Page 126 of Hoofin’ It

“That’s right,” Marian confirmed. “The department kept trying to get his permit number. We ran into the last pair as we were leaving to replace Shane’s phones and visit the mall.”

“White dresses,” I murmured, although I appreciated how comfortable she was with her nudity.

“I recall you lost your mind over the little black dress. It’s a shame it was ruined.”

Quinton sighed. “I’ll see that it’s replaced. You were in our care when it happened. Papa will insist. Gibby brought her to my sister’s restaurant in his best clothes, and he dressed her like a queen. He isn’t a romantic man by nature—I feared he’d never find a woman sufficiently interesting for him to pursue—but there they were, together as though born to be side by side. My sister had me bring out her wine, Abil Ili.”

“The last?” the Babylonian asked, quiet and still.

“The last.” The vampire lifted up a bunch of the devil berries. “These are the grapes that made that wine, Gibby. When fermented, they turn blood red. It’s old magic that kept that bottle preserved.”

“Tell me what happened,” Abil Ili demanded.

I sighed. “We were on the balcony having dinner. Pierina had made everything for us, sending out in small portions so we could try everything. I had my back to the canal so Marian could look into the abyss.”

“The abyss.” The Babylonian chuckled. “Yes, that is a suitable name for our home. An abyss, which leads to treasures unsurpassed by humans, beyond the comprehension of mere mortals.”

Since I couldn’t argue with the truth, I acknowledged him with a nod. “I heard the bang before the balcony collapsed and had time to stand before I fell into the water.”

“We think they used a grenade with a delayed detonation, stuck to the wall beneath the balcony to knock out the supports. Gibby fell into the water. Marian fell onto the sidewalk. I had to choose, and he never would have forgiven me if I’d chosen him over her, so I helped her. By the time Pierina had made it outside, someone had tossed another grenade onto the grate, breaking it. Gibby was gone, washed away. I thought he’d drowned—or died when he fell.”

“He had,” Abil Ili confirmed with a clack of his beak. “Saved only because he had not yet had his first shift. I was challenged healing his body. Do you know who did it?”

“No. His parents and my family seek the culprits.”

Abil Ili rose from his crouch, standing to his full, intimidating height. “I have heard all I need to know. Rest. When I return, we will have work to do. Sleep for a while, even you, my favored darkener of doorways. We will be busy soon enough.”

His body shimmered, and he vanished, although the movement of the cushions betrayed his presence until he reached the ledge. With a few clicks of his talons on the crystal floor, he was gone.

“Busy? Busy doing what?” Marian demanded.

Quinton smiled, and a red gleam washed over his dark eyes. “Hunting for those who tried to kill you have issued a grave insult without knowing it.”

Frowning, I turned my head to better see the vampire. “What insult?”

“Never mistake Abil Ili for human. He doesn’t have human emotions, nor does he understand emotions the way humans do, but there are a few that overlap. He is very fond of Papa, and the people Papa cherishes, he cherishes. Someone ruined something my sister loves. Someone hurt someone Papa loves. These things he understands. When he heard Pierina had shared the last of her most prized wines, the last bottle of that specific vintage, a treasure to her, he knew where we stand. He isn’t a vampire. He isn’t part of our brood. But he’s family all the same, and that Abil Ili understands, and so he will hunt.” Quinton’s smile turned cold and calculating. “He’s angry enough he means to take us with him. Tomorrow will be a bloody day, one I plan to enjoy.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

I was pretty certain I’d gone from wide awake to sound asleep in a heartbeat—and mid sentence. A hazy memory of discussing potential suspects played through my head, but I could barely make sense of it, except Marian kept wanting to blame Michelle. Why would Michelle want to kill me?

“Why Michelle?” I blurted.

Marian rolled over to sprawl over my chest, her hands resting on my shoulders. Though I had no recollection of taking off my jacket and shirt, our bare skin touched. At least she’d left me with my pants, else I would’ve fallen prey to her for something entirely inappropriate for the situation. “I’d be offended, except Quinton already warned me you’d pick up right where you left off after fainting. Stop fainting. I don’t like it.”

“It’s not his fault. He needed the rest,” the vampire said, emerging from beneath the cushions. “If you two are going to get hot and heavy, you should let me join in for a light snack. I’d like it a lot.”

Instead of kneecapping the bastard, I twisted under Marian and kicked him in the face. “No.”

“You love me. You truly love me.” Quinton backed away and rubbed his nose. “But I’d like it a lot.”

“You’re not getting a drink from either one of us, so forget it. I might consider selling my parents to you for a fair price.”

Marian laughed. “You can’t keep selling your parents to vampires, Shane.”

“Why the hell not?”

“You love them, despite appearances. Selling them once as payback for trying to sell you was fair. Selling them twice would be mean.”