“I won’t be killing anyone,” I told him as we got into the car again.
“Why not?” he demanded.
I didn’t say anything. It took him a minute to deduce things.
“Your curse. I thought you wanted to break it?”
My stomach knotted. “I do. Just—not yet.”
“How close are you now?”
“Close,” I said, not telling him the exact number. “I have to be selective with who I choose to off now. I got a little blood happy for a few years.”
“Oh, I remember. I was there for many of them. You were rather entertaining.”
My hand went to the cards in my pocket, and I smiled at the memories. I did have fun.
“Fine. But if she’s not here, then someone will be talking,” he threatened.
I nodded. “That’s fine. I can take fingers, ears, a foot even. Just not their soul.”
The conversation shifted to what we were walking into.
“I’ve dabbled once or twice,” I admitted. “But I never thought about making a business out of it. Elvie can’t be a part of that.” I doubted I’d believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.
He shrugged as we pulled into a driveway of a large, dark house. It loomed over us and made me uneasy. “That’s what they’re saying. Maybe it’s a false lead.”
“Let’s hope.” I slid my sunglasses down my nose as we got out and went to the front door. I adjusted my leather jacket and reached for my cards. I’d use them if I needed to.
A human woman answered the door. She was pale and looked strung out. Red flags shot up through my spine.
“Yeah?” she demanded, looking from Arsenio to me.
“We’re looking for Ludovica. Is she here?” Arsenio asked. She squinted at him.
“Who are you?”
“We’re her brothers.”
The woman’s face took on a look of shock and almost fear. She nodded and let us in quickly.
The house was dark. I wouldn’t say dirty, but it wasn’t pristine. There were half a dozen people on couches. Smoke swirled around the room, making it hard to see.
“Ludovica’s brothers are here for her.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest and looked to the ground. A vampire man looked up at us. His eyes were blue.
Bloodshed.
“She’s not here. Bye.”
“Where is she?” Arsenio asked again, this time firmer. The guy stood and tilted his head at Arsenio.
“You’re both vamps?”
“Duh, they’re her brothers. She’s a Bloodborn.” The girl told him.
“Oh, right. Why do you need her?” The man demanded.
Arsenio’s patience was waning. It was thin, to begin with. I was beginning to recall all the times we’d done jobs together. It was rather— annoying.
