“Since my daughter Julia’s death, I have been searching for my granddaughter. She is a unique child, half vampire, half comarré. And I have been told that she is now in the possession of those known as the ancients.”

Silver flickered in his eyes. “Yes, I’ve heard about this child. She was introduced to the nobility at a ball, recently. But I also believe what you said is true—she is now in the hands of the ancients.”

Lola nodded. He knew of Mariela. “You must help me, then. I have no one else to turn to. No one else I trust.”

“What help do you need?”

“I want to get her back.” She looked into his eyes and tried to convey every ounce of pain she’d felt these last months. There truly was no length she wouldn’t go to in order to get her grandchild back. He must understand that. “Tell me how to access these ancients.”

His gaze went completely silver and he pushed back in his chair, shaking his head. “No. You cannot. They are… unlike anything you know.”

“But I do know,” she said. “I know they are the creators of our kind, I know they are angels fallen from their first estate. And I also know that I am the one best suited to raise this child. I must get her back.”

Again he shook his head. “What you ask is madness. They will kill you.”

“How do you know?”

“Can you think of a reason they wouldn’t?” He stood and began to pace. “A barely sired vampire wants to take their greatest possession from them?” He laughed. “Do you really expect them to hand her over to you?”

“I am her family. Her blood.”

“None of that matters to the Cast—” He frowned. “The ancients. None of it. You would do yourself a favor to forget this child.”

She jumped up. “Forget my grandchild? You are insane. Don’t you have any family? Isn’t there anyone you would fight for?”

He stopped pacing to glare at her. “I spent my life in the service of the nobles, only to give that life to them in exchange for this new one. The only family I’ve ever known has done nothing but take from me. Take and take and take some more.”

Slightly surprised, she softened her tone. “I am sorry about that. No one should have to live that kind of life.”

With a sigh, he collapsed into his chair again. “I apologize for raising my voice. I shouldn’t burden you with my troubles, but I cannot see any outcome with the nobles that gives you the result you want. They are hard creatures. Frightening. Capricious. They are the father of our race and yet they treat us more like disposable playthings than children.” His eyes met hers. “I worry for you. I have come to care for you in my own way, and I suppose that makes me foolish because we’ve known each other such a short time, but that is who I am. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

“That’s very kind of you, Octavian.” It warmed her heart to know she’d affected him so deeply in so few days. If she actually had. “But I cannot pretend my granddaughter never exists. I cannot turn my back on her.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

“Then help me find a way to get her back.”

“I will think on it. That is as much as I can promise right now.”

“Think quickly.” She sat back, her patience nearly at its end. “Luciano believes you murdered one of the employees at Seven. I told him you and I left early, that there was no way you could have been involved.” She tipped her head and gave him her coldest stare. “Please, don’t make me out to be a liar.”

“I know it’s late,” Chief Vernadetto said. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have news I thought you’d both want to hear.”

Doc nodded. “We appreciate your keeping us in the loop.” The chief was a good man and whether or not he was doing this because of Fi, Doc didn’t know, but it felt nice to catch a break once in a while.

“Totally, Pete,” Fi added.

Isaiah set coffee cups in front of him and Vernadetto, then served Fi a cup of tea. He added sugar and a creamer to the table. “Anything else?”

“No, that’s all. Thanks.” Doc waited until Isaiah left before responding to the chief. He gave Fi’s leg a little squeeze under the table.

Fi blew on her tea. “What did you find out?”

Vernadetto stirred sugar into his coffee. “As Fi knows, I dug a little deeper on Remo, but found nothing that led me to believe he was involved in his sister’s death. However, we have now identified the source of the silver. A dealer down on Agramonte.”

Doc turned his cup. Fi had told him about Vernadetto’s info on Remo. “So? Whom did the dealer sell to?”

“That’s the tricky part. This dealer is a remnant, part fae, and didn’t want anything to do with this death. Claims not to remember much about the sale other than that the silver was picked up and paid for in cash by a messenger service. From that messenger, who also mysteriously can’t remember any details, we were able to get one piece of information. He says one of your council members bought the silver.”

Beside him, Fi stiffened. She shook her head and Doc noticed her hand was trembling. “No. I can’t believe either of them would have anything to do with this.”

Vernadetto dropped his head a little. “I’m sorry, Fiona. It’s always hard when the news hits so close to home.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, but I have to take Barasa and Omur down to the station for questioning. I just wanted to let you know first out of courtesy.”