Page 64 of Call of the Blood

“This exact moment, no, but you know, it’s better to have it set up so I can sit down and get to work immediately once I have the information I need. Plus, I think it would be strange to walk out only ten minutes after sunset to harass Wren for information. I think an hour into the night would seem less suspicious in a way.”

“Giving yourself a normal time before leaving the house, and no one has a reason to think anything is wrong. And you’re using the time effectively.”

“Exactly.” I looked up from my laptop. “Thank you for getting this here so quickly.”

“We’ll have to send a thank-you gift to Maria. She pulled some strings and used her position to make it happen, though this is in some ways a threat to her security as a member of the Tribunal. A missing vampire is wandering around her city, claiming to be a member of her nest. She needs answers just as much as you do.”

“And she won’t try to beat me to the truth?”

“She’s glad you rooted out another problem and will only step in if we need her. She’s got a lot of moving parts in her life, and she’s more active right now than Isaiah, so there’s a lot of Tribunal stuff ending up with her while he’s trying to ignore the world.”

“Yeah, she’s also dealing with decisions about other supernaturals, huh… That must be stressful. Every time it crosses my mind, it makes me wonder how any of the Tribunal members have any time to sleep. Like Callahan, dealing with this giant werewolf pack and the Tribunal. And his wife, also a Tribunal member and Alpha of her own pack, right?” Alexius nodded, so I continued. “That just seems really stressful.”

“I’m certain it is.”

I looked at the time, my laptop ready for me when I needed it now.

“Okay, well…” I stood up, facing Alexius fully now. “I’m going to head out. It’s a little bit of a drive to Court of Coffee.”

“Also, Maria sent out a memo tonight to her close circle of advisors and assistants that you’re now on the same case as me. The information will spread. By the end of the night, everyone will think your vacation is done, and you’re helping me now.”

“Thank you.” I reached out and grabbed his shirt.

He looked at my hand, his gaze sleepy and warm when his eyes met mine once again.

“Do you plan on taking that off me?” he asked, stepping closer. “It would ruin your plans for the night.”

“No.” I went to my tiptoes and still couldn’t reach, but I tugged, and he bent down to me, meeting me for a kiss. He was very into the kiss, pulling me fully into his body, letting me know how much he wanted to go further. When the kiss broke, I backed off, letting him go, and he didn’t fight me, his hand on my lower back dropping away.

“I wanted that. Because… I just wanted it.”

“Well, I do like to give you what you want,” he murmured. “You should go before I’m tempted to go further.”

“Stay safe tonight. Good luck with your work.”

“You as well.”

I walked around him, knowing he wasn’t going to move because the kiss had done a number on him. I looked over my shoulder to see him lean over, a hand on the desk. It made me feel a little powerful, knowing a kiss was enough to get him riled up.

I was still smiling when I parked in the same spot to go to Court of Coffee. I closed my eyes after I cut the engine and took a breath, focusing on why I was there. Henry had been lying to me, and it was time to start the hunt for answers.

I shouldn’t have trusted him so easily.

I didn’t even think I had trusted him so easily until after everything was said and done. I had been cautious. I had been wary. But I had assumed honesty in his answers, and that was the mistake. With how much had been going on, it had been easy to overlook the idea that he was lying instead of just making up with me after so long.

I walked into Court of Coffee, glad to see no vampires there yet. All the faces were unfamiliar except the employees and Wren, who was behind the counter today instead of sitting up front by the windows.

“Miss Abbott,” Wren greeted, smiling. “Welcome back! I was wondering if you would grace my presence again.”

“I’m here on business today,” I said, walking right up to the counter in front of him. “And I just fed, so no order for me.”

“Okay. That type of business. Come with me.” He still sounded casual, as if this wasn’t anything new to him. He lifted the barrier and let me into the back, straight to his office.

“I’m glad to be the person you go to here in Los Angeles now,” he said, sitting down at his desk. “So, how can I help you?”

“The last time I was here, another vampire and I recognized each other. You probably saw us right out the window, yeah?”

“I might remember that,” he said, smiling knowingly. “I’m a busy man, running a business.”