Ithoughttomyself.
“I’mgood,”ItoldJonah.“Besides,it’snotlikeyoucouldescortmehome.You’dblowyourcover.”
“True.Weshouldprobablyplantotalkagain.Iexpectthisisn’tthelasttimewe’llhearaboutwhat

wentdownlastnight.”

“Probablynot.”Mystomachturnedover.Iwasn’tthrilledatthepossibilityofheadingbackinto

another“rave,”ifthat’swhatwewerecallingit.Ihadtheskillsforwar,butnotthestomachforit.Itwas
easytohelpsomeoneinneed,butitwouldhavebeenniceriftheneeddidn’texistinthefirstplace.

“I’lltalktothebartendersatTempleBar,seeifthey’venoticedanythingsuspicious.AndI’llletyou

knowifIfindoutanythingaboutthephonenumber.I’llalsotalktothemaboutthedrugs.They’llwantto
knowifillegalsubstancesarebeingspreadaround,andwhattheeffectsare.”

“Soundslikeaplan.Keepmeposted.”
“Iwill.Thankyouagainforthehelp.”
Jonahsmiledthinly.“That’swhatpartnersarefor.”
“Don’tjumpthegun.Wearen’tpartnersyet.”
Withafinal,knowingsmile,hepulledawayfromthecurb,leavingmeonthesidewalkbesidemy

lonelyVolvo.WhathadMallorysaidaboutnotwantingtogobacktoyourlifeagain?AndwhathadItold
her?Somethingaboutacceptingthechoicesyouwerepresentedwithandgettingthenastystuffdone
regardless?

IclimbedintotheVolvoandshutthedoorbehindme,blowingthebangsfrommyforeheadasIstarted

thecar.

“Goodtimes,”Imuttered,asIturnedthewheelintotraffic.“Goodtimes.”

WhenIwasparkedinfrontoftheHouse,Itookamomenttogetthenextpartoftheinvestigationin
motion.IdialedupJeff’snumber.

Hisanswerwasenthusiastic.“Merit!Weheardsomeshitwentdownlastnight.Youokay?”
“Hey,Jeff.I’mgood.I’llfillyouinlater.ButfornowIneedafavor.”
“TheJeffabides.What’sup?”
IrattledoffthephonenumberJonahhadgivenme.“It’sthenumberthatsentoutatextabouttheparty,

whichmayormaynothavebeenarave.Canyoutraceit?”

“Onit,”hesaid,andIheardtherhythmicclackofkeys.“Nothinginthefirstround,”hesaidaftera

moment.“Givemealittlebitoftime.I’llfindit.”

“You’readoll.”
“YouandIbothknowit.I’llcallyou.”
“Thanks,Jeff.”
Thatdone,andthephonetuckedawayagain,IglancedupattheHouse.Probablybesttogetthehard

partoverwith.Iheadedinside—thistimethroughagauntletofpersonalepithetsfromtheprotesters—and
straightforEthan’soffice.

Theofficedoorwasopen,andhesatathisdesk,aphoneathisear.
Iwaiteduntilheputthephonedown,andthenstartedin.Thewordscameoutinarush.
“Itwasinahigh-riseinStreeterville,butitwasn’tanintimaterave,notlikewethinkofthem.Thiswas

atleasttwodozenvamps.Alotofmagic,alotofglamour,andalotoffighting.Everyonewasonahair
trigger,liketheywerewaitingforanexcusetorumble.Therewereplentyofhumans,andsome
bloodletting.There’salsoapossibilitythey’rebeingdruggedtomakethemsusceptibletoglamour.”

Ethan’seyesshiftedtosomethingbehindme.
“Sire,”hesaidafteramoment,“thisisMerit,SentinelofCadoganHouse.Merit,DariusWest.Headof

theGreenwichPresidium.”

Oh,snap.

CHAPTERTEN

LIKEABOSS

Ifroze,realizingforthefirsttime—andmuchtoolate—thatweweren’taloneintheoffice.Iclenchedmy
eyesclosed,embarrassmentrisingonmycheeks.Somuchforkeepingourinfiltrationoftheravesunder
wraps.

Afewsecondslater,Ifinallyopenedmyeyesagain,expectingtoseefuryinEthan’s.Instead,heoffered

agentlychastisinglook.

Maybehehadchanged.
“I’msosorry,”Imouthed,beforeturningtoDarius.HestoodwithMalikandLuc,intheoffice’ssitting

areainfrontofleatherfurniturethathadn’tbeenthereonmylastvisit.Helendidefficientwork.

Dariuswastallandlean,withashavedheadandblueeyes.Hisfeaturesweresharpandnearly

arrogant—straightnose,widemouth,aristocraticchinmarkedbyaperfectcleft.

“That’saveryinterestingtaleyouweave,”hesaid.Darius’saccentwasclearlyEnglish;hisdiction

wouldhavemadethequeenproud.“Comehaveaseat.Ethan,won’tyoujoinus,aswell?”

Ihadasensetherequestwasactuallyanorder,soItookaseatononeoftheleatherchairsthatfaced

thecouch.AsEthanfollowedmeover,LucandMaliktookseatsontwoendchairs.Ethantookthechair
besideme.

Dariussatonthecouch,thenreachedintohispocketandremovedaslim,silvercase.Hepoppedit

openandpulledoutathinblackcigarette.Itwasn’tuntilhe’dliftedittohismouththathelookedatEthan
forpermission.

“Bemyguest,”Ethansaid,butitwasclearhewasn’tthrilledaboutDariussmokingintheHouse.
Cigaretteatthecornerofhismouth,Dariustuckedthecasebackintohispocketandpulledoutabook

ofmatches.Helitone,leavingasulfurousstingintheair,andtouchedittotheendofthecigarettebefore
puttingitoutwithaflickofhiswrist.Hedroppedthewastedmatchintoaheavycrystaldishonthecoffee
tablethatsatinthemiddleoftheringoffurniture.

Hepuffedforamoment,thenliftedasingleeyebrow—IguesswenowknewwherethatticofEthan’s

hadcomefrom—andblewastreamoffragrantsmokefromthesideofhismouth.

“Inthispoliticalclimate,”hebegan,“withthesechallenges,yousentyourSentineltoarave?”
“I’mnotsureitwasarave,”Iputin,tryingtosalvagewhatIcould.“Webelieveditmightbearave—

orsomethingcallingitselfarave—butthisisonadifferentscale.Verylarge,andveryviolent.”

“Ravesarealwaysviolent,”Dariussaid.“Thatisthenatureofarave.”
Iopenedmymouthtodisagree,butthoughtbetterofit.Afterall,sinceI’dseenonlyonerave,he’d

definitelyknowbetterthanIwhetherthebloodlustwasunusual.

“Whatisatypical,”hecontinued,“isanofficialHousestaffmemberbeingutilizedtoinfiltratesuch

things.”

“Infiltrationwasouronlyoption,”Ethansaid.
Darius’sfaceradiateddisbelief,andhistonewasdeadpan.“Youronlyoption.”
Ethanclearedhisthroat.“SethTateinformedusthathe’dlearnedoftheallegedmurderofthreehumans

byvampires.Hehasawarrantformyarrestinhand,andhasthreatenedtoexecutethatwarrantwithinthe
weekifwedon’tsolvetheproblem.Theopportunitytoinvestigatearose,andwetookit.”

“Didheexecutethewarrant?”
“Notyet,buthe—”

“Thenyouhadoptions,”Dariussaid,inatonethatbrookednoargumentandremindedusallthatwhile

EthanwasMasteroftheHouse,DariuswasmasteroftheHouses.

Andthenheturnedhiscoldbluegazeonme.“You’retheSentinel.”
“Iam,Sire.”
“Youlookratheramess.”
Ihadtoworknottosmoothdownmyhairandmywrinkledtanktop.I’dsleptinmyclothes,andwhile

I’dcleanedupalittleatGreyHouse,I’msureIstilllookedprettyawful.Ontheotherhand,Ilooked
awfulbecauseI’dbeenworking,notbecauseIlackedbasichygieneskills.

“Iwasonanassignment,Sire.”
“Suchasitwas,”Dariusmuttered.“Andyou’rejustnowreturningtotheHouse?Youhavetraversed

Chicagolookinglikethis?”

IwaitedtogiveEthanachancetooffersilentsuggestions,totellmewhatIwasorwasnotsupposedto

tellDarius—althoughthecatwasmostlyoutofthebag.Whenhestayedsilent,Iassumedthatwas
permissionenoughandtoldthetruth—andnothingmore.

“Itwaslate,Sire.Wewererunningclosetosunrise.”
Thecigaretteinhisfingers,Dariuswethislips,andslowlyshiftedhisgazetoEthan.“Nowisthetime

toperfectthepublicimage,tosweetenandsharpenit,notsenditrumpledandtrashedthroughthecitylike
somekindofwell-usedpartygirl.”

Iwentstiffattheinsult;Ethanstirredinhischair.“Sheisasoldier.Thatherbattlefieldisunusual

doesn’tmakeitanylessabattlefield,nordoesitmaketheuniformanylessauniform.”

Iappreciatedthathe’dtakenthehitforme,stoodupforwhatsomebelievedwasmy“mere”statusasa

soldierfortheHouse.And,honestly,whatmorehonorableservicewasthere?Makingdecisionsfroma
continentawayinadressshirt,smokingcigarettesfromasilverbox?

IliftedmychinandmetDarius’sgaze.“Iamasoldier,”Iconfirmed.“AndIhavenoqualmsabout

that.”

Hiseyebrowsliftedwithinterest.“Andyou’vereturnedfromabattle.”
“Inamannerofspeaking.”
Dariussatbackinhischairagain.“Yousaidtonight’sevent,whateveritmighthavebeen,was

unusuallyviolent.”Hetookanotherpuff,thesuspicionclearonhisface.“You’vebeentoanotherrave?
Youhaveabasisforcomparison?”

“Ihaven’t,”Iadmitted.“Thecomparisonisbasedoninformationfromothersources,andtheonesiteI

visitedafterthefact.OurintelligencesaysravesinChicagoarefewandfarbetween,andthat—perhaps
toavoidriskofdetection—they’reusuallyveryintimateaffairs.Afewvampiresatmost.That’snotwhat
wesawlastnight.”

“AlthoughIdisagreewithyourconclusions,that’snotabadreport.”HeturnedtoEthan.“Icanseewhy

youlikeher,Ethan.”

“She’smorethancapable,”Ethanagreed.“ButIassumeanupdateonourSentinel’sworkisnotwhat

broughtyouacrossthepond?”

Dariusleanedforwardandmashedtherestofthecigaretteintotheashtray.“MattersinChicagoare,as

youknow,escalating.Shifters.Rogues.TheattackonyourHouse.”

Ethancrossedonelegoveranother.“Asyou’veseen,thosethingsareinhand.”
“ThosethingssuggestadecidedlackoforganizationandpoliticalcontrolamongtheIllinoisHouses.

WhenCelinawasremoved,youbecamethemostseniorMasterinChicago,Ethan.Itisyour
responsibility,yourdutytothePresidium,tomaintainstabilitywithinyourdomain.”

Andhewouldhave,Ithought,ifyou’dmanagedtokeepCelinainEnglandwhereshebelonged.
“Whatdoesthatmean?”Ethanasked.
“Itmeansthere’sasignificantchancethatCadoganHousewillbeplacedintoreceivershipbythe

PresidiumuntilChicagoisundercontrol.”

Ididn’tneedtoknowthedetailsofa“receivership”togetthegeneralidea—theGPwasthreateningto

takeovertheHouse.

Theroomwentsilent,asdidEthan.Theonlysignhe’devenheardDarius’sthreatwasthetelltaleline

ofconcernbetweenhiseyes.

“Withallduerespect,Sire,there’snoneedforimpetuousaction.”Ethan’stonewascarefullyneutral,

hiswordscarefullymodulated.Iknewhewasburstingwithemotion—therewasnowayEthanwasn’t
boilingoveratthepossibilitythattheGPwasgoingtostepinandtakeoverhisHouse.Buthewasdoing
animpressivejobofkeepinghisemotionsundercontrol.

“I’mnotentirelysurethatwasdulyrespectful,Ethan.AndasI’msureyou’llappreciate,placingoneof

theAmericanHousesintoreceivershipisn’tsomethingthePresidiumtakeslightly.Itraisesuncomfortable
memories.”

“Uncomfortable?”Iasked.Iprobablyshouldn’thavespoken,beingtheleast-rankingvampireinthe

room,butsometimescuriositywonout.

Dariusnodded.“TheAmericanRevolutionwasadifficulttimefortheBritishandAmericanHouses,

asyoumightimagine.TheGPhadn’tyetbeenformed—thatwasstilldecadesdowntheroad—andthe
ConseilRougeretainedpower.BeingFrench,theConseilsupportedthecolonies’freedom.BeingBritish,
wedidnot.”

Inoddedmyunderstanding.“Andimmortalitybeingwhatis,someofthosecolonistsarestillalivein

theAmericanHouses.”

“Indeed.”
“Anexcellentreason,”Ethanputin,“toprecludediscussionofreceivership.”
“Thediscussionisalreadyunderway,Ethan.Iknowyoudon’tapproveofthePresidiumortheactions

we’vetaken,butwehaverulesandprocessesforareason.”

SoCelinacanignorethem?Iwondered.
Therewasaknockatthedoor,whichopenedalittle.Amantidilydressedincuffedtrousers,button-up

shirt,andsuspenders—onlyhiswavybrownhairaskew—lookedinside.“Sire,yourcallwithNewYork
Housesisready.”HisvoicewasequallyBritishandposh;hemusthavebeenpartofDarius’sretinue.

Dariusglancedupandover.“Thankyou,Charlie.I’lljustbeamoment.”
Charlienodded,thendisappearedthroughthedooragain.Whenhewasgone,Dariusstoodup.Therest

ofusdidthesame.

“We’llchatlater,”Dariussaid,thennoddedatme.“Goodluckwithyourcontinuedtraining.”
“Thankyou,Sire.”
Whenhewasgone,andthedoorwasclosedagainbehindhim,silencereigned.Ethanputhiselbowson

hiskneesandranhishandsthroughhishair.

“Receivership,”Lucrepeated.“Whenwasthelasttimethathappened?”
“NotsincethefinancialmeltdownbeforeWorldWarII,”Malikanswered.“Many,manyyears.”
“He’sbeingunreasonable,”Isaid,glancingaroundatthem.“NoneofthisisCadogan’sfault.It’sAdam

Keene’sfault.It’stheGP’sfault—Celina’sfault.We’rereapingtheconsequencesoftheirbadacts,and
nowhewantstoputtheGPinchargeoftheHouse?”

Ethansatupstraightagain.“That’sthelongandshortofit.AreceiverwouldcomeintotheHouse,

beginaninvestigationofHouseprocedures,andhavetheauthority—theGP-grantedauthority—to
approveeverydecisionthat’smadeinthisHouse,regardlessofhowbigorsmall.Areceiverwould
reporteverydecisionbacktotheGP,includingDarius,includingCelina.”

Ethanlookedupatme,hisgreeneyesicycold.“AndIhavetowonderwhetherhe’dberaisingthe

issueifourSentinelhadn’tjustinformedhimthatChicagowasheadingtohellinahandbasket.”Sothe
calm,unruffled,forgivingEthanhadbeenanactforDarius.

Unfortunatelyforhim,we’dcometoofarformetobeintimidatedbyasnarkyphraseornastylook.I’d

goneoutandfaceddangerforhimandtheHouse,andIwasn’tabouttoshrinkawaybecausehedidn’tlike
theconsequences.Igavehimbackthesamestare.

Theroomwentsilent,untilEthanbarkedoutanorder,hisgazestillonme.“Excuseus,please.”
Whennoonebudged,heglancedaroundtheroom.“Iwasn’taskingforpermission.”
ThatwasenoughtosendLucandMalikscurryingoutthedoor,bothofthemofferingmesympathetic

looks.

Itwasn’tuntilwewerealone,thedoorshutbehindthem,thatEthanfinallylookedaway.Forafull

minute,hesatquietly,hisbackrigid.

Finally,hewalkedbacktohisdeskandsettledhimselfbehindit,puttingspace—andfurniture—

betweenus.

I’dknownhimlongenoughtocallit“typicalSullivan.”Itwasthekindofactionwecouldhaveadded

totheEthanSullivandrinkinggame,fallingsomewherebetweenhisimperiouseyebrowarchingandhis
habitofreferringtoanyNovitiateinhisHousebyposition,ratherthanbyname.

“Sentinel,”hefinallysaid,linkinghisfingersonhisdesk.
Itookastepforward,intentonmakinghimbelievehowmuchIregrettedwhatI’dinadvertentlytold

Darius.“Ethan,Iamsosorry.Youwereonthephone,anditdidn’tevenoccurtometoseeifanyonewas
behindme.”

Heheldupahand.“Youtoldhimwhereyou’dbeen.Iamnotsurewhethertothrottleyounowor

simplyhandyouovertothePresidiumandletthemdoit.”

IfIwerehim,I’dthrottleme,too.Ijustnodded.
WhenEthanfinallylookedatmeagain,therewasdesperationinhiseyes.
“Areceiver.InmygoddamnedHouse.AHouseIhavewatched,guided,parentedwhennecessary.Do

youknowwhataninsultthatis?Tohaveanadministrator—someorganizationalspecialistwhocouldn’t
guidevampireswithamapandcompass—replacingme?TellingmewhatI’vedonerightorwrong,howI
should‘fix’thethingsI’vebroken.”

Myheartclenchedsympathetically.Itmusthavebeenhardtohearthatnotonlywasthesupremeleader

ofvampsnothappywithyourwork,buthewasconsideringsendingsomeoneacrossthepondtomake
suretheworkwasdonecorrectly.Itwouldn’thavethrilledme,either.

Andtheworstpart?Thiswasatleastpartlymyfault.Imean,itseemedunlikelyDariuswouldhave

traveledthisfarifhedidn’thaveconcernsabouttheHouse,butthatdidn’tmeanIhadn’tpushedhimover
thereceivershipedge.

“ThisHouseisold,Merit.ItisarespectableHouse.Theappointmentofareceiverisaslapinthe

face.”Helookedaway,shakinghisheadruefully.“HowcanInottakethatasaninsulttoallthatI’vedone
sincePeter’sdeath?”

ThatPeterwasPeterCadogan,theHouse’snamesakeandfirstMaster.Themanwho’dheldthereins

untilhisdeath,whenEthantookover.

“Iwouldtakeitpersonally,too.”
Ethanbarkedoutalaugh.“It’shardlythatItakeitpersonally,Sentinel.It’sthatit’saslapagainstme

andMalik,Luc,Helen—theentirestaff.EveryInitiateCommended,everyNovitiatewhohasserved.
Everysacrificemade.Youessentiallytoldhimwedon’thavethingsinhand.”

“Wedon’tifwhatwesawlastnightiscommonplace.Thiswasn’thalfadozenvampiresandacouple

ofhumans,Ethan.Thereweredozensofvamps,dozensofhumans.Thepartywashuge,anditwasloud,
anditwasn’tjustaboutalittleprivatesip.”

“Soitwasn’tarave.”
“Notthekindofravesweknewaboutbefore.Thevampswereonedge,themagicthick.Vampswere

pickingfightsallovertheplace.”

“DidyouandNoahhavetodefendyourselves?”
IhatedlyingtoEthan.Hatedit.Butitwasn’tfairofmetoclearmyconscienceatJonah’sexpense,soI

suckeditupandplayedoutthestory.

“Defendourselves,yes.Weweren’tinvolvedinanyfightingofconsequence,althoughthingsgotnasty

whenwemadeourexit.I’dfoundahumanwhoneededhelp—druggedorglamoured;I’mnotsurewhich.
Sheneededout,andtherewereafewvampswhoweren’thappytoseehergo.Noahspilledbloodasa
distraction,andthevampswentcrazy.Theplaceeruptedwithfighting,butwegotheroutandsenther
home.Shewasgratefulenough—embarrassedenough—thatIdon’tthinkshe’llcauseusproblemsdown
theroad.”

Isighedandlookedaway.“Ihatesayingthat,Ethan.ItmortifiesmethatIhavetothinkaboutawoman

who’sbeeninabadpositionasaliability.Shewasmadeacommoditybythosevampires.Thatshouldn’t
happentwice.Notbyus.”

Ilookedbackathim,andappreciatedthesympathyinhiseyes.
“Youareaveryhumanvampire,”heaffectionatelysaid.
“Soyousay.”
“Ionceconsidereditaliability.Andforsomevampires,Istilldo.Butforyou—letushopetheydon’t

bleeditoutofyou.”

Wewerequietforamoment,justlookingateachother.Ifinallybrokethesilence.Ireachedintomy

pocket,pulledouttheenvelope,andhandedittohim.“Thisiswhywethinkthehumansmayhavebeen
drugged.”

Ethaninspectedtheenvelope,thendroppedthepillsintohishand.“What’sV?”
“Don’tknow.I’massumingitstandsfor‘vampire.’Andthepunchline?Thehumanwhogavethisto

me,Sarah,hadlearnedabouttheraveatTempleBar.”

Hisgazewentcold.“SomeoneisusingtheCadoganHousebartosolicithumans?”
“Thatwouldappeartobethecase.”
Amuscleinhischeektwitched,butafteramoment,heseemedtorelaxagain.
“AtleastyoumanagednottotellDariusaboutthat.”
Therewasasmirkinhiseyesthatmademesmile.
“We’llthankGodforsmallmiracles,”Iagreed.“Sarahsaidsheheardabouttheravefromashortguy.

..andawomannamedMarie.”

Ethanfroze,beforeslippingthepillsbackintotheenvelope.“Thereareprobablythousandsofwomen

inChicagonamedMarie.”

“Thatistrue,”Iagreed.
Hehandedtheenvelopebacktome.“There’snowaytoknowthatitwasCelina.Shehasn’tgoneby

thatnameintwocenturies.”

“Thatisalsotrue,”Isaid,tappingmyfingersagainsttheenvelope.
“You’reusuallymuchmoreargumentativeatthispoint.”
“Iusuallyhavemoreevidencetogoon.”
Hesmiled.“WemaymakeaSentineloutofyouyet.”
Ofcourse,whileIdidusuallyhavemoreevidencethatCelinawasinvolvedinsomethingobnoxious,

thatdidn’tchangethefacts....“Itisstillquiteacoincidencethattheravepusherwasusingoneof
Celina’sformeraliases.”

“Analiasthatledustoasaboteurthelasttimesheusedit,”Ethanremindedme.Hehadapoint—

Celinasentincriminatinge-mailmessagestoPeteras“MarieCollette.”Buthe’dforgottenakeyfact.

“Celinadoesn’tknowwetracedthatparticulare-mailaddress;shewasusinghalfadozenothers.And

shedoesn’tknowthat’showwefoundoutaboutPeter.Shejustknowshestoppedshowinguptodohis
bidding.And,moreimportant,sheprobablydidn’tthinkshe’dgetcaught.Whataretheoddsthat

particulargirlwouldtellmethatsomeonecallingherself‘Marie’wassolicitinghumansoutsideabar?”

“WhataretheoddsCelinawoulduseanaliaswecouldidentifyoutsideabarweown?”
Okay,putlikethat,itdidn’tsoundsoconvincing.
“JustbecauseIdon’tcurrentlyhavealltheevidencedoesn’tmeanthereisn’tevidencetobefound.”
“Andsoitbegins,”hemuttered,thenliftedhisgaze,nolongeramused.“Merit,theheadoftheGPis

stepsawayfromusrightnow.Iamorderingyounottobringuphernameagain—”

WhenIopenedmymouthtoobject,heheldupahand.
“Untilyouhavemoreevidencethananameshemayormaynothaveused.Inowconsiderthesubject

tobedropped.Understood?”

“Understood,”Isaid,thenwetmylips.“Doyoutrustme?”
HisgazewentalittlemoreseductivethanIcaredfor.“DoItrustyou?”
“Itdoesn’tsoundlikeDariuswantsmegettingmyhandsdirty.Butthisismyjob,andfrankly,I’mkind

ofgoodatit.”

“Muchtoeveryone’ssurprise.”
Igavehimapetulantface.“Weknowsomethingweirdisgoingonoutthere.Iftheravesceneisthe

waywegetinandshutitdown—thewaywemakesurevampsaren’toutthereslaughteringhumansen
masse—thenwegotheraveroute.Ineedtogetoutthereagain,andweneedtokeeppullingthisstring.”

“YoucannotmakeanenemyoftheGP.Andnotjustbecauseyou’reamemberofthisHouse,”he

preemptivelyaddedatmynarrowedgaze.“IunderstandyourimpatienceandIhonoryourcommitment.
Butiftheybelieveyoustandagainstthem,theywillbringyoudown,Merit.Theirsovereigntyis
important.Celinalivesbecauseshehasn’tchallengedthatsovereignty;ifyouchallengeit,youposea
directthreattoDariusandtheothers.Andthatwillbethebeginningoftheendofyou.”

“Iknow.Butthat’snotreasonenoughtoallowthemtotearthecityapart.”
Hisexpression—halfsorrowfulresignation,halfpride—mirroredmyownemotions.“Ididn’ttrain

you,investinyou,sothatyoucouldgiveyourselfovertotheGPassomekindofWindyCitysacrifice.”

Hisvoicewassoft,earnest,buttherewasemotioninhiseyes.Realemotion.
“Idon’tintendtobeasacrifice.AndIdon’tintendtoletyoubeone,either.”
Helookedaway.“TheyhaveaneyeontheHouse.They’llknowwhatwe’redoing.”
Herecomesthekicker,Ithought,bracingmyself.“Notifyou’renotinvolved.”
Hepaused,obviouslystartled,thenleanedbackinhischair.Hemightbenervousabouttheidea,but

I’dpiquedhisinterest.“Meaning?”

“MeaningIhavepowerfulfriends.Mallory.Catcher.Gabriel.Mygrandfather.Noah.”Nottomention

JonahandtherestoftheRedGuard.“IcanworkwiththemtoaccomplishwhattheGPwon’tallowyouto
do.”

Frowning,Ethansatupagainandabsentlyshuffledpapersonhisdesk.Afteramoment,heshookhis

head.“Ifyou’reworkingoutsidemyauthority,youalsoworkoutsidemyprotection.Andifyoudoget
caught,theGPwon’tliketheideaofanuncontrolledSentinelrunningaroundChicago.”

“Butthey’llallowanuncontrolledformerMastertorunaroundChicago?”
“Sheonlykilledhumans,”hedrylyremindedme.“You’retalkingaboutchallengingtheGP.”
“I’mtalkingaboutdoingwhat’snecessary,andwhat’sright.We’vegothumanspicketingoutsideanda

mayorwho’sgoingtotryGodknowswhatagainstyouandtheHousesohecanmakeanameforhimself.
We’vealsogotreallypissed-offvampswho’llstartafightwithoutprovocationjustforthefunofdoingit.
DoyouwantthemrunningaroundChicago?Besides,”Iquietlyadded,knowingwhatheneededtohear,
“I’mstrongernowthanIwasbefore.I’mmoreskillednowthanIwasbefore.”

Helookedupatme,worrytighteninghiseyes.
God,Ihatedtoseethatworry.IhatedwhatI’ddonetoputitthere.AndsoIwenttohim,allreasonsto

thecontrary.Islippedbetweenhischairandthedesk,andwhenheleanedtowardmeandrestedhis

foreheadonmyabdomen,Islidmyfingersintothethickgoldensilkofhishair.

“I’llbecareful.”
Ethangruntedandwrappedhishandsaroundmywaist.Iranmyfingersthroughhishair—thesame

motionoverandoveragain—andthentracedmyfingertipsdownhisback.Gradually,Ifeltthetension
leavehisshoulders.

Helookedupagain,hiseyesnowlambentpoolsofgreen.
Ismileddownathim.“Youlookdrunk.”
“Ifeel...relaxed.”
Ididn’ttrustthatIwouldn’tcrossanymorelinesthanI’djustvaulted,soIloosedhishandsand

steppedaway,thenmovedaroundhisdeskandtookaseatontheotherside.

IfiguredI’dseeirritationinhiseyeswhenIlookedbackathim.Forthesecondtime,hesurprisedme.

Hewassmiling—akindofhonest,humbled,sweetsmile.

“MaybeI’mgettingbetteratthis?”heasked.“Betteratwooingyouinthemannerinwhichyoushould

bewooed?”

Icrossedonelegovertheotherandmethisgaze.“MyjobistoensurethesanctityofthisHouse.

EnsuringthesanityofitsMasterseemedlikeagoodstart.”

“Isthatthestoryyou’restickingwith?”
“That’smyanswer.”
“Idon’tbuyit.”
Ismiledthinly,eyeshalf-hiddenbeneathmylashes.“Youdon’thaveto.”
“Hmmph,”hesaid,buthewasclearlypleasedbytherepartee.
Thistime,hewastheonewhotooktheoffensive.Hestoodandmovedaroundhisdeskandtowardme.

Istraightenedup,everynerveinmybodyonalertasheapproached.Whenhereachedme,hetookmy
hands,thesamemoveMayorTatehadusedacoupleofnightsago.

“I’mself-awareenoughtoadmitthatIprefertobeincontrol,”hesaid.“Itisaconsequence,Ithink,of

theresponsibilityofmaintainingthisHouse.ButItoldyouhowIfeltaboutyou—”

“Youdidn’t,actually.”
Heblinked.“Excuseme?”
Igavehimasmile.“Youtoldmeyouwerebeginningtorememberhowitfelttolovesomeone.You

didn’tmakeaconfessionspecifictome.”

Hislipstightened,buthewassmartenoughtoaskthepertinentquestion.“WillitmakeadifferenceifI

saythat?”

“No.Butagirllikestofeelappreciated.”
TheonlywarningIhadwastheflashinhiseyesbeforehemoved,gotdownonhisknees.
Ifroze,mystomachseizing.Myteasingaside,aboyonhiskneesmeantstuffIwasn’tgoingtobe

preparedtohear.

Ethanreachedforwardandslidahandaroundmyneck,histhumbtracingthepulsepointhefound

there.“Merit,Ilo—”

“Don’t.”IknewI’dgoadedhimtoit,butthatdidn’tmeanIwasreadyforthewords.Icouldhearthe

pleadinginmyvoice,butImanagedtostophimbeforehegotouttheLword.“Don’tsayit.Puttingitout
thereisonlygoingtomakeitharderforbothofustoactuallydoourjobs.”

“I’mnotflatteredbythefactthatyouaren’tsurewhetherImeanitornot.”
“Doyou?”
Hegavemeaflatlook,butthenhisexpressionchangedtosomethingmuchmoreappraising.Andthat

mademeworry.

“What?”Iaskedhim.
“We’revampires.”

“I’maware.”
“Asvampires,webargain,wenegotiate,andwehonorouragreements.”
Iliftedmyeyebrows.“Andwhatagreementdoyouintendonforming?”
“Iwantakiss.Onekiss,”headded,beforeIcouldquestionhim,“andI’llkeepthedeclarationsto

myself.Onekiss,andthenI’llceaseallflirting,asyoucallit,unlessanduntilyoucometomewithyour
owndeclarations.”

Islidhimaglancetocheckhisexpression.Reversepsychologywasn’tbeyondhim,andthedealdidn’t

makemuchsenseotherwise.Iwouldn’tdenytheattractionbetweenus,butIfeltprettyconfidentIcould
managenottomakesexualoverturestomyboss.

“Onekiss?”Ireiterated.
“Onekiss.”
“Deal,”Isaid.Hopingtojumpthegun,Iclosedmyeyesandofferedpuckeredlips.Ethanchuckled,but

ignoredmelongenoughthatIopenedoneeye.

“Don’tthinkyou’regoingtogetbythateasily.”Thehandonmynecksliddown,histhumbrestinginthe

hollowatthebaseofmyneck,therestofhisfingerssplayedacrossmycollarbone.Hiseerilygreeneyes
stayedtrainedonmine,atleastuntilhistangledlashesdroppedandhemovedin.

Buthedidn’tkissme.
Hismouthhoveredjustbeyondmine,outofreachonlysolongasIrefusedtomakethatplungeforward

—andherefusedtoexecutethebargain.

“You’recheating,”Imurmured.IwastornaboutwhetherIwasgladofitornot.Iwasafraidthatifhis

lipstouchedmine,I’dlosethewilltoresist,andIwasafraidthatifIgavein,I’dlosemyheartagain.

Ethanshookhishead.“Isaidonekiss,andImeantit.Onekiss,myterms,tobeclaimedwhenthetime

isright.”

Suddenly,heshiftedhismouthtomyear,histeethgrazingthelobe.Ishudderedatthesparkthattrilled

downmyspine,myeyesrollingbackattheridiculouspleasureofit.

“Thisisn’takiss,”hewhispered,hislipsatmyear.
“Norisitinthespiritofthebargain.”
“Let’snotfocusontheformalities,Merit.”Andthenhislipswerebackagain,hoveringagainstmyjaw,

teasingmewiththepossibilityofwhathemightdo.

Withtheanticipationofit.
Ifoughtbacktheurgetostepforward,topushmylipsagainsthistobedonewithit.Topushmylips

againsthisbecausehe’dincitedmetoit.

“I’llhaveyouinmybedagain,Sentinel.Andatmyside.Thatisapromise.”
“Youmeantoteasemeintoaseduction?”
“Isitworking?”
Myanswerwaslessawordthanafrustratedgrumble.Iwasself-awareenoughtoknowthattheonly

thingIenjoyedmorethangettingwhatIwantedwasnotgettingwhatIwanted.Inmyexperience,wanting
wasoftenmorefunthanhaving.

Ontheotherhand,thiswasagamethatcouldeasilybeplayedbytwo.
Iliftedahandandpushedalockofhairbehindhisear,thentracedthelineofhiseyebrowandjaw

withafingertip,mygazedrinkingineachpartofhisface,fromperfectcheekbonestolonglips.

Thistime,hefroze.
Flushedwithfemininepower,Itracedthelineofhisneck,thencurledafistintothetopofhisshirtand

tuggedhimforward.

Hiseyeswidened;Ibitbackasmile.
Thistime,Itorturedhim,skimmingmylipsalongthelineofhisjaw,andthentohisear.Ibithim

delicately,justenoughtohearhisheavysigh.Iwasn’tsureifImeantit,ifIwastorturinghimbecauseI

thoughthedeservedtobeteasedjustlikehe’dteasedme,orifIwantedthejoyofdoingitonmyown.

Myheartpounded,therhythmspedbyfearandtrepidationandsimpledesire.
“Doyoulikebeingteased?”Iwhispered.
“Ienjoypreviews,”hesaid,thewordsconfident,buthisvoiceroughwitharousal.
Itookthegravellyedgetohisvoiceasmycue.Iwantedtoteasehim,notpushusbothpastthepointof

noreturn.IputmyhandflatagainstEthan’schestandpushedhimbackward.Heroseunsteadilytohis
feet,lookingdownwithmewithfrustrationinhiseyes.

Atasteofhisownmedicine,Ithought.Tobesoclosetosomethingyouwanted...andyetsofaraway.
Istoodupandwalkedaroundmychairandtowardthedoor,thenblewoutabreathandstraightenedmy

ponytail.

“That’sit?”
Myheartwasbeatinglikeatimpanidrum,thebloodrushingthroughmyveinsfasterthanitshould

have.“Onekiss,youtoldme.Youhadyourchancetotakeit.”

Ethanwethislips,straightenedhiscollar,andmovedbacktohisdesk.Hesatdowninhischair,then

lookedupatme,somethingsoftinhiseyes.“Onekiss,”hepromised.“Andafterthat,thenexttimewe
touch,itwillbebecauseyouaskme.”

Iwasn’tnaïveenoughtotellhimIwouldn’task,todenythatI’deverseekhimoutagain.Iknewbetter;

webothknewbetter.

“I’mafraid,”Ifinallyconfessed.
“Iknow.”Hisvoicewasquiet.“Iknow,anditkillsmethatIputthatfearintoyoureyes.”
Wewerebothsilentforamoment.
“Nextsteps?”Iasked,turninghimbacktobusinessonceagain.
“Astiffdrink?”
Iopenedmymouthtorespond,butthensomethingoccurredtome.IthoughtaboutwhatSarahhadsaid,

andthengesturedtowardhisshinynewfurniture.“Youknow,astiffdrinkmaynotbesuchabadidea.”

“HaveIfinallydrivenyoutoalcohol,Sentinel?”
Igrinnedbackathim,asparkleinmyeyes.“We’renearingtheendoftheconstruction.MaybeIshould

roundupsomeNovitiatesforadrinkatTempleBar.”

Hiseyeswidenedappreciatively.“Offeringanopportunitytocasuallyinvestigatewhethersomeoneis

usingmybartorecruithumanvictims.Goodthought,Sentinel.”

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,Sullivan.I’mjusttalkingaboutafewdrinkswithmy

girlfriends.”

Wesatquietlyforamoment,thenewdealbetweenussolidifying.IwasEthan’seyesandears,histool

tosolvetheproblemTatehadpresented.Butinordertokeephimsafe,hecouldn’thaveanymore
informationthannecessary.Iwasn’tcrazyabouttakingontheGP,andIhadn’thadmuchexperience
playingSentinelwithoutEthanatmyside,butIdidliketheideaofplayingSentinelwithoutconstantly
fightingthechemistrybetweenmeandEthanandthedangerthatbroughtwithit.

Heglanceddownathiswatch.“Incaseyou’revaguelycurious,Dariuswillundoubtedlybebackfor

additionalthreats,buthe’lleventuallyretiretotheTrump.Somecombinationofjetandvampirelag.If
youweretoheadtothebarat,let’ssay,threeo’clock,you’dprobablymisshimentirely.”

“Howunfortunate.”Thedealstruck,Iheadedforthedoor.“I’llkeepyoupostedonanypertinentdrink

specials.”

“Sentinel?”
Iglancedback.
“Nexttimeyou’refeelingchatty,don’tforgettochecktheroomfirst.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

PARTYGIRLS

Itwasn’thealthy,Icouldadmit.Iknewspongecakeandmarshmallowcreamweren’tthecurefor
physicalfrustration,thatalongrunthroughHydeParkoratrainingsessionwithLucwouldhavecuredme
betterthancaloriesmighthave.

Butthatdidn’tmakemyfourthMallocake—aprocessedandhydrogenatedlogofchocolatespongecake

filledwithmarshmallowcreamsosugaryitleftyourteethgritty—anylessdeliciousthanthethirdhad
been.

MalloryhaddiscoveredMallocakesonenightataconveniencestoreinBucktown.Therewereonlya

fewstoresinChicagothatsoldthem,whichmadeherburgeoningloveforthethings—sparkedinpart
becauseofthesimilaritiesintheirnames—thatmuchmoreinconvenient.Mallocakesweremadebya
mom-and-popbakeryinIndianathatshippedthemoutonlyonceamonth,whichmadethemhardertofind.
Butpainintherearthattheyweretoacquire,Icouldn’tfaulthertaste.

Theywereridiculouslygood.
Thechocolatespongecakewasjusttherightbalanceoftangychocolateandnot-too-sweetcake,which

matchedupperfectlyagainstacreamfillingthatreekedofsugar.Therewereafewhundredcaloriesina
singledose,andeachboxboastedhalfadozencellophane-wrappedcakes.Theywereaself-pityseshjust
waitingtohappen.

Ontheotherhand,Iwasavampire.Theycouldn’thurtme.Whatevercriticismsyoumightlevelagainst

Ethanformakingmeavampire,Ihadacrazy-fastmetabolismandnoobviousmeansofweightgain.

Asmartervampiremighthavetriedblood,satiatedtheneedwithabagortwooftypeOorAB.But

Mallocakesweresoveryhuman.Andsometimesagirlneededtostayintouchwithherhumanity.
Sometimesagirlneededbreakfastthatdidn’tinvolveflaxorwheatgrassororganicfree-rangecruelty-
freewholegrains.Besides,weweretheonlybeingsalivewhocouldeatprocessedsugarandcarbswith
impunity—whynotgoforit,right?

Mallocakes,itwas.
Really,itwasacelebrationpromptedbythefactthattheday’spaperdidn’trevealwordoneaboutlast

night’srave.ThingsmaynothavegonesmoothlyintheHousewhenI’dreturned,butaquietpresswas
stillavictoryweneeded.

Andso,onesmallvictoryandtwothousandcalorieslater,Istuffedemptycellophanewrappersintothe

trashandgrabbedmyphonefromthenightstand.I’dhadmysnack,soitwastimetogetbacktowork.

Jeffansweredbeforethefirstringwascomplete.“Merit!”
“Talktome,Jeff.Anynewsonthatphonenumber?”
“Notadamnthing.Itwasassignedtoadisposablephone,andtheaccounthasnootheroutgoing

messagesorcalls.Justtheonetext.AndIdidn’tfindanyrecordofpurchaseinmymerchant-datafilefor
theminutesorthephoneitself,soitwasprobablycashonboththosetransactions.”

“Hmm.That’sabummer.Andfortherecord,I’mverydisturbedyou’vegotmerchant-datarecords.”
“It’sonlymildlyillegal.Hey,youwantmetomakeyoudisappearfromthefinancialsystem?Icando

that.EventheFedcouldn’tfindyou.Theyaresuchnoobsoverthere.”

Therewastoomuchenthusiasminhisvoiceformycomfort.Iwasthegranddaughterofacop,afterall.

Ontheotherhand,Jeffworkedforthatcop.

“No,thanks.Andifyou’recommittingfelonies,let’smakesureit’sforthegoodofthecity.”

“You’renofun,”Jeffcomplained.
“Aw,that’snottrue.I’mplentyfun.”
“Vampsarereallyonlyliketenpercentfunatanygiventime.Theotherninetypercentislargely

fretting.Andbloodletting.”

“You’vebeenspendingwaytoomuchtimewithMr.Bell.Hey,whileI’vegotyouonthephone,canI

talktohim?I’vegotaquestion.”

“Absotively,”hesaid,andthenIheardhisrequest.“Catch,thegrandkid’sonthephone.”
Iheardshuffling,whichIimaginedwasthesoundofJeffcarryinghisphonetoCatcher.Thatgaveme

timetoadjusttothefactthatI’dbeendeemed“thegrandkid.”Somuchformyvampiresuaveness.

“Yogabbagabba,”Catchersaid.“What’sup?”
“Drugs.”
“We’reinthethird-biggestcityinthecountry.You’regoingtoneedtobemorespecific.”
Ipickeduptheenvelopeandlookeditover.“Whitetablets.Doseismaybetwoatatime,andthey’re

deliveredinalittlewhiteenvelope.There’saVonthepillandalsoontheoutsideofthepackage.”

Hewasquietforamoment.“I’llhavetocheckthedatabase,butitdoesn’tsoundfamiliar.Whydoyou

ask?”

Igavehimtherundown,substitutingNoah’snameforJonah’sagain,andhatingthatthelieswere

beginningtolayerontopofoneanother.PrettysoonIwasgoingtoneedanappjusttokeepeverything
straight.

“Isthereachancehumanswerebeingdopedwithit?”Iwonderedaloud.“Tomakethemmore

susceptibletoglamour?”

“Sothey’dbemorewillingtogivebloodataparty?Thatdoesn’tringforme.”Iimaginedhimleaning

backinhischair,handsbehindhishead,readytodishoutsomewisdom.“Kindofalotoftroubletodo
somethingglamourwoulddoanyway.Imean,thatisthepointofglamour,afterall.”

“True.”
“Andbesides,Idon’twanttoblamethevictimhere,butifthey’reshowingupatavampparty,they

probablyhavesomeideathatbloodletting’sgoingtohappen.Thatdoesn’tmeanthey’reconsentingtoit
happeningtothem—playingpro-vampatapartyisn’tthesamethingassittingdownandofferingupa
vein—butthepointistheymaynotneedadoubledoseofconvincing.Youknowaboutthewristbands?”

“Theredones?Yeah,Isawthem.Therewereafewthere.”
“Thenitdoesn’tsoundlikethevampsneededtoconvinceanyone.And,frankly,humanssittingdown

andpresentingaveindoesn’texactlyoffermuchchallenge.I’mnotsurethat’sthekindofthing
testosterone-lacedvampswouldevenenjoy.”

“Thisonedoesn’t,”Iconfirmed.“Therewasalotofmagicfloatingaround.Anychancethemagicwas

external?Notvampire,Imean?”

Hisvoicewentflat.“You’reaskingifasorcererwouldknockoutahumansoavampirecouldgoat

her?EveniftherewereOrderschlubsinChicagootherthanMalloryandhertutor,whichtherearen’t,no.
There’snowayasorcererwoulddothat.”

“Whataboutaggression?Wouldasorcererbeinterestedinmakingvampsmoreaggressive,givingthem

ahair-triggertemper,thatkindofthing?”

“Ihatetodashyourdreams,Merit,butyourtestosteronelevelsaren’treallyofinteresttotheOrder.”
SomuchforJonah’ssorcereridea,notthatI’dbeenabigfanofitanyway.“ThenI’mflummoxed.Iwas

hopingyou’dhaveinsights.”

“Ialwayshaveinsights.Yousaidtherewereviolence,glamour,anddrugs,right?”
“ItwasGhoulsGoneWildinthere.Thebitershadfangsout,andIsawalotofreallysilveredeyes.

Nottheusualirises-turned-silverbit.Therewasenoughmagic,enoughglamour,enoughbloodfloating
around,thattheirpupilswerenarroweddowntonothing.”InearlyoutedJonah,andhadtoremindmyself

tousehiscover—“Noahcreatedadistractionwithsomeblood,andthevampswentbatshitcrazy.”

“It’sblood.You’revampires.Batshitcrazyisprettybasicmath.”
“NotjustFirstHungerbloodlust.More,Idon’tknow,angry?”IthoughtaboutwhatEthanhadsaid.“It

waslikethewholeeventwasn’taboutsensuality;itwasaboutfighting.Aggression.Adrenaline.We’re
nottalkingafewvampsdrinkinginsomehole-in-the-wallhidingplace.We’retalkingabigpartywitha
lotofmagic,alotofglamour,alotofsusceptiblehumans,andalotofveryangryvampiresreadyfora
fight.”

Catchersighed.“Idon’tmeantobethebearerofbadnews,butmaybethat’sjustasideeffectofthe

popularity.Maybethat’sjusthowvampsarepartyingthesedays.”

“Ifso,they’redoingtherecruitingatTempleBar.Andthephonethatreceivedthetextwasfoundat

Benson’s.”

Iheardthecreakofhischair.
“They’rerecruitingatHousebars?”heasked.
“Fromwhatwe’veheard.Wordis,therecruitsatTemplewereashortguyandawoman.Wethinkher

namewasMarie.DidIevertellyouCelina’sgivenname?MarieColletteNavarre,”Isaid,without
waitingforhisanswer.

“Now,thatisinteresting.It’sshittyevidence,butit’sinteresting.”
“Ilivetoinfotain.”
“Idon’tsupposeyouhaveplanstoheadtoTempleBarandinvestigate?”
“I’mleavingwithinthehour.”
“Goodgirl.Inthemeantime,I’lltalktoourvampsourceandseeifIcanfindoutanythingaboutthe

recruiters.Besides,Ioweyouafavor.”

“Youdo?”
“Ido.”Heclearedhisthroatalittlenervously.“MalloryandItalkedlastnight.”
“Issheokay?”
“She’snotherbest.Butshe’sfeelingalotbetterafteralittleconscienceclearing.Youdidgoodbyher,

Merit,andIappreciateit.Alot.Italkedherdown,”heassuredme.“Therestwillcomewithtime.”

Myeyeswelledalittleatthecorners.“Thanks,Chief.Iwasworried.Iloveher,too,youknow.Just

notinthegrotesquelyphysicalwaythatyoudo.”

“Thesexisphenomenal.”
Imadeafauxgaggingsound.“Sparemethedetailsandcallmeifyoulearnanything.”
“Onit,”hesaid,andthelinewentdead.
Ihungupthephoneandstaredatthereceiverforaminute,notquitereadytomakethenextconnection

intonight’scallathon.

Ethanmightnothaveboughtmyargument,butIstillsuspectedCelinahadsomepartinthis:ata

minimum,hiringvamps—orperhapsashortguy—todoherdirtywork.Itwastoomuchofacoincidence
that“Marie”wasrunningaroundincitingvampstotreathumanslikedisposableconveniencefood.

Imademyselfapromise—whateverittook,shewasmine.She’dcausedmetrouble,she’dcaused

Ethantrouble,andshewaslininguptroublefortheHouseandthecity.EvenifIhadtohideitfromEthan
andtheGP,Iwasgoingtobringherdown.

Ofcourse,Istillneededevidence.Icouldadmittheuseofanoldaliaswasn’texactlystrongsupport

formytheory.AndifIwantedtoconfirmwhethershe’dbeeninvolved,whohadthebestaccessto
Celina?

MorganGreer.NewishMasterofNavarreHouse,former(brief)boyfriend,andformerCelinabooster.

Iwasn’texactlylookingforwardtothecall.Buthe’dbeenCelina’sSecond,andthatmadehimmybest
sourceforinfoabouthercurrentwhereabouts.Icouldn’ttrusthe’dvoluntarilycallupScottandEthanand
offertheminformation.

IpunchedinMorgan’snumber—whichwasstillinmyphonejustwaitingforadrunkdial—andhung

onforthering.

“Greer,”hethrewout.Therewassomethingpretentiousabouthisansweringwithhislastname.He’d

gaineditbackwhenhebecameMasterofNavarreHouse;apparentlyhewantedtoremindcallersabout
thatchangeinposition.

“Hey,Morgan.It’sMerit.”
“Oh.Hi.”Suspicionsnuckbackintohistone.
“I’msorrytocallyou,butIneedafavor.”
“Afavor?”
“Yeah,andIneedyoutopromisenottofreakout.”
“Nooneeversaysthatunlesstheoddsoffreakingoutareprettyhigh.”
“True.”Ipausedforcourage,thenspititout.“IneedtotalktoyouaboutCelina.”Igavehimthe

details,fromthewould-beravetothewomannamedMarieoutsideTempleBar.

Therewasalongpause.“Andwhat,exactly,doyouthinkshe’sdoing?”
“I’mnotsureyet.Maybesolicitinghumansforsomekindofvampanger-managementsessions?”
Hemadeadisdainfulsound.“Merit,evenifIconcededthepoint,whichIdon’t,theGPisn’tgoingto

putherbehindbars.”

“Maybenot.Butifwehaveenoughinformationaboutwhatshe’sreallydoinghere,wetiptheodds.

Andifnothingelse,wegainabetterunderstandingofwhatshe’suptoandhowwecankeepherfrom
destroyingthecity.”

“So,letmegetthisstraight—youwantmetohelpyouinvestigatemyMaster,thewomanwhomademe

avampire,whomIgavetwooathstoserve,againstthewishesoftheGP,andyoudon’thaveanyevidence
ofwhateveritisyouthinkshemightbeinvolvedin?”

“‘Investigate’isareallystrongword.Iprefer‘keepapprisedof.’”
Hewentquiet.
“Look,”Isaid,“Iknowit’salottoask,especiallyfromyou,especiallyfromme.Butshe’striedtokill

metwice,she’striedtokillEthan,andGodonlyknowsifshe’sreallystayingoutofNavarrebusiness.”

Thatlastonewasastretch,butgiventhequickhitchinhisbreath,IfiguredIwasontosomething.
“She’sgotfriends,”Iremindedhim.“AtleastacouplefromCadogan,andthat’snotevenherHouse.

Haveyoulostanymemberslately?”

Ihadtogiveittohim.Histonechanged,fromadolescentangsttovampireincharge.
“No,”hesaid.“Buttheylovedher.AndIhaven’tmadeanyvampsyet.Won’tuntilthespring,sotheir

allegiancesaretoher.Woulditsurprisemeifthey’dbeenintouch?Andthattheyhadn’ttoldmeaboutit?
Eh.Iwouldn’tputgreatoddsonit,butstrangerthingshavehappened.”

“Ifsheismixedupinthis—gettinghumanstovampparties—whywouldshedoit?Whatwouldher

motivationbe?”

“Well,shedidhavethecrownwhippedoutfromunderher,sotospeak.Ifshecan’tplaythevamp

heroine,maybeshe’sreadyforastintastheantagonist.”

“Thehumansdon’tlikeheranymore,soshe’llhappilyfeedthemtothewolves?”
“LikeIsaid,strangerthingshavehappened.ButIseriously,seriouslydoubtshe’splayingitthatloose.

ShowingupataCadoganbarwherefolksmightrecognizeher?Thatdoesn’tplayforme.”

AndnowMorganandEthanwerethinkingalike.Thatwasafrighteningdevelopment.Butthey’dboth

forgottensomethingimportantaboutCelina.

“Butthosefolksmightincludeme.Andshe’stakenthechanceforashowdownwithmewheneverit’s

presenteditself.”Thewomanhaditinforme,althoughIwasn’tentirelysurewhy.

“Idon’tknow.I’mjustnotfeelingthatargument.”
“Well,ifyoustarttofeelitanymorestrongly—ormaybeyouhearanythingconcreteaboutCelinaor

herwhereabouts—couldyougivemeacall?Andifyoudon’twanttodoitforme,considerthefateofthe
city.”

“Youthinkshewouldcausethatmuchtrouble?”
“Yes,Morgan,Ido.Celinaisverysmart,verysavvy,and,fromwhatI’veseen,veryunhappyaboutthe

waythingswentdown.Sheexpectedtoplaythemartyrwithhumansaswellasvamps.Shemighthavea
fewvampsonherside—”

“AndCadoganvampsatthat,”heinterrupted.
Irolledmyeyes,butcontinued.“Shemighthaveafewvampsonherside,butshedoesn’thavehumans

anymore.Andthat’sthethingthatbothersher.”

“Getmesomeevidence,”hesaid,“andwe’lltalk.”
Hehungupthephone.
Whydideveryonekeepdemanding“evidence”and“facts”?Iswear,copandcourtroomdramaswere

ruiningthegoodnameofgutinstinct.

Well,eitherway,Iwasgoingtohavetogetmoreinfo.Mightaswellgetstarted.

MyattemptatTempleBarespionagecouldn’tgetstartedwithoutalittleintroductorychat,soafterI
showeredanddonnedmoreclub-worthyclothes—myblacksuitpantsandanothertank,thisoneinred,
matchedwithredMaryJane–styleheels—Iheadedtothebasement.

TheHousewasfourstoriesofvampirewonder:dormroomsandEthan’ssuiteonthetopfloor.Dorm

rooms(includingmine),thelibrary,andtheballroomwereonthesecondfloor.Thefirstfloorheld
administrativeoffices,thecafeteria,andthesittingrooms.Thebasement,however,wasallbusiness:
trainingroom,theCadoganHousearsenal,agym,andtheOperationsRoom.TheOpsRoomservedas
Luc’sofficeandtheHQfortheCadoganHouseguards,includingLindseyand,onrareoccasions,me.

TheOpsRoomdoorwascrackedopen,andthistimeIhadthegoodsense—andthepatience—topeek

insidebeforestormingin.

JulietandKelleysatatcomputerstationsalongthewall,whichmeantLindseywasprobablyoutside

patrollingthegrounds.Lucsatattheconferencetablethattookupthemiddleoftheroom—buthewas
wearingasuit.

AcrossfromLucsatatall,slightlygawky-lookingmaninasuitatleastasizetoolarge.Hewastalking

atfullspeedabouthisvideo-gaminghobby.

“AndItrynottousecheats,butyoucan’talwaysrelyonthedesignerstohavecreatedagamethat

progresseslogicallythroughanyparticularportionoftheworld,sooccasionallyyouhavetocompromise
yourstandardsandfindacheatcodeinordertomoveforward,becauseyoureallydon’twanttolosethe
inertiaofforward,progressoryou’llcompletelyloseinterestinthequest.”

Whenhepausedforbreath,Ifoundmyselfsuckinginair,too.Thisguy,whoeverhewas,didnotknow

whentostop.

“Thankyou,Allan.Ithinkthat’saninterestinganswer,althoughitdoesn’tentirelyspeaktohowyou

couldcontributeasaHouseguard.”

Oh,myGod,Lucwasinterviewingthisguy.WewereamandownsincePeter’sbetrayal,sohemust

havebeenlookingforareplacement.IhopedthisonewasasafetypickandnotLuc’sfirstchoice;
otherwise,wewereintrouble.

Allan’sexpressionwaswithering.“ItgoestothetimesinwhichI,asaHouseguard,wouldneedto

relyuponmyownfightinginstinctsandoccasionallydisobeythestandardprocedure—thestandard
protocol,ifyouwill—ratherthanfollowingthedictatesofaGuardCaptainwho—”

“Wow,”Lucinterjected,“thatisanexcellentclarification,andIthinkthatwilldoitforustoday,since

we’vegotanothermeetingcomingup—oh,andlook,here’sourSentinelnow!”

Imutteredasilentcurse,butputonafakesmileandpushedthroughthedoor.“Hi,there.”
Lucjumpedupandheadedforthedoor,thenputahandatmyback.“ThanksweetChrist,Sentinel,”he

murmured,thensmiledbroadlyatAllan.

“Allan,haveyoumetourSentinel?Merit,Allanisinterviewingfortheopenguardposition.He’sa

CadoganvamplivingoutsidetheHouse,andhe’slookingtojoinourlittlefamily.”

ThatexplainedwhyI’dneverseenhimbefore.Iofferedalittlewave.“Nicetomeetyou,Allan.”
ButAllanhadnotimeforniceties.“IstherereallyareasontohaveaSentinelinthisdayandage,given

thestateofcurrentsecuritytechnology?”

“Okay,then,”Lucsaid,thenmovedAllantowardthedoor.“Justheadrightupthosestairstogetbackto

thefirstfloor.Thankssomuchforcomingin.”

“WhenwillIfindoutwhenIstart?”
“Well,we’rejustatthebeginningofourinterviewprocess,butwewillabsolutelyletyouknowwhen

we’rereadytofilltheposition.”

“I’llbeonvacationinaweek.I’mgoingtoBranson.Soyoumightnotbeabletoreachme.ButIhavea

sat-phone.Icouldtakethatwithme.”

“Thatisexceptional,”Lucsaid,allbutshovinghimouttheOpsRoomdoor.“I’llbesuretogetthat

information.AndsayhellotoAndyWilliamswhileyou’redownthere.”

Lucshutthedoor,thenproceededtobanghisforeheadagainstit.
“Interviewsnotgoingwell?”
Foreheadstillpressedagainstthedoor,heglancedover.“Iwanttostabmyselfintheeyewithapencil.

Thiskid’ssmart,buthishead’sinthewrongplace,andhedoesn’texactlyhavepeopleskills.”

“Thenmaybehe’dbegoodonthecomputers,”Ipointedout.“EvenJeffChristopherhasaWarcraft

fixation.”

“Youareevertheoptimist.AndI’mnotbustinghisballsforthegaming.Imayhavecutmyfangsina

differenttime,butIowneverycurrentgamingsystemontheU.S.market.”Heleanedin.“Andacouple
fromTaipeinooneknowsaboutyet.”

Heshookhishead.“Nah,Iobjecttotheattitude.We’reaskingthisguytostepinfrontofastakeforthe

restofusifnecessary,andhe’swaxingphilosophicalaboutwhenit’sokaytodisobeyorders?No,thank
you.Wouldyoutrusthimtodothatforyou?”

“Goodpoint.Andno.”
“Unlessaboothbabewasthrowingthestake,”Kelleydrylythrewout,hergazestillscanningthe

black-and-whiteclosed-circuitsecurityimagesonhercomputerscreen.

“Youhitthatoneonthehead,Kels,”Lucsaid.“Now,Sentinel,whatbringsyoudownstairs,otherthan

yourhellagoodtiming?DidDariusscareyoudownhere?”

“Actually,Ineedtogiveyouaheads-upaboutsomething.CouldyougiveMalikacall?Askhimto

comedown,aswell?”

Lucarchedaneyebrow.“Gotabeeinyourbonnet?”
“Notexactly.ButImighthaveaformerNavarreMastersolicitinghumansoutsideTempleBar.”
Luc’sbrowslifted.“Letmegethimonthephone.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

OVERTHERAINBOW

Tenminuteslater—andpresumablyanexcusetoEthanandDarius—MalikjoinedusintheOpsRoom.
WeputLindsey,who’dbeenoutsidepatrollingthegrounds,onspeakerphonesoshecouldlistenin.

“I’mon,”Lindseysaid.“Gettoit,HotShit.”
Shereallydidloveme.
“Soyouknowthebasics,”Itoldthem.“Wepreviouslysawsmallraves—ahandfulofvampires,afew

people,somedrinking.Nowwe’retalkingfull-onpartieswithlotsofvamps,lotsofhumans,andlotsof
potentialforviolence.Ididn’tseethekindofviolenceTatetalkedaboutwhilewewerethere—butwe
pulledtheplugasquicklyaswecould.Weknowhumansarebeingprettyseverelyglamoured,maybe
helpedinpartbyadrugbeingpassedaround.Andwethinkthehumaninvitesareoriginatingfromthe
Housebars.”

Theroomwentsilent,everyoneexchanginglooksofconcern.
“Yourevidence?”Malikasked.
“Thephonethatgotthetextaboutlastnight’sshindigwasleftatBenson’s,theGreyHousebar.And

anotherhumantoldusshefoundoutaboutthepartywhenshemetashortmanandawomannamedMarie
outsideTempleBar.”

Malik’slipcurled.“Someoneisusingourplacetohitonhumans.”
“Thatappearstobethecase.”
Therewasonlyonewordforthelookinhiseyes—determination.“Andwhat’syourplan?”
“Well,inaperfectworld,theplanwouldbenotpissingofftheGP.Butasweknow,thisisclearlynot

aperfectworld.”

Thereweregeneralgrumblesofagreementaroundtheroom.
“DariuswantsussafeandsoundinsideCadoganHouse—where,fornow,hecankeepaneyeonus—

notstirringuptroubleoutsidetheHouse.Butthere’salreadytroublebrewingoutthere,andifwedon’t
getahandleonit,thingsaregoingtogosouthveryquickly.Wecan’tjustsithereandwatchthecityfall
aroundus.

“IknowI’myoung,”Icontinued,“butIalsohaveanobligationtodothethingsIthinkarenecessaryto

protecttheHouse.EvenifDariusdoesn’tapprove...andevenifEthandoesn’tknowaboutthem.”

Iletthatimplicationsinkinforaminute,andthendroppedmyvoice.“I’vegivenhimageneralheads-

up,butI’mnotgivinghimdetails,andhe’snotgoing.Thelessheknows—”

“ThelessDariuscanusehimasascapegoat,”Maliksaid.
Inoddedinagreement.“Precisely.Theshortofitis,hegavemeathumbs-uptomakethebestdecision

Icould,andIwanttogiveyouallthesamecourtesy.TheGPisputtingenoughpressureontheHouse
withoutmeaddingtoit.IfyouwanttoknowwhatI’mdoing,I’lltellyou.Ifnot”—Iheldupmyhands
—“noworries.Youcandenyyouknewanythingwasgoingon,andhopefullythatwillshieldyoufrom
Dariusifworsecomestoworst.”

Mypiecesaid,Iglancedaroundtheroomagain.
Luckickedabootedfootontothetabletop.“Areyouseriouslyaskingusifwe’renotgoingtotakeyour

sideagainsttheGP?Seriously,Sentinel?IthoughtItaughtyoubetterthanthat.Weareateam—andyou’re
amemberofit.”

“Andyou’regettingbetteratthespeechifying,”Lindseysaid.“IthinkSullivan’sgoingtoyourhead.Oh,

andI’mtotallyin.”

JulietandKelleysmiledateachother,thenatme.
“We’reobviouslyin,too,”Kelleysaid.“We’veknownEthanalotlongerthanwe’veknownDarius.He

maynotbeperfect,buthe’sconcernedabouttheHouse,notjustthepolitics.”

“Agreed,”Julietsaid.
WealllookedatMalik,theonlyoneIwasn’tquitesureof.ItwasnotthatIdoubtedhisallegiances,but

hewasquietenoughthatIwasn’tentirelysurewhereIstoodwithhim.

“Yourheartisintherightplace,”hesaid.“That’sallIneedtoknow.”
Ismiledathim,thennoddedatthegroup.“Okay,then.Here’stheplan.”

Fast-forwardforty-fiveminutestoagaggleofvampiresemergingfromacabintothedark,muggystreetin
frontofTempleBar,notfarfromWrigleyField.Me,Lindsey,andChristine—ChristineDupree,before
shelosthernametojointheHouse,anothervampfrommyNovitiateclass—dressedtotheninesinchic
shadesofblack,gray,andredandmakeuppedwithinaninchofourimmortallives.

WeprobablylookedlikethenewcastofCharlie’sAngels.Iwasthespunkybrunette,Lindseywasthe

sassyblonde,andChristine—formerlyabrunette—wasnowrockingasleekbobofrussethair.

Christinewasn’taguard,andsheandIweren’texactlyclosefriends.Sincewewerebringingherinto

somethingthatcouldgetherintrouble—anddemandedherloyalty—Lucgaveheralectureonduty.We
didn’tgiveherallthedetailsabouttheraves;sheonlyknewthatwewerelookingintobadactsatTemple
Bar.Sheseemedeagertohelp,whichwasgoodenoughforme.

Asforthebaritself,I’ddecidedonanewplan—playingthebait.
TheCadoganvampsknewmeasSentinelandLindseyasguard.ButtheyalsoknewthatChristinewas

thedaughterofDashDupree,anotoriousChicagolawyer,andthatIwasthedaughterofJoshuaMerit,Mr.
ChicagoRealEstateBigwig.

I’drealizedattheStreetervillepartythatIcouldfakepartygirlprettywell,soIwasgoingtotryit

again.AndwithcredslikemineandChristine’s,noonewasgoingtoquestiontwosocialitesmixingitup
atTempleBar,askingquestionsaboutnewkindsofexcitement.

Therewasalineoutsidethedoor.Althoughhumanshadn’tbeenallowedintheHouse,Tatehadn’t

extendedthebantothebars.ColinandSeanhadgottencreative,installingneonsignsabovethedoorto
helpvisitorskeeptrack.Tonight,theHUMANSandCADOGANlightswerelit,whichmeantvampsfrom
NavarreorGreywereoutofluck.

Thehumanpartwasfinebyme,asitwouldhelpusaccomplishpartoneofmyTempleBarInfiltration

Plan,orT-BIP.Unfortunately,thebanonGreyandNavarrevampswasn’tgoingtohelp.I’dhopedIcould
usethenighttogetinfofromtheotherHousesabouttheravesanddrugs.Oh,well.Jonahcouldgetme
intoGreyHouse.AsforNavarre,I’dcrossthatbridgewhenIcametoit.

Christine,Lindsey,andIsaunteredinlikeweownedtheplace,thenstoodinthefrontofthebarfora

moment...toseeandbeseen.

Itookamomenttoappreciatethelocale.TempleBarwaspracticallyashrinetotheCubs,myfavorite

sportsteam.Thewallswerelinedwithuniformsandpennants,andCubsmemorabiliacoveredeveryfree
spotinthebar.Thebarwasrunbytworedheadedvampires,alsobrothers,SeanandColin.Theykeptall
thingsIrishandCubbiealiveandwellinWrigleyville.

“FirststopinT-BIP,”Itoldmyaccomplices,“identifyinghumanswhomighthavegottenaninvitetoa

onceorfutureravesowecanidentifythehost.”

“Orhostess,”Lindseyadded.“Let’snotforgettheCelinapossibility.”
“CanwepleasestopcallingitT-BIP?”Christineputin.“Igetthatyouenjoyacronyms,butthatsounds

ridiculous.”

“Unfortch,”Lindseysaid,“Ihavetoagree.Unlesstheacronymisahelluvalotmorerugged.Like

‘DANGER’or‘KILLFACE’or‘STUNGUN’orsomething.”

Islidheraquestioningglance.“Andwhat,exactly,would‘DANGER’standfor?”
“Um.”Shelookedupattheceilingwhileshemadeupananswer.“‘Dedicated,angstyNovitiategirls

examiningrisk’?Ormaybe,‘drugsarenevergoodentertainment,right?’”

“Lame,”Imuttered.
“Aw,sadface.Icameupwiththattotallyoffthecuff.Nopropsforoffthecuff?”
“Ladies,”Christinesaid,holdingupahand.“Let’sactouragesandstayontarget.”
LindseyandIexchangedaguiltyglance.I’mhonestenoughtoadmitthatsarcasmandsillinessweremy

preferredmethodsofdealingwithstress.ButIhadalotofit,anditwasn’tlikeIcouldjustbreakouta
Mallocakemid-katana-fight.

Coolly,Christinesurveyedthecrowdlikealioneyeingaherdofwaterbuffalo—dedicatedtofinding

theweakestlink.Wefiguredanyhumansatavampbarweremorelikelytorememberasocialiteturned
vampireandtrustherwiththeirvamp-partyinformation.

“There,”shefinallysaid,pointingwithacarefullymanicuredfingertoacoupleofhumanguysin

fraternityshirtswho,bythelookoftheemptypitcherontheirtable,hadalreadydonesomeimbibing.

“Istartthere,”shesaid,thensaunteredacrosstheroomtowardherunsuspectingvictims.Theguys’

headsliftedasshenearedthem,theireyesgoingalittleglazy,althoughIwasn’tsureifthatwasbecause
thetwoofthemhadfinishedapitcherorbecauseshewasthrowingoutsomeseriousglamour.

“StrongPsych?”IaskedLindsey.Thatwasthemeasureforavampwithalotofglamouringcapability.
“Nope,”Lindseysaid.“Thosedopeyexpressionsareonehundredpercentaboutherlovelylady

lumps.”

Ifso,thoselumpswereprovenwinners;oneoftheboyshoppedupandofferedChristineachair.She

tookit,demurelycrossingonelegoveranother,thenleaningforwardtochatwiththeboys.Iftheyhadany
pertinentinformation,Ihadnodoubtshe’dferretitout.

“Sheissurprisinglygoodatthis,”Isaid,glancingoveratLindsey.“IsLucinterviewingherforajob?”
“I’mnotsuresheworks,”Lindseysaid.“She’smorethetrustfundtype—whichcomesinveryhandyin

situationslikethis.Ontheotherhand,nocomplainingifwestarthavingdinnerintheDashDupree
MemorialCafeteriaadecadefromnow.”

Ichuckled,thenlookedoveratthebar.“Sinceherworkisunderway,let’sgetmovingonours.”
“Humans—check,”Lindseyagreed,movingherfingerintheshapeofacheckmark.“Now,shallwehit

upthebartender?”

Iwinkedatherandmovedtowardthebar.“Justtryandkeepup,okay?”
Lindseysnorted.“Honey,youmayhavethesteak,butIgotthesizzle.”
OnlyColin,whowasalittleolderandtallerthanSean,wasworkingthebartonight.
“Ifhe’ssolo,itmightnotbeagoodtimetotearhimaway,”Lindseysaidasshefollowedmeover.
Itookherpoint,butcounteredwithmyown.“We’renocturnal,andheprobablyworksthebaruntil

sunup.I’mnotsuretherewouldbeagoodtimetotearhimaway,andweneedtofindoutwhat’sgoing
on.”

Webypassedthetwo-deepcrowdofhumansandvampsinfrontofthebarandwentdirectlytotheend

ofit.IwaiteduntilColinmovedtowardus,wipinghishandsonatowelstuckintohisbelt,beforeI
poppedthequestion.

“Canwetalkinprivateforafewminutes?”
Withadubiousexpression,Colinturnedtograbtwobeersoutofasmallrefrigerator,thenputthemon

thebarandgrabbedthecashavamphaddroppedthere.“Busytonight.Canitwait?”

“Um,hello?”Lindseyasked,movingbesidemeandproppinganelbowonthebar.“I’mhere.Ican

watchthebar.”

Colinfrownedather.“Areyouupforit?”
“Honey,IspentadecadeofmyrathergloriouslifepouringshotsintheEastVillage.Thesepeoplewill

bebothdrunkandentertainedbythetimeyougetback,orI’mnotoneofthetoptenhottiesofCadogan
House.Seriously,”sheaddedwithaglanceatme.“There’salist,andwe’rebothonit.”

“Nice,”Isaid.Notbadforaformerlibrary-boundgradstudent.
Fromhottietobarmaid,Lindseydidn’twasteanytimesidlingbehindthebarandslappingawhite

toweloverhershoulder.

“Ladiesandgentlemen,”sheannounced,“whoneedsadrink?”
Whenthecrowdletoutanappreciativehoot,Colinputhishandatmybackandsteeredmetowardthe

otherendofthebar.“Let’sgototheoffice.It’salittlequieterbackthere.”

Ifollowedashemadealoopthroughthebar.Heworkedtheroomlikeaseasonedpolitician:checking

ondrinks,kissingprettygirlsonthecheek,recommendingpizzatoppingsatthejointnextdoor,and
inquiringaftertheparentsofapparentlyhumanfriends.Ididn’tknowColinmuchatall,buthewasclearly
wellliked,asmuchafixtureofthebarastheCubsgearandvampires.

Whenwemadeitacrosstheroom,westoppedinthephotograph-coveredbackhallway—andpasta

pictureofEthanandLaceySheridan,hisformerflame—andintoasmallroomattheend.

Colinpulledakeyringfromhispocketandunlockedthedoor.Theofficewassmall—barelylarge

enoughtoholdametaldeskandbeat-upfilecabinet.Everyfreesurfacewascoveredinpapers—
magazines,notes,checks,taxreturns,pagesfromyellowlegalpads,foldednewspapers,sportsprograms,
invoices,take-outmenus.

Thewallswerealsocovered,althoughthecontentwasmuchlesskid-friendly.Postersandcalendars

featuringpinupsfromthelastseventyyearswereplasteredlikewallpaperacrosstheroom,bustyblondes
andbrunettesintinyshortsandthree-inchheelssmilingdownatuscoquettishly.Itlookedliketheoffice
youmightfindinaservicestationorquick-lubeshop.Notexactlythekindofplacethatmadeit
comfortabletobeawoman,butthenagain,Iwasn’tthetargetaudience.

“Nicedigs,”Ipolitelysaid.
“Welikeit,”hesaid.“Getthedoor,wouldyou?”
Iclosedit,whichloweredthevolumejustenoughtoallowustotalkinsteadofscreaming.
Colinslidaroundthedeskandpulledopenthetopdrawerofthefilecabinet.Heslippedasmallmetal

flaskoutofthedrawer,unscrewedthecap,andtookasip.

“Booze?”Iwonderedaloud.
“TypeO.Myownspecialconcoction.”Heofferedittome,butIshookhimoff.Ineededaclearhead,

andIwasn’tconfidentColin’s“specialconcoction”wasgoingtokeepmeinabusiness-mindedplace.

“No,thankyou.”
Theflaskstillinonehand,hepulledoutanancientdeskchair,thebackcushioncoveredbymoreduct

tapethanfabric,andtookaseat.“Now,Ms.Sentinel,whatcanIdoforyou?”

“Haveyounoticedanythingoutoftheordinaryaroundherelately?”
Hemadeasarcasticsound.“Onceuponatime,thiswasabarforvampires.Forthefangedandtheir

kithandkin.Sincewecameoutofthecloset,I’vebeenservinghumanswhothinkmalevampsare
brooding,romanticheroesandfemalevampshaveasecretweight-lossformula.I’malsooccasionally
servinghumanswhothinkvampsaretrashandtheharbingersoftheapocalypse.Sooutoftheordinary?
Yes,Sentinel.I’dsayso.”

Bytheendoftherant,hiswordshadspedup,andthefasterhetalked,themorepronouncedhisaccent

became.I’dneverbeentoIreland,butIcouldheargreenhillsinhisvoice.

Healsohadapoint,butIwaslookingforsomethingalittlemorespecific,soIgottomine.“Wethink

vampsareusingthebartofindhumansforanewkindofrave.Anythinglikethatringabell?”

Hetookasipfromhisflask.“LikeIsaid,plentyofhumanswanttospendtimewithvampires.I’mnot

sureI’drecognizethedifferencebetweenavamphittingonahumanandavampinvitingahumantoattend
adrinkingpartyofsometype.”

“Fairenough.”Ignawedmylipforamoment,disappointedhehadn’tgivenmeanybreakthrough

information.“Okay,howaboutdrugs?SomethingcalledV?Itmightbeusedtomakehumanssusceptible
toglamour.”

Hisbrowsliftedwithinterest.“Youdon’tsay.Arewesounskilledatglamourthesedaysthatwehave

toresorttopharmaceuticalstodothejob?”

“We’renotsureyetabouthowitworks—justthatit’sbeenfoundataparty.”
Heshruggedoneshoulder.“Thisisabar;drugsareparforthecourse.Ihaven’theardaboutanynew

drugsbeingpassedaround,butthatdoesn’tmeanit’snothappening.”

StrikethreefortheSentinel,butItriedagain.“Whataboutfamiliarcharacters?Anyonehangingaround

thebaralotmorethanusual?Anyoneoutofplace,oranyonewhopopsupoverandover?”

Colinleanedbackinhischairandcrossedhisarmsoverhischest,theflasknestledbeneathhisarms

likeadoll.“Idon’twanttorainonyourparade,andIappreciateeverythingyoudofortheHouseas
Sentinel.Buttobefrank,Ispendmytimetryingtoensurethevampiresandhumansinthisbararewell
tendedandentertainedandhaveanopportunitytoburnoffalittleofthesteamthatbuildsupthroughthe
workweek.Butifyou’reaskingmeifI’veseenanythingsuggestingTempleBaristhenewHQforsome
kindofravemovement?Thenno,Ihavenot.”

Deflated,Isighed.I’dfiguredtheguywhospentmostofhistimeatthebarwasgoingtohavethebest

insightintowhatSarahhadthoughtwasgoingonatTempleBar.Buthehadapoint;hemighthavehadthe
access,buthealsohadplentyelsetodo.

Inodded.“Thanksforthehonesty.Getintouchifyouthinkofanything?”
Heofferedawink.“Restassured,Sentinel.”

Withnomoreinformationinhand,IexcusedColinandheadedbackintothebar.

AndthatwaswhenIgotsurprisenumbertwo.
IknewLindseyhadbeenborninIowa.Iknewherfatherwasaporkproducer.Iknewshe’dlivedin

NewYorkandhadanallegiancetowardtheYankeesthatI,asaloyalCubsfan,couldonlyassumewas
theresultofsomesortoflow-gradevampireinsanity.

Ididnotknowshewasbartenderextraordinaire.
IfoundLindseybehindthebarandacrushofvampsfourdeep,dollarsinhand,shoutinghernamelike

she’djustwonthemapennant.

Girlwasaphenomenon.Shespunacocktailshakerhorizontallyinonehandandabottleofblue

alcoholintheother.Thecrowdletouta“Woot!”whensheflippedthebottleoverhershoulderandcaught
itagaininthepalmofherhand,thendumpedthecontentsofbothcontainersintoamartiniglass.The
bottleandshakerhitthetopofthebar,andthentheglasswasinherhandandheadedforthevampirein
frontofher.Shetidilypluckedcashfromthevamp’sextendedfingersandpusheditintoajar.

Thecrowdaroundherletoutaroundofapplause;Lindseymadealittlebowandthenbeganpreppinga

drinkforthenextvampinline.Thevampsatthebarwatchedhermovementswithshiftingeyesasifthey
werewaitingforaonce-in-a-lifetimesipofrareandlimitedwine.Personally,Ididn’tunderstandthe
appeal,butIwasn’tmuchofadrinker.

IturnedatthetaponmyshoulderandfoundChristineatmyside.
“Anythingtoreport?”
Shegesturedtowardtheboys.“Ournewfavoritefraternitybrothersarehereatleastonceaweek,

usuallyonweekends.LastFriday,theyweresmokinginthealleywhenamanapproachedthem,made
someoverturesabouttryingoutanewvampireexperience.Asitturnsout,whileourfraternitybrothers

werebraveenoughtoventureintoavampirebar,theyweren’tquitebraveenoughforanythingmorethan
that.”Shegavemeaknowingsmile.“Drinkingatabarwithvampsapparentlygivesthematasteof
dangerwithoutthecalories,sotospeak.Theydidn’tgetagoodlookattheman,but—”

Iheldupahandtostopher,satisfactionwarmingmyblood.Ireallydidenjoythemomentwhenthe

puzzlepiecesbegantofallintoplace.“Letmeguess—hewasshort,older,darkhair?”

Hereyeswidenedinsurprise.“Howdidyouknow?”
“Mywitnesswastakingabreatheroutsidewhenshewasapproachedbyamanwiththesame

description.”

“Andhe’susingTempleBarashisownpersonalrecruitingground?”
“Thatmightbethecase.”
Rowdyapplausesplittheairnearthebar.IlookedoverjustintimetoseeLindseyfinishupanother

drinkandclapherhandstogetherlikeaVegasdealer.

“Andnow,formynexttrick,”shesaid,slidingmeaglance,“somethingvampiresnevergettosee.I

willmakeyourHousesocialchairdomybidding!”

Withtheencouragementofthecrowd,shebeckonedmeover.Irolledmyeyes,butthecrowd

apparentlyappreciatedthehumor,soIdidmypartandslidbehindthebar.

Sheimmediatelybeganbossingmearound,pointingtomedium-sizedglasses.“Givemesevenofthose

andline’emupalongthebar.”

WhenIdidasdirected,Lindseygrabbedacleancocktailshakerandbeganpouringalcoholintoit.

Aftershe’dlayeredfiveorsixkindsofbooze,sheputthebottlesdownagainandcappedtheshaker.

“YouknowwhatImiss?”sheaskedthecrowd.“Clouds.Sunshine.Thatweirdmomentwhenitrains

butthesun’sstillout.Sunrises.Sunsets—untilafterthefact,ofcourse.”

Thecrowdchuckledappreciatively.
“ButyouknowwhatImissmostofall?”shecontinued.“Rainbows,likeahandfulofSkittlesthrown

acrossthesky.SoforallofyoulovelyCadoganvamps,here’sarainbow,onecoloratatime.”

Withaflickofherwrist,Lindseybeganpouringtheliquidinacascadeovertheglasses.Shefilledthe

firstglasswithblueand,assoonaseachglasswasfull,switchedtothenext.Likemagic,thealcohol
she’dlayeredintothecocktailshakerbecamearainbowacrosstheglasses,fromturquoisetoabright
shadeofpink.Whenshewasfinished,thereweresevenglassesofliquidthatstoodonthebarlikea
perfect,wetrainbow.

“Andthat,”shesaid,puttingtheshakerbackonthebar,“ishowvampiresmakerainbows.”
Thebarburstintoapplause.Ihadtoadmit,itwasaprettysweettrick.Thedrinksmightnottaste

especiallygood—theylookedlikesci-fimovieprops,tobehonest—buttheylookedphenomenal.

Lindseyglancedoveratmeandgrinned.“NotbadforaYankeesfan,eh?”
“Notbadatall,”Colinsaid,steppingbehindthebaragain.“Youdidusproud.”
Heapparentlyhadn’tbeentheonlyoneimpressed.Thevampsalongthebar,amixofmenandwomen,

beganjostlingforpositiontogetatoneofthesevendrinks.

“It’sjustbooze,ladiesandgents,”Colinsaidwithachuckle,wipinguptheexcessalcoholLindseyhad

spilled.

“Thereisplentymorewherethatcamefrom,”sheadded,“andI’msureColinwouldbehappytotake

yourmoneyforit.”

Colinchuckled,butthejostlingforLindsey’sdrinkshitmeasodd.Essentially,theywereboozepoured

byamemberoftheHousewhomthevampscouldhaveseenanynightoftheweek—andinabarthey
couldhavevisitedanynightoftheweek.

Mysensesonedge,Imovedbacktotheendofthebar,andcaughtLindsey’sglancefromthecornerof

myeye.She’dwatchedmemove,andeverthesavvyguard,shegavethevampsthesameonce-over,saw
themnudgingoneanothertogettothealcohol.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

THEREVOLUTIONWILLBETELEVISED

“Isawitfirst,”saidavampattheendofthebarwithdreadlockspushedbackunderaberet-stylehat.

“Iwasreachingforitwhenyouputyourmeatyhandoutthere,”saidasecond,aslender,brown-haired

manwearingadarkT-shirtandkhakis.Theylookedmorelikepoetry-slamorcoffeehouseguysthan
TempleBarscrappers...untiltheybeganpunchingeachotherintheface.

“Whattheshit?”LindseyexclaimedasIjumpedaroundthebartopullthemapart.IgrabbedT-shirtby

hisarmandyankedhimbackward.Hestumbledafewfeetbeforehittingthebarflooronhisbutt.
Dreadlocks—stillintheheatofpassion—swungoutatme—butIcaughthisfistandswunghisarm
around,leveraginghisweightsothathewenttohisknees.

AndthenIlookedintohiseyes.Hispupilsweretiny,hissilveredirisesdiamond-brightringsaround

them.

Imutteredacurse.Theywereactingliketheravevampshadacted—trigger-happyandanger-prone—

andtheyhadthesameenlargedirises.Mystomachsankinwarning,andIfearedtheworst.Wasthisthe
nextstageofavampiremasshysteria?

IgaveDreadlocksashottotheneckthatcutoffsomeoxygenandputhimoutonthefloor.

Unfortunately,bythetimeImadeittomyfeetagain,adozenmorevampshadsuccumbedtowhatever
ailedthem.Furiousfistsandinsultswerehurledaround,thevampspoundingatoneanotherasiftheir
lives—andnotacheapglassofcheaperalcohol—wereontheline.

Theirritationspreadlikeavirus.Eachvampthatlashedoutandinadvertentlybumpedanotherstarteda

secondround,andtheviolencerippledthroughthecrowdaccordingly.

Withnobetteroptionthantojumpintothefray,IlookedatLindsey,sharedanodofagreementwithher,

andmademymove.Mygoalwasn’ttowinthefight,buttoseparatethefighters.Ibeganbyjumping
betweenthetwoclosesttome.Itookapunchintheshoulderformytrouble,butmanagedtoripthetwo
vampsawayfromeachother.Itossedtheminoppositedirectionsandheadedforthenextpair.

Lindseydidthesame,hoppingoverthebar—spillingtherainbowdrinksintheprocess—andpulling

vampsapart.

Unfortunately,theyweren’twillingtogo.Whateverhadpossessedthemtookthemover,keptthem

rakingtheirnailsatoneanother,eagertocontinueafightovernothingsubstantial.

Fortunately,theoneswhoweren’taffected—ahandfulofmenandwomenthatI’dseenaroundthe

House—helpedusseparatethecontenders.Webecameateam.Fightingagainstourown,unfortunately,
butstillfightingforthegoodofthecause.

Iappreciatedtheeffort,evenifitwasn’tenough.WitheachpairIseparated,anotherseemedtopopup,

untiltheswelloffightingvampirescrashedthroughthedoortothebar.Overthebackgroundroarof
brawling,Icouldhearthenearingwailofsirens.Someonehadcalledthecopsaboutthefight.Thiswas
abouttogetevenuglier;itwastimeforanewplan.

Iglancedaround,lookingforLindsey,andfoundheratmyleft,draggingasquallingvampirebythe

ankle.

“Lindsey,I’mgoingtogetthehumansoutofthebar!”Iyelled,pushingonevampoffmeandturningto

avoidanother’sbootstomp.

Copswouldn’tbethrilledifvampswerefightingothervamps,butthey’dbedownrightpissedif

humansgotcaughtinthecrossfire.WithTatealreadyonthewarpath,I’mnotsurewecouldmakeit

throughthatkindofscandalwiththeHouseintact,muchlesswithoutareceiver.

“I’monmyway,”shereplied,dumpinghervampafewtablesaway.AnotherCadoganvamptookover

forher,holdingthatvampbackwhilesherushedbacktomeandyankedbackthevampwho’dtriedto
kickmeintosubmission.

“You’readoll,”Itoldher,hurdlingaknotofwrestlingvampiresasIranforthedoor.Istartedby

buildingavampchutebygrabbingthenearesttableandslidingittowardthedoor.Threemoremadea
fauxretainingwallbetweentheexitandtherestofthebar,whichkeptthefightingvampscorralledand
gavethehumansaclearpath.

Ilookedbackatthecrowd,andfirstspiedacouplesqueezedbackintoabooth,eyeswide.Iranto

them,hustledthemtotheirfeet,andpointedthemtowardthenowpartiallysecuredexit.

“Outthatway,”Isaid,andastheyheadedforthedoor,Iroundeduptherestofthem.Thehumanswere

prettyeasytospot.Thefewvampswhohadn’tbeenaffectedbytheviolenceweretryingtohelp;the
humansmostlycowered,probablyshockedbytheviolenceandtryingtostayoutoftheway.Ilocatedas
manyasIcouldandsentthemtowardthedoor,policesirensgettinglouderastheyranoutside.

WhenI’dclearedoutthelastofthehumans,Imovedtothedoorandfoundthestreetawashinblueand

redlightsashumansranfromthebarlikehostagesreleasedfromabankrobbery.

Copsbegantoemergefromtheirvehicles,andIbegantofeartheworst—thatwe’dallbearrestedfor

incitingpublicmayhem.Ofcourse,thatwouldmakeTate’sarrest-warrantthreatmoot.

Imovedslowlytowardthesidewalk,noteagertobeshotbycopswhothoughtIwasanemergingperp.

AdrenalinebegantopulseagainasIpreparedtofaceroundtwo—theaftermath.Butwhenafamiliar
Oldsmobilerolledtothecurb,Ibreathedasighofrelief.

Mygrandfathersteppedoutofthecar’spassengerside,wearingkhaki-coloredpantsandabutter

yellow,short-sleevedbutton-downshirt.

Jeffsteppedoutofthebackseat,andCatcherpoppedoutofthedriver’ssideinadarkT-shirt

advertising“BangBangHomeRepair.”Hiswearablesmighthavebeenkitschy,buthisexpressionwas
allbusiness.

Thethreeofthemnoddedatthecopstheypassed.Iwalkedtheirway.
“Problems?”
“Violence,”Isaid.“Lindseywasmixingdrinksatthebar,andthevampsstartedfightingoverwhowas

goingtogetwhichdrink.Theaggressionspreadlikeavirusafterthat.”

“Samethingyousawattherave?”Catcherasked,andInoddedmyagreement.
“Lookslikeit.Somethingintheair,maybe,orslippedintotheirdrinks?Idon’tknow.”Igesturedtothe

clusterofhumans.“Wegotthehumansoutofthebar,butthingsarestilltenseinside.They’restillgoingat
it,andpullingthemoffeachotherhasn’treallyworked.”

“How’dyougetthemcalmattherave?”Jeffasked.
“Wedidn’t.Webasicallyfakedafirealarmandfledthescene.Sinceitdidn’tmakethenews,I

assumedthey’dcalmeddownontheirown.”

Abartablesuddenlyflewthroughtheopendoorwayandcrashedonthesidewalkoutside,rollingtoa

stopatthefronttireofoneoftheCPDcruisers.

“Wemaynothavethatkindoftime,”Catchersaid.
“Getinthere,”mygrandfatherprompted,gesturingtogettheattentionofoneoftheCPDcops.They

exchangedsomesortofsecretcopcode,theotherofficersstandingdownwhileCatcherjoggedtoward
thebaranddisappearedinside.

ItwasonlyamomentbeforeLindseyandtherestofthenonfightingvampswerejoggingoutontothe

sidewalk.Colinwaslastinline,adourexpressiononhisface.

“What’sCatchergoingto—”wasallImanagedtogetoutbeforethebarwentsilent.Nomorecrashing

glass,nomorescreamedepithets,nomoreflatpopsoffleshagainstflesh.

AlthoughIknewitprobablywasn’tpossible,myfirstthoughtwasthatCatcherhadsomehowtakenout

everyvampinthebarwithhismadfightingskills.ButJeffleanedinwithamorelikelyanswer.

“Magic,”hewhispered.“Catchergotthehappyvampsoutofthebar.Thatgavehimroomtoworkthe

Keysontherestofthem.”

“Byputtingthemtosleep?”Iasked.
“Nah,probablyjustalittlecalmingjuju.He’sgoodatthat—willingfolkstochilltheeffout.It’saskill

thatcomesinhandywithsupsonoccasion.”

Iwasn’tentirelysurehowIfeltaboutthatjuju.AlthoughItrustedCatcher,Iwasn’tthrilledasorcerer

wasusinghisabilitiestosedatevampires.Iwouldhavepreferredtobeintherewithhim,keepinganeye
onthingsandprovidingalittleoversight.

ButbeforeIcouldevengivevoicetotheconcern,itwasover.Catcherappearedinthedoorwayagain

andwavedahandtowardtherestofthecops.Bynow,therewereadozenmillingaroundourcornerof
Wrigleyville.Mostworeuniforms,butafewweredetectivesinbutton-downsandsuits,theirbadges
clippedtotheirwaistsoronachainaroundtheirnecks.

“We’llheadin,”mygrandfathersaid.“Myhopeisthatnoonewillbearresteduntilwesortthisout.

Theseofficersknowthisisn’tjustadrunkanddisorderlycall—butthatthere’smoregoingonhere
supernaturally.”

“Andwe’llkeepaneyeonthevampsuntiltheycometotheirsenses,”Jeffadded,puttingahandonmy

arm.“That’spartofourjobdescription—occasionallyplayingguardianangels.”

“Iwouldappreciatethat.”
“We’llbeintouchassoonaswecan,”mygrandfathersaid.“Youstayoutoftroubleuntilthen.”
Ilookedbackatthebarandthoughtaboutmyinvestigation.OurfratboysandSarahmighthavebeen

solicitedbythesameguy,atleastbasedontheirminimaldescriptions.Thatwasworthafewmore
questions.“Actually,IthinkI’mgoingtotakealookaround.”

Mygrandfatherfrowned.“I’mnotsureI’mcrazyaboutyourwanderingaroundoutherewhenthere’s

somethingstrangeintheair.”

“Ihaveadaggerinmyboot,andI’msurroundedbycops.”
“Fairpoint,babygirl.Justdomeafavor—becareful?I’lltakealotofheatiftheuniformsendup

arrestingmygranddaughter,nottomentionthephonecallI’dhavetoputintoyourfather.”

“Neitheroneofuswantseitherofthoseoptions,”Iassuredhim.
WhilemygrandfatherandJeffheadedbacktothebar,Iscannedtheblock.
LindseyandChristinehadcorralledtheunaffectedvampsatthecorneroppositeme.Thehumans,now

witnesses,weremillingaroundinsidetheperimeterofyellowtape.Paparazzihadalreadygatheredatthe
edges,snappingphotographsliketheyweregoingoutofstyle.Theclickoftheirshutterssoundedlikea
plagueofdescendinginsects.

DariusandEthanbothweregoingtohaveaconniptionaboutthisone.Andspeakingof,Ipulledmy

cellphoneoutofmypocket.Ihatedbeingthebearerofbadnews,butIneededtoupdateEthan.Isettled
foratextmessagewithaquickrecap(“FIGHTATTEMPLEBAR.COPSHERE.”)andawarning
(“PHOTOGSONLOOSE.DON’TLETDARIUSNEARATV.”).Atextwouldhavetodofornow.

Thatdone,Ilookeddownthestreetintheotherdirection.Theblockwassegmentedbyanalleythatran

alongsidethebar.IfourravesolicitorhadbeenscopingoutTempleBar,wouldhehavemovedthrough
thealley?Thatseemedasreasonableastepasany,soIdecidedtocheckitout.

IwrinkledmynoseassoonasI’dmovedafewfeetintothealley.Itwasawarmsummernight,andit

smelledlikemosturbanalleysprobablydid—garbage,dirt,andurinefromunknownsources.Itwasdark,
butwideenoughforacartopassthrough.AsignononewallthathadoncereadNOBIKESOR
SCOOTERSnowreadNOIKESORCOOTERS.Imanagedtoholdinajuvenilelaugh,butstillsmileda
little.

Abouthalfwaydownthealley,Ireachedthebar’sserviceentrance.Theheavymetaldoorwasredand

rustedandmarkedbyDELIVERIESONLYandPROTECTEDBYAZHSECURITYsigns.Flattenedbeer
boxeswerestackedinaneatpilebesidethedoor.Beyondthat,therewasn’tmuchtosee.

Forthehellofit,Iwalkedtotheotherendofthealley.TherewereacoupleofDumpstersandtwo

moreserviceentrancestootherbusinesses,butthatwasaboutit.

Ifrownedwithdisappointment.I’mnotsurewhatI’dexpectedtosee,althoughashort,dark-hairedman

standingbeneathafloatingneonarrowthatreadBADGUYHEREwouldhavebeennice.Asuspectand
quickconfessionwouldn’thavebeenamiss,either.

Thiswasalotharderthaninthemovies.
Oh,lightbulb.Thatwasit.
Myheartsuddenlypoundingwithexcitement,Ijoggedtothebar’sbackdoor.Sureenough,poised

abovethedoorwasasecuritycamera.Theareawasdarkandgrubby,sothecameramaynothave
capturedanythingOscar-worthy,butatleastitwasalead.Firstthingsfirst,IneededtofindJeff.

Iranbackthroughthealley,butJeffhadn’tyetemergedfromthebar.SinceIwasn’tabouttohead

insideandjumpintothemiddleofCPDdrama,IdecidedtocheckinwithLindsey.

Ihadn’tgonetwofeetwhenIfeltataponmyshoulder.
“Iseverythingokay?”
Thevoicewasfamiliar,buthe’dstartledmeenoughtomeritafull-bodyshiver.Iturnedaroundand

foundJonahstandingbehindmeinasnugT-shirtandjeans.TwovampiresIdidn’tknowstoodbeside
him.Oneworeablueandyellowjerseywithanumberonthefront.TheGreyHouseuniform,Iassumed.

Jonahwasherewithfriends,whichmeantwewereplayingSentinelandcaptain,minustheRG

connection.Andinthoseroles,sincenoonehadseenustogetheratGreyHouse,wehadn’tmet.Icould
playalongwiththat.

“You’reMerit,right?CadoganSentinel.”
“Yeah.Andyouare?”
“Jonah.Captain.GreyHouse.”Heglancedbackatthebar.“Youneedhelphere?”
“Ithinkwe’reokay.Therewasafightatthebar.”
Jonah’seyeswidened.“Afight?”
Iglancedbacktotheguysbehindhim.ImightgiveJonahinformation,butthesetwowerecomplete

strangers.“Idon’tknowyourfriends.”

“DannyandJeremy,”hesaid,pointingtoeachoftheminturn.“They’reGreyHouseguards.”
Dannysmiledandnoddedhishead;Jeremyofferedahalfwave.“What’sup?”hesaid.
“Youcanbecandid,”Jonahsaid,andIhadasensehewastalkingtomeasapotentialRGmember,not

justawitnesstochaos.

Inthatcase,“Therewerealotofvampsinthere.Theygotriledupoverrelativelynothing,thenwent

crazy.Thebarpracticallyexplodedwithit.”

“We’veheardthere’vebeensomegatherings.Violentones.”
“I’veseenitwithmyowneyes.”Iglancedfromhimtotheguysbehindhim.“Whatareyouguysdoing

outhere?”

“Wewereintheneighborhood,butwe’reheadingbacktotheHouse.”Hepulledawhitecardfromhis

pocketandhandedittome.Itwasabusinesscardwithhisname,position,andphonenumberonit.“My
landline’sonthere.Feelfreetocallmeifyouneedanything.”

“Thanks.Iappreciatetheoffer.”
“Nothinglikealittleinter-Housecooperation,”hesaid.“Bestofluck.”
“Iappreciateit.”
Withanod,thecaptainofGreyHouseandhisemployeesmovedonanddisappearedintothecrowd.It

wouldhavebeennicetoaskhimforhelpagain—butwhatcouldhehavedonetonight?

Ituckedthecardintomypocketand,whenIturnedaroundagain,foundCatcherbehindme.
“YouknowJonah?”
“Idonow,”Isaid,mystomachclenchingatthelie.“He’stheGreyHousecaptain.”
“SoI’veheard.”Hestaredatmeforamoment.
“What?”Iasked,myowncuriosityaroused.DidhesuspectIknewJonah?DidhesuspectJonahknew

morethanhewasadmitting?

ButCatcherstayedsilent,keepingwhateversuspicionshemighthavehadtohimself.
That’swhenIsawhim—onlyashadowattheedgeofmyeyesightatfirst,butthenadistinguishable

manstandingacrossthestreet,oneofhissoldiersbehindhim.

ItwasMcKetrick,dressedinblackrunningpantsandablackT-shirt.Noobviousweapons,butwithall

thecopsnearby,itwasimpossibletotellifhewascarryingsomethingconcealed.Hedidhaveasmall
pairofbinocularsinhand,andthemanbehindhimscribbledinasmallnotebook.Apparentlyourfriendly
neighborhoodanti-vampiremilitiamanwasworkingalittlerecontonight.Hescannedthecrowd,
apparentlyunawarethatIwasnearbywithacoupleofvampiresympathizers.Ican’timaginehe’dhave
hadanythingpleasanttosayaboutthat.

IleanedtowardCatcher.“Acrossthestreetonthecorner.That’sMcKetrickandoneofhisgoons.”
WithalltheslicknessofaCIAoperative,CatcherpointedatabuildinginMcKetrick’sdirection.“Did

youknowthatbuildingwascreatedbyamonkeythatlivedinthetopofTribuneTower?”

“Ididnotknowthat.Amonkey,yousay?”
“Fur,bananas,crapthrowing,thewholebit.”Heturnedbackagainandstuffedhishandsintohis

pockets.“Don’tknowtheface.Buthe’sinblack,andhe’sgotbinocularsandanunderling.Former
military?”

“Giventhewayhewasoutfittedtheotherday,thatwasmyguess.Whatdoyouthinkhe’sdoingout

here?”

“Heprobablyhasapolicescanner,”Catchersaid,thegrumbleinhisvoicegivingmealltheinfoI

neededabouthisopinionofthem.“Heprobablyheardthecallanddecidedtocomeoutandseewhatkind
oftroublevampsweregettingintotonight.”

“Damnvampires,”Imuttered.
“Alwaysgettingintosomething,”heagreed.“Sincehe’sfocusedonthevamps,I’llrunaChicago

Shuffleandgeteyesonhim.”

“ChicagoShuffle?”
“I’llheadintheoppositedirectionandcatchhimfromtheback.”
“Surething,boss,”Isaid.“Justwatchoutforthebrassandanydameswithnicegams.”
Catchergavemeadarklook.“Sometimes,Idon’tknowwhyIbother.”
“BecauseI’mawesome,andyousupplantedmeinmyownhome.”
Hesmiledslyly.“Thatdoeslessenthesting.Youkeepaneyeonhimfromhereandgivemeatextifit

lookslikehe’splanningonjoininginthefun.”

“Willdo.”
Catcherpulleddownhisballcap,thenslunkintothedarknessofthestreetintheoppositedirection.
“ChicagoShuffle,”Iquietlymurmured,justwantingtosaythephrasealoud.Idecidedallfuture

operationsneedednamesasslickasthatone.

JeffpoppedbackoverassoonasCatcherdisappeared.“Where’sheoffto?”
“WesawMcKetrick—thevamphater—acrossthestreet.Catcherwenttogathersomeintel.Whatdid

youfindoutinside?”

“There’realotofdopeyvampsinthere,andthecopsaren’tthrilledthey’recausingtroubleinpublic.

They’regoingtowanttopinthisonCadogan,youknow.”

“Iknow.I’mnotlookingforwardtotalkingtoEthanaboutit.”

“Iwouldn’tbe,either.ThecopsweretalkingtoChuckaboutcallingMayorTate,advisinghimof

what’sup.”

“Kindofasmall-beansmattertobotherthemayorwith,isn’tit?”
“Apparentlynotwhenvampiresareinvolved.”Hegesturedtowardthepaparazzi,stillsnapping

photos,nowofthehumanswho’dbeeninsidethebar.

“Notmuchwecandoaboutitnow,”Isaid.“Butthereissomethingyoucandoforme.”Iheldupa

handbeforehecouldremindmeaboutFallonagain.“Andit’snothingprurient.Butitwillrequireyour
technologicalprowess.”

“That’smysecond-favoriteprowess.”
“There’sacameraatthebackdoorofthebar.CanyoucheckwithColinandfindoutifthey’re

recordingthevideo?”

“Willdo.IfIfindit,whatamIlookingfor?”
“Anythingatall.Suspiciousactivity,drugkingpins,stufflikethat.”
“That’snotveryspecific.”
Ipattedhimonthearm.“That’swhyIcametoyou,Jeff.Becauseyouhavemadskills.Andkeepaneye

outforashortguywithdarkhair.Youfindhim,yougetthebigprize.”

Jeffrockedbackonhisheels.“Definebigprize.”
Ittookmeamomenttoimagineaprizethatwouldn’tgethimintroublewithFallon—ormeintrouble

withtheNorthAmericanCentralPack.ButJeffwasanall-American,red-bloodedshifter,soIhadan
idea.

“I’llcallmygrandfather’sfavoritebutcherandorderhisdeluxeholidayspecialfortheoffice.”
Hisbrowslifted,agleamofpredatoryappreciationinhiseyes.“We’renotsupposedto,youknow,

acceptgratuities—cityemployeesandall—”

“I’mprettysuretherearehalfadozenfiletsinthere,probablysomesirloins,burgers,chops,franks.

Butifyouthinkit’sinappropriate,I’llskipit.Idon’twantyoutogetintrouble.”

Jeffnoddedwithabsolutecertainty.“Ifthere’svideo,I’llfindit.We’llgetyouyourman.”
“Appreciateit.”
Assignmentinhand,Jeffheadedbacktomygrandfather’sOlds,whereheclimbedintothebackseatand

openedablacklaptop.

Ismiledattheenthusiasm,gladIhadfriendswhowereonthesideoftruthandjustice.BeingSentinel

wouldhavebeenmuchharderwithoutJeff,Catcher,mygrandfather,Mallory,andeveryoneelsewhokept
infomovinginmydirection.Youreallycouldn’tunderestimatethevalueofagoodteam.

AndnowIwasstartingtosoundlikeJonah.MaybehistalkabouttheRGwasgettingtome,afterall.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

THEBUCKETLIST

Asdawnneared,therestofthevampiresbeganemergingfromthebar,stumblingalittleamidthe
strobelikelightsofthepolicecruisersandthesnapofcameraflashes.Theywerecoveredinbruisesthat
werealreadygreen,theresultofthespeedyvampirehealingprocess.Ibetthecommunitywoundswould
takelongertoheal,unfortunately.

MygrandfatherandCatchertalkedtothecops,probablysharingnotesandtheories.Jeffeventually

carriedthelaptopintothebar,probablytofindoutwhathecouldaboutthesecuritytapes.

Whenthepoliceremovedtheirtapeandthecruisersbegantodepart,Iheadedtothespotwhere

Lindseyandtheunaffectedvampswerewaiting.

ShestoodupasIapproached.“Doyouknowanything?”
“Notyet.Crimescenesapparentlyinvolvealotofwaitingandstandingaround.You?”
Lindseyglancedbackatthevamps,wholookedshell-shockedbythecombineddramaofcops,

detectives,rainbowalcohol,andpaparazzi.“Nothingyet.IheardfromoneoftheEMTsthatyour
grandfatherbroughtinacounselortotalktothehumans.”

“Itwasabarfight,”Igrumbled.Thehumanswerecertainlyentitledtotheirfeelings,butnoneofthem

hadactuallybeeninjured—theyhadn’tevenreallybeeninvolved.

“Butitwasabarfightwithcrazy,scaryvampires,”sheexaggeratedlysaid,wigglingherfingerslikea

menacingmonster.

Ihumphed,butrecognizeditwasn’tanargumentIwasgoingtowin,notwhenthehumanswere

surroundedbyreportersandcameras.Iglancedbackatthebar.“Maybeweshouldheadbackinside.
Cleanupalittle.Doyouwanttoroundupthetroops?”

“God,yes,please.Lucwantedustostayputuntilthecopsgaveustheallclear,soI’vebeenhereand

bored.I’mgoingtoconsideryourrequesttheallclear.”

Thatrationalizationworkedforme.“Givemeaminuteheadstart.Iwanttotakealookaround.”She

nodded,soIheadedbackinside.

Thefloorofthebarwasinshambles,notunlikeCadoganaftertheshifterattack,albeitwithmore

casualdecor.TheCubsmemorabilia,thankfully,madeitthroughtheonslaught,althoughthetablesand
chairsweremostlyupended.Iscannedtheroomforanythingthatmightgivemeaclueastowhyour
vampswerelosingit,butassumedanythingthatwouldhavehelpedhadlongsincebeenpickedupbythe
cops.Andtherewasnoshortmanwithraveinvitestobefound.

IfCelinawasinvolvedandshewassomehowleadingthevampiremasshysteria,she’dmanagedtoget

uskickedoutofourownbar.Itwasjustthekindofthingshe’dhaveenjoyed.AsIstoodtherealone,I
imaginedCelinapoppingupfrombehindthebar,awashinballoons,armsraisedinvictory.

“Ah,thepoweroffantasy,”Imurmured,andbeganpickingupoverturnedbartables.Lindseycame

throughthedoor,herflockofvampiresbehindher.

“Allright,boysandgirls,”shesaid.“Let’sgetthisplacebackintofightingshape.Sotospeak.”
Thevampiresgrumbledbutobeyed,rightingchairsandtables.Colingroanedashewalkedback

throughthedoorashesurveyedhisplace.Heglancedoveratme.“Yougonnafigurethisout?”

“I’mworkingonit,”Iassuredhim.“Andspeakingof,Ineedonemorefavor.Idon’tsupposeyoucan

whistle?”

Heputtwofingersinhismouthandletoutahigh-pitchedtrill.IttookonlyamomentbeforeIhadthe

attentionofallthevampiresinthebar.

“Discretionisthebetterpartofvalor,”Isaid,“soI’mgoingintothebackoffice.Ifanybody’sgot

information,thiswouldbeagoodtimetocometalktome.”

Likeanirritatedelementaryschoolteacher,IstaredthemdownuntilIbegantoseeafewsheepish

expressionscrossingtheirfaces.Thisprobablywasn’tgoingtodoanythingformypopularity,butit
neededtobedone.PlayingsocialchairwassecondarytoplayingSentinelandactuallykeepingtheHouse
intact.

IglancedoveratColinandheldoutahanduntilheoffereduptheofficekeys.WhenIhadtheminhand,

Iheadedbackfortheoffice.Iunlockeditandmovedimmediatelytothefilecabinet.Icoulduseadrink,
andIdidn’tthinkhe’dmindifIsampledhisflask.Ipoppedopenthetopdrawer,pulledouttheflask,and
gavethecontentsawarningsniff.

Mynosewrinkled.Whateverwasinhissecretmix,itsmelledpickled.Isqueezedmyeyesshutand

tookasip.

Itwas...notthatbad,actually.Itwasn’tatasteIcouldeasilydescribe—“pickled”cameclosest,but

therewerealsothetangofbloodandasweetedgethatbalancedoutthetaste,notunlikeraspberry
vinaigrette.Ofcourse,Ididn’twanttodrinkdownraspberryvinaigrette,soIputthecapbackonand
promisedmyselfanextraMallocakewhenIfinallymadeithome.

InoticedherinthedoorwayjustasIclosedthefilecabinetagain.ShewasavampI’dseenaroundthe

Housebutdidn’treallyknow,acutebrunettewithlong,wavyhairandacurvyfigure.

Shelookedrightandleftdownthehallwayasifafraidshemightbeseendarkeningtheteacher’sdoor.
“Youcanshutthedoorifyouwant,”Itoldher.
Shesteppedinsideandclosedthedoorbehindher.“I’mAdriana,”shesaid.“I’monthethirdfloorof

theHouse.”

“Nicetomeetyou.”
Shegotrighttothepoint.“Idon’tlikeplayingtattletale,butI’mloyaltomyHouse,andI’mloyalto

Ethan.”Therewasnodoubtingtheferociousnessofthataffectioninhergaze.“Andsomeonethreatens
that,ortheHouse,it’stimetospeakup.”

Inoddedsolemnly.“I’mlistening.”
“Isawitthefirsttimeafewweeksago.Iwasataparty—nohumans—andaGreyHousevampwas

usingit.Hetriedit,andtwentyminuteslaterhewaspoundingsomeonehesaidhadmadeapassathis
girl.”

Adrianapaused,seemedtogatherhercourage,andthenlookedupatmeagain.“Andthen,tonight,I

foundthisinthebathroom.”Sheheldoutaclenchedfist,andthenopenedherfingers.Inherpalmsata
smallwhiteenvelopewithaVinscribedonthefront.Ididn’tneedtolookinsidetoknowwhatitwould
hold.

Isqueezedmyeyesshut,irritatedwithmyownstupidity.Thedrugshadn’tbeenforthehumans.They

hadn’tbeenusedtomakehumansmorebiddable;thatwasjustgoodold-fashionedglamour.

Theywereforvampires.Itwasn’tthespillofmagicoravirusorsomesortofmasshysteriathatwas

makingthemaggressive—itwasadrugthey’dapparentlybeenstupidenoughtotake.Maybeitweakened
theirinhibitionstowardviolence;maybeitincreasedtheirtestosterone.Whateverthechemistry,thiswas
thereasonthevampsattheravehadbeenwillingtofightovermystumbling,thereasonthevampsatthe
barwerefightingoverrainbowbooze...andprobablythereasonwhyMayorTatethoughtthreehumans
hadbeenkilledinWestTown.

“Thanks,”Isaid,openingmyeyesagainandholdingoutmyhand.Shehandedoverthedrugs.
“Ifit’sanyconsolation,immortalitymakessomeofthembored,”Adrianasaid,“sotheydothings—

theytrythings—thattheywouldn’tordinarilytry.Butnowit’smakingtheroundsthroughTempleBar,and
Idon’twanttoseeitinfiltratetheHouse.”

“Excellentcall.Didyouevermeettheseller?”Iasked.
Sheshookherhead.“Thesethingsmovefromvamptovamp.Unlessyou’relookingtoscore,whichI’m

not,youdon’tevencomeincontactwiththeseller.”

Anothermiss,butatleastI’dputsomeinformationtogether.SomeoneouttherewassellingVto

Cadoganvampires.Anothersomeone—maybethesamesomeone?—wassolicitinghumansforraves.

Whoeverwasorchestratingit,putthetwotogetherandyouhadanexplosivesituation.
“Thanksforlettingmeknow.I’llseetoitEthanfindsoutabouttheVsowecanputastoptoit,butI

won’ttellhimwhotoldme.”

Icouldseethereliefinherface,butshequicklysquaredhershouldersagain.“Youfindout,”shesaid.

“Youfindoutwhoisputtingthisoutthere,whoisputtingusatrisk.”

“Iintendto,”Ipromisedher.
BythetimeImadeitbackintothebar,thechairsandtableswererightsideupagain.Christinewas

sweepingupbrokenglasswhileanothermemberofourNovitiateclassheldthepailforher.Colinwas
backbehindthebar,cleaningupoverturnedboozeandbrokenbeerbottles.

HeadsturnedasIwalkedin,vampslookingatmecuriously.TheyprobablywonderedwhatInow

knew—andhowmuchtroubletheyweregoingtobeinbecauseofit.

Itwasagoodquestion.’Causerightnow,onbehalfofme,Ethan,theHouse,Iwaspissed.Icouldhave

beensympathetictothebrawlerswhenI’dimaginedthiswassomekindoftravelinghysteria.Butthiswas
somethingthey’dchosentodo.Allthistrouble—thecops,thebadpresswewereinevitablygoingto
receive,Tate’srampage,theraves—wascausedbecauseidiotvampireshaddecidedtotakedrugs.

They’dmadeachoicetowreakhavoc,andIhadnosympathyforthat.
Istalkedtothebarandvaultedoverit,thengrabbedtheropeofthegiantbellthathungbehindit.Itwas

usedforvampiresilliness,usuallytosignalthestartofadrinkinggamebasedonEthan’sidiosyncrasies.

ButnowIusedittosignalsomethingmoreserious.
Igrabbedtheropeandslungitbackandforthuntilthebellpealedacrosstheroom.ThenIpulledanice

bucketfromashelfandputitsquareinthemiddleofthebar.Iscannedthecrowdtomakesureonly
vampswereinattendance,andwhenthemagiccheckedout,Iletthevitriolflow.

“Sothisisaboutdrugs,”Isaid,andfeltalittlebetterwhensomeoftheunaffectedvampireslooked

surprised;atleasttheyhadn’tbeenusing.Buttheywereapparentlytheonlyones.

“Someofyouhavebeenusing,”Isaid.“Idon’tknowwhy,andI’mnotsureIcare.Eitherway,you

couldn’thavepickedaworsetime.Dariusisintown,andEthanisalreadyintrouble.TheHouseisonthe
hotseatwithTate,andthiscertainlyisn’tgoingtohelp.”

Iletthatsinkinforamoment,takinginthehushedwhispersandworriedlooks.
“Thingsarechanging,”Isaid,mytonesofter.“OurHousehasbeenthroughhellrecently,andthefuture

isn’tlookingmuchbrighter.I’mnotgoingtotellEthanwhichofyouwereheretonight.”

Therewerelooksofobviousreliefaroundtheroom.
“Butwecan’tletthishappenagain.Wecannot—Icannot—allowVintotheHouse.Besides,sinceI

havetotellthecopsaboutthedrugs,there’saprettygoodchanceeveryonewillbefriskedbeforethey
leave.”

IhelduptheicebuckettoshowthemImeantbusiness,thenputitdownonthebar.“Ifyou’vegotVon

you,itgoesinthebucket.I’lltakeitoutofthebarmyselfandturnitovertothecops.Itwillbebetter
comingfrommethanallofyouindividually.Wecan’tletthingsgetworse.SoforthesakeoftheHouse,
dotherightthing.”

Iturnedandfacedthewall,givingthemtheprivacytomaketheirdeposits.Ittookafewseconds,butI

finallyheardfootstepsandshufflingofchairs,andthenthepingofatabletorthequietthushofan
envelopehittingthesideofthebucket.

Thesoundsofconscienceclearing.

Afteramoment,Colincalledmyname.“Ithinkthey’redone,”hequietlysaidwhenIglancedathim.
Inodded,thenlookedbackatthecrowd.“Thankyou.I’llmakesureheknowsthatyouhelped,thatyou

understoodyourresponsibilities.Andyoucanalways,alwayscometomeifyouhaveproblems.”

Withthatsaid,butstillfeelinglikeatotalnarc,Igrabbedupthebucketandheadedforthedoor.Inow

knewwhythiswashappening,knewwhytheraveswerebiggerandmeanerthanbefore.I’dhopefully
beenabletokeepthechaosoutofourHouse.

NowIhadtofindthepusherandputastoptothechaoseverywhereelse.

Imademywayoutsideandfoundmygrandfather,Catcher,andJeff.Mygrandfathersatatthecurb,his
expressionsomber.

HestoodupwhenIapproached.Iguidedhimbehindoneofthecruisers—andoutofthewayofthe

paparazzi—beforehandingoverthebucket.

“ThisisV,”Isaid.“ThesamestuffwesawattheStreetervilleparty.Apparentlyitspreadfrom

Benson’stoGreyHousetoTempleBar,whereCadoganvampswerestupidenoughtotryit.”Ilookedat
Catcher.“Thisiswhythey’vebeensoviolent.It’snottheglamourorthemagic—”

“It’sthedrugs,”heagreedwithanod.“Notforhumans,butforvampires.”
“I’dguessyou’reprobablyrightaboutthat,”mygrandfathersaid,pullingtwosmall,clearplastic

evidencebagsfromthepocketofhisjacket.Therewerepillsandenvelopesineach.

“Wheredidyoufindthose?”
“Onthefloorofthebar,”hesaid.“Someonemusthavedroppeditintheconfusion.MaybetheVstands

for‘vampire.’Or‘violence’?”

“Whateveryoucallit,”Catchersaid,“it’sbad.Visintheclubs,it’sintheparties,it’sinthe

vampires.”

Mygrandfatherglancedbackatthepaparazzi,whowereflashingpicturesfrombehindthepolicetape,

theirgrayandblacklenseszoominginandoutastheytriedtocaptureeachbitofthescene.

“Ican’tkeepthemfromtakingpictures,”hesaid,“butI’llholdontotheVissueaslongaspossible.At

thispoint,thedrug’sonlytargetedatvampires,andtheredoesn’tseemtobeanobviousrisktohumans.”

“Iappreciatethat,andI’msureEthandoes,too.”
Abeatcopapproachedmygrandfather,makingeyesatmeashedidit.Catcher,Jeff,andIweresilent

asmygrandfathersteppedaside,chattingquietlywiththeofficerand,whentheyweredone,passinghim
thebucket.

Whenmygrandfatherwalkedbackoveragain,hisbrowfurrowed,Iassumednothinggoodwasheading

myway.

“Howdoyoufeelaboutcomingdowntotheprecinctandgivingastatement?”
Mystomachcurled.Hewasdoingmeafavorbylettingmedothetalking—lettingmecontrolthe

House’sdestiny,sotospeak—butthatdidn’tmeanIwascrazyabouttheideaofgoingvoluntarilytoa
policestation.

“Notgreat,toberealhonest.Ethanwillhaveafit.”
“NotiftheotheroptionisarandomCadoganvampwithoutyourtrainingorallegiances.Weneedto

talktoaCadoganvamp,”hesaid,“andit’sbetteryouthananyoneelse.”

Isighed.NotonlywasInowthebearerofbadnews;Iwastheratfinktaskedwithreportingallthe

dirtydetailstotheCPD.Butmygrandfatherwasright—whatbetterchoicedidwehave?

Inoddedmyagreement,blewoutabreath,andpulledoutmycellphoneagain.
Imightnotbethebearerofgoodtidings,butatleastIcouldgivehimalittleforewarning—andhopeto

Godhewasn’twaitingtostripmeofmymedalattheendofthenight.

Irodeinthefrontseatofmygrandfather’sOldsmobile,adrenalineturningtoexhaustionaswedroveto
theCPD’sLoopprecinct.Heparkedinareservedspotandescortedmeintothebuilding,ahandatmy
backtokeepmesteady.Giventhetaskathand,Iappreciatedthegesture.

Thebuildingwasrelativelynewandprettysterile—thepeelingpaintandancientmetalfurnitureofcop

dramasreplacedbycubiclesandautomatedkiosksandshinytilefloors.

Itwasnearlyfourinthemorning,sothebuildingwasquietandmostlyemptybutforahandfulof

uniformedofficersmovingthroughthehallswithperpsinhandcuffs:awomaninashortskirtandtall
bootswithundeniableexhaustioninhereyes;ajitterymanwithgauntcheeksanddirtyjeans;anda
heavysetkidwhosestraighthaircoveredhiseyes,hisoversizedgrayT-shirtdottedwithblood.Itwasa
sadscene,asnapshotoffolkshavingundoubtedlymiserableevenings.

Ifollowedmygrandfatherthroughwhatlookedlikeabullpenfordetectives,rowsofidenticaldesks

andchairsfillingaroomborderedbyaringofoffices.Detectivesliftedtheirgazesaswepassed,
offeringnodstomygrandfatherandcurious—orjustplainsuspicious—glancesatme.

Ontheothersideofthebullpen,wemoveddownahallwayandintoaninterviewroomthathelda

conferencetableandfourchairs.Theroom,partoftherenovation,smelledlikeafurnitureshowroom—
cutwood,plastic,andlemonpolish.

Atmygrandfather’sgesture,Itookaseat.Thedooropenedjustashetookthechairbesideme.Aman

—tall,dark-skinned,andwearingapin-stripedsuit—walkedinsideandclosedthedoor.Hehadayellow
notepadandapeninhand,andheworehisbadgeonachainaroundhisneck.

“Arthur,”mygrandfathersaid,butArthurheldoutahandbeforemygrandfathercouldstandupin

greeting.

“Don’tbotheronmyaccount,Mr.Merit,”Arthursaid,exchangingahandshakewithmygrandfather.

Thenhelookedatme,alittlemoresuspicioninhiseyes.“CarolineMerit?”

Carolinewasmygivenname,butnotthenameIused.“CallmeMerit,please.”
“DetectiveJacobshasbeeninthevicedivisionforfifteenyears,”mygrandfatherexplained.“He’sa

goodman,atrustworthyman,andsomeoneIconsiderafriend.”

Thatwasundoubtedlytruegiventherespectfulglancestheyshared,butDetectiveJacobsclearlyhadn’t

madeuphismindaboutme.Ofcourse,Iwasn’theretoimpressanyone.Iwasonlyheretotellthetruth.
Sothat’swhatItriedtodo.

WereviewedwhatI’dseenattherave,whatI’dlearnedfromSarah,andwhatI’dseentonight.Ididn’t

offeranalysisorsuspicions—justfacts.Therewasnoneed,noreasonthatIcouldimagine,toinsert
CelinaorGPdramaintoeventsthatwerealreadydramaticenough.

DetectiveJacobsaskedquestionsalongtheway.Herarelymadeeyecontactaswetalked,instead

keepinghiseyesonhispaperashescribblednotes.Muchlikehissuit,hishandwritingwasneatandtidy.

I’mnotsurehewasanylesssuspiciousbytheendofmyspiel,butIfeltbetterforhavingtoldhim.He

mighthavebeenhuman,buthewasalsocareful,analytical,andfocusedondetails.Ididn’tgetthesense
thiswasawitchhunt,butratherhisearnestattempttosolveaproblemthatjusthappenedtoinvolve
vampires.

Unfortunately,hedidn’thaveanyinformationaboutVorwhereitmightbecomingfrom.LikeCatcher

hadsaid,asthethird-biggestcityinthecountry,Chicagowasn’texactlyimmunefromdrugproblems.

DetectiveJacobsalsodidn’tshareanystrategieswithme,soifhehadplanstodohisowninfiltrating,I

wasn’tawareofit.ButhedidgivemeacardandaskedmetocallhimifIdiscoveredanythingelse,orif
IhadanythingIthoughthecouldhelpwith.

IdoubtedEthanwouldwantmeinvolvingveteranCPDvicedetectivesintheinvestigationofourdrug

problem.

Butthat’swhyI’dbeennamedSentinel,Ithought,tuckingthecardintomypocket.

Ethansatinaplasticchairinthehallway.Hewasbentover,elbowsonhisknees,handsclaspedtogether.
Hetappedhisthumbstogether,hisblondhairtuckedbehindhisears.Itwasthekindofposeyou’dhave
seenonafamilymemberinahospitalwaitingroom—tired,tense,anticipatingtheworst.

Hisheadliftedatthesoundofmybootsonthetilefloor.Hestoodupimmediately,thenmovedtoward

me.“You’reallright?”

Inodded.“I’mfine.Mygrandfatherthoughtitwouldbebettertogetthestoryfromme.”
“Itseemedlikethefairestdecision,”saidavoicebehindme.
Iglancedbacktoseemygrandfathermovingdownthehalltowardus.Ethanextendedhishand.“Mr.

Merit.Thankyouforyourhelp.”

Mygrandfathershookhishand,buthealsoshookhishead.“ThankyourSentinel.She’safine

representativeofyourHouse.”

Ethanlookedatme,pride—andlove?—inhiseyes.“We’reinagreementthere.”
“I’mtired,”Isaid,“andIdon’thaveacar.CouldwegobacktotheHouse?”
“Absolutely.”Ethan’sgazeshiftedtomygrandfather.“Didyouneedanythingelsefromus?”
“No.We’redonefornow.Enjoytherestofyournight—totheextentpossible.”
“Unlikely,”Isaid,pattinghisarm.“Butwe’lldothebestwecan.”
Butbeforewecouldtakeasteptowardtheexit,thedoorsattheendofthehallwaypushedopen.Tate

walkedthrough,followedbyasquadronofsuit-cladassistants.Theylookeddrowsy,andIsympathized;it
wasacrappyjobthatrequiredhangers-ontowearsuitsatfivefifteeninthemorning.

Tatestrodetowardus,bothsympathyandirritationinhisexpression.Ifiguredtheirritationwas

offeredupbyhisstrategichalf,thepoliticalleaderanticipatingnastycommercialsabout“thevampire
problem.”Thesympathywasprobablyofferedupbyhisbaby-kissinghalf.

Helookedatmygrandfatherfirst.“Thesituationiscontained?”
“Itis,Mr.Mayor.Thingsatthebarareinhand,andMeritcameinandprovideduswithaverydetailed

statementsowecangetahandleontheissue.”

“Whichis?”
“We’restillfiguringthatout,sir.You’llhavemyreportassoonasIcantypeit.”
Tatenodded.“Appreciatethat,Chuck.”HeglancedatEthan.“IsthisrelatedtotheproblemIaskedyou

toaddress?”

“Itmaybe,”Ethanvaguelysaid.“Meritisspendingmostofherfreetimeinvestigatingit,includingthis

evening.”

Tate’sexpressionsoftenedandwentall-politician.“Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIappreciatethat.”
Oh,Icouldtell,Iblandlythought.Youprobablyappreciatedittentofifteenpointsinthepolls.
Tatereachedoutandshookmyhand,andthenmygrandfather’s.“Merit,let’sstayintouch.Chuck,I

lookforwardtoyourreport.”

HereachedouttoshakeEthan’shand,butinsteadofasimpleshake,heleanedtowardEthanand

whisperedsomethinginhisear.Ethan’sshoulder’sstiffened,andhestaredblanklyahead,barely
controllinghisanger,whenTatewalkedaway.

Ethan’scarwasparkedinasecuredlotbesidethestation.Ibarelymadetheshortwalk.Thedramawas
beginningtotakeacollectivetoll;forallmyextravampirestrength,Iwastired.Mybrainwasfuzzy,my
bodywasexhausted,andmytemperaturewasthatstrangedeep-seatedcoldthatyougetbeforetheflu
startsup.

EthanopenedthedoorformeandshutitagainwhenIwasinside.Icheckedtheclockonthe

dashboard;itwasnearlyfiveforty-five,abouttwentyminutesbeforedawn.Anotherlatenight—and

anotherraceagainsttherisingsun.

Silently,Ethanclimbedintothecarandstartedthemotor.
ImadeonefinalplayatbeingthedutifulSentinel.“Doyouwanttodebriefnow?”
Hemusthaveseentheexhaustioninmyeyes,becauseheshookhishead.“Lucfilledmeinonthemajor

points,andthemorningnewsprogramsarealreadyonthecase.Restfornow.”

Imusthavetakenthedirectionliterally,becauseIremembernoddinginagreement—butnottherestof

theridehome.Assoonashepulledoutofhisparkingspotandbeganspiralingbackdownthroughthe
parkinggarage,Idroppedmyheadontotheheadrest.Iwokeupagainasthecardescendedintothe
Cadoganparkinglot.

“Youaretired,”hesaid.
Iputahandovermymouthtohidetheburgeoningyawn.“It’snearlydawn.”
“Soitis.”
Wesatthereawkwardlyforamoment,likeacoupleattheendofafirstdate,neitherquitesurewhat’s

expectedoftheother.

Ethanmadethefirstmove,openinghisdoorandsteppingoutside.Ididthesame,wobblingalittleasI

exitedthecar,butstayingonmyfeet.Icouldfeelthetugofthesun,mynervesitchingwithexhaustion,my
bodyscreamingthatitwastimetofindasoft,darkplacetowaitouttheday.

“Yougoingtomakeitupstairs?”heasked.
“I’llmakeit.”Iconcentratedonputtingonefootinfrontoftheother,blinkingtokeepmyeyesfocused.
“Thesundoesanumberonyou,”Ethansaidashetypedinthecodetothebasementdoor,thenheldit

openwhileIwalkedthroughlikeanearzombie.Iwasconsciousenoughtorealizethathedidn’tseemto
havethesametrouble.

“You’relessaffected?”Iaskedaswewalkedtothestairs.
“I’molder,”heexplained.“Yourbodyisstilladjustingtothegeneticchange,tothedifferences

betweenbeingdiurnalandnocturnal.Asyougetolder,you’llfindthepulleasiertomanage.Morea
gentlesuggestionthanagrab-and-go.”

Iwascapableonlyofmutteringasoundofagreement.BysomemiracleImadeittothesecond-floor

landingwithoutfallingover.

“We’lltalktomorrow,”Ethansaid,andheadedforthestairs.ButIcalledhisnametostophim.He

glancedback.

“WhatdidTatewhisperinyourear?”
“Hesaid,‘Fixthis,goddamnit,orelse.’We’lltalkaboutittomorrow.”
Hedidn’thavetotellmetwice.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

ALLTHATGLITTERS

AsEthanhadpointedout,oneobviousdownsideofbeingnocturnalwasthefactthatthesunexertedmore
poweronmethanIcaredtoadmit.Ontheotherhand,Ididn’tneedcaffeinetowakeup.Imighthave
spentafewminutesbeinggroggy,butthehazeblewoffquicklyenough,leavingawideawake(andusually
starving)vampireinitswake.

IstartedtheeveningwithabowlofcrunchycinnamoncerealandasmuchbloodasIcouldstomach.I’d

donealotoffightinglastnight,andmystresslevelhadbeenprettyhigh.Fightingandstressgenerally
trippedmyhungertriggerfasterthananythingelse.

Well,maybeotherthanEthan.Icouldconfirmthebaggedstuffdidn’tcompareintastetotherealthing,

butthatdidn’tmakeitanylesssatisfying.Nutritionwasallwellandgood,buttheemotionalcomfortalso
paidoff.

IshoweredanddressedinmyCadoganblack.Iwasn’tsurewhatthenightheldinstore,butIwas

confidentthatafterlastnight’sescapadesDariuswouldbeinvolvedatsomepoint.Itwasprobablybestto
dressabitnicerthanIhadbeenthelasttimehe’dseenme.

IbrushedmyhairuntilitshoneandaddedmyCadoganmedalandMaryJaneshoes.I’dbeensobusy

withvampiredramathatI’dforgottenaboutMallory’ssorcerydrama,sobeforeIwentdownstairsI
flippedopenmyphone.Ifoundamessagefrommyfather,probablyanotherentreatytoallowhimtohelp
CadoganHouse.JoshuaMeritwasnothingifnotpersistent.

IsentMalloryamessagecheckingin,andgotbackaquickresponse:“BETTERTONIGHT.

PRACTICUMONHEALINGMAGIC.FUN!”

Iwasn’tsureifher“Fun!”wassarcastic,but“healingmagic”soundedalotbetterthandarkmagic.
MyphonebuzzedagainjustasIwasshuttingmydoor.Thistime,itwasatextfromLindsey,andnota

promisingone.

“WENEEDTOTALK,”she’dtexted.
Ihatedhearingthat.Myfingerswerefastonthekeys.“HOUSETRAUMA?”
“BOYTRAUMA,”shereplied,andmyshouldersunknottedabit.“DRAMAOFMYOWNMAKING.”
Iwasn’tentirelysurehowshe’dmanagedtohaveboytraumaordrama.She’dbeenwithmelastnight,

anditwasn’tyetanhouraftersunset.Icouldn’tresistasking.

“HOWCOULDYOUHAVEBOYDRAMATHISEARLYINTHEEVENING?”
“JUSTFINDMELATER,”sheresponded.“THEDEVIL’SINTHEDETAILS.”
Wasn’tthatalwaystrue?

ApotentiallydistressingconversationwithLindseyonmyagendaforlater,Imademywaydownstairsto
Ethan’soffice.Ifoundhimalone,thedooropen,adjustingtheknickknackshe’dsalvagedfromthebattle
onhisnewbookshelves.

“Alittleinteriordecoratingtostartthenight?”
“Tryingtomakemyofficefeellikemyofficeagain.”
“Procrastinationcanbeverysatisfying.”
Helaughedruefully.“Asyoupointedout,itmaybeaveryhumanemotion,butthere’sundoubtedly

somethingsatisfyingaboutpretendingtheworldisfineandyourproblemswillkeepuntilyou’rereadyto

dealwiththem.”

“It’salovelycopingmechanism,”Iagreed.“I’mgladyou’vemadeittoourside.Where’sDarius

tonight?”

“Scottwonthelotterythisevening;DariusisatGreyHouse.”Heturnedandglancedatme.“Tellme

youlearnedsomethinglastnight.Tellmethismesswillhavesomegoodend.”

“HowmuchshouldItellyou?Imean,Idon’twanttoputyouintoanawkwardpositionwithDarius.”
Ethanmadeasarcasticsound.“Youclearlyhaven’tseenlastnight’slocalnews.”
Ihadn’t,andbythetoneofhisvoice,Iprobablywouldn’twantto.“Thatbad?”
“It’ssobad,Dariushasn’tcalledmeyet.”
Igrimaced.Theonlythingworsethanbeingyelledatbyabosswashavingscrewedupsoroyally,he’d

movedrightintosilenttreatment.

Idecidednottosugarcoatit.ThereweredetailsIdidn’tneedtogive—informationaboutthevamps

who’dactuallyboughtandusedthedrugs,forone—butIwasn’tgoingtogivehimafalsesenseofthe
problem.

“ItallcomesdowntoV,”Ibegan.“It’sadrugforvampires,nothumans.It’ssomehowmakingthem

moreaggressive.TheHousebars,atleastforGreyandCadogan,havebeenusedasdistributionpoints.
I’mnotsureaboutNavarre.”

Igavehimamomenttoprocessthatinformation;bythelookofhim,heneededit.Heputanelbowon

theshelf,thenrubbedhistempleswithahand.

“IhaveputupwithalotinthisHouse,”hesaid.“Unfortunately,vampiresaren’tanymoreimmuneto

stupiditythanhumans.”Hedroppedhishandandlookedaway,thecornersofhiseyeswrinkledwith
disappointment.“IwouldhavehopedthattheyrespectedtheHouse—andme—morethanthis.”

“I’msorry,Ethan.”
Heshookhishead,andshookitoff.“Tellmeaboutthebar.”
“Colinhadn’tseenanythingoutoftheordinary.IaskedJefftopullthesecurityfootagesowecanfigure

outhowit’sgettingin.It’sdefinitelygettingin,althoughIhadeveryonehandovertheirstashsothey
couldn’tbringitbackintotheHouse.”

“Andsoitwouldn’tbefoundonthemifthecopspattedthemdown.”
“Exactly,”Iagreed.“Butmygrandfatherhadalreadyfounditinthebar,sohe’dalreadyputtwoand

twotogether.Igavehimtherestofthedrugs,andthat’swhentheybroughtinDetectiveJacobs.”

“Yourtheory?”
“Stillworkingitout.Intermsoftheoverallpicture,we’venowhadtwoinstancesofextra-violent

vampsanddrugsinthesameplaceatthesametime.Asforthewhyofit...”Ishrugged.“Who’spushing
thedrugs?Someonewhowantsusintrouble?SomeonewhowantsvampsbringingdowntheHouseson
theirown?Someonewhowantstotakeusdownonepillatatime?”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeCelina,”hepointedout.
“Notunlessshe’sdecidedallvampshavetosufferforhercrimes,”Iagreed.“Morgandidn’tthinkthat

waslikely,butIwouldn’tputitpasther.”

“Untilyouhavemoreevidence,I’mnotconcedingthatpoint.WhataboutMcKetrick?He’sfocusedon

forcingusoutofChicago.Perhapshe’spushingVtorileupvampiresandpressureTateintodeporting
us?”

“McKetrickwasoutsidethebarlastnight,”Isaid.“Isawhim,thenpointedhimouttoCatcher.Hewas

goingtotailMcKetrickandgetwhatinfohecould.”Imadeamentalnotetofollowupwithhimlater.
“Thatsaid,McKetrickmayhateus,butmakingvampsextra-aggressiverisksalotofcollateraldamage.I
don’tseeitbeingpartofhismasterplan.”

“Whoeverisbehindit,weneedtofindthemandstopthedistributionbeforethingsgetanyworse.”
“Coincidence—thosearethefirsttwothingsonmyto-dolist.”

“Ihaveitemthreeforyou.DinneratGreyHousethiseveningwithDariusandtheMasters.Dariusalso

invitedGabrielandTonya.Oneo’clock.We’llleavefromhere.Andit’sformal,ofcourse.”

SinceDariusseemedlikearulesstickler,theformalbitdidn’tsurpriseme.ButIwascuriousabouthis

invitationtoGabrielandTonya,Gabriel’swife.Vampiresandshiftershadahistoricallynasty
relationship—alotofdistrustandangstbyvampires,alotofeyerollinganddenialbyshifters.

“WhyinviteGabrielandTonya?”Iasked.
“IfIwasbeinggenerous,I’dsayDariuswasinterestedinimprovinginter-suprelations.Buthe’smore

likelyattemptingtomicromanageourrelationshipwiththePacks.ItwouldbebadfortheChicagoHouses
tocompletelyalienatethePacks.ButinDarius’smind,itwouldbealtogetherworsetobecometoocozy
withthem.There’veneverbeenofficialallegianceswithaPackbefore.Ifwepulleditoff,itwould
indicateadefiniteshiftinpowerinourdirection.”

AthismentionofthepotentialPackallegiance,Ilookedaway.Ethan’sfearthatourrelationship—or

ourfuturebreakup—wouldendangerourburgeoningfriendshipwiththeNorthAmericanCentralwasthe
reasonhe’dgivenforthebreakuphenowregretted.

“Comeon,”Ethansuddenlysaid,walkingtowardthedoor.
Iglancedupagain,movedfrommyreverie.“Wherearewegoing?”
“OpsRoom.Iwassupposedtohaveyoudownstairsfifteenminutesago.”
IfollowedhimobedientlytothebasementstairsandtowardtheOpsRoom.Thedoorwasopen;Luc,

Juliet,Kelley,Malik,andLindseywerealreadyassembledaroundtheconferencetable.Luc,inafaded
denimshirtandjeans,wasaninterestingcontrasttotherestoftheguards,whowerealldressedinblack.

Ethanclosedthedoor.Itookanemptyseatatthetable,andhetookthechairbesideme.
IglancedbetweenLucandLindsey,whosatonoppositeendsofthetable,tryingtoreadthetealeaves

regardinghermessageearlier.Butsheworeherusualexpressionofmildlyamusedboredom;Lucwas
scanningthepaperontheOpsRoomtable,asteamingmuginhishand.Iftheywereatodds,Icouldn’t
tell,andtherewasn’tanyobviouslynegativemagicintheair.

“Finally,theyjoinus,”Lucsaid,sippinghisdrink.Normally,thatkindofcommentwouldhavebeena

teasecomingfromhim.Thistime,itsoundedlikearebuke,andLucdidn’tnormallyerrtoward
grouchiness.MaybeheandLindseyhadgottenintosomething.

“Wewereonourbestbehavior,”Ethanadvisedhim.“Meritwasfillingmeinonlastnight’s

investigation.”

“Dotell,”Lucsaid.
“Longstoryshort,it’stheVthat’sbeencausingtheviolence.”
Lucfrowned,satup,andputhismugonthetabletop,handswrappedarounditlikeitwasproviding

necessarywarmth.I’dbeencoldasanewbievampire,andithadtakensometimetowardoffthatchill.
ButitwasAugustandprobablyninetydegreesoutside.Ididn’tunderstandpeoplewhodrankcoffeeinthe
heatofsummer.

“Whywouldsomelowlifeselldrugstovampsandgetthemtogetherforparties?What’shetryingto

accomplish?”

“MeritthinksMcKetrickmightbeinvolved,”Ethansaid,“thatmaybeit’saploytogetvampsoutofthe

city.”

Iputupahand.“ThatwasactuallyEthan’sidea,”Isaid,givingcreditwherecreditwasdue...or

distributingtheblameaccordingly.

Luctiltedhisheadbackandforthwhileheconsideredit.“Whoevercameupwithit,it’snotabadidea,

althoughmanufacturingthedrug,distributingit,organizingtheparties,andeverythingelseinthechain
meansalotofworkjusttogetridofapopulation.Thereareeasierways.”

“Agreed,”Maliksaid.“Andattheriskofjumpingononeofourfavoritebandwagons,thefirstwitness

sawawomannamedMarie.AnyvotesforCelina?”

“Butwehaven’theardanythingabouthersincethen,”Ipointedout.“Soifsheisinvolved,she’s

stayingundertheradar.I’mhavingJeffChristophercheckthebar’ssecuritytapes,soifthere’sanysignof
her—oranymoredetailsabouttheseller—we’llfindthem.”

Lucnodded,thenpickeduparemotethatsatbesidehismug.“Inthatcase,alittlemoregoodnewsto

brightenyourevening.”Hehelduptheremoteandmashedbuttonsuntilthecliponthescreenbeganto
play.

Itwasarecordednewsprogram.Wecaughttheendofastoryaboutinternationalwarfarebeforethe

headlineswitchedtoread,“VampViolenceinWrigleyville.”Thefemaleanchor—polishedinherjewel-
tonedsuit,herstiffhairahelmetaboveherhead—offereduptherest.

“Inthismorning’stoplocalnews,”shesaid,“anuptickinviolenceinthecityisdeemedtheresultofa

drugcalled‘V’that’scirculatingamongthecity’svampirecommunity.”

TheycuttoanimageofawhiteVtabletinsomeone’shand,andthentoashotofTempleBar.
“Onesucheventwaslastnight’sdisturbanceataWrigleyvillebarwithtiestoCadoganHouse.We

wereliveonscenelastnight,andhere’swhatonelocalresidenthadtosay.”

TheycuttovideoofthetwofratboysfromTempleBar.
“Oh,thosetraitorouslittleshits,”Lindseymuttered.“ThosearethehumansChristinetalkedto.”
“Itwasawfulinthere,”saidthetallerofthetwoboys.“Allthosevampsjustwailingoneachother.It

wasliketheyjustwentcrazy.”

“Didyoufearforyourlife?”askedanoffscreenreporter.
“Oh,absolutely,”hesaid.“Howcouldyounot?Imean,they’revampires.We’rejusthumans.”
“Theatombombwasinventedby‘justhumans,’”Malikmuttered.“WorldWarIIandtheSpanish

Inquisitionwereperpetratedby‘justhumans.’”

Wewereclearlynotareceptivecrowdformuckrakingjournalism.
“AldermenPatJonesandClarenceWalkerissuedstatementsthismorningcallingforinvestigationof

Chicago’svampireHousesandtheirroleinthisnewdrug.MayorTaterespondedtoeventsthismorning
aftermeetingwithhiseconomiccouncil.”

ThenewscastcuttoashotofTateshakinghandswithawomaninanunflatteringsuit.Besideaplain-

lookingbureaucrat,helookedthatmuchmorelikearomance-novelhero:seductiveeyes,darkhair,
wickedsmile.Youhadtowonderhowmanyvoteshe’dgottenbecausevotersjustwantedtobenearhim.

Whenreportersbeganpepperinghimwithquestionsaboutthebarfight,heheldupbothhandsand

smiledaffectionately.Thatsmile,Ithought,walkedathinlinebetweenempathyandcondescension.

“IhavemadeChicago’sHouseswellawareoftheirresponsibilities,andI’msurethey’lltakewhatever

precautionsarenecessarytoputanimmediatestoptothespreadofVandtheviolence.Iftheydon’t,of
course,stepswillhavetobetaken.Myadministrationisnotafraidtotakethosesteps.We’vedonealot
ofworktoremakethiscityintoonethatIllinoiscanbeproudof,andwewillcontinuetoensurethat
Chicagoremainsaplaceofpeaceandprosperity.”

Theanchorpoppedon-screenagain.“MayorTate’sapprovalratingremainsconsistentlyhighevenin

lightoftherecentviolence.”

Withthat,Lucreachedupwiththeremoteandstoppedthevideoagain.
Theroomwentsilentandheavywithconcern.IguessedInowknewwhymyfatherhadcalled.Hewas

probablydyingtoberatemeforbeingavampireandsullyingthefamilyname—despitethefactthatI’d
hadnosayinbecomingfanged,andIwastryingmybesttokeepthepeaceinChicago.

Unlesshistonehadchangedaboutthat,aswell.
“Well,”Ethanfinallysaid.“ItdoescomfortmesotoknowthatMayorTate’sapprovalratingsremain

strong.”

“Tatemustbefeedingtheanchorswithinformation,”Ioffered.“Weonlybarelyknowabouttheuptick

inviolence,andmygrandfatherpromisedtokeepVoutofthepress.”

“SoTate’susingvampstomakepoliticalhay?”Lucoffered.“Iguessit’snotthefirsttimeapolitician’s

takenadvantageofchaos,butitsurewouldbeniceifitwasn’tatourexpense.”

“Andifhedidn’thaveanarrestwarrantready,”Iagreed.
“Waytoputthecityfirst,”Lindseysaid.
LucglancedoveratEthan,concerninhisexpression.“AnythingfromDarius?”
“He’sstillonradiosilence.”
“It’snotgoingtogooverwell.”
“Drugsandviolenceinmybar?Drugsandviolencecoveredbylocalpaparazzithatwillprobably

spreadtonationalcoverage,ifithasn’talready?No,Idon’timaginehewillbepleased,andthere’sa
goodchancetheHousewillsufferforit.”

“Tellhimtheotherpart,”Kelleysaid.
“Theotherpart?”Ethanasked,hisgazeshiftingfromKelleytoLuc.
“Theotherpart,”Lucconfirmed,pickingupthetabletandtappingitsscreen.Theimageonthe

projectorshiftedfromthenewscasttoablack-and-whitelivefeedofadarkneighborhoodstreet.During
mystintasanon-dutyHouseguard,I’dseenthatfeedenoughtimestobefamiliarwithit.

“That’soutsideCadoganHouse.”
“Goodeye,Sentinel,”Luccomplimented.“Indeeditis.”Hetappedthetabletagainandzoomedintothe

feed,fixingonaboxysedanthatheldtwopassengers.Bothworesuits.

“Kelleywentforarun.Shenoticedthesedanwhensheleft,andshenoticedthesedanwhenshecame

back.”

“Twenty-sixmiles,”Kelleyputin.“Ittookmeanhourandtwenty-fourminutes.”
Notbadforamarathon-lengthrun.Chalkoneupforvampirespeed.
“That’salongtimefortwoguysinsuitstobesittinginacaroutsidetheHouse,”Ethansaid,then

lookedbackatLuc.“It’sanunmarkedCPDcar.”

“That’sourthought.NeitherthecarnorthesuitsseemedlikeMcKetrick’screw,sowefigured

detectives.WecalledtheOmbud’sofficetoconfirm,buttheyhadnoideaaboutthecar.”

Imutteredacurse.“TheyhadnoideaaboutMr.Jackson’srave,either.Tateisn’tbeingentirelycandid

withtheofficerightnow.”

“Alackoftrust?”Ethanwondered.
“OrperhapsafearthattheOmbud’sofficeistiedtoocloselytoCadoganHouse,”Isuggested.“Tate’s

officedoesn’tgivetheOmbud’sofficealltheinformation,whichactslikeacheckandbalanceonmy
grandfather.”

Lindseygrimaced.“That’saslapintheface.”
“Yes,itis,”Iagreed.“IguessthecopcarsignalsTate’slackoftrustinus,too?”
Ethanshuffledinhischair.“Giventhefactthathe’sgotawarrantformyarrestreadytogo,I’dsayso.”
Mycellphonebuzzed.IpulleditoutandcheckedthecallerID.“Speakofthedevil.It’sJeff.”Iflipped

itopen.“Hey,Jeff.Gotanythingforme?”

Jeffchuckled.“Ofcourse,Ido.ButI’mstrictlyoff-limitsnow.Youknow,’causeofthelittlelady.”
“Nodisrespectmeanttoyouoryours.Hey,I’mintheOpsRoomwithEthanandeveryone.CanIput

youonspeaker?”

“Knockyourselfout.Probablyhelpfulforalltohear.”
Iputthephonedowninthemiddleofthetable,thenpressedthespeakerbutton.“Okay.You’relive.

Whatdoyouhave?”

“Aw,ifonlyI’dpreparedamonologue.”
WeheardCatcher’svoiceinthebackground.“Focus,kid.”
“Well,”Jeffsaid,andIheardtheclackingofkeys,“itturnsoutthesecuritycamerasarelive,andColin

andSeandorecordthevideo.It’sstoredinthebaronadedicatedserver,andtherearealsoexternal

backupsjustincasesomebadstuffgoesdown.Iwasactuallyprettyimpressed.Youdon’texpectbarsto
havethatkindofsecurityprotocol.”

Fromthelooksofthecrustybackroom,TempleBardefinitelydidnotseemlikethekindof

establishmentwitha“dedicatedserver,”notthatIcoulddifferentiateadedicatedserverfroman
undedicatedserver.

“So,anyway,Igrabbedthevideoanduploadedit.”
Ileanedforward,linkingmyhandstogetheronthetable.“Tellmeyoufoundsomething,Jeff.”
“Ittooksomespooling,”hesaid.“Trucksusethealleyquiteabittomakedeliveries.There’salsothe

occasionalcatering-truckpickup,garbagetrucks,taxis,bardrop-offs,etcetera,etcetera.Butbeginning
twomonthsago,everycoupleofdays,usuallyintheweehours,avintageShelbyMustang—wickedcar—
pullsintothealley.Sometimesthecarsitsthereforafewminutes,nothinghappens,thecardrivesaway.
Sometimesadrivergetsout.”

Myheartbegantobeatinanticipation.Weweregettingcloser,Iknewit.“Whatdidthedriverlook

like?”

“Well,althoughthebackupsareimpressive,thevideoisforshit.Verygrainy.ButIdidmanagetopulla

stillforyou.I’mgoingtosendyouapic.”

“Usethise-mail,”Lucsaid,readingoffanaddresstoJeffandpickinguponeofthetabletsfromthe

desktop.“Thatwaywecanprojecttheimage.”

“Doneanddone.”JeffhadbarelygottenoutthewordsbeforeLuc’stabletdinged,signalinganew

message.Hisfingersdancedacrossthetablet,andanimagepoppedontothescreen.

Theguywasshort—maybefivefeetinshoes—olderwithslick,darkhairandbulbousfeatures.There

wasnothingespeciallyremarkableabouthisface,butIwouldhaveswornI’dseenhimbefore.

“Doeshelookfamiliartoanyone?”Iasked,butgotmuttered“no’s”aroundtheroom.
Theothersmightnothaverecognizedhim,butIhadasenseSarahwouldhave.
“HematchesthedescriptionoftheguySarah—thehumanattheStreetervilleparty—met,”Isaid.

“Makemynightandtellmeyougotalicenseplateonthecar,Jeff.”

“BecauseIam,infact,awesome,Iwasabletozerointothevideo.Igotthelicenseofthecar,thenran

itthroughtheDMVsystem.ThecarisregisteredtoonePaulieCermak.”Jeffreadoutanaddress.“The
interwebssayhisaddressisneartheGarfieldParkConservatory.”

ImadeplanstopayMr.Cermakavisit.Ialsoopenedmyeyesagainandsmiledatthephone.“Jeff,you

areaparagonofman.”

“Thefunnythingis,”Jeffcontinued,“thecar’stitleshowsarecentsale—onlyafewmonthsagotoour

Mr.Cermak.Butthere’snoinformationaboutthepriorownerorwhohepurchasedthecarfrom.”

Ifrownedatthephone.“Thatseemsweird.”
“Definitelyweird,”Jeffagreed.“Whenwe’relookingatrecords,toomuchdatausuallysignalsaplant.

Notenoughdatasignalsascrub.Vehiclesalesarealmostalwaysinthesystem;there’snoreasonnotfor
themtobe.Thisfilehadscruballoverit.Oh,andthat’snotall.”

“We’relistening.”
“BecauseIam,infact,notjustsupremelyawesome,butalsoallthatandabagofchips—preferably

kettle-cookedjalapeñoofsomekind—IcheckedMr.Cermak’scriminalrecordintheCookCountyDB.I
mean,probablynotsupposedtogointotheirsystemwithoutpermission,butwhatelseisaboytodo
whenhisfavoritevampmakesacall?”

“Indeed.Whatdidyoulearn?”
“Factually,notmuch.There’sonesealedcriminalrecordinthefile,andthat’sit.”
“Doyouthinkthatfilewasscrubbed,too?”
“Eh,notnecessarily.Youcansealcriminalfilesforallsortsoflegitimatereasons.Toprotectthe

victim,becausetheperp’sunderage,becausetheperp’sabrains-eatingmind-deadzombiewithnomens

reawhatsoever—”

“Sealedrecord?”Ethanprompted.
“Yeah.So,thefileissealed,andIcan’taccessanydata.They’reactuallyrockingsomeprettygood

encryptiononthesealedrecords.I’dneedtheaccesskeyorpassword,oryou’dhavetogetacourtorder
topullthefile.”

“Soadeadendthere?”
“Ha!Youmadeajoke.Butyes.Verydead.Deadasadoornail.Deadasadoorknobeven,althoughI’m

notsureIknowwhatthedifferenceisbetweenthosetwothings.”

“Wegotit.”
“Oh,onefinalthing.”Iheardmorekeytapping,thesoundoverlaidbyJeff’shumming.Itsoundedlike

“WhiteChristmas.”

“LittleearlyforChristmascarols,isn’tit,Jeff?”
“Neverhurtstogetintotheholidayspirit,Merit.Okay,sothevideoisn’tgreat,andthealleybythebar

doorisn’tverywelllit.Butoccasionally,onafullmoon,thelightshinesjustright....”Ashetrailedoff,
Iheardmoretapping.“Okay,”hesaidagain.“I’mgoingtosendyouanotherimage.”

Thisonewasafuzzyblack-and-whiteshotofacarinthealley.Jeffwasright—theimagewasgrainy,

butthevehicleitshowedwasundeniablyaclassicMustang,completewithracingstripesandsidevents.
Andthatwasn’tall.

Isquintedatthepicture,tryinginvaintobringitintofocus.“Isthatawomaninthepassenger’sseat?”
“Itappearstobeso,”Jeffsaid.“It’smoreofashadow,butitdoesappeartobeawoman.Curves,ya

know?”

“Weknow,”Ethansaiddryly.
“Anyway,Iwascheckingouttheshadowoftheladyinthevideo,right?I’mrunningthefilmatlikehalf

speed,andIfindsomethingelse.I’vegotaclose-up,andI’mgoingtosendittoyou.”

Again,thetabletbeeped,andanewblack-and-whiteimagereplacedthepreviousoneonourscreen.
Isquintedatit,butpredatoryeyesightornot,Istillcouldn’tgetagoodreadonthewomaninthecar.In

fact,Icouldn’tgetagoodreadonanythingotherthanpixels.

“Whatarewesupposedtobelookingat?”Iwonderedaloud.
“Checkthemiddleoftheimage,”Jeffsaid,“approximatelywherehercollarwouldbe.”
I’djustopenedmymouthtoprotestthatIcouldn’tseeanything—andthatwaswhenIsawit—around

herneck,anundeniableglintoflight.

“Jeff,thatlookslikeaHousemedal.”NotunliketheoneI’dseenCelinawearingthenightshereturned

toCadoganHouse.

“That’swhatIthought,too.”
“Canyouzoominanycloser?”Ethanasked.
“Unfortunately,Ican’tgiveyouanymoredetails.Thecamera’ssensorjustdidn’trecordanymoredata.

Butthat’ssomething,isn’tit?Itkindofsuggestsyou’vegotaHousevampinvolvedinthisdrugbusiness.”

MalikandEthanexchangedaheavyglance.
“Itdoessuggestthat,”Ethanagreed.“Butfornow,let’skeepthisbetweenus,shallwe?”
“You’retheboss,”Jeffpleasantlysaid.
“Thanks,Jeff.Weappreciateit.”
“Unfortunately,I’vegotbadnewstogoalongwiththegoodnews.”
“What’sthat?”Iasked.
“PaulieCermak’stheonlysuspectwe’vegotfordistributingV.Inarroweddownthevideolatelast

night,andhadtoturnitovertotheCPDthismorning.”

“Ofcourse,”Isaid.“DetectiveJacobswouldhavebeeninterestedinthevideo.”
“Isandwas.TheysentdetectivestoCermak’shousethismorning.”

Ethanfrownedatthephone.“Didtheyfindanything?”
“Notathing.Thehousewasclean.Thecarwasclean.They’restillprocessingsomeofthestuffthey

liftedfortraceevidence,butthere’snothingthattieshimtothedrugsortheraves.Asfarasweknow,
he’sjustaguyinapublicalley.Hehadeveryrighttobethere.”

Bethatasitmay,mygutsaidPaulieCermakwasmorethanapasserby,andI’dbetthatifwecalledup

everyCadoganvampirewho’dbeeninTempleBarinthelastmonth,theycouldpinhimastheguywho’d
beenloiteringoutsideandpushingV.Ofcourse,thatwouldrequirecallingouteachCadoganvamp.I
wasn’twilling,atleastatthispoint,todragtheindividualvampiresintoit.

“Thanks,Jeff.AnyobjectionsifIpayMr.Cermakavisitonmyown?”Atmysuggestion,Ethan’shead

shotup,buthedidn’tvoiceanobjection.

“Notfromus.AndCPDdoesn’thavetoknow.Hey,Chuck’spagingme,soI’vegottago.We’vegota

coupleoffairieswhowanthimtomediateapropertydispute,andIneedtouploadsomedocs.We’llbe
intouch.”

“Thanks,Jeff,”Isaid,thentappedoffthephone.
TheOpsRoomwasquietforamoment.
Ilookedupandaroundatthevampsintheroom.“AnythoughtsbeforeIvisitourapparentdrug

pusher?”

“Howopposedareyoutocapitalpunishment?”Lucgrowledout.
“I’dprefernottoplayjudge,jury,andexecutioner,”Isaid.“Butifyouhaveanystrategicordiplomatic

suggestions,I’mallforthem.”

Ethanpattedmybackgood-naturedly.“GoodSentinel.”

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

THEPERP

LindseyescortedmetomyroomsoIcouldchangebackintobootsandgrabmysword.Iusuallyskipped
bringingitalongonpublicoutings,butPaulieCermakwasquitepossiblyadrugkingpin,andIwas
headingtohishometurf.NowaywasIgoingonthatfieldtripwithoutsteel.

Itwasn’tuntilwewereinsidewiththedoorshut,LindseyonmybedwhileIsatonthefloor,sword

unsheathedbeforemetoensureitwasinfightingshape,thatshemadetheconfessionshe’dapparently
beenholdingin.

“Wemadeout,”shesaid.
Iwipedthebladedownwithasheetofricepaper.“Idon’trecallmakingoutwithyou.”
“ImadeoutwithConnor.”
Ilookedupatherandcouldn’thelpthedisappointmentthatcrossedmyface.Connorwasavampfrom

myInitiateclass,asweetkidwithwhomLindseyhadbeenflirtingsinceourCommendationintothe
House.Hewascuteandcharminginhisway...buthewasnoLuc.

“Whendidthathappen?”
“IgotbackfromTempleBar,andabunchofusweretalkinginthedownstairsparlor,andthen

everybodygottiredandleft.Everybodybuthim,Imean.Andthenonethingledtoanother....”

Thebladeclean,Iresheathedtheswordagain.“Onethingledtoyoumakingoutwithanewbie

vampire?”

“Thatwouldappeartobethecase.”
Whatwasnew,Ithought,wasthefactthatshewaschagrinedaboutit.Lindseywasn’tmuchofa

worrywart,anditwasn’therstyletoMonday-morning-quarterbackherowndecisions.MaybeLucwas
makingprogress.

Itiltedmyheadather.“Sowhydoyouseemweirdaboutit?”
Handsinherlap,shouldersslumpedforwardguiltily,Lindseylookedaway.
IthoughtoftheedgeI’dheardinLuc’svoiceearlier,andfiguredoutthereasonforit.“Lucfoundout?”
Shenodded.
“Crap,Linds.”
“Yeah,crap.”Whenshelookedbackatme,atearsliddownhercheek.Shewipeditaway

nonchalantly,buttherewasnomistakingtheguiltinhereyes.

“ThisthingwithConnor—wasitafling?Justbecauseyou’dhadareallylongnight?”
“Idon’tknowwhatitis.That’skindofmyproblem.I’mjust—Idon’tknow—I’mnotreadytobein

somebig”—sheswirledherhandsintheair—“committedrelationshipthing.”

“Notready?You’reoveracenturyold.”
“Thatissonotthepoint.Look,LucandImetalong,longtimeago.Hehadagirlfriend;Ihadabeau.

He’shot,sure.Obviouslyhe’shot.Butwestartedofffriends,andI’djustratherwestayfriendsthan
becomesomekindofmortalenemies.”

Igaveheradubiouslook.“HowcouldyouandLucbecomemortalenemies?I’mnotsureheevenhas

mortalenemies.Well,otherthanCelina.AndPeter.”

“DefinitelyPeter,”sheagreed,thenshrugged.“Idon’tknow.It’sjust—immortalityisalongtime.I

couldbealivealongtime,andI’mhavingahardtimeimaginingonlyoneguybeingapartofthat.”

Myswordinhand,Istoodup,movedtothebed,andsatdownbesideher.“Sobottomlineis,nobig

commitmentthingrightnow.”

“Yeah,”shesaidsadly.
Ihatedthatforbothofthem—herfortheguilt,himfortheheartache.“Sowhatareyougoingtodo?”
“WhatcanIdo?Breakhisheart?TellhimI’mnotinterestedinsettlingdown?”Shefloppedbackon

thebed.“ThisiswhyIavoideditforsolong.Becausehe’smyboss,andifwetrieditanditdidn’twork
—”

“Itwasthatmuchmoreawkwardforeveryone.”
“Precisely.”
Wesattherequietlyforamoment.
“So,howaboutthemCubbies?”shefinallyasked,fakecheerinhervoice.
“NameonecurrentCubsplayer.”
“Um,thathotonewiththebroadshouldersandthesoulpatch?”
“Andthat’swhatIgetforbeingfriendswithadamnYankeesfan.”
“Iamuseless,”shemuttered,thenpulledapillowoverherface.Amuffled,frustratedscreamescaped

it.

“You’renotuseless.Hey,ifnothingelse,you’reoneofthetoptenhottiesinCadoganHouse,right?I’d

putyouatleastinthetopthree.”

Sheliftedacornerofthepillowandblewhairfromherface.“Really?”
“Really.”
Shesmiledalittle.“You’rethebestSentinelever.”
Yeah,sometimesIwondered.

LucandEthanmetmeonthefirstflooragain.

“You’vegotyourphoneincaseyouneedus?”
“Ido,”Iassuredhim,pattingmyjacketpocket.“Ifthecopsdidn’tfindanythingathishouse,he

probablywon’tbeterritorialenoughtostartanything.ButIwilldefinitelycallyouiftheneedarises.
Don’tworry—”

“Sheratherlikesbeingalive,”Ethanfinishedforme.
“Ido,”Isaidwithasmile.
“Keepaneyeoutforaccomplices,”Lucoffered.“Ifhe’strulyclean,someonemustbedoingthedirty

workforhim.TheycouldbeonalertaftertheCPDsweep.”

“It’salsopossiblehechangedprotocolsafterwards,”Ethansaid.
“I’llgetagoodlookbeforeIgoin.Heknowshe’sonthewatchlist,soheprobablywon’tbethat

surprisedtoseeme.Thebiggerquestionis—ifIfindhim,whatdoIdowithhim?”

Ethanarchedasuspiciouseyebrow.
“I’mnotsuggestinghomicide,”Iexplained.“ButiftheCPDcouldn’tfindanything,it’snotlikeIcould

bringhimin.”

“Justgettheinformationyoucan,”Ethansaid,“andstaysafe.Don’tworryaboutengaginghim.We

knowwhereheisandhowtofindhim.”

“Atleastuntilhebolts,”Lucsaid.
“Anddobebackintimefordinner,”Ethanremindedme.
“Iremember.I’llevenbebackintimetocleanupanddressrespectably.”Ihadto—Iwasheadinginto

ameetingwiththreeHouseMastersandtheheadoftheGP.There’snowayIwasgoingintherewithout
beingdolledup.

Ethansmiledback.“Thatwouldbemuchappreciated.”
Atthesoundoffootstepsonthehardwoodfloors,weallturnedaround.Malikstoodattheedgeofthe

hallway,hisexpressionwan.

“Dariusisonthephone,”heannounced.“He’dliketospeaktous.”
LucandEthanexchangedaglancethatmademenervous,eventhoughitwasoneofthoselooksthat

commandingofficerssharesotheydon’thavetospeakthewordsaloudandfreakoutthesoldiers.“My
office,”Ethansaid,thenglancedatme.“Workyourmagic,Sentinel—andclosethisthingdown.”He
followedMalikbackdownthehallway,andtheybothdisappearedintoEthan’soffice.

IglancedatLuc.“Youwannawalkmetomycar?”
“Happyto.”
IledthewaydownthesidewalktotheCadogangate.Asperusual,twofairiesstoodatattentionaswe

passed,butthistime,oneofthemwasagirl.Shehadthesamestraight,darkhairasthemalemercenaries,
andherfacewassculptedandgauntinaEuropeansupermodelkindofway.Shealsoworethesameblack
ensembleashercounterpartandgavemethesamelookofdisinterestasIpassed.

“Havethemercenaryfairiesgoneegalitarian?”IaskedLucasweheadeddownthestreet,ignoringthe

screamsoftheprotesters.Thereweremorecampedoutthisevening,probablybecauseofthemorning’s
newsreport,andtheyledwiththenewclassic:“Nomorevampires.Nomorevampires.”

“Apparentlywe’dpreviouslyhadmalefairiesbecausenowomenappliedforthejob.Shedid.”
“What’shername?”
“Notaclue,”Lucsaid.“Idon’tevenknowthenamesoftheguyswhostandthere,andwe’vehadthe

mercsoncontractforyears.Theyprefertostayprofessional.”

WewalkedpastaboxysedanparkedacrossthestreetfromtheHouse.Bothguysinthefrontseat

munchedonsandwiches.Binocularsandpapercoffeecupswerestashedonthedashboard.Iassumed
thosewereourcops.

“Notexactlysubtle,arethey?”ImurmuredtoLuc.
“AboutassubtleasvampiresonV.”
“Ouch.”
“Toosoon?”
“Let’swaituntilwearen’tunderthreatofindictment.”Andspeakingofuncomfortabletopics,“About

Lindsey...”

“She’skillin’me,Sentinel.”
“Iknow.I’msorry.”
“Isawherkisshim.”
“Honestly?Idon’tthinkshehasfeelingsforConnor.Ijustdon’tthinkshe’sreadytosettledown.”
Hestoppedonthesidewalkandlookedatme.“Doyouthinkshe’llcomearound?”
“Icertainlyhopeso.Butyouknowhowstubbornsheis.”
Luclaughedmirthlessly.We’dreachedmyorangecar,andhepoppedafistgentlyonthetrunk.“I

definitelyknowthat,Sentinel.IsupposeIdecidetowaitherout,orIdon’t.NotawholelotelseIcan
do.”

Igavehimasympatheticsmile.“Iguessso.”
“Bytheway,doyouhaveanyplanstotellmewhichvampswereusingV?Theyneedtobe

interviewed.”

Ishookmyhead.“Nodice.Iturnedmybackwhentheyhandedoverthedrugs,andIpromisednotto

offeruptheiridentitiesiftheydid.Imadeapromise,andIwon’tbreakit.Iwon’trevealmysource.”

I’dexpectedirritationoralectureaboutdutytotheHouseanditsvampires,butIdidn’tgetone.He

almostlookedproud.

“Wellplayed,Sentinel.”
Inoddedathim,thenadjustedmyswordandsteppedintothecar.“WhileI’mgone,makesureEthan

doesn’tmurderDarius.”

“I’lldomybest.Goodluck,”Lucsaid,closingthedoor.
IhopedIwouldn’tneedit.

Iwasn’tfancyenoughtohaveaGPSunit,whichwouldhaveseemedoddintheVolvoanyway.SoIfound
PaulieCermak’shousetheold-fashionedway—withastreetaddressanddirectionsprintedfromthe
Internet,offeredupbyKelleybeforeIlefttheHouse.

Jeffhadbeenright—Cermak’splacewasn’tfarfromtheGarfieldParkConservatory.Theconservatory

wasanamazingplace,butthisareahaddefinitelyseenbetterdays.Somechunksoftheblockwereempty
ofhouses,thelittleremaininggrassstrewnwithtrash.Manyofthebuildings—grandstoneapartment
housesandWorldWarII–erahomes—hadseenbetterdays.

Cermak’shousewasnondescript—anarrow,two-storybuildingwithgrayshinglesandahighlypitched

roof.Theyardwasneat,thegrassclipped,butwithnoreallandscapingtospeakof.Theremainsofa
paperfast-foodbagweresprinkledacrossthelawn,probablycaughtinamowerblade,andnoonehad
caredenoughtocleanup.

Hewasluckyinonerespect—unliketherestofthehousesonthissideoftheblock,Cermak’shada

sidegarage.Itwasn’tattached,butitwasagaragenonetheless,anditgavehimawaytoavoidwhat
thousandsofotherChicagoanshadtofaceeveryday—residentialon-streetparking.

Iparkedmycarafewhousesdowntheblock,thengrabbedmyswordandasmallblackflashlightfrom

theglovebox.Onceoutside,Ibeltedonmyswordandpushedtheflashlightintomypocket.Ilockedup
thecar,tookagoodlookaroundforanyerrantMcKetricksorunmarkedpolicecars,andstartedwalking.

I’dbeenstandingSentinelforafewmonthsnow.WhileIwasn’tthrilledaboutthebattles,Iwasgetting

usedtothem.Butthepartoftheworkthatstillmademenervouswasthewalk-up.I’dbeennervous
walkingdownMichiganwithJonah,butatleastI’dhadsomeonetokeepmecompanyandkeepmymind
offthetaskahead.NowIwasaloneinadark,quietneighborhoodwithnothingbutmythoughts.

Ihatedtheanticipationofviolence.
Istoppedbesidethehouse’sblackplasticmailbox.Theredflagwasraised,butIresistedtheurgeto

opentheboxandseewhathewasmailingout.Ihadenoughproblemswithoutaddingmailtamperingto
thelist.

Cermak’sgaragewasdark,aswasthetopfloorofthehouse.Thefirstfloorglowedwithlight.The

securitydoorwasopen;thescreendoorwasclosed.

“Startwiththegarage,”Imurmured,tiptoeingthroughthegrassonthefarsideofthelot.Thedriveway,

suchasitwas,consistedoftwothinlinesofconcrete,justenoughtogiveacartireabitofprotection
fromthemud.Istucktothegrasstomufflethesoundofmyboots.WhileIplannedtoknockonthefront
dooratsomepoint,Iwantedtocheckoutthelayofthelandfirst,andthatrequiredsneakiness.

Thegaragewasnarrow,anoldstylewithapull-updoorandarowofwindowsacrossthetop.Ipulled

outmyflashlight,twistediton,andpeekedinside.

Athrillshotthroughme.
AgleamingMustangwasparkedinside,thesamecarwe’dseenonthesecurityfeed—acoupewith

whiteracingstripesandthetelltaleMustangsidescoops.Thecarwasgorgeous.WhateverCermak’s
problems,Icouldn’tfaulthistasteinvehicles.

Isnappedanimagewithmycameraphone,andconsideredthe“confirmvehicle”boxchecked.Next

stop,thehouse.

Icrossedthelawnandheadedforthesmallconcreteporch.Atelevisionshowfromtheeighties—

completewithlaughtrack—blaredthroughthescreendoor.

WhenIreachedtheporch,Iwrappedmylefthandaroundmyswordhandle,squeezingitforcomfort.I

couldseethroughthehousetothekitchenandtheavocadogreenstoveandrefrigerator.Thehouseinside

wassimplydecoratedwithmotel-stylefurniture.Plainandthrifty,butserviceable.

“CanIhelpyou?”
Iblinkedwhenamansteppeduptothedoor—themanfromtheTempleBarvideo.HeworeaYankees

sweatshirtthathadseenbetterdaysandapairofwell-wornjeans.Hesmiled,revealingamouthfulof
straight,whiteteeth.AndhemighthavelivedinChicago,buttheaccentwasallNewYork.

Idecidedtogettothepoint.“PaulieCermak?”
“Yougothim,”hesaid,headtiltedtothesideashetookinmyfeatures...andthenmysword.“You’re

Merit.”

Hemusthaveseenthesurpriseinmyeyes,ashechuckled.“Iknowwhoyouare,kid.Iwatch

television.AndIexpectIknowwhyyou’rehere.”Heflippedthelockonthescreendoorandpulledit
openalittle.“Youwannacomein?”

“I’mgoodwhereIam.”Imighthavebeencurious,butIwasn’tstupid.I’dratherstayoutherewiththe

cityatmybackthanwillinglygointothehomeofasuspect.

Heletthedoorshutagainandcrossedhisarmsontheothersideofit.“Inthatcase,whydon’twegetto

it?Youwerelookingforme—nowyoufoundme.Whatdoyouwantwithme?”

“You’vespentsometimeatTempleBarlately.”
“Thataquestionorastatement?”
“Sincewebothknowyouparkedyourcaroutsidethebar,let’ssayit’sastatement.”
Heshruggednegligently.“I’masmallbusinessman,justtryingtomakemywayintheworld.”
“What’syourbusiness,Mr.Cermak?”
Hesmiledgrandly.“Communityrelations.”
“IsWrigleyvilletherelevantcommunity?”
Paulierolledhiseyes.“Kid,Igotinterestsalloverthiscity.”
Allthesequestions,andIwasbeginningtofeellikeacrossbetweenacopandaninvestigative

reporter—withnoneofthecredentialsorauthority.“Isitanycoincidencethatyoustartpoppingup
outsideTempleBarandanewdrughitsthestreets?”

“Incaseyouain’talreadyaware,themenandwomeninbluehavebeenthroughmyhousefromtopto

bottom.YouimplythatI’vebeendistributingdrugs,butdon’tyouthinktheywouldhavefoundsomething
ifIhadbeen?”

Isizedhimupforamoment.“Mr.Cermak,wouldyouliketoknowwhatIthink?”
Hesmiledslowly,likeaneagerhyena.“Asitturnsout,yeah.Iwouldliketohearwhatyouthink.”
“YouhadtheforethoughttokeepanytraceofVoutofyourhouse.Ithinkthatmakesyouanincredibly

smartandresourcefulman.Thequestion,then,iswhereyou’rekeepingthedrugs...andwhoyou’re
gettingthemfrom.How’dyouliketofillmeinonthat?”

PaulieCermakstaredatme,wide-eyed,foramomentbeforeeruptingwithlaughter,thebelly-aching

kindthatsoonhadhimcoughinguncontrollably.

Whenhefinallystoppedguffawing,hewipedtearsfromthecornersofhiseyeswithfingersthatwere

longerandmoredelicatethanI’dthoughtthey’dbe.Likethefingersofapianist,butattachedtoashortish,
barrel-chesteddrugpusher.

“Oh,Jesus,”hesaid.“Youaregonnagivemeanembolism,kid.Butyouareakick,youknowthat?And

youaren’texactlyshy,areyou?”

“Isthatano?”
“Thebusinessworldisaverydelicateplace.You’vegothigherups.Middlemen.Andeveryday,run-of-

the-millvendors.”

“Suchasyourself?”
“Asyousay.Now,ifIdrawtoomuchattentiontothoseotherlevels,theentirebalancegetsthrownoff,

andthatmakesmanagementunhappy.”

“IsMcKetrickyourmanagement?”
Hewentquietforamoment.“Who’sMcKetrick?”
Icouldn’tbecertain,butIhadasensehisconfusionwaslegitimate,thatCermakreallydidn’tknow

whoMcKetrickwas.Besides,he’dallbutadmittedhewassellingdrugs.Whystartlyingnow?

Athoughtoccurredtome—andnotthekindofthoughtthatwasgoingtohelpmesleepbetteratnight.I

wasthegranddaughterofacop,andavampirewithconnectionstoCadoganHouse.Whywouldn’thelie
tome,unlesshethoughtvampirescouldn’ttouchhim...orwhomeverheworkedfor?Andwhowasthe
onlywomantheGPwouldn’tletustouch?

Ihadtoinquire,butIdidn’twanttomakehim—orCelina—skittish.
“Doyouworkalone?”Iaskedhim.
“Mostofthetime,”hecarefullysaid,asifnotsurewherethequestionwasheaded.
“Withvampires?”
“Honey,I’vegotacarotid.Giventhenatureofthemerch,Iprefertogetinandgetoutwithasfewfangs

aspossible.”

“YouwerespottedwithavampnamedMarie.”
Pauliestaredbackatme,refusingtorespond.Maybehehadn’tnoticedthesecuritycamera.
BraveashemighthavebeenabouttheV,Cermakapparentlywasn’twillingtoadmittoCelina’s

involvement.Iwasn’tsurewhatthatsignaled,ifanything.AndIwasrunningoutofideas.

“Iknowwhatyouthinkitstandsfor,”Pauliesaid.
“What?”
“V,”hesaid.“Thenameofthedrug.Youthinkitmeans‘vampire,’right?”
Ipausedforamoment,surprisedhewaswillingtobethatovertaboutit.“Ithadoccurredtome,”I

finallygotout.

Hepointedafingeratme.“Thenyou’dbewrong.Standsforveritas.That’saLatinwordmeaning

‘truth.’Ideais,it’ssupposedtoremindvampswhatbeingarealvampirefeelslike.Theold-school,
flying-bats,Transylvania,horror-filmbloodlust.Thegoodkindofbloodlust.Andbattling.Nowussy,
pansyhumanbullshit.Gettingoutthereandmixingitup.It’sagift,V,tothevampires.Veritas.Truth,”he
repeated.“Personally,Iappreciatethat.”

Thatwasanawfullyphilosophicalexplanation.“Andwhatmakesyousogeneroustowardvamps?”
“I’mnotgenerous,kid.I’mnotsayingI’veseenV,butifIhad,itain’tthekindofthingI’dgetinvolved

inoutofthegoodnessofmyheart.It’smorethekindofthingI’dconsidermakingalivingfrom.”

“Whowould?”
Pauliesnorted.“Whodoyouthinkwouldhavethemotivationtodosomethinglikethat?Tomake

vampscrazyforblood,tomakethemwanttoactlike‘realvampires’?”Heshrugged.“AllIcansayis,
yougottagohigherinthechainthanme,doll.”

AnotherhintaboutCelina?Ormaybeanotherhigher-upinChicago’sHouses?Ineededmoreinfo.“You

wannapointmeintherightdirection?”

“Andtakethechanceofreducingmyincome?No,thanks,kid.”Anold-schooltelephonerangfrom

somewhereinthehouse.Paulieglancedbackatit,andthenatme.“Youneedanythingelse?”

“Notatthemoment.”
“Inthatcase,youknowwheretofindme.”Hesteppedawayandclosedthedoor,andthehouseshooka

bitonitsfoundationsashewalkedbacktothephoneandsilenceditsringing.

Iclosedmyeyesandclosedoutsomeoftheextraneousneighborhoodnoise,focusinginonthephone

call.

“Wrongnumber,”Iheardhimsay,thephone’sbellringingasheputitbackonitscradleagain.
Iwalkedbackdownthestairsandacrosstheyardtothedriveway,thenturnedbacktofacethehouse.I

gnawedmylipforamoment,tryingtofigureoutmynextmove.Eveninthedark,itwasobviousthepaint

waspeelinginsizablechunksawayfromtheshingles.Therooflookedawful,andthescreeninthedoor
wasrippedacrossthebottom.

Iglancedbackatthegarage.Paulie’shousewasinprettymiserableshape—buthehadaperfect

vintageMustang?Ifhecouldn’tevenaffordtofixupthehouse,howcouldheaffordtopayforthe
Mustang?

Ididn’tknowtheanswer,butIthoughtitwasworthexploring.Ipulledoutmyphoneandsenta

messagetoJeff.“NODICEATTHECERMAKHOUSE.KEEPLOOKINGATTHECAR.”

I’djustgottenbackintothecarwhenJeffcalledback.
“Thatwasfast,”Isaid.
“Wewereonthesamewavelength.I’vebeenporingthroughdatabasessincewetalkedearlier,andI’ve

gotnothingaboutthesaleofthecar.Ifthisthingwasactuallysold—Imeanifmoneyexchangedhands—it
wasanoff-the-gridsale.Theonlywaywe’regoingtobeabletotraceitnowisifCermakhappenedto
tellyouwhosoldittohim.”

“Negatoryonthatone.Iguessthatmakesthecaradeadend.”
“UnlessyourandomlybumpintotheguywhosoldittoCermak.”
“Inacityofnearlythreemillion?Unlikely.”Buthedidgivemeanidea.WhileIcouldn’texactly

cuddleuptoCelinaandaskherifsheknewPaulieCermak,Iknewsomeoneelsewhomight.

Icheckedmywatch.Itwasonlyeleveno’clock.Ihadtimeforalittletripeast...andsomeZendeep-

breathingexercisesbeforeIgotthere,becauseIwasgoingtoneedallthepatienceIcouldmuster.

“Domeafavor,wouldyou,Jeff?E-mailmethepictureofCermakfromthevideofootage?”
“Yougotit.”
OnceI’dreceivedhise-mail,Iputawaythephone.IconsideredcallingEthantogivehimanupdate,

buttheideamademystomachroil.He’djustbeenonthephonewithDarius,andIreallydidn’twantto
knowhowthatconversationhadplayedout.

Ethanprobablyalsowouldn’thaveapprovedofmynexttrip.No—avisittoNavarreHouseseemed

likeoneofthosethingsforwhichitwouldbeeasiertoapologizelaterthangetpermissioninthefirst
place,especiallywithagrouchyGPleaderinthecity.

Decisionmade,Ipulledawayfromthecurb.ItwastimetovisittheGoldCoast.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

TWOMASTERSANDONEBADATTITUDE

IwashalfwaytoNavarreHousewhenthephonerangagain.ItwasJonah,soIflippeditopenandnestled
thephonebetweenmyearandshoulder.

“Hi,Jonah.What’sup?”
“Justcheckingin.How’stheinvestigationprogressing?”
“Well,wewereabletoIDtheshortmanSarahsawoutsidethebar.Foundvideowithhiscaronit.Guy

namedPaulieCermak.Ijustpaidhimavisit.”

“Getanythinginteresting?”
“Notreally.He’sgotacrappyhouseandafabulousvintageMustang.He’snotexactlyshyabouthis

work,buthisstoryisthathe’sabitplayer.Hesayshe’sgotmanagementrunningtheshow.Thepolice
didn’tfindanythingtopinonhim,soIdon’tthinkwe’llhavemuchluck,either.”

“AnychanceMcKetrick’sincharge?”
“HeseemstohavenoideawhoMcKetrickis.HealsosaysVstandsforveritas.”
“Truth?”
“Theverysame.”
“That’sawfullydeepforapillpusher.”
“That’sexactlywhatIthought.”
“Greatmindsandall,”hesaid,withanamusingtoneinhisvoice.“Youcomingtotheshindigtonight?”
“Iam.You?”
“Withbellson...andafineItaliansuitIhavenochoicebuttowear.”
“Justbegladyouonlyhavetopullitoutonspecialoccasions,”Itoldhim.“Youguysgetjerseys—we

getfineItaliansuitseverynight.”

Hechuckled.“Verytrue.Hey,speakingofEthan,aheadsup—mystoryisthatwemetforthefirsttime

outsideTempleBaraftertheincident.”

“Finebyme.HaveyoutalkedtoDariusthistrip?”
“Notyet.I’vebeenwiththeguardstoday.Weweretraining.Why?”
“Justaheads-up,he’skindofanass.”Iregrettedthewordstheinstanttheywereoutofmymouth.Sure,

Jonahhaddonemeasolid,butdidIreallyknowanythingabouthim?Otherthanhispretty-boylooksand
ridiculousoverabundanceofgraduatedegrees?

“Wellaware,”Jonahsaid.“HeandScottwentaroundaboutthejerseys,actually.Dariusfoundthem

unbecomingofHousedvampires.”

Icouldn’thelpbutchuckle.“Thatdoessoundlikesomethinghewouldsay.IguessScottwonthebattle

eventually?”

“Iwouldn’tsayhewonitperse.Morelikehewouldn’tgiveinandDariuseventuallylostinterestin

theargument.”

“That’sariskystrategywithanimmortal,”Isaid.“They’vegotallthetimeintheworldtoargue.”
“Speakingonyourownbehalf?”
“Me?Ofcoursenot.I’mnotatallstubbornandcompletelyflexible.”
“Liar,”heslylysaid.“Well,I’llstopharassingyouandletyougetbacktoit.Callmeifyouneedme.”
“Willdo.Thanks.”
Ituckedthephoneawayagain,alittleweirdedoutbythephonecall.ItwasniceofJonahtocheckin—

toworkfromtheassumptionVwasaproblemvampsneededtofacetogether.Allhandsondeck,asit
were,insteadoftheSentinelgoingitsolo.

Ontheotherhand,theconversationhadsoundedalittle...datey.Hewascheckingin,askingwhatI

wasdoinglater.Maybehehadn’tmeantanythingbyit.Maybehereallywaswarminguptomeandmy
variouscharms.Buttherewasaflirty,friendlyedgetohisvoicethatIhadn’theardbefore...andI
wasn’tentirelythrilledtohearnow.Flattered?Yes.ButIdidn’tneedthecomplication.

Ialsowasn’tthrilledthatI’djustgivenJonahanupdateIhadn’tyetprovidedtoEthan.Ididn’tlike

deception,especiallynotwhenitcametodeceivingsomeonewho’dsavedmylifeonceuponatime.I
knewwhyIwaswithholdinginformationfromhim,butthatdidn’tmakeitanymorecomfortable.

Theirony?I’drailedagainstEthanforwithholdinginformationfromme.Notthatithadstoppedhim,

butitstilldrovemecrazy.AndhereIwas,doingthesamething.Weremyreasonsanybetter?Hadhis
beenanyworse?

Andalthoughweweren’tacouple,thedishonestyfeltwrong.Likeabreachofthetrustwe’dearned,a

kindoftrustthatwentbeyondSentinelandMaster.IwasalsomissingoutonusingEthanasasounding
boardaboutJonahandtheRG.Iftherewasanypossibilityhecouldbeneutral,asecondopinionwould
havebeenhelpful.

ButasaMaster,hecouldn’tbeneutral.SoasmuchasIdidn’tlikeit,therewasnoclearpathtothe

truthrightnow.

Inibbledonthatconclusionforawhile,workingitoverandoverinmymind.Ilostmyselfinmy

thoughtsandthedrive.

Itwasn’tthatvampireswereantitheticaltomansions.Thevampiredesignaestheticwasfarfromchains,
skullcandles,andblacklace,anditwasn’tasifCadoganHousewasahovel.Ithadbeenelegantbefore
theattack,anditwasbecomingelegantagain.

ButNavarreHousesetanewstandardforvampireopulence.First,itwastuckedintotheGoldCoast

neighborhood,oneofChicago’sritziestareas,fullofGildedEramansionsandcelebrityretreats.Second,
theinteriorwasaweinspiring.Giantspaces,weirdart,andthekindoffurnitureyousawindesign
magazines.(Thekindoffurnitureyouthoughtwasneatinamuseumkindofway,butwouldn’tactually
wanttositonwhenwatchingagameontheflatscreenonaSaturdayafternoon.)

DidImentionNavarrehadareceptiondesk?
HavingparkedtheVolvoandfreshenedupasmuchaspossibleintherearviewmirror,Iwentinside

andpreparedtofacethethreedark-hairedwomenwhocontrolledaccesstoNavarreanditsMaster.

EthanandIhaddubbedthemthethreeFates,àlaGreekmyth,becausetheyexercisedasimilaramount

ofpower.Theylookedpetite,butIhadthesensethatonefalsemove—oroneunauthorizedsteppastthe
receptiondesk—andyou’dbeintrouble.

Todaytheymostlyseemedoverwhelmed.TheHouse’slobbywasswampedwithpeople.Nonefitinto

obviouscategories—noreporters,novampires,noonewhoseemedlikeamemberofMcKetrick’screw
doingalittlein-Housesurveying.Mostworestandardblacksuits,moreoftheaccountantvarietythanthe
CadoganHousevariety,andtheycarriednotepadsornondescriptblackbags.

ImaneuveredthroughthemtothereceptiondeskandwaiteduntilIgottheattentionoftheFateonthe

left.

Afteramoment,shelookedupatme,obviouslyfrazzled,herfingersflyingacrossthekeysevenasshe

madeeyecontact.

“Yes?”sheasked.
“Merit,Sentinel,Cadogan,heretoseeMorganifhe’savailable?”
Sheblewoutabreath,finallyglanceddownatherscreen,andcontinuedhermarathontyping.Aman

bumpedbesidemeatthedeskandlookeddownather.

“Ihadanappointmentfifteenminutesago.”
“Nadiaisworkingasquicklyaspossible,sir.She’llbewithyoushortly.”Shepointedalong-fingered

nailatthebenchesbehindthedesk.“Haveaseat.”

Themanclearlydidn’tlikeheranswer,buthebithistongueandsqueezedbackthrough.
Ileanedforwardabit.“What’sgoingoninheretoday?IthoughtTatewasn’tallowinghumansinthe

Houses?”

Sherolledhereyes.“He’sofferedanexceptiontothatrule.We’reintheprocessofselectingour

vendorsforthenextcalendaryear.ThemayorsuggestedNadiatalkwithrepresentativesofthehuman
businessesintowntogettheirbids.”

NadiawastheNavarreSecond,Morgan’svicepresident.Shewasalsosupermodelgorgeous,which

wasashockingthingtolearnthefirsttimeyouwalkedintoyourex-boyfriend’sabode.

TheFatecastanunhappyglanceoutacrossthecrowd.“Iseriouslydoubttheycanmeetourneeds.”
I’dassumedwehadacleaningcrewandagroundsstaff,andIknewoneoftheHousechefs.Butit

hadn’toccurredtomethatvampiresneededvendors.ButsomeonehadtostocktheHousekitchens,keep
foldersandhighlightersintheOpsRoom,andensurethecrystaldecantersinEthan’sofficewerefilled
withfineliquor.Here,thatdutyfelltoNadiaandaboatloadofvendorsvyingfortheprivilegeofselling
theirwares.

IwonderedifMalikdidthesamethingforCadoganHouse,interviewingvendors,consideringbidsand

quotes,andreviewingcontracts.Itcertainlywouldhavemadesense.EthanwastheHouse’schief
executiveofficer,whichmadeMalikitschiefoperatingofficer.

Ablondewithtightlyhot-rolledhairandalotofblackeyelinersteppeduptothedesk.“IsMr.Greer

available?PerhapsIcouldjustspeakwithhimifNadiaistoobusy?”

Expressionflat,theFateglancedatme.“Doyourememberwherehisofficeis?”
“Icanfindmywayup,”Iassuredher,walkingawaytotheunhappysquealsofthewomanI’ddisplaced

inline.

Notthatshe’dhadanychance.
IwalkedacrosstheHouse’sgiganticfirstfloortothearchingstaircasethatledtothesecondfloor.

Morgan’sofficewasthere,amodernsuitewithagardenview.Thedoorwasclosed,soIrappedmy
knucklesagainstit.

“Comein.”
Isteppedinside...andnearlylostmybreath.
Morganwashalf-naked,cladonlyinblacktrousers,pullingashort-sleevedwhiteundershirtoverhis

head,themusclesinhisstomachclenchingandbunchingwiththeeffort.Whenhewasclothed,hepulled
hisdark,shoulder-lengthhairbackandtieditathisnape.

Itwasn’tuntilthenthatheglancedoveratme.“Yes?”
Iopenedmymouth,thenshutitagain,havingcompletelyforgottenthespeechIwaspreparedtomake.

HonesttoGod,mymindwascompletelyblank,allrationalthoughthavingfledatthesightofhisbody.
Godknew,physicalattractionwasnevertheproblem.NothingaboutMorganwastheproblem.Iwasthe
problem.Ethanwastheproblem.

Ihadtoshakemyheadtoclearit.Hisexpressionwentsmug;Iassumedhewashappyhe’dbeenableto

flusterme.

“Notexpectingcompany?”Ifinallymanaged.
Morgansatdownontheedgeofachair,pulledonsocks,thenliftedfancysquare-toedshoesfromthe

floorandslidhisfootintoone.“Ijustfinishedaworkout,andwe’vegotthedinnerinanhour.Whatdo
youneed?”

RealizingIwasstillstandinginthedoorway,dooraskew,Isteppedintotheroomandcloseditbehind

me.

“Iwantedtoupdateyouontheinvestigation.”
Halfwaythroughthesecondshoe,hishandsstilled,andhelookedupatme.That’swhenInoticedthe

blueshadowsunderhiseyes.Helookedtired.Itcouldn’thavebeeneasyforhimtofillCelina’sshoes,
especiallygiventheunrest.Ididn’tenvyaSecondforcedintotheroleofaMaster...andI’dhelpedput
himthere.

“Thenbyallmeans,updateme.”
Imanagednottorollmyeyes,andrepeatedwhatwe’ddiscoveredinStreeterville,whatwe’dlearned

atthebar,andwhatwe’dlearnedfromPaulie.BythetimeIwasdone,Morganwasfullyclothedandwas
sittingbackinthechair,fingerslinkedacrosshisstomach.

“Youcameacrosstowntotellmeallthat?”
“We’veidentifiedtheguywho’sbeensellingVtovampires.Hisname’sPaulieCermak.Ineedtoknow

ifhelooksfamiliar.”

“Yeah,well,Idon’tgenerallyhangaroundwithaddicts.”
Theattitudewasn’tunexpected.That’swhyI’daskedJeffforthepicture—thiswasaboutevidence,not

irritation.IpulledoutmyphoneandcalledupPaulie’spicture.“He’snotanaddict.He’sasalesman,at
leastasfarasIcantell.”

Iwalkedcloserandheldoutthephone,thenwatchedtomakesureheglancedoveratit.
I’dexpectedMorgantorollhiseyesandtellmehehadn’tseenCermak.I’dexpectedhimtowax

sarcasticaboutmyinvestigation.

Ihadn’texpectedthewide-eyedexpression.Hetensed,hisshoulderssquaring,hisjawclenching.He

knewsomething.

“You’veseenhim,”Isaid,beforehecoulddenyitormakehisfeaturesblankagain.Butitstilltookhim

aminutetoanswer.

“Sixmonthsago.CelinaneverallowedhumansintheHouse,evenbeforeTateissuedthemandate.I

wasonmywayupheretotalktoher—Idon’trememberwhatweweremeetingabout.He—Cermak—
wasonhiswayoutoftheoffice.Iaskedherwhohewas.Itwas...strangethathewasintheHouse.”

SoCelinahadmetwiththemanwhosoldVinherownHouse.Thatwasallwellandgood,butitwas

completelycircumstantial.

Circumstantialornot,Morganwasclearlyflustered,clearlybotheredbythelinkshewasbeginningto

puttogether.Morganclosedhiseyes,thenscrubbedhishandsoverhisfaceandlinkedhishandsoverhis
head.“Itreally,reallypissesmeoffwhenyou’reright.”

“Idon’twanttoberight,”Iassuredhim.“Iwanttobetheonewithludicroustheories.Idon’twant

Celinamakingyourjob—ormine—harder.”

Hegruntedandlookedaway,notreadytosharethedetailsofwhateverheknew.Igavehimspace,

walkingtotheothersideoftheofficewhereagiantwindowoverlookedasmartlydesignedcourtyard.

“WhatdidCelinasayabouthim?”Iaskedafteramoment.
“ThathewasavendorfortheHouse.”
Andthingshadcomefullcircle.“AndasSecond,selectingvendorswasyourjob,right?”
Morganglancedbackandnoddedruefully.“That’sanotherreasonitwasstrangethathewashere.Ijust

guesseditwasaspecialproject.Icheckedthebooks—theywerefine.AlltheHouse’sfundswere
accountedfor.Butthereweren’tanyextravendorslisted.”

“Soshehadn’tactuallygottenanythingfromhim.Onthebooks,anyway.”
Morgannodded.
“WhatelsewouldshewantwithPaulieCermak?Imean,eveniftheywereinthedruggametogether,

whywouldshewanttobeinvolvedinsellingdrugstovamps?Doessheneedmoney?”

Morganshookhishead.“ShegetsastipendfromtheGPforbeingamember,andshe’sbeenalivefora

verylongtime.”

“Compoundinterest?”
“Compoundinterest,”heconfirmed.
Nodicethere,then.“Maybeit’sthedrugitself,”Isuggested.“Cermaksaiditstoodforveritas,which

isLatinfor‘truth.’Hesaidit’ssupposedtomakevampiresfeelmorelikethemselves.”

Morganfurrowedhisbrow,considering.“Celinahasalwaysbelievedrelationsbetweenhumansand

vampiresweregoingtocometoacataclysmicend.Shejustthoughtshe’dcomeoutontop.”

“Whichiswhyshe’dworkedtoingratiateherselftohumans—tousherintheendoftheirreign?”
Heshrugged.“Maybe.ButasforV,Idon’tknow.Ifshewanted‘truer’vampires,whynotallow

Navarretodrink?”

Becauseifshe’dalloweddrinking,Ithought,shewouldn’thavebeenabletodemonizeCadogan.Inany

event,wecouldferretouthermotivationslater.Rightnow,weneededevidence.

Istaredatthefloorforaminute,tryingtofigureoutifIwasmissinganything.Butnothingoccurredto

me,asmuchasIwantedtheretobeanultimateanswertoallmyV-relatedquestions.WhenIlookedupat
Morganagain,Ifoundhisgazeonme,hisexpressionsurprisinglyunguarded.

“What?”Iaskedhim.
Hegavemeaflatlook,theimplicationbeingthathe’dbeenremindedoftheaffectionformethatI

didn’tshare.Notimelikethepresenttocutoffthattrainofthought.

“Ishouldgetgoing,”Isaid.“Ineedtogetchanged.”
“Youbringingadate?”
“Isthereevergoingtobeatimethatyoudon’taskmeaboutEthan?”
“Onlywhenitstopsirritatingyoutoask.”
“Unlikelytohappen.”
“Andthereyouare.”
Westoodthereforamoment,andIcaughtthehintofasmileonhisface.Ifhecouldmanagetowork

throughhisanger,Icouldmanagetohaveagoodattitudeaboutit.

Iheadedforthedoor.“You’resuchacomedian.”
“Itry,Merit.Ireallydo.”
“Goodnight,Morgan.”
“Onlyforanhour,”heremindedmeasIclosedthedoorandwalkedbacktothestairs.
WhenIreachedthefirstfloor,thecadreofvendorsstillstoodinthelobby,millingimpatientlyaboutas

theywaitedfortheirturnwithNadia.IhopedtheyhadmorepatiencewiththeNavarreHousestaffthanI
did.

WhenIreturnedtotheHouse,EthanandLucmetmeatthedoor.

IlookedatEthan,preparedtotellthetaleonelasttime.Frankly,beingaproactiveSentinelinvolved

repeatingthesameinformationoverandoverandoveragain.Butthetaleneededtobetold,soIsuckedit
upanddidmyduty.

“PaulieCermakisprobablyinvolvedinthedrugtrade,andhe’snotespeciallyshyaboutit.Hesays

he’sonlyabitplayer.Hisdigsareinprettybadshape,butthere’sashiny,vintageMustanginthegarage.”

Ialmostspilledouttherest,butthoughtaheadenoughtoglanceatEthan,aquestioninmyeyes:CouldI

tellhim?CouldIimplicateamemberoftheGPafterthetongue-lashingIassumedhe’dreceivedfrom
Darius?OrwasIputtinghiminanevenworseposition?

“Atthispoint,”hesaidquietly,“there’snoharmincandor.”
“Inthatcase,IwenttoNavarreHouseandshowedMorganthepictureofCermak.Sixmonthsago,

MorgansawPauliecomingoutofCelina’soffice.Shecalledhima‘vendor.’”

IwatchedEthan’sexpressioncarefully,andI’mstillnotsurewhetherIsawrelieforanxietythere.The

newswasequallybadandgood—wehadawitnesswhocouldlinkCelinatothemanwhosoldV,butit
wasCelina.Shewashands-offasfarastheGPwasconcerned.

Lucglancedaroundwarily,thenloweredhisvoice,asifexpectingDariustocomewaltzinginatany

moment,receivershippapersinhand.“SoCelinaandPaulieareacquaintances,”Lucsaid.“Thatmakesit
morelikelyCelinawasthe‘Marie’seenbythehuman,andthewomaninthecar.”

“Butwecan’tprovethat,”Ethansaid,tuckinghishandsintohispockets.“Andasmuchasitpainsme

tosayit,thatPaulieandCelinahadameetinghalfayearagodoesn’tmeanshe’sactivelyinvolvedin
settinguptheravesordistributingV.”

“Andit’sunlikelyshe’sgoingtocomeforwardandoffertheevidenceonaplatter,”Lucsaid.
“True,”Iagreed,aplanalreadyforming.“Whichispreciselywhyweneedtodrawherout.”
Ethan’sgazesnappedtome.“Drawherout?”
“ProvethatPaulieandCelinaareconnected.UsehimtogettoCelina,todrawherout,andtoprove

thatshe’sinvolvedindistributingVandorganizingtheravestohelpthatendeavor.”

“Andhowdoyouproposetodothat?”Ethanasked.“Whatbaitcouldweofferthatwouldentice

Celina?”

Theanswerwaseasy.“Me.”
Silence.
“Youhavecertainlygrownintoyourposition,”Ethandrylysaid.“Andyourwillingnesstotakeriskson

behalfoftheHouse.”

“I’mwellawarethatshecanthoroughlykickmyass.Thatmakesitlessarisk—ifmoreofan

inevitability.”

“Youarestrongerthanthelasttimeyoumet,”hepointedout.“You’vebestedshifterssincethen.”
“Sheknockedmeoutwithasinglekicktothechest,”Ipointedout,myribsachinginsympathy.“But

that’snotthepoint.Forwhateverreason,aswe’vediscussed,she’sfascinatedbyme.IfPaulietellsher
I’llbewaiting,she’dprobablytakeadvantage.”

Ethanfrowned.“Thatisprobablytrue.”
“Ihavetodoit,”Itoldhim.“We’veidentifiedPaulie,andweknowhe’sinvolvedwithCelina.Butwe

can’tclosedownV—haltthedistribution—untilwehaveproof,atleastenoughevidencetotaketoTate.
Wedon’thavetotakeittotheGP,”IremindedEthan.“WeonlyneedtogiveTateenoughinformationto
nailPaulieandCelinasotheCPDcanclosetheloop.Ifwecan’trelyontheGPtobringherdown,”I
quietlyadded,“thenlet’shelpTatedoit.”

“Shehasapoint,hoss,”Lucquietlyagreed.“She’sourbestmeanstopullCelinaout.”
Afteramoment,Ethannodded.“Workyourplan,Sentinel.”Hetappedhiswatch.“Butfirst,goget

dressed.”

Ionlyjustrealizedthathewasalreadypreppedfordinnerinaslim-fitblacksuitandnarrowblacktie.

Thatmeanthe’dbewaitingonme.

“I’llgochange,”Iagreed.IwasalsogoingtoheadupstairsandusethephonenumberJeffhadgiven

metosendamessagetoPaulieCermak.

Onewayoranother,Iwasgoingtofindher.GPbedamned,Iwasgoingtobringherdown.

Muchtomysurprise,IfoundnodresshangingonmydoorwhenIreturnedupstairs.Thelastcoupleof
timesI’dhadtomakesocialappearanceswithEthan,he’dgivenmedecadentcouturegowns,presumably
soIwouldn’tembarrasstheHousewithmyusualjeansandtanktops.Atfirst,I’dbeenoffendedbythe
gesture.ButevenagirlwhocutherfangsondenimandPumascouldappreciategooddesignwhenit
presenteditself.

Thistime,thedoorwasemptyofallbutitssmallbulletinboard,andtheclosetboreonlytheusual

piecesofmywardrobe.

Oh,well.Itwasprobablyforthebest.Ididn’treallyhavetimetobethegirlwhoneededLanvinjustto

leavetheHouse.

Withoutanewoption,IcleanedupandsteppedintooneoftheotherdressesEthanhadsupplied.Itwas

aknee-length,blackcocktaildress,withasleevelessbodiceandswingyskirt,thefabrictuckedinto
horizontalpleatsfromtoptobottom.

IoptedfortheblackheelsEthanhadprovidedwiththedress,aswellasaholsterthatwentbeneaththe

skirtandheldmydaggerinplaceagainstmythigh.MyCadoganmedalwasmyonlyaccessory,andIleft
myhairdown,mybangsadarkfringeacrossmyforehead.

WhenIwasmadeup,IsentamessagetoPaulieCermak.
“TELLMARIEI’MREADYTOMEETHER.”
Themessagesent,Islippedthephoneintoasmallblackclutch.Itwastimetogoplaywiththeboys.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

VISFORVALOR

EthanwaswaitingonthefirstfloorbythenewelpostandlookedupasIsteppedontothefinalstair.
“Youlooklovely.”

“Thankyou.”Ismoothedmyhandsovertheskirtself-consciously.“NoobjectiontothefactthatI’m

wearingthisdressagain?”

Ethan’ssmilewasteasing.“Don’ttellmeyouwerelookingforwardtoreceivinganotherone?”
“Thatwouldberidiculous.I’mwellabovesuchjuvenileconcerns.”
Hissmileturnedalittlemorephilosophical.“Youlikethethingsyoulike.Youtakegreatjoyinthose

things,andyoushouldneverbeashamedofthat.Thepleasurethatyoutakeinsimplethings—food,
clothing,architecture—isaveryattractivequality.”

Ilookedawayfromthewarmthinhiseyes.“Areweready?”
“Youhaveyourdagger?”
“Irarelyleavehomewithoutit.”
“ThentotheBatcave,Sentinel.”
Hewasinarare,jovialmood,amoodlighterthanIwouldhaveexpectedgiventheeventwewere

abouttoattend.Ethancoulddefinitelydoformal;helookedgoodinatuxandknewhowtoschmoozea
crowd.Buttheaudiencewasn’tlikelytobereceptive.

Whenwewereinthecarandbucklingourseatbelts,ourgazescaught.
“DoyouthinkMcKetrickwillattempttowaylayusthistime?”
Hesnortedandstartedthecar.“Givenourluck,quitepossibly.”
Fortunately,hewaswrong.WemadeittoLakeShoreDrivewithoutincidentotherthananastysnarl

thatslowedtraffictoacrawl.Itwaslate,butthatdidn’tprecludeasolidcaseofgaper’sblock—thenear
standstilloftrafficcausedwhendriversslowedtocheckoutawreck.Inthiscase,therewasn’tevena
wreck,justacoupleofclub-goinggirlswhopoutedbesidetheircarwhileacopwroteupaticket.

WeweresomewherenearNavyPierwhenIbroachedthetopichehadn’tyet.“Areyougoingtotellme

aboutyourcallwithDarius?”

I’ddecidedI’dratherhavehimpunchingtreesthanholdingthingsback.AtleastwithtreepunchingI

couldgaugehowmuchtroublewewerein.Withsilence,Ihadnoclue.

IttookEthanamomenttoanswer.“There’snoneedtogetintoit.”
“NoneedtotellyourSentinelwhattheheadoftheGPthinksabouttheHouse?”
“Sufficeittosay,hehadchoicewordsaboutmyleadership.”
Iglancedoverathim.“Andthat’sallyou’regoingtotellme?Noventing?”
“TherearetimeswhenpoliticsinvadetheHouse.Sometimesit’sunavoidable.Butmyjob,asaMaster,

istoinsulateyoufromthosethings.Notfromtheconsiderationofstrategyandalliancesandthelike,but
frompoliticalpressurefromthetop.Youaretoundertakethetasksappropriatetoyourposition—and
worryingaboutmyjoborDarius’saren’tsomeofthosetasks.”

“Thankyou.Exceptitdoesn’texactlyhelpmepreparefortheinevitableGPkickintheface.”
Hepaused.“Sometimesyou’retoosmartforyourowngood,youknow.”
Ismiledtoothily.“It’soneofmybetterqualities.”
Hehumphed.“Well,tospareyouthesordiddetails,heisquiteconvincedourinvestigationoftheraves

isonlymakingtheproblemworse—anddrawingmoreattentiontoit.Heisoftheopiniontheseare

mattersfortheGPtohandle,andifandwhentheGPfeelsactionisappropriate,theywilldoso.”

“Wow,”Isarcasticallysaid.“That’snotatallshortsightedandnaïve.”
“AttentiontodetailhasneverbeenDarius’sstrongsuit.Callitthefarsightednessofimmortality—he

oftenmissesthetreesfortheforest.”Ethandrummedhisfingersagainstthesteeringwheel.“Idon’tknow
whattosaytoconvincehimotherwise,tomakehimunderstandthegravityofthesituation.”

“MaybeweshouldarrangeforMcKetrickandDariustohaveachat.”
Hechuckled.“Notanaltogetherbadidea.AlthoughI’mnotsurewho’dwin—theBritishbullyorthe

Americanone.”

“Iwonderif,fourmonthsago,you’dbethinkingsuchthings?”
Heslidmeaglance.“Meaningwhat,Sentinel?”
Ithoughtforamoment,tryingtofigureouthowtogivevoicetotheidea.“Onourgooddays,Ithinkwe

makeeachotherbetter.Atourjobs,Imean,”Iquicklyclarified.“YouremindmeoftheHouse,ofthe
thingwefightfor.”

“Andyouremindmewhatit’sliketobehuman.”
Inodded,nowfeelingalittlesillyforvoicingthesentiment.
“Weareagoodpair,”hesaid,andIdidn’tdisagree.
We’dreachedadétente.Weseemedtobeworkingwelltogetherrightnow—asifwe’dfoundthat

delicatebalancepointbetweenfriendsandlovers.

Ididn’twanttobeoneofthosegirlsthatbecamemoreattractedtothingsIcouldn’thave.Butthatwas

notreallywhatthiswas.Againstallodds—andeverybitofrelationshipadvicehandeddownbymothers
andgirlfriendsthroughthecenturies—hehonestlyseemedtobechanging.He’dmovedfromtaking
advantageofthechemistrybetweenustowooingmewithwords,withtrust,withrespect.

Thatwasn’tsomethingI’dexpected,butthatmadeitallthemoremeaningful...andfrightening.Asa

girlwithgoodsense,howwasIsupposedtoreacttoaboywho’ddonetheunthinkableandactually
grownup?

Itwasahardquestion.Whilethethoughtofourbeingtogetherwaskindofthrilling...Istillwasn’t

ready.WouldIbereadyeventually?Honestly,Ididn’tknow.ButasEthanhadoncetoldme,hehad
eternitytoprovemewrong.

Hefoundon-streetparkingoutsideGreyHouse.Itwasweirdtoapproachthebuildingforthesecondtime
intheguiseofadinnerguestwho’dneverseentheinside.Idecidedtoplaysurprisedandimpressed—but
howeverItriedtospinit,itwasstillalietoEthan.

WithaMasteratmyside,IwalkedbackintoGreyHouse.Charlie,Darius’sassistant,stoodjustin

frontofthelushgreeneryintheatrium.Heworenavyslacksandakhakiblazer,apaleblueshirtbeneath.
Hisfeetweretuckedintoloafers,nosocks.ItwasanoddensembleforAugustinChicago,butthe
formalitysuitedhim.

Charliedidn’tleavehistasktotheimagination.“Dariuswouldliketospeakwithyou.”
EthanandIexchangedaglance.“Where?”heasked.
Charliesmiledgrandly.“Scotthasoffereduphisoffice.Thisway,”hesaid,extendinganarm.
Wefollowedhimthroughtheatriumtooneofthedoorsbeneaththewalkway—oneoftheroomsJonah

hadsaidwasnonessential.Heopenedthedoorandwaitedwhilewewalkedinside.

Theroomwasgigantic,nearlyaslargeasafootballfield.Itlookedlikeanoldwarehouse—withwell-

wornplankfloorsandpaintedbrickwalls,apost-and-beamceilingoverhead.Thereweredesks
sprinkledthroughoutthespace.IguessedScottandhisstaffsharedanoffice.

Butifso,theyweren’tinsightnow.DariussatbesideScottonalow,moderncouch.Bothofthemwore

suits.Jonahstoodbehindhimandgavemeasmallnodofacknowledgment...andthenwhatlookedfrom

thecornerofmyeyelikeamorelingeringglance.Iwasprobablyimaginingit,butwhenIinvoluntarily
methisgaze,helookedswiftlyawaylikehe’dbeencaughtmidstare.

LikeI’dsaid,complications.
Morganstoodafewfeetaway,armscrossedoverhischest,wearingtheshirtandtrousersI’dseenhim

in—andnotin—earlier.Heglancedupwhenwewalkedin,butwouldn’tmakeeyecontact.

Mystomachsank,andIknewexactlywhatwascoming.IriskedmakingtelepathiccontactwithEthan.
Beready,Itoldhim.IthinkMorgantoldDariusaboutPaulieCermak.
Charliewalkedoutagainandclosedthedoorbehindhim.Dariusstartedinassoonasthedoorwas

closed.

“Mr.Greerhasadvisedmethatyou’vebeeninvestigatingCelina.”
Thistime,itwasmymentalconnectionwithMorganthatIactivated—itwasn’taconnectionwewere

supposedtohave,sincehehadn’tmademeavampire,butitwashandywhenheneededabitof
surreptitiousberating.

Itrustedyou,Itoldhim.Itrustedyouwithinformation,andyoudecidedtotakeittoDarius?
Hedidn’trespond,justshookhishead.Itwasthemoveofacoward—orachild.Anditdidn’texactly

helpdiminishmyownanger.

EthanmighthavebeensurprisedthelasttimeDariushadgoneontheoffensive,butthistimehewas

preparedfortheonslaught.“Asyouknow,Sire,wearerequiredbyCanontofollowthelawsanddictates
ofthecityinwhichweareHoused.MayorTaterequiredustoinvestigatethenatureofthenewraves.We
havedoneso.”

“YouhaveimplicatedamemberofthePresidium.”
“Wehavefollowedtheinformationwhereitled.”
“AnditledtoCelina?”
Eversoslowly,EthanturnedhisfrostygazeonMorgan.“IbelieveMr.Greerwasthevampirewho

confirmedCelina’srelationshipwithamanbelievedtobedistributingVacrossthecity.”

MorganlookedbackatEthan,teethbared,magicsuddenlyspillingintotheroomashisangerobviously

blossomed.

Ethan’sreactionwasnearlyinstantaneous.Hiseyessilvered,hisownfangsdescended,andhisown

magic—coolerandcrisperthanMorgan’s—spilledout,aswell.Ethantookastepforward,menaceinhis
eyes,andmeathisback.

I’dseenEthanpissedbefore—evenatMorgan—butneverlikethis.
“Youwillrememberyourplace,”Ethansaid,callingonthefactthathe’dbeenMasterlongerthan

Morganhadbeenalive.Hell,I’dbeenavampirelongerthanMorganhadbeenMaster,andthatwasn’t
sayingmuch.

Butthistime,Morganwasn’tswayed.Hetookastepforwardandstabbedafingerinhischest.“My

place?MineistheoldestAmericanHouse,Sullivan.Anddon’tyouforgetit.AndI’mnottheone
embarrassingalltheHousesbystirringupdramathatdoesn’tneedtobestirred.”

“Areyouinsane?”Ethanasked.“Doyouunderstandwhat’sgoingonoutthererightnow?Thetrouble

—therisks—theHousesarefacingbecauseofwhatyourformerMasterdid?Orbecauseofwhatshe’s
doingrightnow?”

“Enough!”Dariussaid,jumpingtohisfeet.“Enoughofthis.YouareMastersofyourHouses,and

you’reactinglikechildren.ThisconversationisanembarrassmenttoallAmericanHousesandtheGP—
withoutwhosegenerositytheywouldnotexist.”

Thatwasputtingitabitstrongly,Ithought.
“Asofthisinstant,youwillbothbegintocomportyourselveslikeMasters.Liketheprincesyouwere

meanttobe.Notsquabblinglikehumanchildren.”

Dariuslookedup,icyeyesdrillingintome.“YourSentinelisoffthestreets.Sheisnottobeengagedin

anyfurtherinvestigationofwhateverissuesyourmayorimaginestoexist.”

Ethan’seyescouldhardlyhavebeenwider.“Andifthewarrantformyarrestisexecuted?”
Darius’sgazeslippedbacktoEthan.“ThemayorofthecityofChicagoissurelyintelligentenoughnot

tothinkthataman-madeprisoncanholdyou.Howevermuchhemayenjoyusingthethreatof
incarcerationtocoerceyouintosolvinghisproblemsforhim,thoseproblemsarestillhistosolve.And,
moreimportant,haveanyofyouseenevidencethatthethreegirlsyourmayorbelieveswerekilledare
actuallydead?HaveyouseenanyevidencethreegirlsweremissinginChicago?”

Catcherhadpromisedhe’dlookintothegirls’deaths,buthadn’tpassedanyinformationalongtome.

Butjustbecausetheyhadn’tsolvedthecrimedidn’tmeanacrimehadn’tbeencommitted.

Ispokeup.“Theeyewitnessbelievedthatthreewomenwerekilled.Andthethingshedescribedwere

accurate—vampireswhoweretrigger-happy,dopedonviolence,readytofight.”

“Inotherwords,”Dariusbegan,hismannersupremelysmug,“justlikevampires?”
Letitbe,Sentinel,echoedEthan’svoiceinmyhead.Battlingsixhundredyearsofentrenchedbelief

isnotafightyoucanwin.

He’swrong,Iprotested.
That’sasmaybe.ButourfightisforChicago,notDariusWest,whateverhispower.Fightthefight

youcanwin.Fornow,headdedinclassicEthanstyle,bestill.

“Andthefactthatravesarebecominglargerandmoreviolent?”Ethanasked.
“Vampiresareactingasvampireshavealwaysacted.Ifafewerrantvampiresbreaktherulesoftheir

homecity,letthecityrespond.”

“Andifthat’snotenough?”
“ThentheGPwilldiscussit,andtheGPwillact.MaintaincontroloveryourownHouse,Ethan,and

leavetheGPtoitswork.Youarenottoconsiderthisissueanyfurther.”

Aheavysilencefilledtheroom.
“Sire,”Scottsaid,finallyspeakingup.“I’minformedourguestshavearrived.Asyouhavepresented

yourdirectives,perhapsEthancanacknowledgereceiptandwecanmoveintodinner?”

DariustiltedhisheadatEthan,themovemorecaninethanvampiric.“Ethan?”
Ethanmoistenedhislips,andIknewhewasstalling.Giventhespielhethenofferedup,Iknewwhy.
“Sire,Iacknowledgereceiptofyourdirectivesand...willactascommanded.”
Hemightaswellhavebeencrossinghisfingersbehindhisbackforalltherebellioninhisbody

language.Butyoucouldn’tfaulthisanswer.Hesoundedcompletelyobedient—inwordandtone.

Thosewords,probablyholdoversfromsomefeudalritual,wereenough,forDariusnodded.“Letus

eat,drink,andbemerry.”

HewalkedtoEthan,armextended.InamovesimilartooneI’dseenEthanandMalikmake,Ethan

extendedhisarm,aswell,andtheygraspedforearmsandsharedamanlyhalfhug.Whisperingfollowed,
quietenoughthatIcouldn’tmakeoutthewords.

Whenthegesturewascomplete,EthanandDariusexitedtheoffice.Morganfollowed,thenScott.Iwas

lastoutthedoor,butIdidn’tmakeitveryfar.

Morgancorneredmeinthehallway,puttinghishandonmyarmtostopme.“ShewasmyMaster.Ihad

totellhim.”

Ipulledmyarmaway.“No,”Iwhispered,“youdidn’thavetotellhim.Youknewwewerehandlingit,

thatwewereinvestigating.Whatyouapparentlyhadtodowassellme—andmyHouse—downtheriver
becauseourrelationshipdidn’tworkoutandyou’restillpissedaboutit.”

Hiseyeswidened,buthedidn’tcomment.
“I’mdonehelpingyou,”Itoldhim.“We’retheonesfightingtokeeptheHouses,thecity,together.I

thoughtIcouldcountonyouasanally,whichiswhyIgaveyoutheinformation.Ithoughtitwouldhelpif
wewereallonthesamepage.Iwasobviouslywrongaboutthat,becauseyou’dratheractlikeastung

CHAPTERNINETEEN

RED,REDWINE

Ourdinnerpartywasassembledinanotherroomaccessiblethroughtheatrium,aspaceinthewarehouse
nearlyaslargeasthejointofficehadbeen.Thisonelookedlikearoomforspecialevents;tonight,a
single,rectangulartablewassetinthemiddleoftheroom,ahandfulofmodern-stylechairssurrounding
it.

GabrielKeene,headoftheNorthAmericanCentralPackofshape-shifters,stoodbesidethetablewith

hiswife,Tonya.TheMasterswerealreadymovingtowardtheirchairs,havingapparentlyalreadyoffered
theirintroductions,whichlefttheshifterstome.

Iwalkedtowardthem,ignoringthevampirebehindmeandtheothersintheroom.Iwouldn’tcall

GabrielandTonyafriendsperse,butGabrielcertainlyhadmoreforesightthanDarius,whichIcould
respect.

“Iunderstandcongratulationsareinorder,”Isaid,offeringthembothasmile.
Gabrielwasasmanlyastheycame—big,brawny,tawny-haired,andhoney-eyedwithaloveofleather

andfineHarleys—buthisfacebeamedwithpaternalpride.“Wehaveabeautifulbabyboyathome,”he
confirmed.“Weappreciatethesentiment.”

“Itwasniceofyoutojoinustonight,”Isaidwithateasingsmile.“Ican’timagineyou’dnormally

prefervampirecompanytoyournewbornson’s.”

GabrielcastasuspiciousglanceatDariusandtheothers.Iunderstoodthefeeling.“Therearethingsin

lifeweneedtodo,”hesaid,“andtherearethingsinlifewemustdo.AlthoughIdon’tanticipatewe’ll
stayverylong.”

Smiling,Tonyafishedatinywalletoutofherclutch.“Whocouldleavethisfaceforlong?”Sheheld

outasmallphotoofanadmittedlyadorablebabyinablueonesie.Gabrielsmiledatthesightofthe
picture.Hewasclearlysmitten.

Therewasawealthofprideandloveinhiseyes,butwhenheraisedhisgazetome,Icouldseethehint

offearbehindit.Thefearthatcomesfromlovingsomethingsomuchyoufeelweighteddownwithit,
nearlycrushedbyit.Thefearofpotentialloss,ofpotentialheartbreak,thatyoumightfailthethingyou
workedsohardtobringintotheworld.

Parentalfear,Isuppose,madeworsebythefactthatbeingleader—Apex—ofthePackwashereditary.

Connorwasbornaprinceamongwolves.He’dbeenbornbeneathamantleofpower,butalsobearingthe
mantleofaresponsibilityhecouldn’tevenbegintofathom.ItmusthavebeenalotforGabrieltobear,
knowingtheresponsibilityhe’donedayhoistuponhischild’sshoulders.

“You’lldorightbyhim,”Iwhispered.Iwasn’tsureifthewordswereelegantenough,buttheyseemed

rightenough.AndGabriel’ssmallnodtoldmeI’dsaidjusttherightthing.

“Howarethingsotherwise?”
“Well,wearen’tbeingusedasscientificexperiments,”Gabrielsaiddryly.“That’sasmallvictory.”

Oneofhisconcernsaboutannouncingshifters’existencetotheworldwasthefearthey’dbecomefodder
formilitaryormedicalresearch—thekindsofthingsyousawinmonstermoviesandhorrorflicks.It
wasn’texactlyapleasantthought,andIwasgladtohearithadn’tcometopass.

“It’snotthatIthinkhumansdon’tbelievewe’rethreats,”headded.“Theyjustaren’tentirelysurewhat

todowithus.”

Shiftersweregenerallyconsideredthemostpowerfulsupernaturalbeings,atleastofthegroupsIknew

aboutsofar.Iconsideredhumans’ignoranceonthatpointabenefit.

“AndtheshifterswhoattackedtheHouse?”
Hisexpressiondarkened.“They’reworkingtheirwaythroughthepenalsystemjustlikeanyaverage

humancriminal.”

WhileIgrimaced,Scottclappedhishandstogether.“Welcome,all,toGreyHouse.Iappreciateyour

attendancehere,andhopethiscanbeasteptowardfriendshipamongus.Shallwedine?”

Beforewecouldanswer,menandwomeninchef’swhitesbeganpouringintotheroombearingsilver

dome-toppedtrays.ItookaseatbesideEthanasthetraysweredepositedbeforeus.Twovampires
traveledaroundthetablewithcarafesoflemonwaterandbottlesofadeepredwine,pouringasthe
vampiresrequested.OnlyEthan,Jonah,andIoptedforthewine;Iguessweneededadrinkworsethan
theothers.

Othervampiresliftedthedomes,revealingamealthatmighthavebeendescribedas“Predator’s

Delight.”Loins,roasts,cutlets.Sausages,steaks,filets.Alllaidoutwithartisticperfection.Oh,tobe
sure,thereweresides,aswell.Smallfingerlingpotatoes,corn,andagrainsaladofsomekind.Butina
roomofvampsandshifters—predatorsamonghumans—thecarnivorousurgewasundeniable.

Mystomachchosethatmomenttogrowlinarumblethatnearlyechoedacrosstheroom.
Asmycheeksheated,alleyesturnedtome.Ismiledlightly.
Gabrielsmiledback,thenliftedhiswaterglasswhenthechefsdisappearedfromtheroomagain.

“Thankyou,Mr.Grey,fortheopportunitytosharegrainandbeastwithyou.Thisisameaningfulgesture
tous,andwehopeourfamiliescancontinuetocommuneinpeaceintheyearstocome.”

“Hear,hear,”Dariussaid,raisinghisglass,aswell.“Wearenowneighborsinthisfinecity,andwe

hopethatourdaysofstrifearebehindus,andthatwecanworktogetherinpeaceandallegiancefor
millenniatocome.”

Gabrielofferedapolitenodandgesturedwithhisglassagain,butdidn’texactlycommittothe

“allegiance”bit.Vampscollectedformalallegianceslikebaseballcards;shiftersweren’texactlycrazy
aboutthatkindofthing.

“AndsinceI’dtrulyratherMeritfocusonhermealthanonme,”Gabrielsaidwithawink,“let’sstop

talkingandstarteating.”

But,ofcourse,thatwouldhavebeenmuchtoosimple.

Idon’tknowwhyitsurprisedmethatScottofferedupameanfeast.ThemanlovedtheCubs,hehadan
amazingwarehouseturnedHouse,andBenson’swashisHousebar.Thosefactsscreamed“Quality
Master.”

Thefoodwasnoexception.Themeatswerechoicecutsthatevenmyparticularfathermighthave

servedtodinnerguests.Theyweretenderenoughtomakeaknifeirrelevant,andsearedtoperfectionon
theoutside.Hecouldn’thavedonebetter,especiallyforagroupofpredators.

Honestly,ifI’dbeenaguy,Iwouldhavefinishedmyplate,relaxedinmychair,andunfastenedthetop

buttonofmypants.Foodthatgooddeservedundisturbeddigestion.

Unfortunately,itwasn’ttobe.
I’djusttakenanothersipofwine—grimacingathowdryitwas—whenthedooratoneendoftheroom

burstopen.Fivevampiresrushedin,someinblackstreetclothes,butacouplewearingblueandyellow
hockey-stylejerseyswithGREYHOUSEincapitallettersacrossthefront.Theyallhadswordsinhand
andmaliceintheirexpressions.

“Thisishowyoutreatus?”askedoneGreyHousevampwhoworenumberthirty-two.“Somefucking

shifterandhisbitchgetfedlikekings?”

TheGreyHousevampontheothersideworenumbertwenty-seven.“AndtheGP,too?Shitisfalling

downhereintheStates,andwe’reservingsteaktoavampfromtheUK?Doesthatseemrighttoyou?”

Withinseconds,mydaggerwasinhand.AndIwasn’ttheonlyoneonalert.
ScottGreyjumpedoutofhischairandmarchedtotheendofthetable.“Matt,Drew,backthefuckoff.

Droptheswords,andmarchrightbacktothedoor.”

TheGreyHousevampswavered,probablytheresultofsomementalMasterjujuScottwasthrowing

theirway.Buttherestofthemdidn’tseemtobeaffectedatall.

Icarefullygottomyfeetandmovedtowardthem,spinningthedaggerinmypalmastheanticipation

built.Allfivevampswobbledalittleontheirfeet,theirmovementserratic,theireyesdartingaroundthe
room.AsImovedincrementallycloser,Icouldseethecauseintheireyes—theywerealmostwholly
silver.

“Scott,it’sV,”Iwarnedhim.
“Anyeasysolutionforhandlingthem?”hecalledback.
“Notwithoutasorcerer,”Itoldhim.“We’llhavetoknockthemouttheold-fashionedway.”
“Thenthat’swhatwe’lldo,”Ethansaid,steppingbesideme,aknifefromthetableinhishand.
“Niceofyoutojoinus,Sullivan,”Iteased,mygazefollowingthevampsastheyspreadoutinaline,

readytorumble,whateverthecost.AndwithDarius,anApex,andthreeMastersintheroom,thecost
wouldbehigh....

“Let’sgo,oldman,”Thirty-twosaid.“Youwanttofightyourownvampires?Youwanttotakehisside

overtheirs?”

“Liege,”Jonahsaid,“asyourcaptain,I’mgoingtorequestyoumoveintoasaferposition.”
“Requestitallyouwant,Red,”Scotttoldhim,amirthlesssmileonhisface.“Butthat’snotgoingto

stopmefromputtingthesedumbshitsintheirplaces.That’swhattheygetfordoingV.”

Dittowhathesaid,Sentinel,Ethansilentlytoldme.Isupposehewasn’tgoingtoletmearguehe

shouldjustsitthisoneout.

TheGreyHousevampsseemedequallyeagertobrawl.“Oh,gotohell,man,”Twenty-sevensaid.
“Onlyifyoujoinme,”Scottsaidpleasantly,andbeforeanothersecondpassed,theroomeruptedinto

violence.JonahandScotttooktheGreyHousevamps.Gabriel,Darius,andTonyaweresittingthisone
out.ThatlefttheRoguestome,Ethan,andMorgan.

“Igottheoneinthemiddle,”Icalledout.
“Thatleavestheothertwoforus,”Ethansaid.“Greer,taketheoneontheleft.”
Andwiththat,wemoved.Islippedbetweenthein-Housesquabbletotheangry-lookingRoguebehind

them,hiseyesjustassilverastheGreyvamps’hadbeen.Hewasabigguy,andbeadsofsweatformedat
histempleashefoughttherushofthedrug.Butthisguydidn’tcarewhetheritwasrageordrugsfueling
hisattack.Hebaredhisteethandmovedin.

Ihadtogivehimcredit—hewasfasterthanIwouldhaveimaginedgivenhisbulk.Hemovedlikea

spider—hisweightcarrieddelicatelyonsmall,mincingfeet.

Heslashed,steppingintothemovementlikeatrainedfighter.Iblockedtheknifewithmydagger,but

miscalculatedhisspeedandfeltthecoldburnofpainonthebackofmyhand.Myownbloodscentedthe
air,pushingmyvampiricinstinctsintooverdrive.

Iglanceddownandsawthethinlineofcrimson.Onlyacoupleofincheslongandnotterriblydeep.It

wasaglancingblow,butthatdidn’teasetheburn.

“Notcool,”Isaid,movingintoaspin,thedaggerinmyhandslicingthroughthefrontofhisshirt.He

mutteredafewchoicephrasesbutjumpedbackagain.Istayedontheoffensive,myintenttomakethisguy
asuncomfortableaspossible—tokeephimasoffbalanceaspossible—whilewatchingforachanceto
knockhimout.

“Youthinkyou’reanybetterthantherestofthem?”hemuttered,raisingtheswordoverhisheadand

slashingdown.Ijumpedbackandoutoftheway,butmyheelcaughtinaknotinoneoftheplanks.I

stumbledbackwardandintooneoftheroom’sgiantwoodenposts,catchingmyselfwithahand.

Ethan’sconcernedvoiceechoedthroughmyhead.Sentinel.
I’mfine,Iassuredhim,thenkickedoffmyshoes.Avampdidn’tneedtofightinstilettos,anyway.
WhenIwasuprightagain,Irecenteredthedaggerinmyhandandstaredbackatthevamp.“Youwere

saying?”

“Bitch,”hecalledout,swinginghiskatanainanawkwardcross-bodyslicethatwouldhavebeenbetter

suitedforabroadswordthanfineJapanesesteel.AndIcringedonitsbehalfasIducked,andfeltthe
echoingshudderofthecolumnashiskatanamadecontact—andstuckthere.Whatawaste.

Ispunoutfrombeneathhimasheloosenedhisgriponthehandleandbegansteppingbackward,eyes

wideningasifsuddenlyawarethattheSentinelfromCadoganHousewasonhiscase.

Maybethedrugwasbeginningtowearoff.
“I’mgoingtodoyouasolid,”Isaid,holdingmydaggerouttotheside.“I’mgoingtotossthisaway,so

wecanhaveafairfight.”

IsawthereliefinhisexpressionasIchuckedthesteel.Andwhenhiseyesshiftedtowatchitspin

acrossthefloor,Imademymove.Ithrewoutaroundhousekickthatconnectedwithhishead.Hewent
downhard,likeasackofvampirepotatoes,thenbouncedalittlebeforefinallyrollingtoastop.

Sure,roundhousingsomeonewhilewearingacocktaildresswasn’texactlyladylike,butitcertainly

waseffective.

WithmyRogueoutofcommission,IglancedoveratEthan.Hewasintheprocessofputtinghisonthe

floorwithatwistingjudostyledropthatrattledthefloorboards.Whenhewasdown,Ethanusedanelbow
atthenecktoknockhimout.

Whentheguywasstill,helookedupatme,thennoticedmyguywasdown.Roundhouse?hesilently

asked.

Itisaclassic,Isaid,glancingup.Therestofthepartycrashershadbeenbested,aswell,allfiveof

themoutcoldonthefloor.

Jonahlookedaroundtheroom,hisgazestoppingwhenhereachedme.“Youokay?”hemouthed.
Inoddedback.Thatdefinitelyseemedpersonal.
“Scott,”Dariuscalledout,“Whatthefuckwasthat?”
BeforeScottcouldanswer,Ifilledintheblank.“Withallduerespect,Sire—thoseareyourerrant

vampires.”

Scott’sguards,includingJonah’sfriendsJeremyandDanny,stormedtheroomnotamomentlater,pulling
outtheunconscioususers.Buttheyleftthekatanainthecolumn—avisiblesigntoothersintheHouse
whomightbestupidenoughtotryV.

WesaidgoodbyetoGabrielandTonya,who,understandably,lefttheHouseassoonasthecoastwas

clear.Scottescortedtherestofusintotheatriumwhiletheremainsofdinnerwerecleanedup.Charlie
andDariusstoodquietlytogether;Morganstoodalone.IwasstandingnearEthanwhenScottandJonah
movedourway.

Scottlookedbetweenus.“Thanksfortheassist.”
Ethannoddedgraciously.“Ithappenstothebestofus,unfortunately.”
“Howarethevampsdoing?”Iasked.
“They’restillout.They’reintheinfirmaryunderguardforthemoment.Whenthey’reawakeagain,

we’llhavealengthyconversationaboutdrugsandresponsibility.”

“Didyouknowthemwell?”Iasked.
“OnlyasapplicantstotheHouse,”Scottsaid.“They’rerelativenewcomers.MembersofyourInitiate

class.”

“What’sa‘newcomer’inimmortalterms?”Iasked.
AsmileperkedatonecornerofScott’smouth.“Anythinglessthanadecade.”
Whichmademeababyvamp.
EthanslidaglancetowhereDariusstood,nowofferingupsomesortofinstructionswhileCharlie

tappedatatabletcomputer.“Doyouthinkhe’llconsiderthethreatanymorerealnow?”

“TheGPhasanoddattitudeaboutthingslikethis.I’mstillnotsureheseesusasanythingotherthan

troublemakersatthispoint.SqueakywheelstakinghimawayfromrealbusinessintheUK.”

“Areyougoingtoinvestigate?”
Scottblewoutabreath.“That’satoughone.ThisisaprobleminmyHouse.Ithastobeaddressed.”
“AndifyoudiscoverCelinahadanythingtodowithit?”
“Thenwedidn’thavethisconversation,buttheChicagoHousesagreedtoquietlydealwiththe

problemasitexists.”

ScottandEthanlookedateachotheruntilScottextendedahand.Ethanshookit,thedealstruck.
Scottgesturedtowardhisoffice.“I’mgoingtohaveachatwithmyguardsforamoment.Iassume

Dariuswillwanttospeakwithusbeforeyouleave.”

“We’llwaithere,”Ethanagreed.
“IthinkLucwasright,”headdedwhentheywereoutofearshot.“Icanhardlytakeyououtanymore.”
“Ijusttookoutavamptwicemyweightwhilewearingacocktaildressandthree-inchheels.IthinkI

deservesomecreditforthat.”

“Isthatso?”heasked.
That’swhenIfirstfeltit—thatrumbleofwarningfromsomewheredeepinmybones,tellingme

somethingwasn’tright.ButIignoreditandchallengedhimanyway.

“Yes,”Ibaldlysaid.“You’refortunateIwastheretohelp.”
“Fortunate?IbelieveIbestedmyownfoe,Merit.Perhapsyoushouldthankmeformyassistance.”He

rakedhisgazeupanddownmybody.“I’msureIcansuggestsomesmallmeasureofgratitude.”

Thebloodbegantopoundinmyears,myskinpricklingwithsuddenheat.Ihadnodoubtmyeyeswere

silver,butIdidn’tcare.Islippedafingerintooneofthebeltloopsonhistrousersandtuggedhimcloser.
“Whatdidyouhaveinmind?”

Hiseyeschanged,hispupilsmerepinpricksofblackagainsttheswirlingquicksilverofhisirises.He

beganmovingforward,pushingmebackward,andhedidn’tstopuntilmybackwasliterallyagainstthe
brickwalloftheatrium.

BeforeIcouldobject,hishandswereonmyface,hismouthagainstmine.Hislipspulledatmymouth,

kissingmehungrily,greedily.

Insomesatellitepartofmybrain,itoccurredtomethatitwasoddthatEthanwaskissingmein

someoneelse’sHouse.Andyet,evenasIthoughtitwasweird,mybloodbegantowarmandboilwitha
heatI’dneverexperiencedbefore.Ititchedbeneathmyskin,adrenalinepushingthroughmyveinsasifI
werestillmidbattlewiththeGreyHousevampires.

“Ethan,”Imanaged,callinghisnameinwarning,evenwhileIlethimkissmethereinthemiddleof

GreyHouse.Hechangedtacticsandkissedmeslowly,languorously,beforefinallyopeninghiseyesand
lookingatme.Therewasanapologyinhiseyes.

“Somethingis...wrong.”
Inoddedmyhead,knowingthathe’dmeantthiswasn’tjustloveorlust,butadifferentkindofforce,

butthethoughtwasdistant,andtheburningneedwashereandnow.

Itwasimmediate.
Intense.
Irolledmyheadtotheside,myeyelidsfluttering,theinvitationovert.
“Doyouneedsomethingfromme?”Hisvoicewaslow,morelikethewarninggrowlofatigerthanthe

questionofavampire.

Iswallowed...andnodded.Ifeltlikeateenageratafirstdance.Ididn’tknowthemusic,wasn’t

savvytothesteps,buttheemotionsweresobasic,sofundamental,thatitwasn’tpossibletodancethem
incorrectly.

Ethanliftedahandtomyneck,thebaretouchofhisfingertipsnearlybucklingmyknees.AndbeforeI

couldaskwhyhewasapologizing,hekissedme.Hiskisswasfirm,insistent,andquesting.Hemoved
closer,wrappinghisarmsaroundmybackanddeepeningthekiss.Histongueexploredashepressed
harderagainstme,thesuddenlengthofhisunmistakableerectionpressingagainstmystomach.

Ishouldhavebeenshocked.Shouldhaveremindedhimthatthiswasneitherthetimenortheplace,that

we’dseenhowbadthingscouldget.

Butwitheachpossessiverumbleinhisthroat,ourownmagicstwinedtogether.Iwasdrawnin—bythe

magic,bythekiss,bythepossessivebiteofhisfingers.Ipulledhimtowardme,myfingersslippinginto
thebeltloopsonhistrousers,andleaneduptodeepenthekiss.IwasashungryforhimasI’deverbeen
forblood,butthishungerwasnow.Itwasimmediate,anditdemandedtobesated.

Lovewasadangerousdrug.
Oh,God.Thatwasit.Ethanwasn’toverpoweredbyloveorlustorthesudden,romance-novel-esque

realizationthatHeHadtoHaveMeNow.Thiswasunpromptedaggression,albeitofaslightlydifferent
varietythanwe’dseenbefore....

“Ethan,Ithinkwe’vebeendrugged.”
Heignoredme,insteadgrowlingandtanglinghisfingersintomyhair.Myhearttripped,notoutoflust

thistime,butoutoffear,becausethegrowlhadchanged,becomemeaner.

Iswitchedtactics,givinghimatelepathicorderthatIhopedwouldpushthroughthehazeofdrugstothe

partofhisbrainthatwasstillfunctioning.Ethan,stop.

Heliftedhishead,andIsawtheconflictinhiseyes.Hisbrainorderedhimtostop,buthisbodywas

propellinghimforward—evidencedbyhiseyes.Theywerenearlyallsilver.

“What?”heasked.
“Ithinkwe’vebeendrugged.SomeoneslippedusV.Maybeinthefood?”
Awaveofhot,itchyangerrushedthroughme.Isqueezedmyeyesshutandmyfingersintofists,

pressinguntilthepaininmypalmshelpedslowthespinningofmymind.

“Theangerfoundadifferentoutlet,”hesaid,hisvoicehoarse.“Perhapsadifferentdose.Maybeinone

ofthemeats?”

Ishookmyhead.“Thewine,”Ianswered.“Ithinkitwasinthewine.Ithadanoddtaste.Really,really

bitter.”

“Whoelsedrankthewine?”
Ithoughtback.I’dhadwine,ashadEthan.Andtheonlyotherpersonwho’dhadwinewasJonah.ButI

wassavedthetroubleoftellingEthan.

WebothlookedupasJonahburstthroughthefoliageinfrontofus.Hiseyes,alreadysilver,became

fierceashestaredEthandown.

“Itisn’tnicenottoshare.”
Ethangrowled,lowinhisthroat,awarningtoJonah.“Idon’tshare.”
Jonahcluckedhistongue.“Youshould.Lifeissomuchmoreinteresting,don’tyouthink,whenallofus

getataste?”I’dheardofgirlsbeingthrilledtobefoughtoverbefore,butIdidn’tlikefeelinglikeapiece
ofproperty.

“I’mnoone’stoofferup,”Isaid.
“Butyoucoulddosomuchbetter,”wasJonah’sretort.
It’sjustV,IsilentlyremindedEthan.Hehadthewine,too.
“Regardlessthecause,he’dbestbehavehimself,”Ethangrittedout.HestaredJonahdown,fangs

bared.Theywerenearlythesameheight,closetothesamebuild.EthanwasfairerthanJonah,butthey’d
havemadeequallymatchedopponents,ifnotforEthan’sposition,whichsurelywouldhavereapedJonah
moretroublethanthefightwouldhavebeenworth.

“Jonah,”Iwarned,standingup,aswell.“Backoff.”
Butinsteadofbackingoff,hebaredhisfangsatEthan,hissinginwarningthathe’dfoundaprizeand

didn’tplantogiveitup.

Iwasn’tsurewherethesuddeninteresthadcomefrom,butseriouslydoubtedithadanythingtodowith

me.Morelikely,JonahhadbeendrawninbythemagicthatEthanandIhadspilledintotheroom.Andin
classicVfashion,he’dbecomeunreasonablyangry.

“Jonah,comeon,”Iurged.“Youneedtobackoff.Youdon’twanttofightaMaster,especiallynotwhen

Dariusishere.”

Myvoicewaspleading,andhethrewmeaglance.Hisbrowsweredrawntogether,asifhewastrying

topuzzleoutexactlywhyhewasstandingintheatrium,readytofightforagirlhe’donlyrecentlycometo
respect,muchlessactuallylike.

ButEthanapparentlyhadn’tnoticedtheself-reflection,andtookamenacingstepforward.“Sheis

mine.”

Jonahshookoffrationalityandfacedhimdown.“Thatdecisionisherstomake,anditdoesn’tlooklike

she’smadeityet.”

“Shesureasfuckwon’tbechoosingyou,”Ethangrowledout.
Jonahliftedhisarm.Myowninstinctskickedin,protectingEthanatthetopofmylist.
“Stepback,Jonah,”Iwarnedhim,buthestillhadn’tmanagedtopushthroughtheV.Hecockedbackto

swing.Ireachedforwardtopullhimoff,butheswungblindlyout.Asiftimehadsloweddown,I
watchedhisfistmovetowardme,aswattopushmeaway.Hemadecontact.

Thelightswentout.

CHAPTERTWENTY

THEHANGOVER

Iblinkedandwaitedfortheroomtostopspinning.Iwaslookingupatanindustrialceiling,thefrondsof
plantsandfernsattheedgesofmyvision.StillGreyHouse,Iguessed.

Greeneyesappearedinmyframeofvision.“How’syourhead?”
“Throbbing.”
Ibegantositup,butEthanputahandonmyshoulder.“You’vebeenoutforafewminutes.Takeit

slow.”

“Whathappened?”
“YoutriedtokeepJonahfrompunchingme,andheinadvertentlynailedyou.”
NowIremembered.I’dgotteninthewayofJonahandEthan’sbattle,andI’dendeduptheworseforit.
Ethanheldoutahand.“Givemeyourhand,”hesaid,thenslidhisotheronebehindmyback.Isatup,

closingmyeyesuntilthevertigopassed.

WhenIfinallyopenedthemagain,Ethantippedbackmychin,gazingintomyeyes.“Looktotheleft,”

hesaid,andwhenIdid,added,“Andtheright.”Ididthat,too.

“Herangmybell,”Isaid,touchingafingergingerlytotheknotonthebackofmyhead.Giventhespeed

ofvampirehealing,itwouldn’tlastmuchlonger,butfornow,itsmarted.

“Yes,hedid,”Ethanagreed.
“Whereishe?”
“Jonah?Scott’sgothimlockeddownuntilhe’ssatisfiedthedrug’swornoff.Itwasthewine,”Ethan

added.“AccordingtotheGreyHousevamps,theyobtainedtheVfromBenson’s,wheretheycollegially
shareditwithagroupofRogues.”

“Undoubtedlyinthenameofinter-Housecooperation,”Isaiddryly.
“I’msure.TheGreyHousevampsalsopassedalongthatDariuswouldbediningheretonight.They

thenmanagedtorileeachotherupabouttheinjusticesoftheGP.”

“ProbablyaneasyargumentforRoguevampstomake,”Iobserved.“Especiallyifthey’reallonV.”
Ethannodded.“TheycamebacktotheHouseintentongivingDariusapieceoftheirminds.Theyalso

snuckintothekitchenwithanextradoseandhitupthewine.Theywantedhimtoexperiencetheeffectsof
beingatruevampire.”

“IronicthatDariusdidn’tdrinkany.”
“Very.AlthoughheisnowkeenlyawareofV’seffects.”
Alongshadowappearedoverme,andthenanEnglishvoicespoke.“Howisshe?”
Iglancedup.Dariusstoodatmyside.
“She’llmakeit,”Ethanconcluded,“althoughIthinkbedrestwouldbeagoodwayforhertospendthe

restoftheevening.”

“Ithinkthat’sacapitalidea,”Dariusagreed.“Afewpintsofbloodmightalsospeedthehealing.”
Ethannodded.“AndourinvestigationofV?”
“I’vemadetheGP’spositionclear.”
“Sire—,”Ethanbegan,butDariussilencedhimwithahand.
“Thereismoretoconsider,Ethan,thanthegameyouareplayingwithyourmayor.Youtakecareof

yourHouse;allowMr.GreyandMr.Greertotakecareoftheirs.Therestisnoneofyourconcern,and
thatincludesanycurrentGPmembers.Isthatclear?”

Ethan’sjawtwitched,buthemanagedanod.“Ofcourse,Sire.”
Dariusnoddedofficially,thenofferedaweaksmileforme.“Healquickly,Merit,”hesaid,andthenhe

wasoffagain,Charliesteppingintolinebehindhim.

“I’dliketogohome,”Iquietlysaid.
“Thesentimentisdefinitelymutual,”Ethansaid,hisgazestillfollowinghispoliticalmasterashe

disappearedintotheman-madejungle.“Let’sgohome.”

Ethaninsistedoncarryingmetothecar,whichfeltequalpartsridiculousandromantic.Asaself-assured
woman,itwasn’texactlycomfortablebeingcarriedlikeachild.Ontheotherhand,Ethanhadmademea
vampire,andthelinkbetweenusremained.Thescentandfeelofhimwassoothing,andImanagedto
enjoybeingsweptupinhisarms,nomatterhowguiltythepleasure.

WhenwereachedtheHouseagain,Iprotestedenoughthatheletmewalkbackupstairstomyroom,but

herefusedtoletmeleaveit.WhileEthanretrievedbloodfromthekitchen,Ichangedintoyogapantsand
aCubsT-shirtandlaydownonmybed,apileofpillowsbehindmytenderhead.

Ethanreturnedcarryingagiantplasticcupwithahandle,thekindatruckermightbuytoprovideanall-

daydoseofcaffeinefortheroad.

“Wasthatthesmallestcontaineryoucouldfind?”
“Iprefernottounderestimateyourpotentialforgrumpiness,”hesaid,sittingdownontheedgeofmy

bedandofferingthevessel.

Ihumphed,butacceptedthecupandbegantosipthroughthehardplasticstrawstuckthroughitstop.

Afteramoment,Ipulledback.“Istherechocolatesauceintheblood?”

Hischeekbonespinkedabit.“Sinceyouweren’tfeelingwell,Ithoughtalittlechocolatemightdoyou

good.”

Unfortunately,chocolateandbloodweren’tatastycombination.Buthe’dgonetosuchtroublethatI

couldn’tbeartodisappointhim.

“Thankyou,”Isaid,takinganotherhearteningsip.“Thatwasreallythoughtful.”
Henodded,thensatquietlywhileIdrank.IsippeduntilIfeltthelatenthungerease,thenputthecupon

thenightstandbesideme.Iclosedmyeyesandsankbackintothebed,myheadagainstthebackstopof
pillows.AssoonasIwasstillagain,exhaustionoverwhelmedme.

“I’mtired,Ethan.”
“It’sbeenanotherlongevening,”hesaid.
ButIshookmyhead—justalittle,somyheaddidn’tthrobwithit.“It’snotjusttheconcussion.It’sthe

work.Iwouldn’twantacop’sjob.I’mnotentirelysureIwantmyjobrightnow.”

“Andmissallthefunandexcitement?Thechancetoreviewsecurityfootageandfightdrug-addled

vampires?”

“Don’tforgetaboutpissingofftheheadoftheGreenwichPresidium.”
“Ah,yes.Who’dhavethought,lessthanayearagowhenyouweregradingpapers,thatyourlifewould

cometothis?”

“Certainlynotme,”Isaid.Iopenedmyeyesagainandlookedoverathim.“Arewegoingtofinish

this?Orarewegoingtodoasheasked?”

“Idon’tknow.IcertainlyprefernottoputmyfateinTate’shands.”Ethansighedandrolledhis

shoulders.“TatecalledtheHousewhileweweregone.InformedMalikhewastiredofthedelay,and
saidIhadforty-eighthoursbeforemywarrantwasissued.”

“Awesome,”Imuttered.
Helookedbackatme,hiseyesglowingemeralds.“Weshouldtalkaboutthekiss.”
Thistime,Iwastheonewhoblushed.“Isthereanythingtotalkabout?Wewerehigh.”

Hegavemeaflatlook;Ilookedaway.
“Atleastadmitthatthere’smoretoitthandrugs,”hequietlysaid.
Ilookedaway,gnawedtheedgeofmylip,andponderedtheirony.I’dkissedEthan,andhewantedto

discussourrelationship.We’dnowcompletelyswitchedroles.

“There’smoretoit,”Ifinallyagreed.“ButyouknowhowIfeel.”
“Andyoustillaren’tconvincedmyintentionsarenoble?”
Iwasbecomingmoreconvinced,Ithoughttomyself,buthowcouldItellhimthat?HowcouldI

confessitwithoutsoundingcruelfornotbelievinghimcompletely—andwithoutriskingmyheartby
tellinghimhe’dmanagedtohalfwayconvinceme?

Anawkwardsilencedescended.Thankfully,hechangedthesubject.“Inmyposition,whatwouldyou

doaboutV?”

“I’mnotinyourposition.”
“Assumethatyouwere,”hesaid.“AssumethatyouhadaHouseofvampiresunderyourprotection.

Assumethatabureaucrathaddecidedyouweren’tallowedtosolveanimmediateproblemfacingyour
Houseforfearitwoulddrawundueattentiontotheexistenceoftheproblem.”

Isatup,crossingmylegsbeneathme.“You’veansweredyourquestion,haven’tyou?Youhavean

immediaterisktothesafetyofyourvampires,andapoliticalriskthatmightoccurdowntheroad.Solve
theimmediateriskfirst.Apologize,insteadofaskingforpermission.”

“AndiftheendresultistheHouseinreceivership?”
“ThenwehopethereceiverhasmoresensethantheleaderoftheGP.”
Finally,Ethancrackedahalfsmile.Iwasstruckbytheurgetolifthisburden,tomakethesmile

complete,togivehimthekindofreliefhe’dtriedtogiveme—howeverunsuccessfully—withchocolate-
flavoredblood.

“Ihaveanidea,”Isaid.
“What’sthat?”
Ipaused,stillthinkingitthrough,beforeoffering,“Meetmeoutsideinfiveminutes—outnearthe

fountain.”

Hearchedacrispeyebrow.“Because?”
“BecauseIsaidso.Trustme.”
Hedebatedforamoment,thennodded.“Verywell.Fiveminutes.”Hestoodupandwalkedtothedoor,

glancingbackbeforewalkingout.“Andneverdoubtit,Merit—Idotrustyou.”

Hedisappearedthroughthedoor.Iclimbedoffthebed,myheadachebeginningtodissipate,andsetto

work.

TheCadoganHousegardenswerespectacular,fromtherunningtrailtothebrickbarbecuepittothe
formalFrenchgardenbehindtheHouse.Afountainsatinthemiddleofthegarden,bubblingwaterforthe
enjoymentofanyvampireswhomightbeseatedonthebenchesaroundit.

ItookoffmyshoesafterIcrossedthebrickpatioatthebackoftheHouse,closingmyeyesatthe

luxuriousfeelofsoft,coolgrassbeneathmyfeet.

Yourfiveminutesaredrawingtoaclose,Ethansilentlysaid.IsmiledasIpaddedbacktothefountain.
Aren’tyoualwayslecturingmeaboutpatience?
Anoverratedvirtue,hereplied,andIcouldallbuthearthesarcasminthethought.
Ifoundhiminagenteelsprawlononeofthebenches,theonlyvampireinthevicinity,andclearly

doingalittleluxuriatingofhisown.Eyesclosed,hewasslouchedcomfortablyacrosstheseat,onefoot
onthebench,theotherontheground.Onearmwasslungacrossitsback,hisotherhandontheflatofhis
stomach.Inhiswhitebutton-downandtrousers,helookedmorelikeaRegencyrakethanaMasterof

vampires.

Maybehewasrelivinghistory.
Isatcross-leggedonthegroundbesidehim,theboxinmylap.
“Whatdoyouhavethere?”heasked,notbotheringtolookup.
“Quidproquo,”Isaid.“Chocolateforchocolate.Buttherewillbeapricetopay.”
“Isthetreatworthit?”Hisvoicewasalow,amuseddrawl.
Iansweredinthesamehoneyedtone,bothofusknowingfullwellthataflirtationinthemiddleofthe

backyardwasjustthat—anenjoyableflirtation.“Itabsolutelyis.”

Ethanchuckled.“Inthatcase,Sentinel,bemyguest.”
“Whatwasyourfavoritetimeperiod?Whatperioddidyouenjoythemost?”
Hisbrowslifted,asifsurprisedbythequestion.Heopenedhiseyesandshuffledabitonthebench,

thenstilledashethoughtitthrough.“There’snodenyingtoday’smechanicalconveniences.Humansareon
thecuspofmomentousdiscoveriesthatwouldhavebeenimpossibleeventwentyyearsago.Andyet,”he
began,thenquietedagain.

“Andyet?”Ipromptedafteramoment.
Hesighed.“Therehavebeentimesthatweredangerous,butinvigorating.ScenesfromhistoryIwas

fortunateenoughtowitnessfirsthand.Thebirthofthisrepublic—thevigorofthedebate,thefervencyof
thebeliefthatmancoulddobetterthanmonarchy.MomentsduringtheCivilWarinwhichmenand
women—evenintimesofgreatperil—werebraveenoughtoremindusofthebestofourselves.D-dayin
London,whenWhitehallwasfilledwithheart-burstingjoy...andgrief.”

Ethansighed.“Immortalityaffordsyoutheopportunitytowitnesshistoryinthemaking.Humanity’s

triumphsanditscruelties,both.Itisbothahighpricetopayandapricelessgift,tocarrytheweightof
thatknowledge.”

Heturnedoverabit,proppinghisheadonhisfistandglancingdownatme.“Now,havingwalked

throughmylifetime,Sentinel,what’smytreat?”

Iliftedtheboxforhimtoseeandthoroughlyenjoyedthevaguelydismayedexpressiononhisface.
“You’rejoking.”
“IneverjokeaboutMallocakes.Situp.”
Hedidn’tlookanylesssuspicious,buthedidasIasked,shufflingdowntotheendofthebenchtogive

meroomtojoinhim.ButIwasfineontheground.Itputspacebetweenusandkepttheinteractioncasual.
ItletmepretendtheemotionalboundariesI’dputbetweenuswerestillfirmlyintact...evenasIsaton
thegroundquizzinghimabouthislifeandpreparingtofeedhimcream-filledspongecake.

Butwhendenialwasyoursafetynet,denialwaswhatyouworkedwith.
Ipulledoffthepaperzipstripontheboxandpulledouttwocellophane-wrappedsnacks.Ihandedone

tohim,puttheboxaside,andcradledmineinmyhands.

“Beholdthegloriousmarriageofcakeandcream.”
EthanlookedunimpressedbythesugarlogI’dplacedinhishand.“Really,Sentinel.”
“Trustme.Youwon’tregretthis.”Iopenedmypacketandheldupthecake.“Now,therearevarious

theoriesofthebestwaytoeataMallocake.”

Finally,ahintofasmile.“Arethere,now?”
“Ourfavoritesorceress,MalloryCarmichael,preferstodunkthemwholeinmilk.It’snotabad

treatment,butIthinkitmakesthemsoggy,andIhavethisthingaboutwetbread.”

“Youareaconstantsourceofwonder.”
“AndthusappropriatethatIpreferthe‘fishesandloaves’method.Behold,”Isaid,pullingthecakein

halflengthwise,thenholdingupthetwochocolateslabs.“I’vedoubledthenumberofcakes!”

“Youhaveastrongtendencyforsilliness,youknowthat?”
“It’soneofmybetterqualities,”Isaid,nibblingontheedgeofthecake.Andasifthechocolatesponge

wasadrugitself,theflavoralmostinstantlysentacalmingpulsethroughmyblood.

Ethantookhisownbite.“Notbad,Sentinel.”
“Ihaveanynumberofissues,”Iadmitted.“Tasteinfoodisnotoneofthem.”
Foramoment,weateoursnackssilentlyinthegarden.
“Itoldyouoncethatyouweremyweakness,”hesaid.“Butalsomystrength.Isaiditbeforebetraying

yourtrust.Iknowthatnow,andIamsoverysorry.”Hepaused.“WhatwouldIhavetodotoconvince
youtogivemeanotherchance?”

Hisvoicewasjustmorethanawhisper,butthesentimentwasstrongenoughthatIhadtolookaway,

tearsbrimminginmyeyes.Itwasalegitimatequestion—butnotoneforwhichIhadaneasyanswer.
WhatwouldittakeformetobelieveinEthanagain?Tobelievethathe’dchosenme,forbetterorworse,
andregardlessofthepolitics?

“I’mnotsureyoucouldconvincemeotherwise.I’mtoofastalearner.”
“AndItaughtyouthatIwouldbetrayyouiftheopportunityarose?”
Thistime,Imethisgaze.“You’vetaughtmethatyouwillalwaysbeconcernedwithnextstepsand

appearances,withstrategyandalliances.You’vetaughtmethatIcouldneverbesureyoureallywanted
meforme—andnotjustbecauseIhelpedyoumeetsomeend,orbecauseitwasconvenient.You’vetaught
methatIcouldneverbesureyouwouldn’tchangeyourmindifbreakingthingsoffgaveyouastrategic
advantage.”

Ethan’ssmiledrooped,andforthefirsttime,hefacedthepossibilitythathisactionswouldhave

unalterablerepercussions.“Youdon’tthinkIcanchange?”

Isoftenedmytone.“Idon’tthinkarelationshipisanygoodifIhavetoaskyoutochange.Doyou?”
Helookedaway,thensighedhaggardly.“ThisfeelslikeabattleIcannotwin.”
“Loveshouldn’tbeabattle.”
“Andyet,ifitwasn’tworththefight,whatwouldbethepoint?”
Wewerequietlongenoughthatcricketsbegantochirpinthegardenplotsaroundus.
“Isthereanythingyou’dliketotellmeaboutJonah?”
Inearlyjumpedatthequestion,myheartsuddenlythuddingatthepotentialmysecrethadbeen

discovered.“No,”Ianswered.“Whydoyouask?”

“Heseemstohavesomeinterestinyou.Areyouwellacquainted?”
ThankGodIalreadyhadatleastpartofananswerprepared.“WetalkedoutsideTempleBarthenight

oftheattack.”Absolutetruth.

“Anythingelse?”Hisgazewassuspicious,hiseyestrackingacrossmyfaceasiftryingtogaugemy

sincerity.

“No.”
“Don’tlietome,Merit.”
“Areyouaskingmenottolietoyoubecausewe’refriends,becausewewerelovers,orbecauseI’ma

vampireofyourHouse?”

Hiseyeswidened.“Iexpectyourhonestyforallthreereasons.”
“Youexpect—youareowed—myloyalty.That’snotentirelythesamething.”
Thistime,hiseyesnarrowed.“What’sgoingon?Whathaven’tyoutoldme?”
“NothingthatIcansharerightnow.”Andthereitwas.ImaynothavetoldhimabouttheRedGuard,

theirinvitationtome,andJonah’sroleintheorganization,butI’dnowconfessedthatIhadn’tbeenhonest
withhim,thatI’dheldthingsback.

Heblinkedbackshock.“Youhaveinformationyouwon’tsharewithme?”
“Ihaveinformationthatisn’tminetoshare,”Iclarified.“Theinformationbelongstoothers;Iknowit

onlycoincidentally,andIwon’tdothemthedisserviceofmakingthedecisiontoshareit.Notwhen
they’vechosennotto.”

Hisgazewascalculating.Evaluating.Afteramoment,henodded.“Sobeit,”hesaid.Whilehis

capitulationwasavictoryformeasSentinel,IstillfeltlikeI’dlostsomething,likeI’dbrokensome
personalbond.I’dplacedbeingHouseSentineloverbeinghisfriendandconfidante.

I’ddonethesamethingforwhichI’dchidedhim.
Ethanstoodupandballedthecellophaneinhishand,movingaroundmeandsteppingbackontothe

path.Hestoppedforamoment,beforeglancingbackoverhisshoulder.“It’sadifficultbalance,isn’tit,to
putothersbeforeyourownneeds?”

Ididn’tcaretohavemyownhypocrisypointedouttome.Ilookedaway.
WhenIglancedbackatthepathagain,hewasgone.Mymoodwasn’tanybetterwhenIreturnedtothe

secondfloor.Myheadwasbeginningtothrobagain,thistimefordifferentreasons.Iputtheboxof
Mallocakesbackinthekitchen,thenwalkedbacktomyroom.MyhandwasonthedoorwhenIhearda
voicebehindme.

“He’snotascoldasheseems,youknow.”
Iglancedback.Charlie,Darius’sassistant,stoodinthehallway,armscrossedoverhischest.
“Excuseme?”Iasked.
Hegesturedtowardthedoor.“Canwegoinside?”
“Um,sure,”Isaid,thenopenedthedoor.Charliewalkedinside.Ifollowed,thenshutthedoorbehind

us.

Hesatontheedgeofmybedandlinkedhishandsinhislap.“DariusisdedicatedtotheHouses,andhe

hasnogreaterinterestindramahereintheStatesthanhedoesintheUK.Theproblemis,”Charliesaid,
lookingdownatthefloor,“heisastrongbelieverinhierarchy.TheMastersshouldcontroltheHouses.
ProblemsbeyondtheHousesaretheconcernsoftheGP,andonlytheGP.”

IlikedCharlie’shonesty,butIhadnodoubtsaboutwherehisloyaltieslay.“Bethatasitmay,theGP

hasn’tactuallytakenanystepstocontrolCelinaorkeeppeaceinChicago.Wearedoingwhatwecanto
keepthecitytogetherinspiteofwhatshe’sdoing.”

Charlieshookhishead.“Hasitoccurredtoyouthatyou’replayingintoherhands?Thatby

acknowledgingCelinaandbringingheractivitiestolight—insteadofignoringherantics—youendup
givinghertheverythingshewants?”

“Whichis?”
“Attention.BytheHouses,theGP,humans,thepress.Celinawantstobeseen,tobeheard.Shewasn’t

gettingsufficientattentionasaMaster,soshesabotagedthatrelationshipinordertoexchangeitfor
somethingdifferent—theattentionofhumans.Andwhenshelearnedthatshewasn’tthebelovedof
humankind,sheactedoutagain.Eachtimeyouseekherout,eachtimeyoufightback,yougivehera
reasontocomebackagain.”

“You’resayingweenableCelina?”
Heansweredwithnothingmorethanachallenginglook.Thequestioninhiseyeswasobvious—Don’t

you?

Shakingmyhead,myarmscrossed,Ileanedbackagainstthecloseddoor.“Thattheoryassumesthatif

weignoredCelina,shewouldn’tactout.That’ssimplynottrue.EachtimethingssettledowninChicago
—likewhenwegetaconfessionfromherabouttheparkmurdersandsendheraway—shepopsupagain.
Believeme,Charlie,sheforcesustoact.”

Thistime,heshookhishead.“I’msorry,Merit,butwehavetodisagreewithyou.Ihavetodisagree

withyou.”Hefrowned,thenlookedupatme.“Idon’tlikesayingthis,makingthisaccusation.Darius
won’tsayit—it’snothispositiontodoso—butIthinkitbearsconsideration.”

“What’sthat?”
“NoneofthisstarteduntilafteryoujoinedCadoganHouse.”
Myheartbeatlikeatimpanidruminmychest.“Excuseme?”

Heheldupahand.“Hearmeout.Forbetterorworse,Celinaseemstohaveanobsessionwithyou.

YoumoveintotheHouse,youelicitaconfessionfromher,andasaresultsheapparentlydecidesyou,and
perhapsEthan,arehernewtargets.”

Iforcedmyselftobitemytongue.Ethanclearlyhadn’ttoldhimthatI’dbeenCelina’sintendedvictim,

thathe’dbroughtmeintotheHousebecauseaRogueshe’dhiredhadn’tdonehisjobcompletely.Iwasn’t
surewhyhe’dmadethatcall,butIwasn’tgoingtobetheonetobreakthenewstotheGP.Ihadno
objectiontotheGPknowingaslittleaboutmeaspossible.

“We’reawareoftheBreckenridgesituation,”Charliecontinued,“ofthefactthatsheattackedyou

outsidetheHouse.Wouldyoudenythatyouappeartobeoneofherkeenesttargets?”

“No,”Isaid.Itwouldbeimpossibletodenythat.Ontheotherhand,“I’mnottheonlytarget.Cadogan

Houseisatarget.Chicagoisatarget.”

Hewassavedaresponsebysudden,high-pitchedbeeping.Heliftedhiswrist,revealingasquare

calculatorwatchcirca1984.

Aftertappingitsbuttons,hesmiledguiltily.“Iwasamazedbythetechnologywhenitwasrevealed,and

Ihaven’tfoundanythingthatcomparessincethen.Simple,efficient.”

“Kudos,”Isaid,tryingtostuffthesnarkasfardownaspossible.
Charliestoodupagainandwalkedtowardme,headingforthedoornowthathe’dconcludedhis

lecture.“Ihopeitdoesn’tseemthatI’mtryingtoirritateyouorblameyouforheractions.Clearly,sheis
awomanwithfreewillandtheabilitytomakedecisionsforherself.Butconsiderthepossibilitythatthe
actionsyouundertake—asSentinelofyourHouse,withallofitsappurtenantresponsibilities—bearupon
heractions,aswell.”

Isteppedaside,givinghimaccesstothedoor.
“WedotrulywishyouthebestwithyourHouse.WewantalltheAmericanHousestosucceed,to

flourish.”

“IwillrelaythatsentimenttoEthan,”Isaidpolitely.Althoughmysilentthoughtsweremuchlesspolite,

asIguessedwouldbethecaseforEthan’s,aswell.

“Excellent.Goodevening,Merit.”
“Goodevening,Charlie.”
Hewalkedoutagain,anefficientsmileonhisfaceandahopinhisstep.Andinhiswake...

insecurity.

Washeright?HadwepromptedCelina’santicsbyrespondingtothem?Werevampiresdruggedand

humansdeadbecausewe’dencouragedhertoactout,torebelagainstCadoganHouselikeanangsty
adolescent?

Itwasn’tfairtolaytheresponsibilityforCelina’sactionsatourdoor.We’dtriedtodorightby

CadoganandChicago,andultimatelyshewastheonewho’dsolicitedthemurdersofhumans,who’d
blackmailedus,andwhowasnowprobablybehindsellingdrugs.Thosedecisionswereherown.

Still.Charlie’saccusationgnawedatme.Evenifshe’dperpetratedtheacts,itwasn’tunfathomableto

thinkshe’ddoneit,atleastinpart,becauseshewasreactingtomeandEthan,tryingtorileusup,tryingto
scoreinthevampiricchessgameshe’dcreated.

Ihatedtheideaofit,hatedthethoughtthatthebattleswefoughtonadailybasisweresomehowour

fault,nomatterhowgoodourintentions.

Ontheotherhand,whatelsecouldwehavedone?Wecouldn’texactlyleavehertoherowndevices,

creatingchaosacrossChicagojusttofulfillherchildishcravingforattention.Wecouldn’thaveignored
theblackmailattemptorTate’sthreatsagainstusevenifwewantedto.Itwasn’tlikeEthanandIwereout
andaboutsearchingforsomethingtorailagainst.

Ofcoursewewantedpeaceandquiet.Ofcoursewewantedtowakeintheeveningandspendourtime

training,researching,workingtoensurethesuccessoftheHouse—insteadofplayingdefenseagainstthe

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

DEEP-FRIEDPLAUSIBLEDENIABILITYONASTICK

Ineededabreakfromvampires.Ialsohadn’tcheckedinonMalloryinawhile,andthatdefinitely
neededtoberemedied.SowhenIwokeanddressed,Itextedherforanupdateandlearnedthatsheand
Catcherweretrainingathisgym.Translation:I’dgettowatchCatchertorturesomeoneotherthanme,and
I’dgettoseeMalloryworkhermagic.

Easycall.IlefttheHouseandheadedtotheNearNorthSide,whereCatcher’sworkoutspacewas

tuckedintoanotheroldwarehouse.(Convertingformerwarehousesintoplayroomsforvampiresand
othersupswasapparentlythenewtrendinChicago.)

IhardlyneededtosneakoutoftheHouse.DariushadpulledusofftheVinvestigation,sotherewasn’t

goingtobemuchneedformetostickaround.AndmyconversationwithEthanlastnighthadraised
uncomfortablequestionsaboutmeandmyhypocrisythatIwasn’tkeentoface.Iknewwe’dtalk
eventually;therewaslikelynoavoidingit.Butitdidn’thavetoberightnow.

ButavoiderthoughImighthavebeen,Iwasn’tsoimmaturethatIdidn’ttakemybeeper;Ialsoputmy

daggerandswordinthecar.EvenifIwasoninvestigatoryhiatus,itwasn’timpossiblePauliehadpassed
alongmymessageto“Marie,”whoplannedonpayingmeanunscriptedvisit.Onthatfront,bettertobe
prepared.

ThedrivewasprettyquickbyChicagostandards—asurprisinglyspeedyjauntalongLakeShoreDrive

—butitdidgivemeafewminutestoreflectandgainalittleperspective.NotthatIwasgoingtofindalot
ofresolutioninafifteen-minutedriveorevenafewhoursawayfromtheHouse,butthespacewas
necessary.IneededtorechargearoundpeoplewhoknewmeonlyasMerit...notasSentinel.

I’dapparentlyburnedthroughmyparkingluck;anewbarhadopenedacrossthestreetfromCatcher’s

gym,sotheneighborhoodwasfulloflong-leggedgirlsandovercolognedboysreadytoheadintothebar
forflirtationsandoverpricedappletinis.Ifoundaspacethreeblocksawayandwalkedbacktothegym,
thenheadedinside.

TheinteriorofthebuildingwasshapedlikeagiantT,andthegym—theplacewhereCatcherhadtaught

metouseasword—wasdownthecentralhallway.IfelttheelectricsizzleintheairassoonasIreached
thedoorway.Rubbingtheuncomfortablepricklealongmyarms,Ipeekedinside.

Catcherworehisfancynewglasses,trackpants,andaT-shirt;Malloryworeyogapantsandasports

bra,whichwasactuallymoreclothingthanhe’dletmetrainin.Theluckyduck.

Thatsaid,hertrainingwasadifferentduckaltogether.I’dknownCatcherwasamazingwithasword,

andI’dknownsorcerers—inadditiontobendingtheuniversetotheirwills—couldthrowballsofwhat
lookedlikemagicalfire.ButI’dneverseenanythinglikethis.

Itwasalikeagameofmagicalhandball.Thetwoofthemstoodatoppositeendsoftheroom,throwing

anddodgingbrilliantlycoloredorbsateachother.CatcherwouldheftaballofmagictowardMallory,
andMallorywouldavoiditortossoutherownshot.Sometimestheshotswouldhiteachotherandburst
intoafallofsparks;sometimesthey’dmissandexplodeagainstthewallswithacrackleofsound.

Thatexplainedthetingleintheair—eachtimeaballexploded,itsentacloudofmagicpulsingthrough

theroom.Iguessthatwastheriskofwatchingsorcererspractice.

MallorylookedoverandofferedaquickwavebeforelobbingaballofbluefirebackatCatcher.
“Hey,you!”
Iglancedover.Jeffsatinaplasticchairontheothersideofthedoor,abowlofpopcorninhislap.

“Copasquat,”hesaid,pattingtheseatbehindhim.“Iwasactuallygoingtocallyou.”
“Noneedtocallnow,”Isaid,takingaseatandgrabbingsomekernelsofcorn.Itwaskettlecorn,

whichIadored.Alittlebitsalty,alittlebitsweet,andprobablyplentybetterformethanaboxof
Mallocakes.

“So,IdidalittlemorediggingintothecriminalrecordofourfriendPaulieCermak.”
“Ithoughtyousaidhisfilewassealed.”
Jeffthrewupapieceofpopcorn,thencaughtitinhisteeth.“Oh,Idid.But‘sealed’and‘nolongerin

thesystem’aretwodifferentthings.”

“Isthistheappropriatetimeforalectureoncomputerhacking?”
“NotifyouwantmetogiveyoutheinformationIfound.”
Iwasbecominglessofasticklerfortherules.“Layitonme.”
“So,toputitinlayman’sterms,whilethefilehasofficiallybeensealedforcourtpurposes,animageof

thefile’scontentswascachedbeforeitwassealed,soallthedata’sstilloutthere.Now,asitturnsout,
therewasonlyoneitemontheguy’srecord—hegotacitationforpunchingsomeoneintheface.Asimple
assaultkindofdeal.”

Itriedtoplaybackmymemory.IthoughtI’dseenPaulieCermakbefore.Haditbeenontelevision?A

reportoftheassaultontheeveningnews?ButIcouldn’trememberanythingspecific.“Whowasthe
victim?”

“Noclue.Theguyneverpressedcharges,andhisnamewasredactedfromthefilebeforeitwas

scanned.”

Isighed.“SoPaulieCermakpunchesaguy.Thecopsgetcalled,butthevicdoesn’tpresscharges,and

thefilegetssealedanyway.”

“Thatsumsitup.”
“That’sweird.Whysealhisfileifnoonepressedcharges?”
Jeffshruggedandtossedanotherpieceofpopcornintheair.Thisonebouncedoffhislipandhitthe

floor—orwouldhavehitthefloor,haditnotbouncedjustasapulseofmagicmovedthroughtheroom.It
hoveredforamomentafewinchesabovethefloor,andthenexplodedintotinypopcornshards.

JeffandIbothducked,thenlookedupatCatcher.Hestoodwithhishandsonhiships,staringusdown.

“Popcorn?Really?”

“What?”Jeffsaidslyly.“Thisislikethebesttennismatchever.Weneededasnack.”
Catcher’slipcurled,andhelobbedashotofbluethathadusbothdroppinginourchairs.Ithitthewall

behindusandburstintoashowerofsparks.Isatup,franticallybrushingsparksfrommyhair.

“Hello!I’mheretobesupportive.Let’six-nayonthehittingmewithagic-may.”
“Yeah,Catch,”Mallorysaid.“She’stryingtobesupportive.”Shethrewaballofmagicthathadhim

jumpingtoavoidthesparksandlettingoutastringofcurses.

“Goodtimes,”Isaid,givingMalloryathumbs-up.
“So,beforeweweresorudelyinterrupted,”Jeffsaid,“Iwasgoingtosaythatit’snotexactlya

commonthingtodo—tosealarecordwhenthere’snochargespressedorwhatever—buttherecouldbe
lotsofreasons.Mostlikely,PaulieCermakhadfriendsinhighplaces.”Hechuckled.

Imadeasarcasticsound.“Pauliedoesn’texactlyseemlikesomeonewhohangswithsuits.Maybe

Celinahadhimroughsomeoneup.”

“It’sanidea.I’llkeepdigging.”
“You’redoingagreatjob,”Itoldhim,bumpinghimwithmyshoulder.“Iappreciatethehardwork.”
Jeffblushedlittle.“EvenCatchersaidIwasdoingsomeprettygoodinvestigationonthisone.”
“Well,Catchernevermetatopichedidn’thaveanopinionon.Speakingofwhich,anydevelopments

ontheV?IassumetheCPDdoestestingandsuch.”

“Yeah—theydo,anddid.Turnsout,V’schemicalstructureissimilartoadrenaline.”

“Thatexplainswhyitgetsvampssohypedup.”
Jeffnodded.“Exactly.Butthat’snoteventhemostinterestingpart.Catcherdidalittlemagicalsniffing

ofhisown,andhethinksthere’sanothercomponenttothedrugbeyondthechemistry—magic.”

Ifrowned.“Whoelsecouldhaveaddedthemagic?”
“That’swhat’sgothimworried.”
Ithadmeworried,too.EvenifwecouldpinVonPaulieandCelina,wenowhadanunknownsource

whowasthrowinggratuitousmagicaround.Andspeakingofunknowns:“Didyouevergleananymore
informationabouttheassaultMr.Jacksonsaw?”

“Onlytheinfoyoualreadyknew.Therehaven’tbeenanydevelopmentsasfarasI’maware.Caseis

goingcold.”

Iwasn’tsureifthatwasbetterorworsethanbodieshavingbeenlocated.Thatquestioninmind,my

phonebuzzed,soIpulleditfrommypocket,expectingaquestionfromEthan:“Sentinel,whereareyou?”
orthelike.

Ididn’trecognizethenumber,butIanswereditanyway.“ThisisMerit.”
“Kid,IgotsomethingIthinkyou’llbeinterestedin.”
TheNewYorkaccentwasunmistakable.“Paulie.Whatdoyouwant?”
“Acertainsomeonewantstomeetwithyou.”
“Acertainsomeone?”
“Marie,”hesaid.“Youaskedherforameeting,anditturnsoutshe’samenable.”
Ofcourseshewas.WeknewCelinawouldn’tpassupthechance,andevenifthis“Marie”wasn’t

Celina,ameetingwouldalmostcertainlyanswersomeofourquestions.“Whereandwhen?”

“StreetFest.Tonight.MeetbesidetheTownbooth.”
TownwasachichicaféintheLoopthatregularlytoppedtheannual“bestof”lists.Itwasaplacefor

socialitestoseeandbeseen,aplacethatrequiredreservationsweeksinadvance—unlessyouknew
someone...oryouwerethedaughterofJoshuaMerit.Porksaltimbocca?Yes,please.

AlthoughIdidn’tfigureCelinaforaStreetFestparticipant,Townwasjustthekindofplaceshe’d

choose.

“Whattime?”
“Eleveno’clock.”
Icheckedmywatch.Itwasaquartertillten.StreetFestendedatoneo’clock,sothemeetingtime

wouldhitthecrescendoofbands,foods,andimbibingChicagoans.

“IassumeIwon’tneedtowearacarnationinmylapelsosherecognizesme?”
Pauliecoughedoutalaugh.“She’llfindyou.Elevenp.m.sharp.”
Thelinewentdead,soItuckedthephoneawayagainandnibbledonmythumbasIthoughtitthrough.
Celina—well,someoneIthoughtmustbeCelina—wantedameetinginapublicplace.Andnotjusta

publicplace—apublicplacewherethousandsofhumanswouldbemillingabout.Wasshehopingthe
crowdwouldgiveheranonymity,orwassheplanningoncausingtroubleinthemiddleofthem?

Shehadtohaveanulteriormotive,somethingshewantedtopulloff.Maybeatrapshehopedtospring.

Itwasjustamatteroffiguringitout—orplanningforallcontingencies.

WhenIfinallylookedupagain,IfoundCatcher,Jeff,andMallorystaringatme.
“PaulieCermak,”Iexplained.“‘Marie’wantstomeetmeatStreetFesttonight.”
CatcherandMallorywalkedtowardus.“You’regoing?”
“DoIhaveachoice?Dariusispissed,andso’sTate.”Irolledmyshoulders,musclesachingagainst

thejointirritationofmagicandtension.“Wecouldpretendthisisn’tourproblem,butthat’snotgoingto
makeVgoaway,andit’snotgoingtokeepourHousetogether.”

“Sowhat’sthedownsideofmeetingwithher?”Malloryasked.
“Otherthanthepossibilityshe’llkillme?DariusorderedmeandEthantostopinvestigating.”

Catcher’sexpressionwasincredulous.“Onwhatbasis?Vampsarefightinginpublic.Howcouldhe

possiblydenythatthere’saproblem?”

“Oh,heknowssomething’sgoingon.”IfilledtheminontheescapadeatGreyHouse.“Dariusjust

thinksit’sTate’sproblemtosolve.Healsoapparentlythinkswe’retheonescreatingtheproblem—that
Celina’sactingoutbecausewekeepgivingherattention.”

“NotimpressedwithDariussofar,”Mallorysaid.
“Tellmeaboutit,”Iagreed.
“AmIinterrupting?”
Allheadsturnedtothedoorway.AcuteguyinaT-shirtandjeanssmiledbackatus.
“Who’she?”Iwhispered.
“That,”Mallorytiredlysaid,“isSimon.Mytutor.”
I’llbehonest—whenMalloryhadsaidshehadatutor,I’dexpectedthenerdytype.Someonewithan

academicbentandmaybeapocketprotector.

Simonwasaboutasfarfromthestereotypeastheygot:buffandcuteinaboy-next-doorway,withnary

apenciltobeseen.Hishairwascloselycropped,withblueeyespeeringoutbeneathastrongbrow.

“Welldone,”Iwhisperedtoher.
“Youwouldn’tsaythatifhewasmakingyoulevitateatwo-hundred-poundleadweightforthesixty-

seventhtime.”Butshesmiledpolitely.“Hi,Simon.”

“Mallory,”Simonsaid,thenlookedatCatcher.“It’sbeenawhile.”
Catcher’sexpressionstayedblank.Heapparentlywasn’tinterestedinawarmreunionwithamember

oftheOrder.“Simon.Whatbringsyoutothecity?”

SimongesturedtowardMallory.“We’regoingtotakeaghosttour.”
IglancedatMallory.“You’regoingonaghosttour?”It’snotthatMallorywasn’tinterestedinthe

occult.ShewasthegirlwiththeBuffyfixation,afterall.Butshe’dalwaysrefusedwhenI’daskedherto
go,callingtheideaofaghosttourthe“fauxcult.”

“Simon,”Mallorysaidwithanabsentwaveofthehand,“thisisMeritandJeff.She’savampire,but

I’mstillfriendswithherbecauseI’mawesomethatway,andhe’sacomputernerdlingextraordinairewho
workswithCatcher.”

Simonsmiledatme,buttheeffectwasn’tnearlyasfriendlyasyoumighthaveimagined.“So,you’re

Sullivan’sSentinel.”

“I’mtheCadoganHouseSentinel,”Ipolitelycorrected.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,inatonethatsuggestedhedidn’tquitebuymyclarification.
“Soyou’regoingonaghosttour?”Jeffasked.“Isthatsomekindofmagicalresearch?”
“Inamannerofspeaking,”Simonsaid.“Thehauntingsaren’tallwives’tales.Someofthelocalesare

legitimatelyinfested.Mallory’stasktonightwillbetoseparatefactfromfiction.It’spartofher
practicum.”

Malloryfrowned.“Isthattoday?Ithoughtthatwastomorrow.”
“Doyouneedtoreschedule?TherearesomeotherthingsIcouldtakecareofwhileI’mintown.”
Mallorywavedhimoff.“No,today’sfine.It’sgoingtobeontheexam,soImightaswelldoit.”
“Oh,myGod,youareHarryPotter,”Isaid,pointingafingerather.“Iknewit!”
Sherolledhereyes,thenlookedatCatcher.“IguessIneedtogetcleanedupandgo?”
Catcherfrowned,clearlynotcomfortablesendingMalloryoffintothecitywithSimon.Icouldn’ttellif

theanimuswasallOrderrelatedornot.

CatcherlookedatSimon.“Couldyougiveusaminute?”
“Ofcourse,”Simonsaidafteramoment.“I’llwaitinthecar.Jeff,nicetomeetyou.Merit,we’llhave

totalksometime.I’dlovetohearmoreaboutCadoganHouse.”

Igavehimanoncommittalsmile.

Simonwalkedoutagain.IlookedbackatMalloryandCatcher.“Heseemspleasantenough.”
“He’samemberoftheOrder,”Catchergrimlysaid.“They’realways‘pleasantenough’untilthey’re

callingyouatroublemakerandstrippingyouofyourmembership.”

“SoundsliketheOrderandtheGPhavethingsincommon,”Isaid.
Catchergruntedhisagreement.
“Simon’s...okay,”Mallorysaid.“ButspeakingoftheGP,youneedtogetoutthereandmixitup.”

Shereachedoutherarms,andIsteppedforwardintoherhug.“Justlikeyoutoldme,”shesaid,“youdo
whatyouhavetodo.Youknowrightfromwrong,andyourinstinctsaregood.Trustthem.”

“AndifIstillcan’tpullitoff?”
Shepulledback,herexpressionfierce.“There’snothingyoucan’tdoifyouputyourmindtoit.You

justhavetodecidethatyoucan.YougoandfindCelinaDesaulniers,andyoukickherassthistime.”

Let’shopeitendedthatway.

TherewasalimoparkedoutsidetheHousewhenIreturned,aswellastheusualgaggleofprotesters.I
recognizedtwoorthree—thesameprotesterswerecampedoutnightafternight,theirhatredofus
apparentlytakingpriorityoveranyotheractivities.

IfiguredthelimobelongedtoTateorDarius,whichdidn’tthrillme.Neitherwasgoingtomakemy

currenttaskeasier.Idouble-parkedinfrontoftheHouseandmovedcarefullyinside,tiptoeingtoward
Ethan’soffice.

NoEthan.ButMalikstoodinthemiddleoftheroom,reviewingpapers.Dariuswasinthesittingarea,

chattingonacellphone.

IsmiledpolitelyatDariusandwalkedtowardMalik.HisgazeliftedasImovedcloser,andhemust

havenoticedmyfrazzledexpression.“Whatnow?”

IslidmygazetowardDarius.“InlightoftheGP’sdirective,IthoughtI’dtaketheeveningoff.Headto

StreetFest.Meetsomefriends.”

Malik’sexpressionwasblankonlyforasecondbeforerealizationdawned.
“IthoughtI’dseeifEthanwantsmetobringanythingback.Youknowhowmuchhelovesgreasyfood.

Themancannotgetenoughofbatteredandfried.”

Maliksmiledslyly.“Thathedoes,Sentinel.Ibelieveyou’llfindhiminhisapartment.HeandDarius

plantomeetinafewminutes,butperhapsIcouldentertainhimwhileyoudiscussthemenu?”

Atmynod,MalikwalkedtowardDarius.Iheadedforthedooragain.Dariusmusthaveendedhiscall,

asIheardMalikask,“Sire,haveyouhadachancetoseethegrounds?Thegardensarespectacularinlate
summer.”

Goodman,Ithought,takingthestairstwoatatimeuntilIreachedthethirdfloor.
EthanwasjustwalkingintothehallwaywhenIreachedhim.Withoutbotheringtoaskpermission,I

movedpasthimintohisbedroom.WhenIturnedaroundagain,hewasstillinthedoorway,eyebrow
arched.

“MalikistakingcareofDarius.Ineedfiveminutes.”
“IhavethedistinctsensethatI’mnotgoingtoenjoythosefiveminutes.”
“Quitepossiblynot.”
Eitherway,hewalkedinsideandshutthedoorbehindus,thencrossedhisarmsoverhischest.
“Tonightwillbetricky,”Isaid.
“Because?”
“Becauseshemaybewreakinghavocinaverypublicplace.”
Hedroppedhisarms,alarminhisexpression.“Howpublic?”
“StreetFest.”

Ethanclosedhiseyesforamoment.“Dowehavedefenses?”
“Yourstruly.”
Ethan’seyesflashedopen.Heopenedhismouthtoobject,thencloseditagain.
“Wisedecision,”Icomplimented,“sinceI’mtheonlydefenseyou’vegotatthemoment.”
“Isthisatrap?”
“Quitepossibly.Anditmaybethekindoftrapthatputsussquareinthepubliceye.ButI’mgoingtodo

everythingIcantopreventthat—oratleastmakesureit’stherightkindofpublicity.”

Westoodtherequietlywhilehereachedhisverdict.
“Iassumethat’sallyou’regoingtotellme?”
“Foryoursakeandmine.Twowords,Sullivan:plausibledeniability.”
“IthinkIlikedyoubetterwhenyouwereanerdygraduatestudent.”
“Youdidn’tknowmeasanerdygraduatestudent,”Iremindedhim.“Well,notwhileIwasconscious,

anyway.”Technically,he’dknownmeasanunconsciousgraduatestudent,sincehe’dnursedmeforthree
daysfollowingmytransitiontovampire,butIdidn’trememberit.“Anyway,ifyou’vegotabetteridea,
I’mallforit.”

Helookedatmeforamoment,thatlineofworrybetweenhiseyes.“Unfortunately,Idonot.”
“Yourconfidenceisinspiring,Sullivan.”
Hegavemeaflatlook.“Youknowbetterthanthat.Itrustyou,Merit—implicitly—evenifyoudon’t

tellmeeverything.Iwouldn’tletyouleavetheHouseifIdidn’t—there’stoomuchatstake.”

“Atstake.Ha-ha.”Athisfrown,Iwinced.“Sorry.IkidwhenI’mnervous.”
“Areyounervous?”
Isighedandcrossedmyarms.“WearetalkingaboutCelina.AmIstrongerthanbefore?Yes.Butshe’s

stillhundredsofyearsolderthanme,andI’vebarelyseenwhatshe’scapableof.Plus,we’llbeinpublic.
EvenifIcantakecareofmyself,howamIgoingtotakecareofeveryoneelsewho’sthere?”

“Wecouldgiveyouaperimeterofguardsaroundthefestival,”Ethansuggested.
“No,”Isaid,shakingmyhead.“That’stooriskyfortheHouse.IfDariusfindsoutIwasthere,youcan

sayIactedalone,wentoffonawhim.AndIdohaveaplaninmind.”

I’dcalledonJonahbefore;ifCadoganHousewasbarredfromacting,maybeNoahwouldbewillingto

plantafewRedGuardsintothecrowd.

“Anythingyoucanshare?”
IglancedupatEthan.Therewascuriosityinhiseyes,butnorebuke.HewantedtoknowwhatIhadin

mind,buthe’dleavethedecisiontome.

“Plausibledeniability,”Iremindedhim.“YoumastertheHousefromhere.Letmeprotectusoutthere.”
Ethansighed,thenputahandonmycheek.“Idon’ttellyouthisenough,butIamincrediblyproudofthe

vampireyou’vebecome.Iwantyoutoknowthat.”

Heleanedhisforeheadagainstmine.Iclosedmyeyesandbreathedinthecottonyscentofhiscologne.

“Becareful.”

“Iwill.Ipromise.”Ipulledbackandsawtheflashofguiltinhiseyes,butIshookmyhead.“You’re

doingyourjob,”Iassuredhim.“Nowletmedomine.”

IofferedalittleprayerthatIhadthechancetodoitrightthistime.

ItwasunrealistictothinkI’dfindparkingnearStreetFest,andIdidn’thavetimetowaitfortheEl.While
IgaveLucthefive-minuteprécis,Lindseycalledacabandpromisedtomovemycar.They’dallheard
aboutDarius’sbanonmyactivities;they’dallagreedtohelpmecarrythemoutregardless.Therewere
timeswhentheworkneededtobedone,theconsequencesbedamned.Thiswasoneofthosetimes,and
theywereallonboard.

Onceinthecar,ImessagedNoahandaskedhimforbackup.Noahagreedalmostinstantaneouslyand

toldmethecrewofguardswouldberecognizablebytheirclothing:they’dbewearingfaux-retro
MIDNIGHTHIGHSCHOOLT-shirts.

Cleverboy.
I’dconsideredcallingJonah,butthiswasapublicevent.ThatriskedoutinghisRGmembershipand

puttinghiminthesamepositionasme—bearingthewrathofDariusWest.No,thankyou.

Thecabdriverdidn’tstopglancingbackatme,hisbrowneyespoppingupintherearviewmirrorevery

fewsecondsasifhewaswaitingformetobreachtheplasticwallbetweentheseatsandchomponhis
neck.

I’lladmit,theideaoftauntinghimoccurredtome.ButIwasn’tCelina.Ihadaconscienceandajobto

do,andfang-teasingthecabdriverwasn’tpartofthatjob.

“Thisisfine,”Itoldhim,slidingcashintothesmalldoorintheplasticwhenhereachedthesouthern

edgeofGrantPark.Islippedoutofthecab,wavingthedriveroffwhenhecontinuedtostareatme
throughthewindow.

“Humans,”Imuttered,andsetofftowardthetentsandcrowds.Thispartoftheparkwasempty,which

gavemethechancetoprepare...andgetpanicky.

IwaswelltrainedenoughtoputonabravefronttoEthan,Luc,andMalik.Butlet’sfaceit—Iwas

scared.Celinawasmorepowerfulthanme,andI’dagreedtomeetherinaplaceandatatimeshe’d
selected.Thiswashergame,andtherewasagoodpossibilitythatIwasn’tgoingtowin...ormakeit
outinonepiece.

Iwalkedthroughthetrees,daggerinmyboot,mystomachchurningwithnerves,evenasthesmellsof

fooddrewnearer.

Ireachedanorangevinylfencethatsurroundedthefestival.Ihoppedit,thenmingledintoagroupof

drunkenbachelorettepartygoersastheymadetheirwaytowardthemainthoroughfare.Thatgavememy
firstviewofthebattleground.ColumbusDrivewaslinedwithwhitetents.Peoplewalkedinthewide
lanebetweenthem,foodanddrinksinhand.Theairwasthickwiththesmellsofbatterandbeerand
peopleandsweatandtrash,andthesoundofathousandconversationsandsizzlingfoodandthecountry
bandonthemake-dostagewasnearlyenoughtooverwhelmmysenses.

Imaneuveredoutofthelaneoftrafficandstoppedbesideabooth,closingmyeyesuntiltheworld

settledbackdowntoadullroar.

“Coupons?”
Iopenedoneeye.
Awomanbalancingawailing,pink-cheekedtoddlerononehipheldoutastackoffoodcoupons.“We

haveextra,andit’sgettinglate,andKyleisjustfreakingout,soweneedtogo.”Shesmiledsheepishly.
“Wouldyouwanttobuythembyanychance?They’restillgood.”

“Sorry,”Ikindlysaid.“Idon’tneedanything.”
Obviouslydisappointed,shesighedheavilyandlumberedawkwardlyaway,thebabynowbeginningto

squall.

“Goodluck,”Icalledout,butshewasalreadylookingforsomeoneelsetotempt.
Ididn’talwaysgettoplaythehero.
Iwalkedaroundthetentandbackintotheflowofpeople,andIwasnearlyoverdoneagain.My

stomachgrowledatthesmells;therewasonlysomuchblockingthatavampirecoulddo.Isilently
promisedmyselfadeep-friedcandybarandapapertrayofbacon-wrappedTaterTotsifImadeitthrough
thenightunscathed.Notagoodnutritionalcombo,butIfiguredtheoddswerelowanyway.

Iwalkedtoasignthatidentifiedthetents’locations,foundtheTownbooth,andcheckedmywatch.It

wasabouttenminutesuntileleven.Tenminutesuntilshowtime.

Ahandsuddenlygrippedmyarm.Ijerked,expectingtoseeCelina.Forbetterorworse,Igota

differentkindofsurprise.

“Hello,there,”saidthemanatmyside.
ItwasMcKetrick,havingtradedinhisfatiguesforjeansandasnugblackT-shirt.Thebettertoblendin

withthehumans,Iassumed.Hesmiledgrandlyatme.Hemighthavebeenhandsome,buttheeffectwas
stillcreepy.

Ipulledbackmyarm.“Ifyou’resmart,you’llwalkawayrightnowandgoaboutyourbusiness.”
“Merit,youaremybusiness.You’reavampire,andI’dbewillingtobetyou’recarryingaweaponhere

inthispublicplace.Itwouldbeirresponsibleofmetoletyougoonaboutyourmerryway,don’tyou
think?”

Itwouldsavemealotoftrouble,Ithought,becausetherewasnowayIcouldexplainwhyIneeded

himtoleavemealone.He’dgoballisticifheknewIwasheretoentertainCelina.Andspeakingof,time
wastickingdown,andIneededtogettotheTowntent.

“Ifyou’resmart,”Itoldhim,“you’llbeonyourownmerryway.”
Hetiltedhishead.“Youseemalittlepreoccupied.Youaren’tplanningtostarttrouble,areyou?That

wouldbemostunfortunate.”

“Ineverstarttrouble,”Iassuredhim.Itjustusuallyseemedtopopupinmyvicinity.Caseinpoint:

“SinceIwasmindingmyownbusinessbeforeyougrabbedme,you’retheonecausingtrouble.”

“Ifyoumindedyourownbusiness,”McKetrickretorted,“you’dbehomeamongyourownkind.”
Iwassavedthetroubleofrespondingtohisprejudicedidiocybythesoundofanargumentmoving

towardus.Ilookedup.Amanandwomanbickeredastheywalked,eachclearlyirritatedbytheother.

“Really,Bob?Really?”askedthewoman.“Youthinkthebestcourseofactionistospendanentire

week’ssalaryonfoodtickets?That’swhatyouthink?Becauseyouwanttoeatgyrosandfriedcheesecake
fortherestoftheweek?NotthatIshouldbesurprised.It’sjustthekindofharebrainedthingyou’ddo.”

“Oh,yeah,Sharon.Layiton.Layitonthick.Righthereinpublicwhereeverybodycansee!”Theman,

whowasonlyacoupleoffeetfromme,liftedhisarmsandmovedinacircle.“Didanyonenothearmy
lovelywifeberatingme?Anyone?”

Thepeoplearounduschucklednervously,notsurewhethertheyshouldstepinandputanendtothe

dramatics,orignorethem.

Ihadthesamequestion—untilthemanmadethefullturnandIcouldseetheredT-shirtbeneathhisthin

jacket.MIDNIGHTHIGHSCHOOLwaswritteninfadedwhitelettersacrossthefront.Theseweremy
RGhelpers.

Theguywinkedatme,thensteppeddirectlybetweenmeandMcKetrick.“Imean,really,sir,isthisthe

kindofbehavioryou’dexpectfromyourwife?Whathappenedto‘forbetterorworse’andallthat?”

Thewomansteppedupandpokedafingerintotheguy’schest.“Oh,justanotherthingforyouto

criticizemeabout,huh,Bob?I’mshocked.Reallyshocked.Ishouldhavelistenedtomymother,you
know!”

“Oh,yeah,Sharon.Bringyourmotherintothis.Yourpoor,woebegonemother!”
Acrowdbegantogatheraroundthecouple,creatingathickerhumanbarrierthatputmorespace

betweenMcKetrickandme.Twosecurityguardsalsoambledover,addingtwomorehumans—andtwo
moreweapons—tothefray.

Igotwhilethegettingwasgood.

IfoundtheTownboothandcampedbesideit,butfifteenminutes,andthenhalfanhour,passedwithno
action.IcursedMcKetrick,positivethathe’dscaredCelinaaway.

Forthetwentiethtime,Istoodontiptoestogetabetterlookatthegrounds,nearlyfallingoverwhena

dark-hairedwomannudgedpastme.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

DEVILINABLUEDRESS

Celinaslowlyturnedtofaceme.Sheworeaone-piece,royalbluejumperwithankleboots,herhairina
ponytail.Hereyeswidenedinapparentshock.

Okay,nowIwasconfused.Whydidshelooksurprisedtoseeme?
Herarmstillinmyhand,shemovedastepcloser.“Ifyou’resmart,child,you’llletgoofmyhand

whileyoustillhaveyourstouse.”

“Iwastoldyouwantedtomeetme,”Iinformedher.“Byamutualfriend.”
Almostinstantaneously,herexpressionchanged.Hereyesnarrowed,hernostrilsflared,andhermagic

roseinanangry,pepperycloud.Thehumansstillmovedpastwithfairfoodandplasticcupsofbeerin
hand,completelyoblivioustothemagicalreactorwhowasthrowingoffenoughpowertolighttheLoop.

“Thatlittleshit,”shemuttered,followedbyafewchoicecurses.
IassumedshemeantPaulie,butifshehadn’tbeenexpectingme...
“Whodidyouthinkyouweremeeting?”
Herexpressionwenthaughty.“Asyouarewellaware,andastheGPhasremindedyou,mylifeisnone

ofyourconcern.”

“Chicagoismyconcern.CadoganHouseismyconcern.”
Shescoffed.“You’reavampireinafourth-rateHouse.AndsleepingwithitsMasterisn’texactlya

coup.”

IresistedtheurgetodothenailrakingandhairpullingI’dcomplainedaboutonlyafewdaysago.

Instead,Igavebackthesamepretentiouslookshegaveme.Itwasn’tthatIwasnaïveaboutCelinaorher
power—orthedamageshecoulddotome.ButIwastiredofbeingafraid.AndiftheGPwasgoingtoact
likeshewasn’tathreat,thenIwas,too.

“Mylifeisnoneofyourconcern,either,”Icountered.“AndIdon’tcarehowwellyou’vemanagedto

convincetheGPyou’reagoodcitizenandhavenothingtodowiththehavocinthiscityrightnow.Iknow
it’sbullshit,andIamnotafraidofyou.Notanymore.I’malsonotafraidoftheGP,soI’mgoingtogive
youonechancetoanswerthisquestion.”Ipressedmynailsintothefleshofherarm.“DidyouputVon
thestreets?”

Celinalookedaround,seemedtorealizethatthepeoplearounduswerebeginningtostare.Andofall

thereactionsImighthaveimagined,theoneshehandedbackwasn’tevenonthelist.

“MaybeIdid,”shesaid,loudenoughforalltohear.“MaybeIhelpedputVonthestreets.Sowhat?”
Mymouthopenedinshock.Celinahadjustannouncedtoafewthousandhumansthatshe’dhelpedput

Vonthestreet.Itwasacoupforme,buttherewasnowayshe’dmakethatkindofannouncementifshe
didn’tthinkshehadanout.Whatwashergame?

Thehumansaroundusstopped,nowstaringfullout.Acoupleofthempoppedoutphonesandwere

tapingthescene.

“What’syourconnectiontoPaulieCermak?IknowyoutalkedtohimatNavarreHouse.”
Shebarkedoutalaugh.“PaulieCermakisalittleworm.He’sgotawarehouseinGreektownthat

housestheV,andhe’sbeenhandlingthedistributionfromthere.That’swhytherewasn’tanyVinhis
house.”Shegavemeanappraisinggaze.“What’smoreinterestingishowyoulearnedaboutit.Morgan
toldyou,no?”Shelookedmeupanddown.“Didyouofferyourselfforalittleinformation?”

Inadditiontofeelingdisgustedbythesuggestion,IfeltalittlesympathyforMorgan.Celina’scraziness

didn’texcusethefactthatMorganwasn’treliable,butitsuredidexplainwhyhewasn’ttrustworthy.If
he’dlearnedtobeaMasterbyfollowinginCelina’sfootsteps,there’dprobablybeennohopeforhim.

“Andtheraves?”
“Theraveswerethelinchpin,”shesaid.“Thekeytotheentiresystem.TheyweremeanstogetV—and

humans—intothehandsofvampires.”

Celinalookedaround,realizedshehadacaptiveaudienceofhumanswho’drecognizedwhoshewas

—andthefactthatshewassupposedtobelockedawayinEngland,notstandinginthemiddleofStreet
FestconfessingtocrimesagainstthecitizensofChicago.

IfI’dbeeninherposition,Iwouldhavebalked.I’dhaveloweredmyheadandduckedthroughthe

crowd,seekingescape.ButCelinawasn’tyouraveragevampire.Withnothingclosetoregretorfearin
hereyes—andwhileIstaredather,shockedatheraudacity—shebegantoaddressthecrowd.

“Fortoolong,Iboughtintothenotionthathumansandvampirescouldsimplycoexist.Thatbeing

vampiremeanttampingdowncertainurges,workingincommunionwithhumans,leadinghumans.”

Shebegantoturninacircle,offeringhersermontothecrowd.“Iwaswrong.Vampiresshouldbe

vampires.Truly,completelyvampires.Wearethenextevolutionofhumans.Vremindsuswhoweare.
Andyou,too—allofyou—couldhaveourstrength.Ourpowers.Ourimmortality!”

“Youkilledhumans!”shoutedoneofthehumans.“Youdeservetodie.”
Celina’ssmilefaltered.She’dchangedpositionsinasecondattempttoingratiateherselfwithhumans,

anditstillhadn’tworked.Sheopenedhermouthtocountertheassertion,butthenextwordsweren’thers.

FouruniformedCPDofficerssteppedaroundher.Threepointedweapons;thefourthgrabbedher

wristsandcuffedthembehindherback.

“CelinaDesaulniers,”hesaid,“youhavetherighttoremainsilent.Anythingyousaycouldbeused

againstyouinacourtoflaw.Youhavetherighttoanattorney.Ifyoucannotaffordone,onewillbe
appointedtoyou.DoyouunderstandtherightsI’vereadtoyou?”

Celinastruggledonce,andshewasstrongenoughthatthemanwho’dcuffedandrestrainedherhadto

fighttokeepherontheground.Butafteramomentshestopped,herexpressiongoingpleasantlyblank.

Thatwasn’tagoodsign.
“She’lltrytoglamouryou,”Iwarned.“Stayfocused,andfightthroughit.Shecan’tmakeyoudo

anything;she’lljusttrytoloweryourinhibitions.YoumightwanttohavetheOmbudsmanmeetyouatthe
station.He’sgotstaffwhocanhelpyou.”

Threeofthecopsignoredme,butthefourthnoddedwithappreciation.Itcouldn’thavebeeneasytoget

alecturefromaskinnyvampwithaponytail.

“There’snoneedtoglamourthem,”Celinasaid,herblue-eyedgazeonme.“I’llbeoutbeforeyoucan

warnyourloverthatyoufoundmehere.Oh,andenjoyyourconversationwithDarius.I’msurehe’llbe
thrilledtofindoutaboutthis.”

Shewentwillingly.Afteramoment,thecrowdcompletelydissipated,leavingnoevidenceofCelina’s

recaptureortheproselytizingspeechshe’djustgiven.

Thatgavemeaminutetofocusonthebiggerquestion:Whatthehellhadjusthappened?

Istoodthereforamoment,stilltryingtowrapmymindaroundCelina’sconfessionandarrest.

Longstoryshort:Ihadtobemissingsomething.Theentirethingwaswaytooeasyandfeltlikeagiant

setup.Celinaclearlydidn’tknowshewasgoingtomeetme,butshe’dneverthelessconfessedtotheentire
crowdthatshe’dbeenhelpingPauliedistributedrugsandarrangetheraves.Andthenshetriedto
convincethemtojointhevampirebandwagon.

Howdidthatmakesense?
Itsimplydidn’t.WhileIwasn’tunhappyCelinawasoffthestreetsandbackinthehandsoftheCPD,I

couldn’tfigureoutherangle.Shehadtohaveone.TherewasnowayawomanasegotisticalasCelina
makesaconfessionwithoutthinkingshe’llgetsomethingoutofit.Maybethatwasit.Didshethinkshe
couldgetoutofit?DidshethinkshewasimmunefromtroublebecauseshehadGPprotection?
Unfortunately,thatpossibilitywasn’tentirelyunrealistic.

Ididn’tknowwhatgameshewasplaying,butIknewthiswasn’ttheendofthestory.Vampiredrama

rarelywrappedupsoeasily.

Isighedandpulledoutmyphone,preparingtogiveEthanaquickupdatebeforeIsearchedforacab.

I’mnotsurewhatmademeglanceuporover,buttherehewas—rightinfrontofme.Pauliesatatasmall,
plasticcafétableinsideabeertent.Twoemptyplasticcupssatonthetableinfrontofhim,andathird,
half-fullcupwasinhishand.Heliftedittome,atoasttomyparticipationinwhateverconhewas
running.

AtleasttoPaulie,thishadbeenagame.He’dsetupCelina,butwhy?Togetheroutoftheway?Sohe

couldlosethevampiremiddleman—thewomanbringingunwanteddramatotheentireoperation—and
gainaccesstohershareoftheprofits?

Ishiftedmybodyweightforwardtolaunchmyselftowardhim.ButbeforeIcouldmove,Iwasstopped

bythesamethingthathadkeptMcKetrickfromme—humans.

Thistime,afamilymovedinfrontofme.Motherandadoublestrollerofsleepingchildreninthelead;

fatherwithasleepinginfantonhishippullingaredwagonthatheldathirdsleepingtoddler.Theentire
familywastetheredtogetherwithribbon.Itwasawagontrainoffamily.

Bythetimethey’dmovedtheircaravanoutofthewayandIlookedupagain,Pauliewasgone.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

DEMERITS

Iwasn’tentirelysurehowtobreakthenewstoEthan.Howdidyoutellyourbossthatfornoapparent
reason,yourenemyhadconfessedherevildoingsandgonewillinglyintothearmsoftheChicagoPolice
Department?

Turnedout,Ididn’tneedto.AfterpickingthroughtheprotesterstogetintotheHouse,Ifoundhalfthe

House’svampiresinthefrontsittingroom,eyesgluedtoaflat-screentelevisionthathungabovethe
fireplace.

Tatestoodinfrontofapodiuminacharcoalgraysuit,everyhairinplace,andasoothingsmileonhis

face.

“We’vediscoveredtodaythatCelinaDesaulniers,thoughttobeinthecustodyofofficialsintheUK,

madeherwaybacktoChicago.Whilehere,shecontinuedtocreatethechaosshe’dbegunbeforeherfirst
capture.We’vealsolearnedthatshewasresponsiblefortheincreaseinviolencewe’veseeninthecity.
Now,finally,thecityofChicagocanbreatheasighofrelief.Lifecanreturntonormal,andvampirescan
returntobeingapartofthecity,notantagonists.Restassured,Ms.Desaulnierswillstayinthecustodyof
theChicagoPoliceDepartmentinafacilitywecreatedjustforthepurposeofkeepingthepublicsafe
fromsupernaturalcriminals.IalsoneedtogivecredittoMerit,theSentinelofCadoganHouse.”

“Oh,shit,”Isaidaloud,halfadozenofthevampsintheroomturningtostareatme,finallyrealizing

I’dsteppedintotheroombehindthem,probablysmellingofkebabbedmeatsanddeep-friedcandybars.

“Shewasacrucialpart,”Tatecontinued,“ofeffortstolocateandapprehendCelinaDesaulniers.

Whateveryouropinionsofvampires,Iask—onbehalfofthecity—thatyounotjudgealltheindividuals
basedontheactionsofafew.”

Mybeeperbegantobuzz.Iunclippeditandglancedatthescreen.Itread,simply,OFFICE.
Iblewoutabreath,thenlookedupatthevampsintheroomandofferedasmallwave.“Itwaslovely

knowingyou,”Iassuredthem,thenturnedonaheel.

Ihustleddownthehallway.Theofficedoorwascracked,soIpusheditopenandfoundDarius,Ethan,

andMalikinside.Theywereallseatedattheconferencetable—Dariusatthehead,MalikandEthanon
thewindowside.

Ididn’tlikethesymbolismthere,andmyalready-rawstomachbegantochurnagain.
“Comein,Merit,”Dariussaid.“Andclosethedoor.”
IdidasIwastoldandtookaseatoppositeEthanandMalik.Ethan’sexpressionwascompletelyblank.

Mystomachtightened,butI’dalreadydecidedIwasn’tgoingtobeafraidanylonger.Itwastimetotalk.

“Sire,”Isaid,“mayIspeakcandidly?”
IheardEthan’swarninginmyhead,butIignoredit.Therewasatimetobemeek,andatimetotakea

stand.Atthispoint,Ihadnothingtolose.

Dariusregardedmeforamoment.“Speak.”
“Vwasmovingthroughthecity.Itwashurtingourvampires,itwashurtinghumans,anditwashurting

ourrelationshipwiththecity.WithallduerespecttotheconcernsoftheGP,wehavetolivehere.We
don’thavetheluxuryofreturningtoanothercontinent,andwecouldn’tsimplyignoretheproblem.
Shiftersandhumanswerealreadyturningagainstus.Ifwedidn’tact,we’dbeinthemiddleofthewarthe
sorcerershavepredicted.IstandSentinelforthisHouse,andIactedinamannerconsistentwiththe
House’sbestinterest,evenifthatinterest,inyouropinion,doesnotcoincidewiththatoftheGP.”

WhenIwasdone,DariuslookedatEthan.“Tonight’seventsdonotreflectwellupontheNorth

AmericanHousesortheGreenwichPresidium.Weshouldnotbeinvolvedinaltercationsinapublic
festivalinoneofthelargestcitiesintheUnitedStates.”Helookedupatme.“Wedonotneedthe
publicity,northeheroics.Whatweneedisrespectforauthority,forhierarchy,forchainofcommand.
Assimilationishowwe’vedonethatforcenturies.Assimilationishowwe’llcontinuetodoit.”

Hisgazewentice-cold,asdidthebloodinmyveins.
“Merit,consideryourselfofficiallyreprimandedbytheGP.Yourfilewillbeannotatedtoreflectwhat

you’vedonetoday.Ihopeyouappreciatetheseriousnessofthataction.”

Iactuallydidn’thaveanycluehowseriousitwas,butthatdidn’tmatter.ItfeltlikeI’dbeenslappedin

theface,everysacrificeanddecisionI’dmadesincebecomingavampirecalledintoquestion.

ItriedtoobeythewarninglookEthanshotmefromacrossthetable,butIwasdoneplayingGP

doormatandblamemagnet.

Istoodupandpushedbackmyshoulders.“WillmyfilebeannotatedtoreflectthefactthatIfollowed

theleadstoCelina,andthatsheadmittedspreadingVaroundthecity?Willitreflectthefactthatshe
helpedarrangetheravessoshecouldinstitutehernewworldorder—whichitsoundslikesheplansto
institutewithouttheGP?Willitreflectthefactthattodayweclosedherdownandsavedthecityandthe
GPalotoftroubledowntheroad?”

Dariuswasmotionless.“CelinaisamemberoftheGPandmustbeaffordedtherespectduetoa

memberoftheGP.”

“Celinaputdangerousdrugsintothehandsofvampires,drugsthatcouldonlyleadtotheirdestruction

andincarceration.Sheisamurdererandanaiderandabettorofmurder.GPmemberornot,sheneededto
bestopped.IwasaChicagoanbeforeIwasavampire,andwhenIhaveanopportunitytohelpthiscity—
todorightbythiscity—I’mgoingto.GPbedamned.”

Silence.
“Yourfilewillbeannotated,yourdemeritsnoted.AndwhileIfindyourbravadointriguing”—heslid

hisgazetoEthan—“IstronglyrecommendyoulearntocontrolyourHouseandyourvampires.”

WhenIlookedbackatEthan,hisexpressionwasstony,hisgazeonDarius.
“Withallduerespect,Sire,”hebitout,“Idonotcontrolmyvampires.Ileadthem.Merithasacted

withmypermissionandinthemannerbefittingaCadoganvampireandaSentinelofthisHouse.Shehas
actedhonorablytodefendCadogan,itsMaster,anditsvampires.Shehasactedtoprotectthiscityfrom
thecriminalstheGPhasseenfittoletroamfree.Ifyouhaveaproblemwithheractions,thenit’smyfile,
nothers,thatshouldbeannotated.Itrusther,fullyandcompletely.Anyactionofhersbearsonmy
leadership,notherabilitiesasaSentinelnorherloyaltytothePresidium.”

Helookedatmewitheyesthatwereradiantlygreen,thismanwho’djuststoodupforme,defiedhis

ownmasterforme,trustedinme.

Iwasfloored.Speechless.Movedtotears,andsuddenlyvery,verynervous,bothatthesentimentand

itspoliticalcost.

ButregardlessofthesurpriseofEthan’swords,theirgenerosity,hisdefenseofmyactions,Darius

wasn’tbuying.Hemaintainedthepartyline,andtheHousewouldsufferforit.

“Appointmentofareceiverisclearlyaninevitability,”hesaid.“ThereisnowaytoavoidGPoversight

ofCadoganHouseatthisjuncture.Iexpectyouwillgivethereceiverthesameaccessandrespectthat
youwouldgiveme.Isthatunderstood?”

Ethanbitoutwords.“Yes,Sire.”
“Inthatcase,CharliehasacarwaitingandIneedtogettotheairport.”Hepushedbackhischairand

rose,thenstartedforthedoor.“Icanseemyselfout.”

Theroomwassilentashecrossedit,butafewfeetfromthedoor,hestoppedandlookedback.“One

wayortheother,withyourapprovalorwithoutit,thereceiverwillputthisHouseinorder.Isuggestyou

getusedtothatidea.”

Andthenheturnedandwalkedoutthedoor,closingitfirmlybehindhim.
Ethanputhiselbowsonhiskneesandranhishandsthroughhishair.“Wedidwhatwehadtodo.The

GPwillactasitdeemsappropriate.”

“They’reactinglikenaïvechildren.”WebothlookedatMalik.Hisexpressionwasfierce.“I

understandyouraccordingthemduerespect,Ethan,butthisiscompletelyirrational.Theyshouldbe
thankingMeritforwhatshe’sdone.DariusshouldbethankingtheHousefortakingathreatoffthestreets.
Andinstead,they’resendinginareceiver?They’repunishingthisHouseforCelina’sacts?”

“Notforheracts,”Ethansaid.“Forthepublicationofthoseacts.It’slesstheactionthanthe

embarrassmentheapparentlybelieveswe’vecausedtheGP.”Heblewoutabreath.“Ifonlyyou’dstaked
herwhenyouhadthechance.”

Ihadstakedher,Ithoughttomyself.Ijusthadn’thitherheart.
“Thisisn’ttheendofit,”Iwarned.“Celinaconfessedtooeasily,andPaulieisstillonthestreets.I’m

sureshe’sgivenhimuptothecopsatthispoint—shedoesusuallyloveascapegoat—buteitherway,it’s
notover.”

“It’soverenough,”Ethansaid.“We’vedoneallwecandoforthiscityonthisparticularissue.Tatehas

beensatisfied,andthatwasthepoint.”

Inearlyarguedwithhim,butIcouldseetheexhaustionanddisappointmentinhiseyes,andIdidn’t

wanttoaddtohisburden.

“Taketherestoftheeveningoff,”hesaid,risingfromtheconferencetablewithoutmakingeyecontact.

“Sleepthisoff,andwe’llregrouptomorrowandcreateaplantogetthroughthereceivership.”

Wenoddedobediently,watchingashemovedacrosstheroomandthroughtheofficedoor.
I’ddonenothingmoreandnothinglessthanmyjobhadrequired.ButwhydidIfeelsomiserable?

Itriedtofindspace.IjoinedLindseyinherroomforaroundofmindlesstelevision.Thathelpedfillthe
evening,butitdidn’tcalmthenervesinmystomach,ortheflutterinmychest.

Twohourslater,silently,Istoodup,pickedthroughthecrowdofvampireswhofilledthefloor,and

wentforthedoor.

“Goingsomewhere?”sheasked,headtiltedcuriously.
“I’mgoingtofindaboy,”Isaid.
IwasnervousasImadethetriptohisroom,afraidthatifIsteppedinside—bothofusemotionally

drained—he’dbeabletoslippastdefensesIshouldkeepintact.Andworse—thatwe’dneverbethe
sameforit.ThattheHousewouldneverbethesameforit.

Istoodoutsidehisdoorforafullfiveminutes,clenchingandunclenchingmyhands,tryingtobuildup

thenervetoknock.

Finally,whenIcouldn’tstandtheanticipationanylonger,Iblewoutabreath,pulledmyfingersintoa

fist,andwrappedmyknucklesagainstthedoor.Thesoundechoedthroughthehallway,oddlyloudinthe
silence.

Ethanopenedthedoor,hisexpressionhaggard.“Iwasjustabouttoheadtobed.Didyouneed

something?”

Ittookmesecondstospeak,tofindcouragetoaskthequestion.“CanIstaywithyou?”
Hewasstunnedbyit,clearly.“Canyoustaywithme?”
“Tonight.Notanythingphysical.Just—”
Ethanslidhishandsintohispockets.“Just?”
Ilookedupathim,andletthefear,frustration,andexhaustionshowinmyeyes.Iwastootiredto

argue,tootiredtocarewhattherequestmightmeantomorrow.TootiredtofightbackagainsttheGPand

him.

Ineededcompanionship,affection.Ineededtotrustandbetrustedinreturn.
AndIneededthatfromhim.
“Comein,Merit.”
Isteppedinside.Heclosedthedoorstohisapartmentsandturnedoffthelights,hisbedsidelamps

glowingthroughthedoorstohisbedroom.

Withoutanotherword,heputhishandsonmyarms,andpressedhislipstomyforehead.
“If‘just’isallyoucangivemenow,then‘just’iswhatwe’lldo.”
Iclosedmyeyesandwrappedmyarmsaroundhim,andIletthetearsflow.
“IfhedecidesI’mhisenemy?”Iasked.“Ifhedecidestakingmeout—orlettingCelinatakemeout—is

howhemaintainscontroloftheHouses?”

“YouareaCadoganvampire,bybloodandbone.YouhavefoughtforthisHouse,andyouaremineto

protect.MySentinel,myNovitiate.AslongasIamheretodoit,Iwillprotectyou.AslongasthisHouse
exists,youwillhaveahomehere.”

“AndifDariustriestotearitdownbecauseofsomethingI’vedone?”
Ethansighed.“ThenDariusisblind,andtheGPisnottheorganizationithassetitselfuptobe.Itisnot

theprotectorofvampiresitimaginesitselftobe.”

Isniffedandturnedmycheekintothecoolnessofhisshirt.Hiscolognewascleanandsoapy,likefresh

towelsorwarmlinens.Morecomfortingthanitshouldhavebeen,giventheknotoffearstillinmyheart.

Ethanpulledawayandmovedtothebarontheothersideoftheroom,thenpouredamberliquidfroma

crystaldecanterintotwochubbyglasses.Heputthetopbackonthedecanter,thenwalkedbackand
handedmeaglass.Itookasipandflinchedinvoluntarily.Theliquormighthavebeengood,butittasted
likegasolineandburnedlikedryfire.

“Keepdrinkingit,”Ethansaid.“You’llfinditimproveswitheachsip.”
Ishookmyheadandhandedtheglassbacktohim.“Soitfinallytastesgoodwhenyou’recompletely

drunk?”

“Somethinglikethat.”Ethandrainedhisglassanddepositedbothontheclosesttable.
Hetookmyhandandlacedourfingerstogether,thenledmetothebedroom,whereheclosedthe

bedroomdoors.Twosetsofdoors,offinelyhonedandpaneledwood,betweenusandhumansand
shiftersandtheGPanddrug-addledvampires.

Forwhatfeltlikethefirsttimeindays,Iexhaled.
Ethanpulledoffhisjacketandplaceditacrossasidechair.Itoedoffmyshoesandstoodtherefora

moment,realizingthatinmyhastetofindhimIhadn’tbotheredtothinkaboutclothing.

“WouldyoulikeaT-shirt?”heasked.
Ismiledalittle.“Thatwouldbegreat.”
Ethansmiledback,unbuttoninghisshirtashewalkedacrosstheroomtoatallbureau.Heopeneda

drawerandrifledthroughitbeforepullingoutaprintedT-shirtandtossingittome.Iunfoldedit,checked
thedesign,andsmiled.

“Youshouldn’thave.”
Itwasa“SaveOurName”T-shirt,printedaspartofacampaigntoensureWrigleyFieldkeptthat

name.Itwasalsoverymuchmystyle.

Ethanchuckled,thendisappearedintohiscloset.IslippedoutofmyclothesandintotheT-shirt,which

fellnearlytomyknees.Ichuckeddecorativepillowsfromhismassivebed,thenslidintocoolcottonand
closedmyeyesinrelief.

Itmayhavebeenminutesorhoursbeforehereturnedtotheroomandturnedoutthelights.Iwas

alreadyinandoutofsleep,onlyvaguelyawareofthepressofhisbodybehindmine.Hisarmsnaked
aroundmywaistandpulledmetightagainsthim,hislipsatmyear.“Bestill,mySentinel.Andsleep

well.”

He’dpromisedmethathe’dbepatient,thathe’dwaitforme,thathewouldn’tbetheonetokissmeagain.

Hefollowedthroughonhispromise.
Iwokeinthemiddleoftheday,themetalshuttersstillbankinganylightfromthewindows,but

unusuallyawareofhisbodybesideme...andofthecravingthatnearnessinspired.

We’dmovedapartinsleep,butIcurledintohimagain,vaguelyexpectinghimtoreacttothesensation

withakiss.Hetracedafingerthroughmyhair,theactmorecomfortingthanerotic.

Anditwasn’tenough.
“Ethan,”Imuttered,myheartsuddenlyracingevenasthesunglareddownfromitscradleinthesky.

ButasmuchasIwantedhim,Icouldn’ttakethatnextstep.Icouldn’tforcemyselftomove,tokisshim.
Someofthehesitationwasbornfromexhaustion,bythefactthatIshouldhavebeenunconsciousuntilthe
sunsankagain.Buttherestwaspure,unmitigatedfear.FearthatifImadeamove,kissedhim,I’dbe
offeringupmyheartagain,riskingheartbreakagain.

Instinctswarred,becauseequallyaspowerfulwastheurgetostepforward,totakewhatIwanted,to

makethemostofthekissevenifitwasn’tthesmartestthingI’deverdone.

Asifheknewmystruggle,hesmoothedahandovermyhair.“Sleep,Sentinel.Thetimewillcome

whenyou’reready.Untilthen,bestillandsleep.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

CHERCHEZLAFEMME

IdreameditwasthefirstdayofhighschoolandIwasanawkwardlytalltwenty-eight-year-oldwalking
downahallwaywithanewnotebookandpeninhand.I’dsomehowforgottentoregisterforclasses,and
eventhoughIhadtwoandahalfcollegedegrees,I’dalsoapparentlyforgottentofinishtenthgrade.

Isatdownatadesktoosmallformeandstaredatachalkboardfilledwithhandwriting—quadratic

equationstoocomplicatedformetosolve.WhenIlookedaroundtheroom,everyoneelsewasbusily
fillingoutthestapledpagesofatest.

Onebyone,theotherstudentslookedupandatmeandbeganpoundingtheirfistsonthedesk.
Thump.Thump.Thump.
Agirlwithlongblondhairlookedoveratme.“Openthedoor,”shesaid.
“What?”
“Isaid,openthe—”
Ijoltedawake,sittingstraightupinbed,justintimetoseeEthandisappearfromtheroom.
IrubbedmyhandsacrossmyfaceuntilIwasinhisroomagain—notahelplesssophomoreoutofplace

inahighschoolIwastoooldtoattend.

Iheardhisdooropenandshut.ItriedtosmoothdownwhatI’msurewasaprettyseverecaseofbed

hair,andthenthrewbackthecoversandpaddedintotheotherroom.

“Whatisit?”
Ethanheldoutacordlesslandlinetelephone.“It’sJeffforyou.Apparently,it’surgent.”
Frowning,Itookthephonefromhim.“Jeff?What’sup?”
“Sorrytointerruptyou,butIwasabletodigupsomemoreinformationaboutPaulieCermakandhis

criminalhistory.”

Ifrowned.“YouknowCelina’salreadybeenarrested,right?”
“Andthatawarrant’sbeenissuedforMr.Cermakafterherlittleconfessionlastnight.Oh—andIhear

Ethan’swarrantwastornup,socongratsonthat.Butthat’snottheissue.”

“So,whatdidyoulearn?”
“Ifoundtheoriginalpolicereport—anditlistedthevic’sname.Well,alastnameandfirstinitial,

anyway.Guyorgalnamed‘P.Donaghey.’AlsofromChicago—”

Shakingmyhead,Icuthimoff.“Jeff,Iknowthatname.”Isqueezedmyeyesclosedbutcouldn’tplace

it.“CanyouGoogleit?”

“Oh,sure.”Iheardfingersflowingacrossthekeys.“Oh,thisisbad.”
“Tellme.”
“‘P.Donaghey’standsfor‘PorterDonaghey.’HewasSethTate’sopponentinhisfirstmayoral

election.”

NowIrememberedwhereI’dseenPaulie’sphotographbefore.“PaulieCermakpunchedSethTate’s

opponentintheface.”

Ethan’seyeswentasbigassaucers.
“Wait,there’smore.I’vegotpictures.Campaignevents.Tate’sonthepodium,andyoucanseePaulie

inthebackground.”

“SendtheimagestoLuc,”Itoldhim.“Samewayyoudidbefore.”Somethingelseoccurredtome.

“Jeff,inthatfileyoufound,diditsayanythingaboutwhorepresentedPaulie?Theattorneythatgotthefile

sealed,Imean?”

“Um,letmescan.”Hewentquietforamomentbutforalittlenervouswhistling.
“Oh,crap,”hefinallysaid.
Onlyonelawyermadesense.“ItwasTate,wasn’tit?”
“ItwasTate,”Jeffconfirmed.“CermakpunchedTate’sopponent,andTategothimoff.PaulieCermak

andTateknoweachother.”

Thephonestillpressedtomyear,IlookedatEthan.“Idon’tthinkthat’stheendofit,Jeff.IfPaulie’s

involvedwithdrugs,raves,andCelina,andPaulieandTateknoweachother,thenhowmuchisTate
involvedwithdrugs,raves,andCelina?”

“What’sthetheory?”Ethanquietlymouthed.
“Tate’sunderpressuretoreassureChicagoansaboutvampires.Hedecidestobeproactive—hehelps

createaproblem;hehelpssolvetheproblem.Wham,bam,thankyou,ma’am,andhispollnumbersareup
bytwentypercent.”

“Oh,IgottatellChuckaboutthis,”Jeffsaid.
“CanyougetanarrestwarrantforTate?”
“Onthislittleevidence?No.Youdon’thaveanythingthattiesTateto,asyousaid,drugs,raves,or

Celina.It’snotenoughthatPaulieknowshim.”

“Notenough?Whatmoredoyouwant?”
“You’retheSentinel.Findsomething.”
IhungupthephoneandlookedatEthan,apologyinmyexpression.
“Iknewitwasn’tover,”hesaid.“Iknewjustaswellasyoudidyesterday.Ijustwantedto

momentarilybaskinthepossibilitythatwecouldfindafewhoursofpeace.”

“Wehadafewhours,”Ipointedoutwithasmile.“OtherwiseIwouldn’tbestandinginyourapartment

inaT-shirtandwithsomeseriousbedhair.”

“Thatistrue.Yourbedhairisratherserious.”
“You’refunnyatdusk,Sullivan.”
“Andyou’readorable.Iassumeit’stimeforyoutowreakhavocagain?”
“Myfile’salreadyannotated.BettermoredemeritsinmyfilethanmorepressureontheHouse.”I

movedupontiptoesandpressedmylipstohischeek.“CallLucandMalikandgetthemreadyforthe
fallout.I’mgoingbacktoPaulie’shouse.”

“Onemoment,”hesaid,andbeforeIcouldaskhimwhy,hewastuggingmyT-shirttopullmecloser.

Hekissedmebrutally,andthenpulledbacksoabruptlyInearlystumbledbackward.

“Whatwasthat?”Iasked,myvoicesuddenlyhoarse.
Hewinked.“Thatwasthekissyouowedme.Nowgogetyourman,Sentinel.”

TwentyminuteslaterIwasdressed,katanaed,andonmywaytoGarfieldPark.Ethan,Luc,andMalik
wereintheOpsRoom,readytosendouttroops,buthopingtosavetheHouseanymoreinvolvementthan
necessary.They’dalsoconferencedinJeffintheeventIneededcomputerassistance.

Unfortunately,IknewsomethingwaswrongwhenIpulledintoCermak’sdriveway.Thegaragedoor

wasopenandtheMustangwasgone.Thehousewasdarkandempty,eventhecheaplacecurtains
strippedfromthewindows.

Ipulledmycartothecurbjustpastthehouse.
“Iwasthisfreakin’close,”Icursed,pullingoutmycellphoneanddialingupthecrew.
“He’sgone,”ItoldhimassoonasLucanswered.“TheMustang’sgone,andthehouseisempty.”
Butthen,myluckchanged.
“Holdon,”Isaid,turningoffthecarandslinkingdownintheseat,myeyesontherearviewmirror.The

Mustangpulleduptothecurve.Pauliehoppedoutofthecarandhustledtowardthegarage.

“What’sgoingon,Sentinel?”Ethanasked.
“He’sback.He’srunningintothegarage.Maybeheforgotsomething.”
Sureenough,nottensecondslater,Pauliehustledoutofthegaragewith...asteeringwheelinhand.
“Heforgotasteeringwheel,”Idrylyinformedthecrew,wonderingifPauliehadanyideahe’dsoonbe

broughtdownbyacaraccessory.Ah,well.Hisloss,mygain.

Afteramoment,hepulledtheMustangbackintothestreet.Iwaiteduntilhe’dpassedme,thenturned

onthecarandpulledoutbehindhim.

“He’sleavingagain,andI’monhistrail,”Itoldthem.“I’mabouttwoblocksback,sohopefullyhe

can’tseeme.”

“Whichdirection?”
“Um,eastfornow.MaybetowardtheLoop?”
IheardMalik’svoice.“Maybehe’stryingtobustoutCelina?”
“IfheandTatearefriends,hewouldn’tneedtodoanybusting.Inanyevent,I’llkeepyouposted.”
Ihungupandputthephonedownagain,andthenconcentratedontailingPauliethroughthecity.He

wasthekindofdriverthatirritatedthecrapoutofme:hehadafinecarwithundoubtedlyasolidengine,
buthedrovelikehislicensewasontheline.Tooslowly.Toocarefully.Ofcourse,therewasawarrant
outforhisarrest,soitmadesenseforhimtoavoidgivingthecopsanyreasontopullhimover.

IttooktwentyminutesforhimtoreachtheLoop,buthedidn’tstopthere.Hekeptmovingsouth,and

thatwaswhenIgotnervousagain.

Idialedupthecrew.
“We’rehere,”Lucsaid.
“Sendoutsomebackup,”Isaid.“He’sheadingforCreeleyCreek.”

Ididn’tbotherenteringCreeleyCreekthroughthefrontgate;Ididn’twanttogivethemayorandhis
apparentcronythatmuchwarning.Instead,Iparkedafewblocksup,buckledonmykatana,jumpedthe
fence,andsnuckacrossthegrounds.I’msuretheremusthavebeensecuritysomewhere,butIdidn’tsee
any,soImovedaroundthehouse,peekingthroughthelow,horizontalwindowsuntilIsawthem—Tate
behindhisdeskwhilePauliechattedanimatedlyfromtheothersideofit.

Buttheyweren’talone.WhowasperchedontheedgeofTate’sdesk?
CelinaDesaulniers.
Iclosedmyeyes,ruingmynaïveté.WhywouldCelinahaveconfessedtohorribleactsinfrontof

humans?Becauseshehadarelationshipwiththemayorthatensuredshe’dgetoffscot-free.

Thismusthavebeenpartofherbigplan.Seducethemayor,makefriendswithadrugdistributor,and

createadrugintendedtoremindvampiresoftheirpredatoryroots.Whentheshithitthefan,shecould
takecreditforgivingvampsthetimeoftheirlives,andinvitehumanstojointheparty.Andshecoulddo
itallwithimpunity.

Itwouldn’tsurprisemetolearnthatshe’dglamouredTateintodoingit.Hewasapolitician,sure,but

hehadseemedtogenuinelycareaboutthecity.HadCelinacreatedtheentireruseandwooedhimwith
pollingdata?

Ireally,reallyhatedher.
Irritationpushingasidemyfear,Imovedbacktoanearbypatio,crosseditassurreptitiouslyas

possible,andtriedthedoor.Myluckheld—itwasunlocked.Ipaddedquietlydownthehallwaytothe
roomwhereI’dseenthem,thenpushedmywayinside.

Theyallglancedatthedoor.
Pauliewasthefirsttomove.Hebackedupafewfeet,movingclosertothecorneroftheroom—and

fartherfromtheangryvampire.

Isteppedinsideandshutthedoorbehindme.“Thislookslikeacozymeeting.”
Tatesmiledlazily.“Theseyoungvampireshavenomannersthesedays.Didn’tevenwaitforan

invitation,didyou?”

Thefauxcheerworriedme—andmademewonderifhewasstillundertheinfluenceofCelina’s

glamour.Iflippedthethumbguardonmysword,unsheathedit,andmovedcloser.Nopointinpretending
wewerehereforfun.

IpointedthekatanaatCelina.“Yousetusup.”
Celinapickedatafingernail.“Ididtherightthing,astheGPhasmadecleartoyoutimeandtimeagain.

Whyareyouevenhere?”Sherolledhershoulders,asifirritated.

Isquintedatherinthemoodlighting.“Liftyourhead,Celina,andlookatme.”
Remarkably,shedidasshewastold.Icouldfinallyseehereyes—whichwerewide,heririsesalmost

completelysilver.Shewasn’trunningtheshow—she’dbeendrugged.

I’dhaditwrong.Again.
IlookedupatTate.“You’recontrollingherwithV?”
“Onlypartially.Iassumedyou’dcomecallingwhenyoufiguredouttheconnectionbetweenMr.

Cermakandme.Whenthepolicereportwasaccessed,Ireceivedanalert.Inthemeantime,Ithoughtwe
mightampupthedramaabit.IunderstandMs.Desaulnierswasquiteawarrior;IdecidedtotestV’s
effectsonawomanalreadyknowntobeskilled.Doesitmakeherabetterfighter?Aworseone?Asa
formerresearcher,youmustappreciatemyapproach.”

“You’recrazy.”
Tatefrowned.“Notevenalittle,unfortunately.”
Celinahoppedoffthecornerofthedeskandwalkedalongitslength,trailingafingertipacrossthe

desktop.Ikeptmyswordtrainedonher,andoneeyeonTate.

“YousaidyouwereonlypartiallycontrollingherwithV.Howelseareyoucontrollingher?”
Hejustsatthereandsmiledatme—andinthatmomentIfeltthetelltaleprickleofmagicintheair.But

notthemildlyirritatingstuffMalloryandCatcherthrewoff.Thiswasheavier—oilier,almost,intheway
itsuffusedtheroom.

Iswallowedbackaburstoffear,butsolvedanotherbitofthepuzzle.“Youaddedthemagicalbinderto

theV.”

“Verygood.Iwonderedifyouandyourswoulddiscoverthat.Callitasignature,ofsorts.”
“Whatareyou?”Iasked,althoughIknewpartoftheanswer:hewasn’thuman.Idon’tknowwhyIhad

neverbeenabletofeelitbefore,butnowIknewitwastrue.Theleadenmagichewasthrowingoffwas
nothinglikeMallory’sorCatcher’s.

Frowning,hesatforwardandlinkedhishandsonthedesktop.“Attheriskofsoundingincredibly

egotistical,Iamthebestthingthat’shappenedtothiscityinalongtime.”

Wastherenoendtothisguy’sego?“Really?Bycreatingchaos?Bydruggingvampiresandputting

humansatrisk?”IpointedatCelina.“Byreleasingafelon?”

Tatesatbackagainandrolledhiseyes.“Don’tbemelodramatic.Andyou’llrecallCelinatookthefall

forthedrugs.Verytidyhowthatwrappedup.TheleastIcoulddowasrewardherabit—hereinthe
privacyofmyownhome,anyway.”

Iguesshe’dbeeninontheplantofakeCelinaintoameetingatStreetFest—andtomakeaconfession.

SheconfessedbecausesheknewTatewouldletheroffthehook;theconfessionservedTateby“solving”
theVproblem.Iglancedoverather.SheseemedtobecompletelyunawareTatewastalkingabouther.
She’dstoppedmovingatthesideofTate’sdeskandbegundrummingherfingersnervouslyacrossthetop.
ItlookedliketheVwasbeginningtokickin,togiveherthatirritatingbuzz.

“Frankly,Merit,I’msurprisedyoudon’tappreciatethetremendousboonthatVofferstovampires.”

“Itmakesyoufeellikeavampire,”Celinaintoned.
“Shehasapoint,”Tatesaid,drawingmygazebacktohim.“Vlowersinhibitions.Youmaythinkme

callous,butIbelievedVwouldhelpweedoutthelessagreeableportionofthevampirepopulation.
ThosewillingtouseVdeservetobeincarcerated.”

“Sonowyou’reentrappingvampires.”
“It’snotentrapment.It’sgoodurbanplanning.It’sself-selectionforpopulationcontrol.Iunderstand

youaren’tsusceptibletoglamour.Doesn’tthatmakeyoudifferent?Better?Youdon’thavethesame
weaknesses.You’restronger,withbettercontrol.”

IswungthekatanainCelina’sdirection.“Makeyourpoint,Tate.”
“Doyouknowwhatkindofteamwecouldmake?Youarethepostergirlforgoodvampires.Yousave

humans,evenwhentheGPwouldseektobringyoudown,topunishyouforyourdeeds.Theyloveyoufor
it.Youhelpkeepthecityinbalance.Andthat’swhatweneed,ifthere’sanyhopeforvampiresand
humanstosurvivetogether.”

“ThereisnowayinhellthatI’dworkwithyou.Youthinkyou’regoingtowalkawayfromthis?After

settingupvampiresandcontributingtothedeaths—totheendangerment—ofhumans?”

Hisstarewentcold.“Don’tbenaïve.”
“No,”Isaid.“Don’tjustifyyourevildoingwithsomebogus,trite‘thisisjustthewaytheworldworks’

lipservice.Thisisnotthewaytheworldworks,andmygrandfatherisproofofit.You’reegotisticaland
completelycrazy.”

Celina’sfingerdrummingincreasedinpace,butwhatevermagicalcontrolTatehadonherwas

effective.Shewouldn’tactwithouthispermission.“CanIkillhernow,please?”

Tateheldupasilencinghand.“Waityourturn,darling.Andwhataboutyourfather?”heaskedme.“He

isn’tcrazy,ishe?”

Ishookmyhead,confusedbythenonsequitur.“Thisisn’taboutmyfather.”
Hiseyeswidewithsurprise,Tateletoutabelly-raucous,mirthlesslaugh.“Notaboutyourfather?

Merit,everythinginyourlifesinceyoubecamefangedhasbeenaboutyourfather.”

“Whatisthatsupposedtomean?”
Hegavemealookbestsavedforanaïvechild.“Whydoyouthinkthatyou,ofallpeopleinChicago,

weremadeavampire?”

“Notbecauseofmyfather.Celinatriedtokillme.Ethansavedmylife.”ButevenasIspokethewords

aloud,mystomachknottedwithfear.Confused,Idroppedtheswordbacktomyside.

“Yes,you’vetoldmethatbefore.Repeatingtheliesdoesn’tmakethemtruth,Merit.Awfully

coincidental,wasn’tit,thatEthanhappenedtobeoncampuswhenyouwere?”

“Itwasacoincidence.”
Tatecluckedhistongue.“You’resmarterthanthat.Imean,truly—whataretheodds?Don’tyouthinkit

wouldhavebeenbeneficialforyourfathertohaveavampireinhispocket—hisdaughter—whentheriots
ended?Whenhumansbecameusedtotheconceptofthefangedlivingamongthem?”

Tatesmiledtightly.Andthenthewordsslippedfromhismouthlikepoison.
“WhatifItoldyou,Merit,thatEthanandyourfatherhadacertain,shallwesay,business

arrangement?”

Bloodroaredinmyears,myknuckleswhiteningaroundthehandleofthekatana.“Shutup.”
“Oh,comenow,darling.Ifthecat’soutofthebag,don’tyouwantthedetails?Don’tyouwanttoknow

howmuchyourfatherpaidhim?HowmuchEthan,yourfather’spartnerincrime,tookfromyourfatherto
makeyouimmortal?”

Myvisiondimmedtoblackness,memoriesoverwhelmingme:thefactthatEthanandMalikwereonthe

UofCquadattheprecisemomentI’dbeenattacked.ThefactthatEthanhadknownmyfatherbeforewe
methimtogether.ThefactthatEthanhadgivenmedrugstoeasethebiologicaltransitiontovampire.

Ithoughthe’ddruggedmebecausehefeltguiltyIhadn’tbeenabletoconsenttotheChange.
Hadheactuallyfeltguiltybecausehe’dchangedmeatmyfather’sbidding?
No.Thatcouldn’tberight.
LikeI’dimaginedhimintobeing,Ethansuddenlyburstintotheroom,furyinhiseyes.He’dcometo

backmeup.

Tatewasstillintheroom,butheallbutdisappearedfromview.MygazefellonEthan,thefear

powerful,blinding,deafeningasbloodroaredthroughmyveins.

Ethanmovedtome,andscannedmyeyes,butIstillcouldn’tfindwordstospeakthequestion.“Are

youallright?”heasked.“Youreyesaresilvered.”HelookedbacktoTate,probablysuspectedmyhunger
hadbeentripped.“Whatdidyoudotoher?”

Igrippedthehandleofmyswordtighter,thecordingbitingintotheskinofmypalm,andforcedmyself

tosaythewords.

“Tatesaidyoumetwithmyfather.Thathepaidyoutomakemeavampire.”
Iwantedhimtotellmethatitwasalie,justmorefalsehoodsthrownoutbyapoliticiangraspingat

straws.

Butthewordshesaidbrokemyheartintoamillionpieces.
“Merit,Icanexplain.”
TearsbegantoslidedownmycheeksasIscreamedoutmypain.“Itrustedyou.”
Hestutteredout,“That’snothowitwent—”
Butbeforehecouldfinishhisexcuse,hiseyesflashedtotheside.
Celinawasmovingagain,asharpenedstakeinhand.“Ineedtomove,”sheplaintivelysaid.“Ineedto

finishthisnow.”

“Down,Celina,”Tatewarned.“Thefightisn’tyetyours.”
Butshewouldn’tbedissuaded.“Shehasruinedenoughforme,”Celinasaid.“Shewon’truinthis.”

BeforeIcouldcountertheargument,she’dcockedbackherarmandthestakewasintheair—andheaded
rightforme.

Withoutapause,andwiththespeedofacenturies-oldvampire,Ethanthrewhimselfforward,historso

infrontofmine,blockingthestakefromhittingmybody.

Hetookthehitfullon,thestakeburstingthroughhischest.
Andthroughhisheart.
Foramoment,timestopped,andEthanlookedbackatme,hisgreeneyestightwithpain.Andthenhe

wasgone,thestakeclatteringtothegroundinfrontofme.Ethanreplacedby—transformedto—nothing
morethanapileofashonthefloor.

Ididn’thavetimetostoporthink.
Celina,nowfullyfeelingtheeffectsoftheV,wasmovingagain,asecondstakeinhand.Igrabbedthe

stakeshe’dthrown,andprayingforaim,Ipropelledit.

Myaimwastrue.
Itstruckherheart,andbeforealongsecondhadpassed,shewasgone,aswell.JustasEthanhad

fallen,therewasnothingleftofherbutapileofashonthecarpet.Myinstinctforpreservationreplaced
byshock,Iglanceddown.

Twotidyconesofashlayonthecarpet.
Allthatwasleftofthem.
Shewasdead.
Hewasdead.
Therealizationhitme.Evenasothersrushedintotheroom,Icoveredmymouthtoholdbackthe

screamandfelltomyknees,strengthgone.

Becausehewasgone.

Malik,Catcher,mygrandfather,andtwouniformedofficersburstintotheroom.Lucmusthavecalled

them.IlookedbackatTate,stillbehindhisdesk,apepperybiteofmagicintheairbutnoothersignthat
hewasevenvaguelyworriedbywhathadgonedowninhishome.

NowaywasIlettingthisgounpunished.“TatewasdistributingV,”Isaid,stillonthefloor.“He

druggedCelina,letheroutofjail.She’sgone.”Ilookeddownattheashagain.“ShekilledEthan—he
jumpedinfrontofme.AndthenIkilledher.”

Theroomwentsilent.
“Merit’sgrieving,”Tatesaid.“She’sconfusedthefacts.”HepointedatPaulie,whowasnowrushing

towardawindowontheothersideoftheroom.“AsIbelieveyoualreadyknow,thatmanwas
responsiblefordistributingV.Hejustconfessedasmuch.”

Pauliesputteredastheofficerspulledhimawayfromthewindow.“Yousonofabitch.Youthinkyou

cangetawaywiththis?Youthinkyoucanusemelikethis?”Hepulledawayfromtheuniforms,whojust
managedtowrestlehimtothefloorbeforehejumpedonTate.

“Thisishisfault,”Pauliesaid,chest-downonthefloor,liftinghisheadjustenoughtoglareatTate.

“Allofthiswashisdoing.Hearrangedtheentirething—foundsomeabandonedcitypropertyforthe
warehouse,foundsomeonetomixthechemicals,andsetupthedistributionnetwork.”

Tatesighedhaggardly.“Don’tembarrassyourself,Mr.Cermak.”Helookedoveratmygrandfather,

sympathyinhisexpression.“Hemusthavebeensamplinghisownwares.”

“YouthinkI’mdumb?”Cermakasked,eyeswild.“Ihavetapes,youasshole.Irecordedevery

conversationwe’veeverhadbecauseIknew—Ijustknew—thatifworsecametoworst,you’dthrowme
tothewolves.”

Tateblanched,andeveryoneintheroomfroze,notquitesurewhattodo.
“Youhavetapes,Mr.Cermak?”mygrandfathersaid.
“Dozens,”hesaidsmugly.“Allinasafe-depositbox.Thekey’saroundmyneck.”
OneoftheuniformsfishedinsideCermak’sshirt,thenpulledoutasmallflatkeyonachain.“Foundit,”

hesaid,holdingitup.

Andtherewastheevidenceweneeded.
AlleyesturnedtoTate.Headjustedhiscollar.“I’msurewecanclearthisup.”
MygrandfathernoddedatCatcher,andtheybothsteppedtowardTate.“Whydon’twediscussthis

downtown?”

Fourmoreofficersappearedattheofficedoor.Tatetooktheminandnoddedatmygrandfather.
“Whydon’twe?”hesaidpolitely,eyesforwardashestrodefromtheroom,asorcerer,anombudsman,

andfourCPDofficersbehindhim.

ThefirsttwouniformsledPaulieaway.
Silencedescended.

ProbablyonlyminuteshadpassedsinceI’dthrownthestake.Buttheminutesfeltlikehours,whichfelt
likedays.Timebecameablurthatmovedaroundme,whileI—finally—hadbecomestill.

Istayedonmykneesonthelushcarpet,handslooseinmylap,completelyhelplessbeforetheremains

oftwovampires.Iwasvaguelyawareofthegriefandhatredthatrolledinalternatingwavesbeneathmy
skin,butnonecouldpenetratethethickshellofshockthatkeptmeupright.

“Merit.”Thisvoicewasstronger.Harsher.Thewords—thebase,flat,hopelesssoundofMalik’s

words—drewupmyeyes.Hiswereglassy,overlaidwithanobvioussheenofgrief,ofhopelessness.

“He’sgone,”Isaid,inconsolable.“He’sgone.”
Malikheldmeastheashesofmyenemyandmyloverwerecollectedinblackurns,astheywere

sealedandcarefullyescortedfromTate’soffice.

Heheldmeuntiltheroomwasemptyagain.
“Merit.Weneedtogo.There’snothingmoreyoucandohere.”
Ittookmeamomenttorealizewhyhewasthere.WhyMalikwasonthefloorbesideme,waitingto

escortmehome.

He’dbeenSecondtoEthan.
ButhewasSecondnolonger.
BecauseEthanwasgone.
Griefandrageoverpoweredshock.I’dhavehitthefloorifMalikhadn’tputhisarmsaroundme,

holdingmeupright.

“Ethan.”
Istruggled,tearsbeginningtostreamdownmyface,andpushedagainstthemtogetaway.
“Letmego!Letmego!Letmego!”Iwhimpered,cried,madesoundsbettersuitedtothepredatorthan

thegirl,andthrashedagainsthim,skinburningwherehishandsclampedmyarms.“Letmego!”

“Merit,stop.Bestill,”hesaid,thisnewMaster,butallIcouldhearwasEthan’svoice.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

LETTINGGO

Thatnightwemournedpublicly:eightenormousJapanesetaikodrumslinedthesidewalkoutsidethe
House,theirplayersbeatingapercussivedirgeasEthan’sashesweremovedintotheHouse.

Iwatchedtheprogressionfromthefoyer.Outofrespect,andtoguardEthan’sprogressionintothe

afterlife,ScottandMorgantookthelead,Malikbehindthem,anewMasterengagedinhisfirstofficial
act—transportingtheremainsofhispredecessorintoasecuredvaultintheCadoganbasement.

Whentheurnswereplacedinsideandthevaultwasclosedandlockedagain,therhythmofthedrums

changedfromfastandangry,toslowandmournful,coveringtherangeofemotionsIslippedthroughasthe
nightworeon.

Thegriefwasheavyandexhausting,butitwasequallymatchedbyangerandfear.AsmuchasIgrieved

Ethan’sloss,Iwasafraidthathe’dcommunedwithmyfather,soldmeintoalifeofvampirismtoease
somefinancialconcern.

Iwantedtorailathim.Screamathim.Cryandyellandbangmyfistsagainsthischestanddemandthat

heexoneratehimself,takeitback,provehisinnocencetome.

Icouldn’t,becausehewasgone.
Life—andmourning—wentonwithouthim.
TheHousewasdrapedinlongsheetsofblacksilklikeaChristosculpture.ItstoodinHydeParklikea

monumenttogrief,toEthan,toloss.

Wealsomournedprivately,inaHouse-onlyceremonybytheshoresofLakeMichigan.
Therewerecirclesofstonesalongthetrailbesidethelake.Wegatheredatoneofthem,allwearingthe

blackofmourning.LindseyandIstoodbesideeachother,holdinghandsaswestaredoutattheglassy
water.Lucstoodatherotherside,hisfingersandhersintertwined,griefbreakingdownthewallsLindsey
hadbuiltbetweenthem.

AmanIdidn’tknowspokeofthejoysofimmortalityandthelonglifeEthanhadbeenfortunateenough

tolive.Regardlessofitslength,lifeneverquiteseemedlongenough.Especiallywhentheendwas
selected—perpetrated—bysomeoneelse.

Malik,wearingamantleofgrief,carriedbloodredamaranthtothelakeshore.Hedroppedtheflowers

intothewater,thenlookedbackatus.“MiltontellsusinParadiseLostthatamaranthbloomedbythetree
oflife.Butwhenmanmadehismortalmistake,itwasremovedtoheaven,whereitcontinuedtogrowfor
eternity.EthanruledhisHousewisely,andwithlove.WecanonlyhopethatEthanlivesnowwhere
amaranthblossomseternally.”

Thewordsspoken,hereturnedtohiswife,whoclutchedhishandinhers.
Lindseysobbed,releasingmyhandandmovingintoLuc’sembrace.Hiseyesclosedinrelief,andhe

wrappedhisarmsaroundher.

Istoodalone,gladoftheiraffection.Lovebloomedlikeamaranth,Ithought,findinganewplaceto

seedevenasothersweretakenaway.

Aweekpassed,andtheHouseanditsvampiresstillgrieved.Buteveningrief,lifewenton.

MaliktookupresidenceinEthan’soffice.Hedidn’tchangethedecor,buthedidstationhimselfbehind

Ethan’sdesk.Iheardrumblingsinthehallsaboutthechoice,butIdidn’tbegrudgehimtheoffice.After

all,theHousewasabusinessthatheneededtorun,atleastuntilthereceiverarrived.

LucwaspromotedfromGuardCaptaintoSecond.Heseemedmoresuitedforsecurityandsafetythan

executiveofficerorwould-bevicepresident,buthehandledthepromotionwithdignity.

Tate’sdeputymayortookoverforthecity’sfallenplayboy,whowasfacingindictmentforhis

involvementwithdrugs,raves,andCelina.

NavarreHousemournedherloss.ThedeathofCelina,asaformerMasterandthenamesakeofthe

House,wastreatedwithsimilarpompandcircumstance.

IgotnospecificrebukefromtheGPforbeingthetoolofherdemise,butIassumedthereceiverwould

havethoughtsonthat,aswell.

Thedramahadnoapparentend.
Throughallofit,Istayedinmyroom.TheHousewasvirtuallysilent;Ihadn’theardlaughterina

week.Wewereafamilywithoutafather.Malikwasundoubtedlycompetentandcapable,butEthan,as
Master,hadturnedmostofus.Wewerebiologicallytiedtohim.

Boundtohim.
Exhaustedbyhim.
Ispentmynightsdoinglittlemorethanbobbingintheseaofconflictingemotions.Noappetitefor

bloodorfriendship,noappetiteforpoliticsorstrategy,nointerestinanythingthatwentonintheHouse
beyondmyownemotionsandthememoriesthatstokedthem.

Mydayswereevenworse.
Asthesunrose,mymindachedforoblivionandmybodyachedforrest.ButIcouldn’tstopthe

thoughtsthatcircled,overandover,inmymind.Icouldn’tstopthinkingabouthim.AndbecauseI
grieved,becauseImourned,Ididn’twantto.Eventsandmomentsreplayedinmymind—frommyfirst
sightofhimonthefirstfloorofCadoganHousetothefirsttimehebeatmeinafight;fromtheexpressions
onhisfacewhenI’dtakenbloodfromhimtothefuryinhisexpressionwhenhe’dnearlyfoughtashifter
tokeepmefrompresumedharm.

Themomentsreplayedlikeafilmstrip.AfilmstripIcouldn’t,howeverexhausted,turnoff.
Icouldn’tfaceMalik.Idon’tknowwhathe’dknownbeforefollowingEthanontocampusthatnight,but

Icouldn’timaginehedidn’twonderaboutthestrangenessofthetask—oritsorigin.Iwouldn’tdenyhim
therighttoruntheHouseashesawfit,butIwasn’treadytomakedeclarationsofhisauthorityoverme.
Notwithoutmoreinformation.Notwithoutsomeassurancethathehadn’tbeenpartoftheteamwho’d
soldmetothehighestbidder.Myangerbecameacomfort,becauseatleastitwasn’tgrief.

Forsevennights,Mallorysleptonthefloorofmyroom,loathtoleavemyside.Iwashardlycapableof

acknowledgingherexistence,muchlessanythingelse.Butontheeighthnight,she’dapparentlyhad
enough.

Whenthesunslippedbelowthehorizon,sheflippedonthelightsandrippedtheblanketoffthebed.
Isatup,blinkingbackspots.“Whatthehell?”
“You’vehadyourweekoflyingaround.It’stimetogetbacktoyourlife.”
Ilaydownagainandfacedthewall.“I’mnotready.”
Thebeddippedbesideme,andsheputahandonmyshoulder.“You’reready.You’regrieving,and

you’reangry,butyou’reready.LindseysaidtheHouseisdownanotherguardsinceLuctookoveras
Second.Youshouldbedowntherehelpingout.”

“I’mnotready,”Iprotested,ignoringherlogic.“AndI’mnotangry.”
Shemadeasoundofincredulity.“You’renot?Youshouldbe.Youshouldbepissedrightnow.Pissed

thatEthanwasincahootswithyourfather.”

“Youdon’tknowthat.”Isaidthewordsbyhabit.Bynow,Iwastoonumbandexhaustedwithgriefand

ragetocare.

“Andyoudo?Youwerehuman,Merit.Andyougaveupthatlifeforwhat?Sosomevampirecouldput

alittleextracashintohiscoffers?”

Ilookedupasshepoppedoffthebed,holdingupherarms.“Doesitlooklikehe’shurtingformoney?”
“Stopit.”
“No.Youstopmourningfortheguywhotookyourhumanity.Whoworkedwithyourfather—your

father,Merit—tokillyouandremakeyouinhisimage.”

Angerbegantoitchbeneathmyskin,warmingmybodyfromtheinsideout.Iknewwhatshewasdoing

—tryingtobringmebacktolife—butthatdidn’tmakemeanymorehappyaboutit.

“Hedidn’tdoit.”
“Ifyoubelievedthat,you’dbeoutthere,notinthismustyroomstuckinsomekindofstasis.Ifyou

believedhewasinnocent,you’dbemourninglikeanormalpersonwiththerestofyourHousemates
insteadofinhereafraidofthepossibletruth—thatyourfatherpaidEthantomakeyouavampire.”

Istilled.“Idon’twanttoknow.Idon’twanttoknowbecauseitmightbetrue.”
“Iknow,honey.Butyoucan’tlivelikethisforever.Thisisn’talife.AndEthanwouldbepissedifhe

thoughtyouwerespendingyourlifeinthisroom,afraidofsomethingyou’renotevensurehedid.”

Isighedandscratchedatapaintmarkonthewall.“SowhatdoIdo?”
Mallorysatbesidemeagain.“Youfindyourfather,andyouaskhim.”
Thetearsbegananew.“Andifit’strue?”
Sheshrugged.“Thenatleastyou’llknow.”

Itwasbarelyafterdusk,soIcalledaheadtoensuremyfatherwashomebeforeIleft...andthenIdrove
likeabatoutofhelltogetthere.

Ididn’tbothertoknock,butburstthroughthefrontdoorwiththesamelevelofenergyI’dappliedtomy

weekofdenial.IevenbeatPennebaker,myfather’sbutler,totheslidingdoorofmyfather’soffice.

“He’soccupied,”Pennebakersaid,staringdourlydownfromhisskeletalheightwhenIputahandon

thedoor.

Iglancedoverathim.“He’llseeme,”Iassuredhim,andpushedthedooropen.
Mymothersatonaleatherclubchair;myfathersatbehindhisdesk.TheybothstoodupwhenIwalked

in.

“Merit,darling,iseverythingokay?”
“I’mfine,Mom.Giveusaminute.”
Shelookedatmyfather,andafteramomentofgaugingmyanger,henodded.“Whydon’tyouarrange

forsometea,Meredith?”

Mymothernodded,thenwalkedtome,putahandonmyarm,andpressedakisstomycheek.“We

weresorrytohearaboutEthan,darling.”

IofferedupasmuchgratitudeasIcould.Atthispoint,therewasn’tmuch.
Whentheslidingdoorclosed,myfatherlookedatme.“Youmanagedtogetamayorarrested.”
Hisvoicewaspetulant.He’dbeensupportingTateforyears;nowhehadtobuilduparelationship

withthenewdeputymayor.Iimaginehewasn’tpleasedbythat.

Iwalkedclosertohisdesk.“Themayormanagedtogethimselfarrested,”Iclarified.“Ijustcaughthim

intheact.”

Myfatherhumphed,clearlynotmollifiedbytheexplanation.
“Inanyevent,”Isaid,“that’snotwhyI’mhere.”
“Thenwhatbringsyouby?”
Iswalloweddownalumpoffear,finallyliftingmygazetohim.“TatetoldmeyouofferedEthanmoney

tomakemeavampire.ThatEthanaccepted,andthat’swhyIwaschanged.”

Myfatherfroze.Fearrushedme,andIhadtogripthebackofthechairinfrontofmetostayupright.

“Soyoudid?”Ihoarselyasked.“Youpaidhimtomakemeavampire?”
Myfatherwethislips.“Iofferedhimmoney.”
Icrumpled,fallingtomykneesasgriefoverwhelmedme.
Myfathermadenomovetocomfortme,buthecontinued.“Ethansaidno.Hewouldn’tdoit.”
Iclosedmyeyes,tearsofreliefslidingdownmycheeks,andsaidasilentprayer.
“YouandIdon’tgetalong,”myfathersaid.“Ihaven’talwaysmadethebestdecisionswhenyouwere

concerned.I’mnotapologizingforit—Ihadhighexpectationsforyouandyourbrotherandsisters....”
Heclearedhisthroat.

“Whenyoursisterdied,Iwasstruck,Merit.Deadenedbygrief.EverythingI’vedoneforyou,Iwasn’t

abletodoforher.”Heliftedhisgaze,hiseyessoverylikemine.“Iwasn’tabletosaveCaroline.SoI
gaveyouhername,andItriedtosaveyou.”

Iunderstoodgrieffirsthand,butnothiswillingnesstoplayGod.“Bymakingmeavampirewithoutmy

consent?Bypayingsomeonetoassaultme?”

“Inevermadeapayment,”heclarified,asiftheintentweren’tenoughonitsown.“AndIwastryingto

giveyouimmortality.”

“Youweretryingtoforceimmortalityuponme.Yousaidyoudidn’tpayanyone—butitwasCelina’s

vampwhoattackedme.Whyme?”

Helookedaway.
Realizationstruck.“WhenEthansaidno,youtalkedtoCelina.YouofferedtopayCelinatomakemea

vampire.”ShemusthavetoldEthanabouttheoffer,whichiswhyhe’dknownmetobeatUofC.

Ethanhadbeenkeepinganeyeonme.He’dsavedmylife...twice.Griefpiercedmyheartagain.
Myfatherlookeddownatme.“IdidnotpayCelina.AlthoughIunderstoodlaterthatshefoundout

aboutmyoffertoEthan.Shewas...displeasedthatIhadn’tmadethesameoffertoher.”

Mybloodrancold.“Celinasentthevampiretokillme,andshearrangedforthedeathofothergirls

wholookedjustlikeme.”

Thepuzzlepiecesfellintoplace.Celinahadbeenrebukedbyahuman,andshe’dtakenouther

embarrassmentonhisdaughter—andonthosewholookedlikeher.Ishookmyheadruefully.Oneman’s
arrogance,andsomanylivesruined.

“Ididtherightthingbymyfamily,”myfathersaid,asifreadingmythoughts.
Iwasn’tsurewhethertobeangryathim,ortopityhim,ifthatwaswhathebelievedoflove.“Ican

appreciateunconditionallove.Lovethat’sbasedonpartnership,notcontrol.That’snotlove.”

Iturnedonaheelandwalkedtowardthedoor.
“Wearen’tdone,”hesaid,buthisvoicewasweak,andtherewasn’tmuchpushbehindit.
Iglancedbackathim.“Fortonight,wemostdefinitelyare.”
Timewouldtellwhethertherewasanyotherforgivenesstobehad.

Thesunwasshining,soIknewitwasadream.Ilayinthecool,thickgrassinatanktopandjeans,a
crystalblueskyoverhead,thesunwarmandgoldenaboveme.Iclosedmyeyes,stretched,andbaskedin
thewarmthofthesunonmylong-deniedbody.Ithadbeenmonthswithoutsunlight,andthefeelofit
soakingthroughmyskin,warmingmybones,wasasgoodasanylanguidorgasm.

“Isitthatgood?”askedavoicebesideme,chuckling.
Iturnedmyheadtotheside,foundgreeneyessmilingbackatme.
“Hello,Sentinel.”
Eveninthedream,myeyeswelledatthesightofhim.“Hello,Sullivan.”
Ethanhalfsatup,proppedhisheadonhiselbow.Heworehisusualsuit,andItookamomenttoenjoy

thesightofthelong,leanlineofhisbodybesideme.WhenIfinallymademywaybacktohisface,I

smiledathim.

“Isthisadream?”Iasked.
“Aswe’venotbeenburnedtoash,Iwouldassumeso.”
Ipushedalockofblondhairfromhisface.“TheHouseislonelywithoutyou.”
Hissmilefaltered.“Isit?”
“TheHouseisemptywithoutyou.”
“Hmm.”Henodded,laidhisheadbackonthegrass,onehandbeneathit,andstaredatthesky.“But

you,ofcourse,don’tmissmeatall?”

“Notespecially,”Iquietlyanswered,butlethimtakemyhandinhis,entwineourfingerstogether.
“Well,Ibelieve,ifIwerealive,I’dbehurtbythat.”
“Ibelieve,ifyouwerealive,thatyou’dmanage,Sullivan.”
Hechuckled,andIgrinnedatthesoundofhislaughter.Iclosedmyeyesagainaswelayinthegrass,

handslinkedbetweenus,sunaboveus,bakinginthewarmthoftheafternoon.

Myeyeswerestillclosedwhenhescreamedmyname.
Merit!
Iwokegasping,thunderboomingasrainpeltedthewindow.Ijumpedoutofbedandthrewonthelight,

positivethevoiceI’dheard—hisvoice—hadcomefrominsidemyroom.

Ithadseemedsoreal.Hehadseemedsoreal.
Butmyroomwasempty.
Duskhadfallenagain,andhewasgone.Ifellbackinbed,myheartpoundingagainstmychest,and

staredattheceiling,bodyachingwiththeremembranceofloss.

Buteventheacheofremembrancewasfarbetterthantheemptyvacuumofgrief.Hewasgone.ButI

knewnowthathe’dbeenthemanI’dcometobelievein.Ihadthememoriesofhim,andifdreamswere
theonlywayIcouldrememberhim,bewithhim,sobeit.

Afterscrubbingmyfacecleanandpullingmyhairintoaponytail,Ipulledoncleanclothesandheaded

downstairs.TheHousewasquiet,asithadbeenfortwoweeks.Themoodwassomber,thevampiresstill
grievingfortheirlostcaptain.

Butforthefirsttimeintwoweeks,IwalkedthroughtheHouselikeavampirewarrior,notazombie.I

walkedwithpurpose,myheartstillrentbygrief,butatleastnowtheemotionwasclean,withoutthe
confusingadditionsofangerandhatred.

Thedoortotheofficewasclosed.
Malik’sofficenow.
Forthefirsttime,Iliftedmyhandandknocked.
Itwastimetogetbacktowork.

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