Page 47 of Bent Out of Shade
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The ancient vampirehad fully recovered since I’d seen him last. His hair was once again dark and lustrous, and his handsome face was youthful and free from the ravages of the disease that had temporarily aged him. He strode toward me with his familiar lithe elegance, with nary a twisted limb. The estrie blood had worked wonders to restore him.
I stood my ground, my magic dancing under my skin. I’d played an integral role in bringing back the demon who’d cured Yoshi, but that didn’t mean he’d thank me for it.
He stopped in front of me with a serious look, his sharply structured pants and shirt swirling to settle softly along the strong lines of his frame. “I owe you a debt of thanks.”
I silently cursed at his less-than-grateful tone. “Not necessary, considering I had no idea I was helping you at the time.”
“Still.” He caught a fly by its wings and flicked it away.
Dark shadows snaked around my feet, Delilah alert if not fully animated. “Gift cards are nice.”
Yoshi’s lips briefly quirked. He tilted his head as if listening for anyone within earshot, then motioned me inside one of the black lacquered doors.
Reluctantly, I followed him. Yoshi was even older than Zev, so I had to assume that he’d see through my cloaking as well.
A quiet hush enveloped the small room. The wood on the poker table gleamed as brightly as the bar set up discreetly in one corner, but the house lights washed everything in a flat glare that would be softened when the lamps with the Tiffany shades were flicked on.
I closed the door at Yoshi’s nod but stayed by the exit.
“Tell your ex to stop working with the Lonestars,” he said. “In any capacity.”
“What?” My pulse spiked and my hand closed over my car keys in my pocket. No vampire had permission to enter Eli’s home, but if my ex had to be warned, then I needed to get hold of him stat. “Why?”
“The Lonestars are up in arms about this rogue vamp. Esposito is paranoid they have or will turn criminals and she put an edict out yesterday. That vampire and any accomplices will be incarcerated on Deadman’s Island, as will all humans, whether Sapien or Ohrist, turned from the start of the murders.”
“That’s not fair! Humans aren’t at fault for some rampaging bloodsucker.”
Yoshi’s eyes glinted. “Watch yourself.”
I bowed my head in silent acknowledgment. Ryann’s decree put a huge crimp in Zev’s plans to top up his vamp base due to the contagion. Not that I was dumb enough to voice that. “Isn’t it in Blood Alley’s interests to also stop the rogue?”
Especially if there was a power play underway.
“Vampires don’t answer to Lonestars about our business,” Yoshi hissed.
“Fine. What does any of it have to do with Eli?” I said.
“Esposito has assigned the whole force to this. If they identify and capture this rogue before we can bring them in, it’ll be war and anyone who’s helped the Lonestars will be considered an enemy.”
I backed into the doorknob. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I pay my debts. But, Miriam?” In half a heartbeat, he came nose to nose with me. “You didn’t get that information from me.” He reached out, and I flinched, but he was opening the door. “Come. Zev awaits.”
“What does he want to speak to me about?”
“You’ll find out.”
Gee, thanks. That wasn’t ominous or anything. I stomped up the crooked lane past human employees picking up trash. Vacuuming could be heard through several partially ajar doors and the air smelled of lemon polish. If I was being led to the guillotine for some reason, shouldn’t storm clouds press down and a rot clog my nostrils? Grave danger would be so much easier to spot if it didn’t smell so refreshing and citrusy.
Yoshi ushered me past the basement floor with Zev’s office, and down yet another flight.
I had to squeeze past the Undertaker as he marched up the stairs, whistling and carrying a tray holding blood vials, on top of which was a small, bright yellow plastic sharps disposal box. I did a double take.
Did the “three” that Zev and Rodrigo had discussed at my last visit refer to the number of après blood donation snacks they had provided for the estrie? Had that tired-looking vamp’s head shake indicated that Kian had drained one to death?
I paused on the bottom step. Was I being brought in as the next tribute? Couldn’t they do cookies like a normal blood drive organization?
