Try Me

by Parker Blue

  I chuckled. “If your wallet can take it."

  "Don't worry about that. I'm more concerned about finding the Encyclopedia Magicka."

  Lowering my voice, I said, “I didn't have any luck tracking Andrew today. How about you?"

  Micah shook his head. “Not yet. But I haven't stopped looking, and I've put the word out. Someone has to know where he is."

  Shade's features flickered in and out once again. But it wasn't as strong as before, and he had lasted longer this time—progress. “Still not totally there,” I said, and laid my hand on his again.

  Shade smiled wanly. “Yeah. It kind of feels like motion sickness. I think I'll lie down for awhile here on the couch."

  "Good,” Micah said. “And we'll continue to keep someone with you over the next few days while we question everyone. Though I still think the thief has to be one of Alejandro's people."

  I shook my head. “I don't think so. I tested everyone who was there that night, and none of them took the books."

  "Everyone Alejandro said was there,” Micah corrected. “How do you know he wasn't lying?"

  I didn't, really. Had I missed something? Should I have read Alejandro's mind, too?

  Fang nudged me. I'M SURE YOU DID EVERYTHING YOU COULD. BUT MICAH DOESN'T WANT IT TO BE ONE OF HIS PEOPLE.

  Yeah, I know. And Alejandro had offered to let me read his mind. Why would he do that if he had anything to hide?

  "We need to keep testing everyone,” I emphasized. “Maybe someone helped Andrew, or knows where he hid the books.” I glanced at Fang. “Have you read these three new demons?"

  YEP. VERDICT, NOT GUILTY.

  I figured, but had to ask. I glanced at Micah. “When I was reading the vamps, I did learn something."

  "What?"

  "They think one of your people, maybe the whole Demon Underground, is responsible for the vamps going mad."

  Micah looked bewildered. “Why?"

  "Because of everyone's reaction at the social. They think you're trying to make the New Blood Movement unstable so you can prevent them from coming out on a national level. To keep the demons hidden and underground."

  "That's ridiculous. We don't operate like that."

  "Maybe you don't, but can you say that for all of your people?” I asked. “After all, Andrew did try to roast himself a bloodsucker."

  Micah sighed and shook his head. “All it takes is one stupid kid to mess things up. We really need to find Andrew, make him apologize. The last thing I want is a war with the vampires."

  "Well, if one of the demons did steal the books to learn their weaknesses and make them go crazy, avoiding a smackdown might be kind of difficult."

  Fang snorted. KIND OF.

  Micah gazed thoughtfully at me. “How do you think we can smooth this over with Alejandro?"

  Startled, I asked, “Why are you asking me?"

  "Because you know him better than anyone. And he respects you."

  Sheesh. How'd I go from vampire slayer to vampire buddy?

  BY BEING FAIR, Fang said. BY NOT GOING OFF HALF-COCKED AND SEEING EVERYTHING IN BLACK AND WHITE. BY NOT BEING ANDREW.

  "Okay, okay. Let me think.” If I were Alejandro, what would I want? “Maybe if you convince the underground to come out with them. Or find out what's causing the vamps to go crazy and find a way to stop it."

  Fang spoke up. OR GIVE THEM ANDREW'S HEAD ON A PLATTER.

  A little extreme, maybe. But it worked for me.

  Micah frowned. “I can try to meet with them again, and ask everyone to keep an open mind, but I'm not sure that's something I want to do. As for helping them to find out what's causing their problem, how could I do that?"

  FIND THE BOOKS, Fang suggested.

  Micah glared at him. “That's assuming one of my people has stolen them and is using them to injure Alejandro's people."

  WELL, IT KIND OF LOOKS THAT WAY, DOESN'T IT? Fang retorted. AND IF YOU WEREN'T BEING SUCH AN OSTRICH, YOU'D GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SAND AND SEE IT, TOO.

  I grinned to myself, glad to see I wasn't the only one to catch the sharp side of Fang's tongue.

  "All right,” Micah said. “I'll keep an open mind. Let's say that's true. Let's say one of my people is trying to injure the vamps. What could he or she be doing? And how?"

  "Blood,” Shade said from where he was lying on the couch.

  We looked down at him in surprise. I'd almost forgotten he was there.

  "It's in the blood somehow,” he explained.

  I nodded. “Probably. But shouldn't we figure out what's in it first, then how they got it in there?"

  Micah nodded. “But what could it be?"

  I shrugged. “Well, the only way I know to hurt them but not kill them is with holy water or silver."

  "That could be it,” Micah said. “Maybe someone injected holy water or silver nitrate into the blood . . . and the pain made them crazy."

  "That's possible,” I conceded. “You might be able to test for silver nitrate, but how about holy water?"

  "The volume of water in the blood sample might show that. We'll figure something out.” Sounding more excited now, Micah asked, “Do you think you could get some of the blood from the banks where the two incidents occurred? We have a lab technician who can test the samples for us."

  "I'll try.” But I wasn't sure how Alejandro would take such a request. He might be a bit touchy after everything that had happened.

  "Good."

  The demons trooped back in then and insisted I come look at my bedroom. Cool. Since I didn't have to put it together, I'd have the surprise of seeing my bedroom completely done.

  They all followed me to the bedroom and when I stepped in, my mouth dropped open. It didn't look like the same room at all. The icy blue and chocolate brown looked fabulous together. Very soothing and inviting. “Wow. You even moved the furniture."

  "Yes,” Mood said, beaming. “Don't you think it makes the room look bigger?"

  "Yeah, it does. You're a genius.” I looked at Fang. “What do you think?"

  WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE, A DECORATOR? But he added, I'M COLOR BLIND. PARTIALLY, ANYWAY.

  "You have to live here, too,” I reminded him. “So I want to know what you think."

  He jumped up on the bed, pawed at the spread, then turned around three times before he laid down. SOFT. I LIKE.

  "He approves,” I said, laughing.

  "Great,” Mood said, and I'd never seen the Emo girl look so . . . un-Emo. “Now all you need is a few accessories in brown and blue, maybe a little silver. And what do you think about putting a headboard on the bed, maybe painting the walls a nice shade of—"

  "Whoa, whoa,” I said, putting out my hands to stop the words gushing from her mouth. “Give me some time to get used to this, first. I'm not sure my bank account can afford too much more this month."

  Mood stuck her hands in her pockets and hunched her shoulders up to her ears in an apologetic shrug. “Sorry. I guess I got carried away."

  "Oh, no,” I assured her. “I want to hear your ideas."

  Micah looked bemused. “I had no idea you were knowledgeable about decorating, Mood."

  She shrugged. “I watch HGTV."

  "Me, too,” Gwen said from somewhere behind her. “Don't you love all their ideas?” As Mood enthusiastically agreed, Gwen poked her head in further. “Wow, the room does look great. And I agree with everything Mood said."

  I laughed. “Well, good. You two can be my own personal decorators."

  "You've got a deal,” Mood said.

  Gwen nodded. “But right now, I'm everyone else's personal chef. You guys hungry?"

  They all were, of course, so Gwen fed them quesadillas with homemade salsa and guacamole, even fixing plates for Fang and Princess. I hadn't eaten much of my lunch, so I ate, too. Over the food, I casually brought up the subject of Andrew's whereabouts.

  Mood glanced at Micah apprehensively. “Why are you looking for him?"

  "Nothing bad,” the Demon Underground leader assure
d them. “I just want to help him get his demon under control so he doesn't hurt anyone. You heard about the incident at the blood bank?"

  They all exchanged glances and nodded.

  "Well, he was obviously out of control. I want to help him find it again so he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else."

  Gwen looked apprehensive. “How do you control a fire demon?"

  Good question.

  "With another demon,” Micah explained. “We can usually find a way to contain someone who has gone rogue, without hurting them."

  "And if you can't?” Gwen persisted. “What happens then? I see enough people in the ER as it is."

  "Then he becomes just like a bad vampire,” Shade said softly. “He's a menace to society, and to us."

  "You mean you'd turn him over to the SCU?” Gwen asked.

  "If we have to,” Micah said. He glanced at me. “I doubt it'll come to that."

  YEAH, Fang agreed. MICAH WILL PROBABLY USE YOU AS HIS OWN PRIVATE ENFORCER.

  Made sense. And I had absolutely no problem with that.

  The others looked appalled.

  "Think about it,” Micah urged. “If someone is that blatantly using their powers, harming normals, what would that do to us?"

  "It would put us in danger, too,” Shade said. “Jeopardize everything the Underground has been working toward."

  HOO, BOY, Fang chimed in, obviously talking to all the demons at the table. TALK ABOUT A WITCH HUNT.

  The others nodded slowly. Mood spoke up. “Well, I don't think Andrew is out of control, but I also don't know where he is. We've been looking for him, too."

  Another guy put in, “Yeah. We've looked everywhere he normally hangs out."

  The doorbell rang and Mood glanced at her watch. “It's not the next shift. They're not due for another hour."

  I laughed. “Maybe they came early to check out Gwen's cooking. I'll get it."

  But when I opened the door, my mouth dropped open. Andrew. All by himself, looking surly and defensive.

  "Can I come in?” he asked.

  "Of course.” But now I was totally confused.

  Fang snorted. YOU AIN'T THE ONLY ONE, BABE.

  He followed me into the kitchen, and everyone looked as shocked as I felt. Gwen, wisely, made herself scarce.

  "I hear you're looking for me,” Andrew said, crossing his arms defiantly across his chest.

  "I was,” Micah confirmed. “Won't you sit down?"

  "Naw. I'll stand."

  "Would you rather speak in private?” Micah asked quietly.

  Andrew snorted. “Nothing stays private around here for long."

  Especially with Fang and Princess around.

  HEY, the hellhound protested. YOU AND MICAH TOLD ME TO SNOOP. Princess didn't deign to respond.

  I know. Sorry.

  "All right, then,” Micah said soothingly. “Why don't you tell me what happened at the blood bank?"

  Andrew gestured curtly at me. “Didn't she tell you?"

  "Yes, but I want to hear your side of the story."

  Andrew sighed and dropped sullenly into a chair, the one Gwen had vacated. “It wasn't my fault. I was there, doing my watcher thing like you told me. I was keeping my cool, checking everything out and not bothering anyone, then this bloodsucker came up and called me a spy."

  "Well, you were,” I reminded him.

  Fang shoved me with his shoulder. MICAH SAID TO TELL YOU YOU'RE NOT HELPING.

  I shrugged an apology at Micah. Tell Micah to ask Andrew about the blood poisoning and the books.

  DON'T WORRY. HE'LL GET TO IT.

  "Yeah, I was spying,” Andrew said. “But he didn't have to be such an a-hole about it. He really got in my face."

  "Did he have a reason for it beyond the spying? Say, a threat to his blood supply?"

  "Like how?” Andrew asked, confused.

  NO CLUE ABOUT THE POISONING, Fang confirmed.

  "Never mind,” Micah said. “So what did you do?"

  Andrew shrugged one shoulder. “What do you expect? I didn't want some dude breathing stale blood in my face. I shoved him away.” He paused, staring down at his clasped hands. “Then he flashed his fangs at me and hit me and I . . . hit back."

  Yeah, with fire.

  HE'S TELLING THE TRUTH, Fang told us privately. HE WAS BLIND WITH RAGE, BECAUSE HE SOMEHOW BLAMES ALL VAMPS FOR HIS SISTER'S DEATH.

  "I see,” Micah said with a sigh. “We'll have to help you with your anger issues."

  Andrew glared at him. “Oh, yeah, how? Is there something in that encyclopedia that tells you how to do that? I'd like to see it."

  "Why?” Micah asked.

  Andrew leaned forward, his gaze angry and intent . . . on me. “You've had the books all this time. Is there something there that told how to save my sister? How to keep me from dying like her?"

  What? “No. I mean, I don't know.” Maybe there was. I didn't remember reading about fire demons.

  "Then show me,” Andrew insisted. “Show me what it says about my kind."

  I spread my hands helplessly, feeling guilty. “I don't have them.” I thought Andrew did.

  NOPE, Fang said, sounding disappointed. HE DOESN'T HAVE THEM EITHER.

  So that's why Andrew had come here—he wanted to read the encyclopedia himself. And that bombshell just blew all our suspicions to smithereens.

  But . . . if Andrew didn't have the books, who did?

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Thirteen

  Andrew swiveled to glare at Micah. “Well? How about it? Can I see the books?"

  "I don't have them on me,” Micah said calmly. “And I'm afraid I can't loan them out to anyone until I'm certain we have a secure copy. But as soon as I learn anything about your kind, I'll let you know."

  "Forget it,” Andrew snarled. “I want to see them now."

  Micah's expression turned stony. “That won't be possible."

  "Why? Because there's something there you don't want me to know?"

  "Of course not."

  "Then prove it. Let me see them."

  "I can't."

  Andrew made a disgusted sound. “You mean you won't."

  "Why can't he see them?” Mood asked, looking puzzled.

  Micah squirmed. But before he could come up with another excuse, Princess said, BECAUSE THEY WERE STOLEN THE NIGHT OF THE PARTY. NOW GO AWAY. YOU ARE ANNOYING ME.

  Everyone bent down to stare at the spaniel under the table. “That was supposed to be a secret,” Shade said gently.

  Princess huffed and tossed her head. WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR SILLY SECRETS? Her nose in the air, she pushed past the table legs and trotted off into the other room.

  Hasn't your girlfriend learned the meaning of discretion? I asked Fang silently.

  He somehow managed to look embarrassed. NOT REALLY. SHE'S A CUTIE, BUT NOT EXACTLY THE BRIGHTEST POOCH IN THE PACK. AND SHE HASN'T INTERACTED THAT MUCH WITH HUMANS, EITHER.

  Plus she was a tad self-centered, but I decided not to mention that part.

  Questions erupted around the table, and Micah held his hands up, looking annoyed. “All right, yes, they were stolen, but we're trying to find the thief. I wanted to keep it quiet until we found the books. Can I count on all of you to keep this to yourselves until we find him or her?"

  Most everyone around the table nodded, but Andrew still looked ready to blow. “It was probably one of those bloodsuckers. They were there that night."

  "We are questioning everyone who was there,” Micah assured him. “But we were trying to do it discreetly."

  Andrew's eyes narrowed. “Is that why you wanted to find me? You think I stole the books? I can't believe this.” And before anyone could stop him, he threw his chair back and stormed out the door.

  WELL, SO MUCH FOR GETTING HIM TO APOLOGIZE TO THE VAMPS, Fang said.

  Not that I'd held out much hope for that, anyway.

  Everyone else looked accusingly at Micah.

  "He doesn't suspect any of his people,” I as
sured them. “But I read the minds of the vamps who were there and cleared all of them, so I insisted we cover all the bases by checking all of you, too.” Let them blame me instead of their leader.

  "Well, I didn't do it,” Mood said.

  Micah smiled at her. “We know. We've cleared everyone here. But we haven't talked to the rest of the people at the party yet."

  "I can't believe it was one of us,” Mood said. “We have so much to gain by letting you maintain control of the books. Maybe it was someone else, someone who wasn't at the party but snuck into the office and took them."

  "But how would they know I had them and was planning on bringing them that night?” I asked. “I didn't tell anyone except Micah and Fang."

  They all looked at Fang.

  He snorted. YEAH, RIGHT. WHAT WOULD I DO WITH BOOKS I CAN'T EVEN READ? BESIDES, ONE OTHER PERSON KNEW—TESSA. SHE HID THE BOOKS, REMEMBER?

  They all thought for a moment. “Tessa?” one of the guys said. “No way."

  "Why would she?” Micah asked. “She knew she'd have access to them from me."

  Yeah, I couldn't see Tessa as any kind of thief. “No one else knew they were there."

  Mood thought for a moment. “Maybe the books put off some kind of magick signature or something, that someone could follow."

  I shook my head. “One that only activated when I brought them to the club? Doesn't make sense."

  Mood shrugged. “Just trying to figure out how they could have gone missing. They didn't steal themselves. Or, at least, I assume they didn't."

  Hey, with magick, who knew? “I'm betting on a person taking them,” I said with a smile.

  "But why would someone steal them?” Mood asked. “And why are you keeping it a secret?"

  Micah sighed. “Because we suspect something the thief read in the book may be responsible for the vampires going mad and killing people."

  Josh looked confused. “Vampires need a reason to kill people?"

  "These ones do,” I insisted. “The New Blood Movement is trying too hard to convince humans they're harmless. They wouldn't deliberately kill anyone unless they were driven insane."

  "What about the other vamps?” Shade asked. “They'd have reason—they hate the Movement. And none of the independent ones have been affected."