Doc’s sixth sense triggered, icing his spine. “This has to do with Heaven’s death, doesn’t it?”

Omur nodded, his eyes shifting back to human and his body sagging. He ran to lock the arena doors, then motioned for Doc to follow him. “Come with me.”

He led Doc to the edge of the arena where the metal floor stopped and the lip that outlined the sand-filled area began. Omur scooped up a small handful of the sand and held it out to Doc. “Someone put powdered silver in the sand.”

The ice spread from Doc’s spine to his bloodstream. “You’re positive.”

Omur nodded. “I’m sure Barasa will find evidence of it on the body.”

Doc rested his hand against his forehead for a moment, then dropped it and walked a few steps away. “That’s how Fi barely touched Heaven but still managed to kill her.”

Omur tipped his hand and dumped the sand back onto the floor. “Fiona cut Heaven’s lip, so it could have easily gotten into her bloodstream that way, and they were both covered with sand by the end of the fight. Because the silver was powdered, the concentration would have been fairly low. Probably only meant to weaken Heaven, but once it got into her system and made its way to her heart…” He frowned. “Heaven was a small person. It wouldn’t have taken too great a quantity. The amount wasn’t figured properly.” He glanced at Doc. “Whoever did it.”

“If this gets out—dammit, it can’t get out. I can’t have pride members saying Fi didn’t win fairly. She’s been through enough. Heaven almost killed her.”

Omur raised his hands. “Barasa and I won’t say a word, I promise you. I don’t think it’s wise to tip off the person who actually did it anyway. We’ll find out more if they don’t know we’re investigating.”

Doc canted his head back and put his hands on his hips. “This isn’t good. I don’t like the idea of keeping a secret this big.” One secret was enough, but if Barasa was right about Aliza’s spell, keeping the fire secret might not be a concern anymore.

“Look, we hold this to ourselves, find out who did it, then deal with them and it’s done. It doesn’t need to become an issue.”

“It can’t become an issue.” This had the potential to blow up big-time, but at least whoever had done it had tipped the scales in Fi’s direction. If they’d laced something into the sand that had caused her to die instead, things would be very, very different. “What if there are marks on Heaven’s body? How am I supposed to explain that to her father when he comes to get her body?”

Omur’s posture relaxed. “Chances are Heaven’s father will send an emissary in his place. The fact that she lost a challenge to a human and disgraced her pride will most likely mean his disappointment in her will override his parental duty.”

“Damn. Tough family.”

Omur whistled softly. “You have no idea.”

Doc sighed and stared out at the vast field of sparkling, deadly sand. “Get me some gloves and a broom.”

Chapter Forty

The sense of pressure registered against Lola’s body, but she wasn’t ready to turn her back on the deep, beautiful sleep cocooning her. She pushed at whoever was shaking her, trying to connect and finding only empty air. “Stop,” she muttered.

“Get up,” a familiar voice snarled.

So hungry. Maybe it was time to feed.

Hot breath teased her ear. “Get the hell up now or I’ll find a way to let sunlight in here.”

A sudden panicky rush snapped her into awareness. She bolted upright in the tub. Thomas Creek stood beside her with the comar, Hector, just a few feet away. Hilda, one hand covering her mouth, hugged the bedroom door.

Hilda crossed herself, eyes fearful. “What’s happening? I thought you said she was dead.”

“She is,” Creek answered, his lip curled in disgust. “She’s become a vampire.” He grabbed Lola by the arm and yanked her to her feet. “Who did this to you? Tell me and I’ll go after them.”

Instinct kicked in and she snapped at him. The bathroom mirror reflected the shifting of her bones and the gleam of her fangs. “No one did this to me. I wanted this.”

Hilda fainted.

Hector stepped into the bathroom. “Take your hands off her.”

Creek didn’t look at him. “Kid, you better go while you still can.”

“He stays,” Lola spat. No one told her comar what to do but her. “I’ve already purchased his blood rights.”

“The change comes fast, doesn’t it? What a piece of work you are.” Creek released her.

All she wanted was to return to the numbing sleep she’d been ripped out of. She needed some of Luciano’s potion as soon as possible. Until then, she tried to ignore the fact that the sun currently ruled the sky. It scratched at her skin like a rash and she wasn’t anywhere near the light. She needed to arrange for the helioglazing Luciano had told her about. “My business is just that. Mine. Save your concern for someone who wants it.”

“How could you do this? Especially after everything that happened with Julia?”

The mention of her daughter’s name stripped the last shreds of sleep from Lola. “Don’t talk about my daughter like you knew her. I did this for my city and for my grandchild.”

He snorted. “Doesn’t make it right. And after what you did to Mal?” He stared her up and down. “Hypocrite. Drop that curfew immediately or I will rain the full power of the Kubai Mata down on you so hard, you’ll wish you’d never been born. Do I make myself clear?”