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He raised his eyebrows. I thought Jon had a thing about commitment?
Seline's unladylike snort rattled the mental lines. No. Like you, he feared to make a commitment because he feared his enemies taking revenge on those he loved. I don't fear making commitment. Though, like Jon, he did fear enemies being motivated enough to take revenge on those he loved.
Perhaps not. But you have every intention of compartmentalizing your life. There's nothing wrong with wanting to keep her safe.
Unless it's something that will kill her emotionally. She's not the type to play mother at home, Michael. If she was, I seriously doubt you'd still be together. Her words reminded him of the pain Nikki had revealed at never being able to have kids. He briefly closed his eyes. Seline was wrong about one thing—he could have easily played family man with Nikki. Could imagine nothing better than coming home from a normal day and relaxing with her and their kids. But he'd given up any sense of normality long ago, and there was no point in wishing for what could never be.
I can't risk her working with me, Seline. Couldn't risk losing her. She was his heart, his soul. He couldn't imagine life without her now. Didn't want life without her. It won't work, I'm telling you that now. You can't ever hope to keep Nikki and what you do separate. Nikki is a part of your life because of your work, and you're just going to have to accept the fact that she will forever be a part of it.
He rubbed a hand across his eyes. I didn't open this line of communication to get a tongue lashing, you know.
I know. It's just a bonus.
One I can do without, thank you very much. Especially when he was hearing much the same words from Nikki herself. What did you find out about Billie Farmer?
Not much. He dropped out of sight just after graduation and wasn't seen for a good ten to fifteen years. He was spotted a couple of times in the years since then, but the first reliable sighting we have of him is in Albuquerque two and a half years ago.
Six months before the first killing.
Yes. We're reasonably sure he was turned shortly after he dropped out of sight, because by the time he was spotted in Albuquerque, he was well past the fledgling stage. Don't suppose there's any chance of finding out who turned him?
You know how difficult a task something like that is. We haven't enough researchers to keep those sorts of records.
But you're still keeping records of master vampires?
Yes. Her mind voice was suddenly cautious. She knew, as he knew, that a master was serious trouble. Why?
Was there one around Boston around the time of Farmer's turning?
I could certainly check. You think Farmer was turned by one?
Yes. I also think he somehow killed the master and sucked in his knowledge. Fortunately for us, he's too young yet to assimilate all that knowledge.
Thank the stars. A master is not what we need in this sort of situation. No. Especially with Nikki and Jake involved.
Are you still intending to meet him tonight?
Yes. But I've just killed his nest of fledglings, and he'll know it could only have been done by another vampire. He won't walk into that meeting without some form of insurance now. Then why tip him off that way?
Because he's obviously created more than one loop, and the number—combined with an inept master—would test even my capabilities.
True. She paused. Just watch Nikki over the next few hours. He may make a grab for her. He'll probably try. Which is why I told her to stay in the sunshine. Master or not, he hasn't the years behind him to walk out in sunlight. He hesitated. Speaking of which, it appears sharing my life force with Nikki has had some unexpected side benefits.
What do you mean?
I mean, I was out in the sunlight for several seconds after eleven in the morning, and I didn't instantly flame. I did have sunscreen on but, given the hour, it wouldn't have made that much difference.
Concern flooded the link. Michael, you could have died.
I know, but my only other choice was letting Nikki enter the sewers alone, and that wasn't going to happen.
How badly were you burned?
He glanced down at his hands. Originally, they'd been a red so fierce they practically glowed, but the color and the heat were beginning to fade. Bad. But that's not the point. It was after eleven. I should have died.
Your merging with Nikki has improved your immunity.
So it would seem. Either that, or sunscreen offers vampires better protection than it does humans. Not that much more, I'd wager. She paused. Has anything else happened?
