Out for Blood
Scanning the club for Mortalis was impossible with Tec’s broad body in her field of vision. “I’m sure Doc’s dealing with the situation.” But why hadn’t he controlled it better?
“It’s been dealt with according to pride law. Same as pack law, a life for a life.” His eyes narrowed. “But if one of those deaths wasn’t really a death, the situation becomes unbalanced.” He got a little closer. “A life is still required.”
She stroked the red leather sacre straps crossing her chest. “Are you warning me or threatening me?”
He backed up. “Informing you. Do with it what you will, but know that it’s going to be dealt with.” He held his hands up. “Not by me. But Doc’s got a lot to prove as the new leader.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the front door, Tec?” Mortalis raised his brows in question as he came to a stop at the wolf-shifter’s side.
Tec nodded, his eyes on Chrysabelle. “Headed there now. You have a good night.” He shoved back through the doors.
“What was that all about?” Mortalis asked.
Chrysabelle exhaled a long sigh. The weight on her shoulders never got lighter. “I’m not even sure where to start.” She tried to smile. “How are you?”
“Better than you by the looks of it.” He tipped his head into the club. “You want to talk somewhere private?”
“Love to.”
A few minutes later, he escorted her into a tiny room with a narrow desk and two chairs. “Welcome to my office. Formerly the broom closet.”
“I didn’t even know you had an office.”
“I didn’t until a day ago. Luciano, Dominic’s nephew, thought I should have my own space. Such as it is.” He pulled the chair from behind the desk and set it beside the other one, motioning her to sit.
When they were both settled, she began. “I’m going to summarize as best I can. I’ve died twice in the last few days. The first time was when I last visited the Aurelian, and most recently last night. When this happens, I lose all memory of the event and typically pass out for a day or so. Mal thinks the ring of sorrows never lost its power when it was melted down and stitched into my skin and that its power is the reason death doesn’t seem to be a permanent thing for me anymore. Velimai thinks you might be able to connect me to someone who can tell me exactly what power transferred into me.”
He opened his mouth, but she held up a finger. “There’s more. Mal might be in trouble now because he killed the shifter who killed me last night, and as you can see, I am no longer dead. This whole thing apparently happened in front of a crowd at Bar Nine, so covering it up isn’t really an option. Let’s see, what else… oh yes. The vampiress who was being held captive in the freighter’s hold? Gone. And she took Damian with her. The kicker to that is, Mal says Damian’s name is the last thing I uttered before I woke up after being killed by the Aurelian.”
“Well.” Mortalis sat back slowly. “I’m not sure where to start.”
“Welcome to my world.”
He steepled his fingers. “Okay, maybe I do know where to start. First of all, I can connect you with someone who can get a read on the new signum and see what power they contain—if he’s willing to meet with you. It won’t be easy.”
She shrugged. “Is anything in my life?”
Mortalis continued. “Second, I’ll put out some feelers, see if I can get feedback on where our runaway vamp might be. Third, why do you think you said Damian’s name?”
“No idea. There’s nothing there but a big blank. The blackouts seem to start a few moments before I actually die.”
Mortalis strummed his fingers on his knees, lost in thought for a few moments. “With everything you’ve told me, I can think of only one good reason you’d say his name.”
“Why?” She edged forward, her breath tight in her chest, as she already knew what he was going to say. The same thing Mal had already told her.
Mortalis blew out a breath. “He’s your brother.”
Chapter Twelve
Nothing in this one either.” Fi tossed another book on the growing pile in the middle of Mal’s office. “You really think we’re going to find anything?”
“Yes.” No, but getting Fi to help search for nonexistent information on the ring of sorrows was a great way to keep her away from Doc until he could get his situation figured out. Not that babysitting Fi was really what Mal wanted to be doing either, but there was no point in being around Chrysabelle when she woke up if it was anything like the last time. He’d let her remember she’d wanted to talk to him and come here on her own terms. Better that than arguing with her again. He didn’t want to argue. He wanted them to be a team. How sweet. However much that was possible. If it even was. It’s not.
Fi flipped through another book. “You should sell these. Paper books are worth good money and you could use some of that.”
“No. Keep looking.” Somewhere outside, a car door shut and a new heartbeat announced itself to his senses. “Someone’s here.”
Fi looked up from her pages. “Chrysabelle?”
“No.” He closed the book he hadn’t been reading and stood. “Get scarce in case it’s trouble.”
“I’ll be in the galley if you need me. I think there’s some pizza left.” She moved out and he followed her, splitting off to head up to the deck. He climbed to the bridge for a better vantage out over the ship.