“How did you get all of this done in the time I was asleep?”
Charlie laughed. “This jacket was ordered for you after our first meeting. It’s standard-issue for most governors. Claudette took hers when she left. Ferris & Coven always have the bracelets on hand. I just had them add a pair to the delivery, which worked out to be today.”
“It’s amazing.”
“You should visit the shop sometime. If for no other reason than to meet William Ferris and his daughters. He’s quite the character. Think Santa, if Santa was hot and rode with the Reapers, but also did charity work and rescued cats as a hobby.”
“Okay, yeah, I need to meet him. And the women.”
“Ready to get fitted?”
“Sure. Why not? Then I can wear this tonight.”
“Perfect.”
Donna pulled the coat on, struggling a little under the weight. “Do I need to zip it?”
“Yes. Otherwise, it could end up too tight.”
Donna got it zipped. “It’s definitely too big. Not terrible, but with the weight…”
“I know.” Charlie pointed at the coat. “There should be a slip of paper in the right pocket.”
Donna stuck her hand in, found a little card, and looked at it. “Looks like Latin.”
“Might be.”
“Do I just read it out loud, or is there something else I need to do?”
“Just read it. And don’t freak out.”
“You mean because it’s going to get tighter?”
“Right.”
“Okay, here goes.” She held the card up. “Aptus perfectum.”
For a second, nothing happened. Then warmth spread out from the center of the garment over the chest and down the sleeves, back and front.
It quivered slightly. Then began to contract. The temperature increased too.
Donna tensed. It was an unsettling feeling, as if the coat had come alive and was crawling all over her with tiny, fiery insect feet. She knew that wasn’t what was happening, but the sensation remained.
She lifted her chin as if she could stretch away from it, grimacing. “This is very unnerving.”
“So I’ve heard.”
The sleeves shortened to the perfect length as the rest of the coat shrank around her. She almost held her breath. “This is going to stop, right? Because if it doesn’t…”
“It will,” Charlie said.
And then it did.
Donna held still. “Do you think it’s done?”
Charlie looked her over. “I can’t imagine it fitting any better than it does. How does it feel weightwise?”
Donna shrugged her shoulders, testing the weight. “Like a normal coat. Which is amazing.”
“Then I think it’s done.”
Donna stretched her arms out. “It feels like it was made for me. I guess because it was.” She grinned as she smoothed her hands over the leather. “This has to be one of the coolest pieces of clothing I’ve ever owned. And I wore custom-bedazzled Jimmy Choos on my wedding day. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Charlie put her hands on her hips. “Now I’d say you’re ready for that meeting. I can let Temo know if you want, but I didn’t think you were leaving this early.”
“I’m sure we’re not. Unfortunately, that means I have time to call Fitzhugh.” She unzipped the coat and took it off for now.
Charlie made a face. “I don’t envy you that. Do you know what you’re going to tell him?”
Donna sat in her desk chair and planted her feet. “I’m going to stick to the facts. My call is a courtesy to let him know the fae are holding a hostage we’re going to liberate, and it’s happening in his territory. My plan is to keep it brief. I don’t want to talk to him longer than I have to.”
“I hear that.” She put her hand on the phone. “Why don’t you let me get him on the line for you? Keep it all official.”
“All right.”
Charlie picked up the cordless desk phone and dialed. After a moment, she spoke. “Good evening, this is Charlene Rollins calling on behalf of Governor Barrone. Is Governor Fitzhugh available to speak? Thank you. I’m transferring to Governor Barrone now.”
She gave Donna a nod and handed her the phone.
Donna did a big, cleansing exhale before putting the phone to her ear. A second later, Hawke’s voice came through. “This is Fitzhugh. Call to apologize?”
She grimaced. That wasn’t a good start. She ignored the question and went on with her plan, keeping things professional. “Hello, Governor. I’m calling as a courtesy to let you know the fae have taken a hostage who’s important to us. They’ve got him at their stronghold, and my people are going to rescue him. I thought you should know since this is all happening in your state. I wouldn’t want you to hear about it secondhand.”
Silence answered her, as if he was surprised that she’d bother. “I…appreciate that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night.” She cut off the call and handed the phone back to Charlie. “I probably shouldn’t have hung up so quickly, but since he opened the conversation by asking if I’d called to apologize, I went with my gut.”
“You did what you needed to do. That’s all that matters.” The security light on the intercom lit up. “Are you expecting anyone? Or a delivery?”
“Nope.”
Charlie pressed the button. “This is Charlene. What can I do for you?”
“There’s a visitor for the governor.” The man’s voice was low, like he didn’t want anyone else to hear. “A woman who says she’s the governor’s sister, but she’s dressed like a nun.”
Brows bent in consternation, Charlie glanced at Donna. “What do you make of that?”
“That my sister has decided to pay me an unexpected visit. And that that we need to put her on the approved-visitors list.” She rose from the chair. “Send her up.”
Chapter Five
Donna went straight to the door and opened it before the elevator arrived. She leaned on the jamb, watching as the numbers above the doors lit up to show the car’s progress.
At last, the doors opened, and Cammie stepped out in her traditional black and white habit. Her eyes brightened when she saw Donna.
“This is a welcome surprise.” Donna held her arms out. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Cammie walked into the embrace and hugged her back. “You too. I hope this is a good time.”
“It’s always a good time and never a good time, but that’s what being governor is all about. Doesn’t matter, though. For you, I’ll make whatever time you need. Well, as best I can.”
As Cammie pulled away, she held on to Donna by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. “I’m glad to hear that, because we have to talk.”
“You look and sound very serious.”
“I am. Because it is.” She smiled. “But it’s nothing that can’t be managed, I promise.”
“That’s good to hear. I should tell you I do have to leave in about an hour. I hope that works?”
“More than enough time,” Cammie said.
Donna’s interest was certainly piqued. She couldn’t imagine what Cammie wanted to discuss. “Come on in. Hey, you haven’t seen the penthouse yet.”
They walked into the space, and Donna spread her arms like a spokesmodel. “What do you think?”
Cammie stared ahead at the wall of windows. Across the Hudson River, Manhattan was twinkling to life as dusk approached. “That’s a very impressive view. Seems fitting for a governor.”
“The view is definitely amazing. Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”
Charlie was in the kitchen, fixing a cup of tea. Temo was at the dining table, typing on his phone. He gave them a quick glance, blinked once at Cammie, then put the phone down and got to his feet.
“This is my admin, Charlene Rollins, and my head of security, Temo Danielson. Charlie, Temo, this is my sister, Sister Mary Lazarus Immaculata. Formerly known as Camille, so if you hear me call her Cammie, that’s why.”
Temo’s brow rose slightly as he smiled. “Very nice to meet you, Sister.”
Charlie stirred a spoonful of sugar into her tea. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You too,” Cammie said. “Both of you.”
Charlie set the spoon aside. “Would you like some tea? I’d be happy to make you a cup.”
“No, I’m fine, thank you.”
Charlie picked up her cup. “If you’ll excuse me. Work to do. Governor, I’ll be in the office if you need me.”
Temo edged toward the downstairs steps. “I should go make sure the car is ready. I’ll be back in a few, boss.”
“Sounds good.” Donna was sure Temo had already prepped the car, but her team seemed to understand she needed time alone with her sister. She turned to Cammie and hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “There’s a sitting room. We could go in there and talk.”
“That sounds perfect.”
Once they were in, Donna shut the door and sat across from Cammie. This was the same room where she’d first met Fitzhugh. But this would be a very different conversation. With him it had been all about gaining the upper hand. With Cammie, well, no matter what the topic, no matter how serious, she and Cammie were family. Sisters. Equals. “So, what do you want to talk about?”
Cammie smiled briefly, then her face settled into a grave, no-nonsense expression. “What I’m about to tell you needs to stay between us.”
Donna nodded. “Of course.”
“Swear on your crucifix.”
Donna wriggled the chain and cross out from under her turtleneck so she could hold it in her hand. “I swear to keep secret whatever you’re about to share with me.”
Cammie relaxed a bit, taking a deep breath. “I didn’t go to Nicaragua to work at an orphanage. I went there to clean out a nest of rogue vampires that were preying on nearby villages.”
The crucifix fell from Donna’s fingers. She stared at her sister. Her hundred-and-thirty-pound, pacifist, married-to-God sister. “It really sounded just now like you said you went to clean out a nest of vampires.”
Cammie nodded. “Because that is what I said. Rogue vampires, actually.”
Donna blinked a few times as she processed. “I know you knew about vampires before I did, and you said that the church produces a lot of hunters, but are you telling me that you are a…vampire hunter?”
Her smile was terse, but Donna imagined Cammie meant it to be reassuring. “I am. Among other things.”
Other things? What else could there be? “But you’re also still a nun?”
“Yes. The Sisters of the Holy Rosary is one of many specialized convents around the world that train and deploy hunters wherever they’re needed. You also need to keep that to yourself.”
“Specialized? I think you’re underselling it.” Donna sat back and gave herself a little time to process. “This explains how you knew so much more about vampires than I did. But why are you telling me all of this? Especially when it’s such secret stuff.”
Cammie bent her head for a moment. When she looked up, there was fear in her eyes. “I’m telling you this so you’ll understand the next thing I have to say to you.”
Now Donna was worried. “Which is?”
“This…battle you’re about to engage in with the fae?” She shook her head. “It can’t happen. At least not with you attached to it.”
Donna frowned. “It’s not up for discussion. I have to do it. Rico needs my help. He’s being held hostage because of me.”
“The wolves can handle it. Let them.”
Donna spread her arms in disbelief that her sister would say such a thing. “Let me repeat. He’s there because of me.”
“I understand that. But please don’t go.”
“Camille. You’re asking me to abandon a friend. Potentially to his death. That doesn’t sound like you. Or at least the you I thought I knew.”
Cammie wiped her hand over her mouth. “If you do this, it will probably cause a war. And if that happens, there is a standing kill order for all vampires and fae. The order will not allow humans to become collateral damage, which is what would happen if war breaks out.”
A little shiver ran down Donna’s spine. “I’m your sister. The mother of your beloved niece and nephew. Are you saying you would—”
“No. Of course not.” Cammie looked toward the river. “But there are plenty of others in the order who would.” She glanced down at her hands, folded in her lap. “And I would be helpless to stop them.”
Heat built up in Donna’s eyes as a knot formed in her throat. Both signs that tears weren’t far behind. But then, it wasn’t every day that your dear sister told you your death might be imminent. She got up and walked to the windows. Heavy gray clouds blocked the stars. More snow was on the way, it seemed. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you won’t go.”
“I can’t.” Donna put her hand on the glass. The cold felt good. She wanted to press her forehead against it.
“Can you at least tell me when you plan on going?”
She put her hands in her pockets and looked over her shoulder. “Why? So you can stop me?”
Cammie stood. “No. So I can try to protect you.”
This was a deciding moment. Donna felt it. She’d always trusted Cammie. Always felt safe telling her secrets, never doubted Cammie’s love for her. Cammie had been her protector at times. Was Cammie still that same person?
There was only one way to find out. Tell Cammie the truth and then see what she did with the information and what she did to Donna. Defend her? Or betray her?
She turned to face her sister. “Probably tomorrow morning at first light. The fae will be asleep and at their most vulnerable.”
“But you can’t go out in the…” Realization dawned on Cammie’s face. “Except you can, can’t you? That’s why you asked me about the crucifix and what it might be able to do.” She let out a breathy little laugh. “You know, I had that crucifix specifically blessed to protect you from vampires.”
“It did its job. In a way.”
“I suppose.” Cammie’s eyes narrowed. “So you can daywalk, huh? I don’t think you know how rare that is.”
“I have an idea. But I would appreciate you keeping that information to yourself. If that’s even possible. Considering what you’ve told me, a little quid pro quo should be in order.”
“Donna, I’m not your enemy. But I’ve been a hunter a lot longer than you’ve been a vampire. It’s been my life. You can’t expect me to ignore the training I’ve been doing since I joined the convent.”
“No, I don’t suppose I can.” She tried to smile, but the result was weak. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were a hunter sooner.”
“I thought about it, but I didn’t want to worry you when you were already dealing with so much.”
Donna nodded. “Is this a done deal then?”
“I can’t stop them from doing what they think is right.” Cammie took a breath. “If it makes you feel any better, they won’t just target vampires and fae. The order will apply to any supernatural that appears to be a threat to mankind.”
“Good to know equality exists among hunters.”
Cammie sighed. “I love you. I hope you know how hard this is for me.”
“I love you too. I hope when this is over we can move past this.”
Cammie nodded. “Me too.” She lifted her finger toward the door. “I can see myself out.”
Donna nodded. Under any other circumstances, she would have walked her sister out, but for the first time in forever, she needed a moment to think and digest. She dropped onto the couch and hung her head in her hands as a few tears leaked out. Cammie was her rock. How was she supposed to get through the rest of her life knowing that her sister might be ordered to kill her?
A soft knock on the open door was followed by, “Boss?”
Donna wiped the tears off her face as she lifted her head. “Time to go, I guess.”
“Not
quite,” Temo said. “You okay?”
She stood up, keeping her gaze on the windows. “Looks like snow, huh?”
“Boss.”
She sighed. “No. I’m not okay. But I’ll be fine to do this meeting.”
“You want to talk about it?”
She smiled and finally looked at him. “I can’t. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
He nodded. “I understand. I hope everything will be all right, whatever it is.”
“Thanks, but I’m not sure.” She swallowed. The knot was still there. “You think you know someone…”
“Your sister isn’t who you thought she was?”
“You might say that. She’s turned out to be a lot more than I thought she was.”
“Does she know how much more you are?”
“Yes.” Donna sat down again. “That’s part of the problem.”
He came in and took the seat across from her. “What convent is she with?”
“Sisters of the Holy Rosary.”
“Is there, uh, any chance she’s Venari?”
Donna pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I don’t know what that is.”
“I don’t want to freak you out, but the SHR is a known front for one of the Church’s hunter schools. As in vampire hunters.”
Donna sat up a little straighter. This was one of those times when it didn’t bother her that someone knew more than she did. “Tell me what you know.”
“The Venari, an ancient order of nuns and priests, are trained in the art of killing vampires and demons. Actually, pretty much any supernatural that goes rogue and becomes a problem, the Venari are equipped to take down. The SHR is the local chapter. How long has your sister belonged there?”
“Pretty much all her adult life.”
“Then she has to know about it. She may just be an ordinary nun, but she has to at least be aware of what really goes on there. And having a sister who’s a vampire? That can’t be easy for her. All things considered. But maybe I’m way off base here.”
“You’re not.” Donna had sworn not to say a word, but telling Temo he was right didn’t seem like a violation of that promise.
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