Out for Blood

Creek kept a little distance between them. Better that way, at least until he figured out what she was exactly. The screwed on sunglasses didn’t exactly inspire warm fuzzies. “I only get told what I need to know, and with Argent, that isn’t much.”

Annika almost matched him in height, and from the muscle filling out her leathers, she could probably hold her own against a man his size. She faced him again. “I don’t run my people that way. I’ll tell you what I can, when I can.”

If that was true, she was already a better boss than Argent. “So I belong to you now?”

“You report to me until you’re told otherwise.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She walked around his V-Rod, not as captivated as Argent had been, but plainly interested in the shiny bits. Another dragon-shifter maybe? Creek used the distraction to sneak a look at the sleeping loft. No sign of Yahla. Maybe she’d have less issue with him working for a woman. He would not let her kill another KM agent.

“Bring me up to speed.” Annika trailed her fingers over the bike’s seat. The back of her leathers was oddly pleated, the same way Argent’s suit had been to accommodate his wings. Another check on the dragon side of things. “Where are you with getting the comarré to retrieve the vampire child?”

“Not as far along as I’m sure you’d like. She’s not interested in going to Corvinestri right now. I can’t blame her. Getting the kid means facing off with Tatiana. I don’t know if the comarré is ready for that. She’s been through a lot and—”

Annika’s head came up. “What she’s been through is not as important as removing that child from the clutches of the ancients.”

“I understand, but I think she feels like there are worse places a vampire baby could be than in the care of other vampires.” He moved toward the kitchen, hoping Annika would follow him to a spot out of sight of Yahla. “She’s more focused on finding her brother. Or at least the comar she thinks might be her brother.” And then there was the whole business of Mal taking Doc’s place in the town square. That would keep Chrysabelle occupied for a few more hours. He’d warned her the KM would go after Mal if she didn’t do as they asked. Maybe he could find a way to spin this. Damn. He did not want to lie to her, but if he didn’t get the KM’s work done, his family would suffer.

“Damian, right? Tatiana’s escaped comar.”

“Yes. He’s the one.” Creek leaned against the counter. “Except he’s not exactly escaped anymore. Seems a vampiress by the name of—”

“Daciana, yes, we know. She’s gone back to Corvinestri.” Annika shook her head. “I’m getting ahead of myself.” She unzipped a side pocket in her jacket and retrieved a small flash drive. “Here.” She walked it over to him. “Plug that into your phone and you can access everything I’m about to tell you.”

He took it and tucked it into his jeans pocket. Actual info he could hold on to? That was new.

Annika leaned in slightly, her nostrils widening. Creek backed away. Did she smell Yahla on him? Annika returned to the conversation.

“Daciana has returned to Corvinestri with Damian, who’s being held prisoner right now. We’re unsure what Tatiana’s plans are for him, but you can be certain they won’t be pleasant. I’m telling you this and giving you the file because we believe this new information will help you convince the comarré to go to Corvinestri on her brother’s behalf.”

“So Damian is her brother?” That info would definitely get Chrysabelle on a plane.

“We don’t know that. Comarré records are sealed beyond our reach. For the purpose of your conversation with her, the answer is yes. It’s reflected that way in the file as well.” Annika flattened her palms on the kitchen’s worktable. “While she’s there, she will retrieve the child. You’re to make it clear to her that is the focus of her mission. Anything else is secondary to us.”

“Chrysabelle has no good reason to take a vampire baby from another bunch of vampires. All she’s going to care about is getting Damian back.”

She waved her hands. “It’s your job to give her a reason. And that she does it. That is all the Kubai Mata is concerned with.”

“Got it.” So typical. All that mattered was the KM’s desires. “Anything else?” Like maybe what species she was. Knowing that would help him anticipate what kind of boss she might be. Hopefully nothing like Argent, but she was still KM.

“Yes. We obtained blood tests on the vampire child.”

Amazing what the KM could get its hands on. “From your inside person?”

“From a reliable source.” Above her shades, her brows bent downward. “You may let the comarré know the cover of night is not critical for this mission. It seems the child’s blood contains a UV antibody.”

He canted his head to one side, peering at her more closely. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

“Yes. The ancients possess a daywalker.”

“Damn, that changes things. But considering the kid’s father, that doesn’t—”

The bed creaked above them. Annika’s head lifted toward the ceiling. Her nostrils flared again, but this time her tongue flicked out of her mouth. Her forked tongue. She tasted the air. “You have a woman here. I smelled her when I came in but couldn’t sense her. She is not human.”