Page 84 of A Shade of Myself
“His presence is stirring up other vampires. Giving them ideas about who they can and can’t turn.”
If they started turning Ohrists, the Lonestars would come down hard. No wonder Yoshi wasn’t happy. “That’s on Mr. BatKian. He sanctioned this and let his Ohrist granddaughter be made into a vamp.”
I raised the wine bottle with an inquiring look, but Yoshi refused a top-up.
“Just because something is true for one,” he said, “does not make it true for all.”
“You made your point.” I slid off the barstool. “But I’m not killing Topher. I’ll figure it out.”
“Your call.” He took his time finishing his wine, leaving me waiting for his last words. “Remember, with every choice, you pick a side. And unless someone is in your head, it’s impossible to always understand those choices.” He worked the cork back into the bottle. “Don’t make the mistake of reducing people to simplistic character qualities of good or evil and assuming you can predict their behavior, because as I said, knowing what side someone is on in any given situation is a complex judgment call. Just a bit of friendly advice.”
“Why?” I crossed my arms. “We’re hardly friends.”
“Things have been a bit dull around here. You’ve livened them up.”
“I don’t believe you.” I backed up toward the door, refusing to take my eyes off him until I was safely outside.
“Smart woman. Don’t ever believe anyone. Not completely.”
“Because of sides,” I said flatly.
He tapped his nose. “Now you get it. However, regarding the missing Ohrist, I’m on your side. If a demon did this, then those self-righteous hunters will get their panties in a twist that you bypassed their jurisdiction and you won’t be winning any points with the Lonestars, either.”
“Basically, me making enemies amuses you.”
He shrugged.
A week ago, I’d been so insistent on calling the Lonestars at Davide’s house and ensuring I couldn’t be threatened with Deadman’s Island. But this case didn’t involve murder as far as I knew, and I had every right to investigate on behalf of my client. Should Rory no longer be alive, I could reassess my options then, but for now, the side of me that wanted to unearth the truth for Giselle and keep Tatiana happy had taken over from the side that worried about burning bridges with the Lonestars.
I’d never realized how situational it all was, and it made me uneasy to think about what that implied about other people in my life whom I assumed would always be there for me.
I bumped into the door, feeling behind me for the handle. “Are we done?”
“If Topher is off the table…” Yoshi placed his glass in the sink, again making me wait for his next words.
I ground my teeth together.
“Let me feed off you.” The suggestion was as blandly made as if he’d offered to get the door for me.
Delilah leapt up, scythe in hand.
Yoshi gave an exaggerated sigh. “Zev has already told me that you can’t be compelled and I’m not going to turn you.”
“Based on your say-so?”
“Based on my promise not to. A promise is a bond.”
Behind my back, my hand tightened on the door handle. “Then what’s the attraction of feeding off me?”
Delilah remained alert but lowered the weapon.
“Someone my age doesn’t have to feed very often,” Yoshi said, “but I’ve never tasted a Banim Shovavim and I expect that you’d satisfy me for quite some time.”
Satisfy him or work like an energy booster to get him moving normally again? He moved vigorously—for a human. For Yoshi, his actions were almost sluggish.
“I knew you were braising me for better flavor,” I said. “And the downside for me? Since I’m not compellable and won’t swoon in delight at the experience?”
Yoshi pressed a hand to his heart. “So suspicious.”
