Bad Blood

“Where’re Creek and the others?” Luke asked. He sat in the chair next to Fi. He smelled like fall, smoky and outdoorsy.

“Creek and Damian went after a witch who lives in the Glades. She’s got Doc—” She looked at Luke. “He’s a leopard varcolai—under some kind of possession spell. Until they get her to break the spell, he’s locked up in the wine cellar to keep him safe.” The mayor listened intently, a sort of blankness filling her eyes. Fi continued. “Mal and Chrysabelle are in New Orleans taking care of some business. They’ll be back when they’re through. Which won’t be tonight.”

Velimai glided in just then, giving the mayor a new reason to tense up. Fi had to admit, the mayor looked a lot better in person than she did in 3-D. Not that holo-vision made her look bad; she just seemed prettier and younger in person. But also sad. Which was to be expected considering her daughter’s murder.

The mayor watched Velimai settle onto the sofa opposite where she and John sat. She cleared her throat and inched forward, her knees aimed at the fae woman. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be forward, but I know what vampires and comarrés and varcolai are now, but I am not familiar with your kind. May I be so bold as to ask what you are?”

Velimai signed a response. John began to translate, causing her to sign more as he spoke. “Her name is Velimai. She’s a wysper fae and, she wants you to know, a very dangerous woman.”

At that Velimai laughed, the sound coming out as soft puffs of breath.

“Is she deaf?” the mayor asked.

“No,” Fi answered. “Just mute. But not entirely. Wyspers have a scream that can kill vampires.”

That perked up the mayor’s ears. “Really? How useful.” She smiled and settled back into the sofa a little more. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Velimai. You can call me Lola.”

Luke leaned his elbows on his knees. “Now that we’re all assembled, you need to know the change in the city has already begun. A goblin tried to attack the mayor. I’m sure it started out as a costumed trick-or-treater.”

John narrowed his eyes. “I thought you canceled all Halloween events.”

“I did,” the mayor said, her fingers knotting together. “But these children were already out. The stores downtown give free candy to any child in a costume.” She turned to John. “I think it’s best we stay here, at least until Creek gets back. The city is going to be locked down, and with the patrols going on, it might be best to stay out of their way. Hunker down, settle in, and ride out the storm.” She quickly glanced at Fi and Velimai. “That is, if it’s all right with you? I don’t know who’s in charge with Chrysabelle not being here.”

Fi looked at Velimai. She signed that it was okay with her. Fi signed back that Chrysabelle probably wouldn’t like it. With a smile, Velimai nodded but slowly spelled out it would do the mayor well to owe Chrysabelle a favor. Crafty wysper. “Sure,” Fi said. “You and the wolfies can stay.” She hopped off her chair. “I’m going to check on Doc. Rest of you might as well make yourselves at home. Vel, maybe you could see what’s available for dinner? Mayor—”

“Lola, please,” the mayor corrected her.

“Lola, if you’re handy in the kitchen, feel free to jump in.” Maybe putting the mayor to work peeling potatoes wasn’t the most appropriate thing, but the woman looked like she might implode with nothing to do, and Fi was still feeling guilty about showing off her murdered side.

Lola nodded and stood, taking off her jacket. “We’re in this for the long haul and I’d be happy to help. Is there a computer I could use first? I’d like to check some e-mails I sent out earlier.”

“Sure, there’s an e-tablet in the kitchen. Velimai can show you.” Fi shot her a quick smile, then headed for Doc. The freakin’ mayor. Too bad she couldn’t tell him without Aliza finding out. Well, she’d tell him if Creek got him free. When. Fi couldn’t accept any other outcome.

Just because he didn’t eat didn’t mean Mal didn’t derive great pleasure from watching Chrysabelle chow down on the food Amery had brought back. She’d changed out of the robe and back into her clothes, which was a good thing, because Amery’s curiosity about her signum had meant wandering eyes over the vee of skin exposed at her chest. Those wandering eyes had raised serious amounts of jealousy in Mal. Jealousy he almost felt okay with. Even now, sitting beside her at the table, the oddest sensation of happiness filled him. Happiness. In him. With her. Sap. Fool. Idiot. He shook his head and sighed.

She wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and swallowed. “Something wrong?”

“Not a thing.” Except you still want to drain her. And you’re not worthy of her.

“Good,” Mortalis said as he walked in from the other room. “Because we need to get moving.”

Mal didn’t have to check a watch to know the fae had been gone longer than an hour. “What’s wrong at home?”

Mortalis shook his head like he didn’t want to discuss it. So not the answer Mal was looking for. He motioned for Chrysabelle to keep eating. She scooped more dirty rice onto her plate and grabbed another piece of fried catfish.

Mal leaned back in his chair. “We’re not going anywhere until you tell us what you found out at home.”

Mortalis cracked his neck, rolling his head from side to side. “Aliza’s taken over Doc with some kind of possession spell, but Creek and Damian have gone out to the Glades to deal with her. They have Doc secured in the wine cellar at Chrysabelle’s so no harm will come to him. I’m sure it will be fine.”