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Chills ran down Blaine’s back at the implications of Daniel’s words. Such a large mark, not to mention thevines? “You’re sure it was purple?” All devotees’ marks were black unless they were using their powers. “Couldn’t it have been an elaborate tattoo?” He tried to recall the phantom dream woman’s back, to no avail. He hadn’t noticed markings on her.
He shook his head, determination in the fire behind his eyes. “I watched a shimmer of power ripple underneath her skin through the design. I know you know what I mean.” Blaine nodded. “No simple tattoo can do that, only a devotee’s mark. Also, when I tried to talk sense into her, she brawled with me because I touched her.”
“Wait, you hurt her?” Blaine tensed. Altercations between houses could turn south, fast.
“No, no. It’s not what you think. I put my hand on her wrist while we were talking, just because she wasn’t listening to a thing I was saying. That got her riled up. I mean, you haven’t seen mad before. She dragged me outta that booth, threw me down onto the floor, and gave me this!” He pointed to his black eye. “My ribs are even sore from where she straddled me with her knees.”
The combination of his uncharacteristic self-disgust and disbelief almost made Blaine gape.Almost. The idea of a slip of a woman strong enough to pin him down to the floor sent a thrill of anticipation running through him.
“Did you fight back?” He asked, his voice a coarse whisper.
“Yes! I tried, but in minutes she had me dead to rights. If the bouncer hadn’t stepped in, I would be in even worse shape. I have no idea what came over me. I must have drunk more than I thought tonight.”
“Yes, perhaps. Thank you for reporting thisLola, Daniel.” Blaine stood, and Daniel understood his dismissal, standing as well. “Please stay on the lookout for her, and if you run across her, please inform her politely, but firmly, that she’s expected to meet with me.”
“As you wish, Chief.” Daniel bowed briefly at the waist and then turned to go. Jake followed him out of the room, locked up behind him, and then returned and awaited instructions.
Blaine didn’t have to muse long over the facts Daniel had brought to his doorstep. If what he’d reported was accurate, they needed to act fast before the new player impacted his city.
Assuming he’d interpreted the clues Jake had reported correctly, and he had no reason to believe he hadn’t.
He stood and turned to Jake. “I assume you heard the entire target’s physical description?”
“Sir.” He gave a curt nod.
“We’ll call all our contacts at the chapter’s houses and alert them to be on the lookout. They are to locate the subject, report her to us, and then I will deal with her personally.No. One. Else.She’s demonstrated a distinct issue with authority and is extremely volatile. I won’t have anyone getting hurt.”
“Yes, Sir. Should I tell them what type of devotee they’re looking for?” Jake’s eyes narrowed on him.
“Mention the style and location of the mark, but not the size, extent, or the color. Vines and grape clusters on the shoulders.” Jake raised a brow in confusion. “Then we’ll know anyone who reports her with the actual mark, instead of some similar tattoo.”
He shrugged, apparently accepting Blaine’s reasoning. “Should we wait until morning? It’s rather late.” Jake’s impassive expression couldn’t hide the glint of amusement in his eyes. His phone was already in his hand, primed for use.
“If they know tonight, then they’ll be ready to watch for her tomorrow, yes? Let’s call using the usual pattern.” Jake nodded and then moved across the room so they wouldn’t have too much background chatter from the other’s conversations.
Before he could make the first call, Blaine blew out a slow, controlled breath as he ran a hand through his hair. A woman with a mark bearing vines and grape clusters? Such a devotee hadn’t been spied in his lifetime. Not in Colorado, nor the US, nor—to his knowledge—internationally. Why now, and whyhere?
What would aMaenadbe doing in Denver, of all places?
CHAPTER15
NADIR
Porting into the den, Nadir scented for Big Blue and then strode off toward his library.
Azimuth, close on her heels, brushed a cool hand down her back. “Perhaps we could discuss your concerns first?”
She scented Kobol and Orias, following them down the hall. “Oh, we’lldiscussthings, all right.”
“You have less finesse managing Belial than the rest of us.”
Nadir barked out a laugh. “That’s kinda what I’m going for.”
“Have you considered the rest of us might not appreciate you getting Blue riled up?” Kobol ground out.
“Really. Don’t. Care.”
“These are moments I wonder what method I could use to slow you down,” Azimuth mused. Icy tendrils crept around her legs, chilling the air and kicking up a cool vapor around her calves.
