“Why? What exactly is a doppelganger?” Fi’s eyes were as big as streetlights. There was no way she was letting this drop. He knew his girl too well.

Vernadetto answered. “It’s kind of like what you said, Fiona, a twin, but a doppelganger is actually a rare form of varcolai.”

She glanced at Doc. He nodded. Rare was an understatement. She looked back at Vernadetto. “So you can shift?”

Vernadetto sighed. “Into any type of creature we want so long as we know what it looks like.”

“Holy crap.” Fi squealed, a noise Doc recognized as barely bottled excitement. “You mean you could turn into Doc in his leopard form? Or me when I’m a ghost?”

He nodded, doubt clouding his eyes. “Exactly like that.”

“Double holy crap.” Fi grinned. “That is wicked cool.”

Doc laughed. “She’s right. It beats my being a leopard all day long.”

Vernadetto shook his head. “It’s not cool at all. It’s horrible. The being we mimic usually dies within a few days of contact with us. We’re like… omens of death. It’s why my family has kept the power hidden and tried to erase the line. We never shift. Never. That’s what the amulet is for. It reflects our own image back to us so that the urge to change is virtually removed.” His fingers went to the chain. “There’s some deeper magic than that involved, but those are the basics.”

Fi patted his hand. “Denying your nature is no way to live your life. Your power can’t be all bad.”

He stood and paced to the other side of the room. “I became a police officer to do some good with my life.” He stopped at the windows and looked out onto the city. “I have no intention of doing anything to harm the life I’ve built as a human.”

“What if we knew someone who might be able to help you?” Doc asked.

Vernadetto turned. “Like who?” Doc held out his hand and let the blue flames erupt from his fingers. Vernadetto drew back. “I thought that was… taken care of.”

“Not taken care of so much as I learned to control it. Barasa’s got a shaman’s background and some higher education on dealing with othernatural issues. He helped me. He could probably help you.”

Relief washed over Vernadetto’s face, but it was fleeting. He turned back to the windows. “I’m a cop. I know what the pride charges for services like that. I can’t afford that kind of help.”

“You can if you’re a member of the pride,” Doc said. “Then it wouldn’t cost you a thing.”

Vernadetto laughed bitterly. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but—”

“About that offer I mentioned.” Doc leaned forward. “It would make you an honorary member of the Paradise City pride.”

Vernadetto looked at him. “How is that even possible?”

Fi laughed, unable to contain herself. “You have to say yes.”

His expression softened when he looked at Fi. “I don’t know what it is yet.”

“We need you,” Fi said.

Doc nodded. “She’s right. We do.” He paused. Vernadetto had to agree. He was exactly what the pride needed to regain confidence in Doc’s leadership. “I’d like you to become one of my council members.”

Vernadetto stared at them. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, duh,” Fi said. “Say yes.”

He smiled. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

Chapter Forty-five

Dominic arrived exactly when he said he would, his sleek sedan pulling quietly to the curb outside the machine shop. Creek leaned against the building near the entrance. Mortalis got out first and opened the door for Dominic. With his dark suit and precise grooming, he stood out in this section of town like a Rottweiler at a cat show.

Mortalis tipped his head to Creek. He nodded back. Maybe he’d ask the fae to be his second, because he certainly wasn’t asking his mother or grandmother. Neither of them needed to be responsible for carting his dead body out of here if it came to that. Which he prayed it wouldn’t.

Dominic buttoned his jacket as he approached. “Surely we aren’t doing this out here?”

“No. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t attract any extra company.” Creek rolled back the machine shop’s heavy door. “Come in.”

He shut it again after the vampire and the fae entered. “Everything turn out all right?”

“Si.” Dominic pulled out a small glass vial from his jacket and held it out to Creek. “This will protect you.”

“Thanks.” He took the vial, turning it so the cloudy liquid inside sloshed. He twisted the top off. “There’s something else.”

“Si?”

“I need a second for the fight. Someone to take care of things if the outcome doesn’t go my way.” Creek put the vial to his lips and drank. Tasted like chalk. “I wouldn’t ask this of you, but I was hoping Mortalis might do it.”

The fae nodded, but Dominic spoke. “It will be handled. Neither of us is leaving until this is over.”

“I didn’t think you were going to stay.”

Dominic smiled. “And leave my new investment alone? Not yet I think.”

Creek tossed the vial toward the kitchen sink. It shattered against the stainless steel. Dominic wanted to see if his investment was going to live or not. Understandable. “What if she makes eye contact with you?”