Page 131 of Hoofin’ It

“Very likely. We have uncovered some interesting facts during our research.” Abil Ili tapped the screen, focusing the map on Lincoln, Nebraska. Unlike Des Moines, it was clear of flags. “This is today.”

He tapped a few more times. Seven gold and two red flags appeared. “This was thirty years ago.” After a few more taps, a handful of other flags appeared. “Forty years. The FBI has never investigated sex trafficking operations in Lincoln.”

My grandmother fought fires, and because knowing how they ignited and burned was critical to extinguishing them, she could start them, too. I shivered as the possibilities tangled in my head and led me places I didn’t want to go. “Arsons?”

“You understand.”

“God,” I muttered, wiping my hand over my face as though I could erase the horror of what my grandmother had endured, resulting in the birth of my mother. “You’re really implying my grandparents took on one of these rings all on their own.”

“The numbers do not lie. Someone did, and it wasn’t the police nor was it someone within the FBI.”

“And my great-grandfather? What of him?”

“Things like this have been happening for as long as humans have realized they could enslave each other for wealth. That is a question you have to ask him, but it is not an incubus’s nature to remain with a human family unless they have been forced to claim responsibility for something, a life that would not otherwise exist, one made of his seed against his will. They do not form bonds easily. Is that not right, Quinton?”

“He’s right. An incubus doesn’t form a bond unless he has had constant and frequent exposure to a woman. Ours often bond with our donors; it’s part of how we feed. That’s why we take care of our donors like we do. It isn’t just for us, but for them, too. A succubus won’t form a bond unless she’s ready to have a child, and she’ll bond with the incubus or the human who’ll become the father of her child. Her bond fades after her child’s birth.”

Marian joined me, pulling a chair close to mine, sitting with a grunt. “Against his will—as in if he didn’t get her pregnant and take her out of the situation, she’d be killed?”

“That is our current theory.”

Quinton hissed, glaring at the digital board, his eyes glowing a brilliant red. “It fits. We’re very careful with our incubi and our donors for this reason. We prevent unwanted children, but Papa insists on being close at hand for any wanted ones. We have incubi wanting to join our brood because they want a bond—or a child. It’s their nature to desire the creation of life. We try to make the arrangements in a way satisfying to everyone.” The vampire relaxed and smiled. “Your neighbors are a good example. The parents of those triplets will find themselves with a mysterious donor of toys and everything they need to give their children happiness. That’s a succubus’s nature. Papa enjoys it, too. The important thing to understand is that in a healthy relationship, the incubus’s bond fades when their child is self-sufficient or the mother is ready for another child, whichever comes first.”

“And to think most people view demons as evil,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Good and evil are as much of a choice as they are nature,” Abil Ili murmured, swiping a claw against the screen to return to the main map of the United States. He zoomed in on Chicago. “Chicago has two markets, one of each type. We have confirmed Ricci’s involvement with them. We have also confirmed connections with members of the CPD. Some members of the CPD are covering these operations with the goal of keeping the Saven brood unaware of their presence. There are no demons involved with Ricci’s operations.”

I leaned back in my seat and struggled to take slow, even breaths. “How important is Chicago to their operations?”

“We do not know. Given time, we could find out.” The Babylonian shrugged. “Luring Ricci here was not hard. We will eliminate Ricci’s operatives and the corrupt police, and we will cleanse Chicago. It will not stop the trafficking, but for a time, it may protect the innocent. If we kill Ricci, another vampire will take his place, but he might be a younger, inexperienced vampire—one easier for mortals to hunt. Such a result would even the playing field and bring balance. This would repay our obligations to you and yours.”

I shook my head. “You owe me nothing.”

On a Babylonian, a smile resembled a declaration of hunger, one involving a display of sharp, flesh-rending teeth. “That is not for you to decide. This is our territory, and we have allowed it to become unbalanced. We owe you much for bringing the problem to our attention. We merely even the scales so humans might be able to wage war on a level battlefield, rather than serve as the helpless cattle of traditional vampires.” Abil Ili’s smile widened to a gaping grin. “We are no angels, either. This is a hunt we will enjoy. Please allow me to introduce to you our prey, so you know them for what they are.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Abil Ili went through the list name by name, and one shocked me so much I had to sit before my legs gave out beneath me. How could cowardly Stripes number among them—or be so predominant a figure in the operation to enslave women and turn them into fodder for vampires? Although Michelle hadn’t played an active part, I could read between the lines.

Turning a blind eye to Stripes’s made her an accessory, and she’d watched me with the others. All the officers who’d come to my apartment were involved in one way or another. I found little comfort in the knowledge Captain Martins wasn’t on the list.

Lions lived to protect, and lionesses were the jewels of a lion’s pride. All females stirred a lion’s protective instincts. I couldn’t see a lion selling any female. Buying, claiming them as his own, and controlling them I could readily believe, but Martins had never seemed the type to sow terror.

I wondered if he even knew the officers had attempted to acquire my permit number—if he’d even known of their activities. I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen for a long time in sullen silence.

“I’m sorry,” Marian whispered.

I shook my head. “It’s not your fault.”

“Still. You worked with a lot of these people. How do you think Ricci and his crime network got to so many of them?”

Quinton made a thoughtful sound in this throat. “Likely blackmail. Our bite can’t control people—not like that. The officers acted of their own free will.”

“They won’t understand until they experience a traditional bite, although Shane has seen a little of your powers, for all you were gentle with him.” Abil Ili clicked his talons together. “It is necessary.”

“Take your shirt and jacket off, Gibby,” the vampire ordered. “I’m only going to take a sip, but it’ll still get messy. Marian, don’t be alarmed. It’s going to look a lot worse than it is. Abil Ili will stop you from interfering if he must.”

Marian crossed her arms over her chest. “You better not hurt him.”