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“Is that everyone you have? Are others coming?”
“I could use more,” he said. “I ought to have more to face Arturo.”
“You’re talking like this is going to be a war. Like you and Arturo have armies. Is that what this is going to be? Vampires and werewolves battling in the streets of Denver? That can’t happen. I’ll tell the police—I have a contact with them.”
“This has been going on for hundreds of years under the noses of mundane authorities. No one will notice.”
He was right. People like us were killed all the time and no one much noticed. Through most of history there’d been a curtain drawn over our world.
“That’s changing. The Denver PD has a Paranatural Unit, did you know that? If bodies start turning up, they’ll notice. Look at how the newspaper played those nightclub attacks. You can’t operate under the old assumptions.”
He studied me sidelong. “What’s your story? You’re on edge, even more paranoid than usual. It’s more than your mother’s illness, isn’t it?”
I almost told him. It was on the edge of my tongue. I hadn’t told anyone but Ben, and for a moment I thought that if I told Rick about the miscarriage, it would explain everything. He’d leave me alone.
I ought to be milking it for all the pity I could.
“Rick, it’s all I can do to take care of myself right now. I can’t help you.” I didn’t want to get involved. I couldn’t get involved.
He nodded, lips pursed thoughtfully. “I’m going to move soon. I have to do this before Mercedes leaves town. She has to spread the word that a new, stronger Master is in control here, and that Denver is off-limits.”
“What’s the deal with her? How is it she has both you and Arturo cowering?”
He smiled, a wry and bitter expression. “A Master vampire is a Master only as long as other vampires recognize him as such. Arturo will be desperate to prove that he’s still in charge. And she has the power to decide that he isn’t. When she moves along on her concert tour, the news of that will spread.”
“So she’s the vampire gossip mill and everyone tries to get on her good side? It can’t be that simpl
e. What happens if she decides to nudge things along in one direction or another?”
“Maybe we’ll find out. Kitty, I know you have pressing concerns, but if Carl and Arturo win, you won’t be able to stay to help your mother. You’ll be in danger, and you see how easy it is to get to you.”
“You’re trying to scare me. I’ve already been scared. It’s a lot harder to terrify me these days.”
“I imagine so. Just remember, fear is good. Fear is a survival mechanism.”
“And a tool used to manipulate others. Rick, I need to get back.”
“All right.” We turned the corner to where his slick BMW was parked.
We drove the whole way back to KNOB without saying a word. He stopped in the parking lot next to my hatchback and let me out without argument. He didn’t have to do that. Carl or Arturo would have kept me locked up, just to show who had the power.
It occurred to me that Rick was one of the good guys.
“Thanks,” I said, climbing out of the car.
“Just a minute. Take this.” He reached over and offered me a slip of paper. It had a phone number written on it.
“This yours?” I said, and he nodded. “In case I change my mind?”
“Or if you need my help.”
I couldn’t decide if the gesture was out of optimism or pity. I stuck the number in my pocket. “Rick. How old are you?”
He shook his head, quirking a smile. “I’m not going to answer that.”
“If I keep asking, you might one of these days.”
“I admire your persistence, Kitty.”
