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Damn, damn, damn. If it was a vampire serial kil er, we had big trouble on our hands. Ever since Delilah decked him, Andy Gambit—star reporter for the Seattle Tattler, a yel ow tabloid that fed on the fears and titil ation of Seattle residents—had been on a tear, doing his best to smear Fae and Supes of al kinds. He’d been backing Taggart Jones for the City Council position.
Gambit had done such an effective smear job on Nerissa that she’d lost the race, even though she’d started out with a decent margin and al signs pointed to potential victory. Gambit had dragged her through the mud because of her association with me, and it had worked. The surprise, however, had been that Taggart Jones hadn’t won, either. A moderate had swept the election.
Now, Gambit would be al over this story. If word of a vampire serial kil er got out, we’d be pouring gasoline on the fire.
Chase led me to the elevator. “So, are you guys ready for Yule yet?”
I grinned. “More or less. Delilah hasn’t tipped over the tree yet, but then, we anchored it to the ceiling first thing. Camil e and Iris have the house looking like a winter wonderland. Al we need is snow for it to feel like the holidays.”
“Does Otherworld get much snow?” he asked, holding the door open for me.
I swung in behind him. “Depends on where you’re at. Y’Elestrial—yes, we get quite a bit of snow there . . . I fel silent, biting my lip. Our home city was now sacrosanct and off limits to Camil e, although she could stil go to other parts of Otherworld. And to us, too. “I miss it. The city is beautiful, but now, I wonder if we’l ever see it again.”
“Queen Tanaquar and your father stil won’t relent?” He looked uncertain, like he thought he should pat me on the shoulder or something.
Shrugging, I shook my head. “When Delilah and I demanded they al ow Camil e to return to her ful status, they told us we had two choices: Abide by their decree or suffer the same fate ourselves. So we al went to work for Queen Asteria instead, and the Otherworld Intel igence Agency is history. At least for us. At least for now.”
“They aren’t talking to me, either,” he said. “Ever since your civil war, it’s like they’ve decided that the FH-CSI doesn’t need to be kept in the loop.”
“Join the club. Father tried to guilt-trip us like crazy, but Delilah and I shut him out. We hated to do so, but he hasn’t been by our sides, up to his elbows in demon blood, wondering if Shadow Wing is coming through next. He doesn’t know how fucking hard Camil e’s worked, nor does he understand the decisions she’s had to make. How could Delilah and I stand by and just watch them throw her away?”
Chase nodded. “I get it. I real y do. And I admire the choice you made. You three—no matter what, no one wil ever come between you.”
He looked wistful, and I wondered if he missed Delilah. He was actual y at our house more often now that they’d broken up, and he seemed far more relaxed and happy. So did Delilah, even though she was stil finding her way with Shade, the half dragon, half Stradolan. A part of the Autumn Lord’s world, Shade had strode into her life and they were slowly building what looked like it could be the love match of the century. I’d never seen Delilah’s heart so free and easy.
“You okay, Johnson?” I tapped him on the arm.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “And just in case you’re wondering, no—I’m not pining over Delilah. I’m the one who decided I couldn’t handle a relationship. And frankly, it’s a good thing. My moods are swinging like crazy now that my powers are opening up. I’m happy one moment, pissed the next.
Not good boyfriend material. Sharah’s found someone in town who’s going to help me learn how to channel the energy.”
“Good, because unbridled psychic energy is dangerous for al concerned.” I stopped him as we stepped out of the elevator. “Truth time.”
“What?” His dark eyes glistened, and I resisted the impulse to reach up and brush back an unruly cowlick—it was so out of place on his meticulously groomed body that it distracted me.
“Are you sure you’re okay with my sister seeing someone else? Because if you have any thoughts of a reunion later, you’d better say something now. She’s fal ing, Chase. She’s fal ing for Shade like I’ve never seen her fal before.” I had no intention of letting him put her on the spot later, forcing her to make a choice she thought she’d already made.
He gazed at me, his eyes limpid, his expression torn. Then, slowly, he asked, “She real y loves this guy?”
“I think he’s the one, Chase.”
“Then I’l remain her blood brother, and I won’t interfere. Because I honestly don’t know what the hel ’s going to happen in my life.” He paused. “Can I ask you something, now?”
So relieved by his reply that I would have granted almost any favor, I nodded. “Ask away.”
“Do you think someone like Sharah might ever see me in anything but an official capacity?” He sounded hesitant, almost embarrassed to be asking.
I knew ful wel that Sharah was in love with the detective, but that was her place to answer, not mine. I gave Chase a soft smile. “Listen, you’re a catch. You’ve had your share of screwups, but, Johnson, you’re okay, and I think you’re going to make somebody happy someday. Could someone like Sharah be interested in you? I don’t see why not.”o;Let me tel Chrysandra.” I hustled over to my waitress and tapped her on the arm. “Keep an eye on Derrick. Help him learn the ropes. Chase needs me.”
“No problem, Menol y. But are you sure? It’s his first night.” She looked a little worried. Normal y I’d chalk it up to nerves, but tonight I stopped and looked into her eyes, trying to get a feel for where her jitters were coming from.
“You have a bad feeling about him?” I cocked my head, waiting.
She glanced over at him, then slowly shook her head. “Not at al . . . but . . . there’s something about him. I can’t put my finger on it. He’s more than he appears to be, but I don’t sense . . . he’s not hostile, but I think he walks with danger.”
“Most Supes do, nowadays.” I frowned. “Fetch Tavah from the basement. Tel Riki to take over for her down there. If anything goes wrong, Tavah should be able to take care of matters.”
Tavah, another vampire, spent her nights in the basement of the Wayfarer, guarding the portal to Otherworld and keeping track of the guests who came through. She kept the creeps out and let the paying visitors in.
