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"That depends." Her husky voice was reserved, as it usually was whenever she was talking to me. "On whether you can be bothered using my real name or not."
I rolled my eyes. Vampires - even the ones that washed - could be fucking annoying at times. But as far as battles of wills went, this was one I was willing to cede. Though what her damn problem with me was I had no idea. And Jack was no help - he kept insisting I was imagining things.
Which was just more evidence to support my theory that he was in lust with his caramel-haired liaison.
"Salliane, I need you to do me a favor."
"What?"
The glint in her brown eyes was evident, even down the phone line. She liked the fact I'd backed away. Enjoy the moment, cow, because it sure as hell won't be happening again.
"I need a plate traced." I gave her the details.
"This guardian business?"
"Yes."
"I'll check with Jack."
Not just a cow, but a bitch as well. "Fine. Just trace the plate."
"Hang on."
I did, my gaze moving to Quinn, watching as he turned to study a small alley to the right of the limo.
Sal came back online. "It's registered to a Karen Herbert."
"You want to do a background check on her for me?"
"You sure this is Directorate business?"
"Yes," I said, even as I was thinking, Just do it, bitch. But I wisely held my tongue.
"I'll see what I can find and give you a call back."
"Thanks."
I hung up and called Jack immediately, but got switched to voice mail. Maybe the cow had him on speed dial. I left a message telling him why I'd asked for the trace and the background check, then hung up and walked across to Quinn. "The car belongs to a Karen Herbert. She's not a disgruntled ex-girlfriend, is she?"
"Never heard of her."
Didn't think the answer was going to be that easy. I glanced at the alley he was continuing to study. Something scratched at my senses - a presence that was there, and yet not. Which didn't exactly make sense. I frowned and looked at Quinn again. "So who wants to kill you now?"
He smiled at that. "I'm a very successful, often ruthless businessman, and a vampire besides. Those two alone give me more enemies than most."
"It would be helpful if you could narrow the field a little."
He glanced at me, eyes again obsidian stone, in which there was no life, no warmth. He suspected someone, that much was obvious. But he wasn't about to tell me, and I had to wonder why. He might have a trunk-load of secrets that he chose to keep, but this shouldn't have been one of them. I had the right to know, simply because I was now involved.
But all he said was, "Something hides in that alley."
It drew my attention away from him again, as he'd undoubtedly intended. My senses crawled outward, and the sensation of being watched by something indefinable increased, until my stomach flip-flopped in reaction. "What is it?"
My voice was a whisper, and he answered in kind. "A presence I haven't felt in centuries."
I raised an eyebrow. "What sort of presence?"
He shook his head. "Wait here."
