by Jess Haines
It didn’t help that I had read in the papers about that one vamp who went off the deep end about three months ago and went on a rampage. She started—literally—tearing the limbs off the White Hats who were (granted, illegally) accosting her and her flock of followers (read: food) at a downtown restaurant. The papers really spiced it up with unnecessary details, but most didn’t mention the fact that one of the White Hats had been holding a knife to the throat of her latest boy toy.
I heard the whole story when I dropped off some evidence down at the police station the night it happened. When I walked in, the blood-spattered White Hats who hadn’t been torn up by the vamp and shipped to the hospital or morgue were all in cuffs waiting to be processed. So were the vamp’s followers. The vamp herself had been staked in the line of duty by some of New York’s finest.
The vamp’s followers were either weeping their eyes out or screaming and shaking their cuffed wrists, basically pitching a fit over the loss of their leader. The running mascara and caked white makeup, black clothes, and multicolored dyed hair contrasted sharply with the clean-cut White Hats, all pressed shirts and crisp jeans or slacks. So did the heartwrenching cries for their lost “master.”
That was the thing. It wasn’t the sensationalism of the newspapers, or even the fact that the vamp had been throwing body parts around like a child’s discarded toys. Hearing more than one of my fellow humans cry for “master” was probably what got under my skin the most. Slavery, like cannibalism and black enchants, is not only illegal but wrong on every moral and ethical level, no matter which way you look at it. Whatever she did to them, even after taking their blood and seeing her tear apart other living people, instead of being overjoyed when she died for having their freedom back, they were utterly despondent. Whatever hold she had on them was still hooked deep, urging them to protect and love a leech even after her death. The memory still gives me nightmares.
I’d never let that happen to me. Never.
With all these cheerful thoughts in mind, I undressed, pulled on an oversized T-shirt, and got into bed. I left the lights burning in all the rooms, the cross still around my neck for comfort, and lay staring up at the ceiling as I drew the blankets up to my chin and shivered with more than cold. I’d effectively tied myself to Royce now, and willingly, too. Even if it was only for a short while, I would really have to watch my step. The minute I started feeling any kind of draw to him, that’s when I’d know it’s time to hit the brakes and back out. Now if only I could manage to fulfill the contract before that happens, and get the money in the process.
That gave me a moment’s pause.
What if backing out pissed off The Circle? If Royce and The Circle both got ticked at me, I would be royally screwed. I had no trouble admitting that I was small fry and so was my business. I wasn’t so egotistical as to think one short clip and my picture in the news was enough to make H&W Investigations a Fortune 500 firm. Hell, we’d be lucky to make the Fortune 50,000 at the rate we were going.
A. D. Royce Industries and The Circle were both incredibly affluent and politically powerful factions, not groups I wanted to come between. The only wealthy contact I had to speak of was my business partner, and she didn’t come with the contacts or political muscle to flex that Royce or Veronica had at their fingertips. This meant I’d also be bringing down the house on Sara if I did decide to cancel the contract. Being my partner, even though it wasn’t her run, meant that she was tied into this mess almost as much as I was. Crap.
I had no choice. I couldn’t back out of the contract now. For the time being, I had the dubious safety of The Circle to run to if Royce got pissed. Right now, he thought I was an ally or at least a business associate of some kind. If what I was doing for Veronica was a betrayal of some sort (and I had no doubt in my mind the vamp would view it that way if he found me out), then I had no choice but to carry things through or I’d lose that protection, however minimal it might be. If I broke the contract I’d have not one, but two, incredibly pissed-off powers-that-be after my hide.
Which brought up another great point. Royce knew me, and acted almost like he was expecting me when I showed up at the club. It would be foolish to believe that he’d simply recognized me from the papers and that his “helpful nice guy” show was little more than coincidence. Sure, the Were thing was on the front page, but that was over a month ago. I’m not that memorable, and neither was the take.
Was he taking that old saying “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” to heart? Did he know I was actually working for The Circle? Was he going to try to play me somehow?
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
Chapter 7
Something woke me in the middle of the night. I cracked my eyes open, not sure whether a feeling or a sound had disturbed me. Squinting out from under my cocoon of blankets, I saw that my digital alarm clock read 3:17 in very large red numbers. I grimaced. Oh well, at least I wasn’t expected to go into the office later.
Throwing off the covers, I glanced over at the window and noted absently that light from the streetlamps was filtering in between the blinds. Pausing, I looked up at the ceiling.
The light was off.
“The hell?” I muttered, getting out of bed. Hadn’t I left all the lights on in my moment of insecure paranoia after meeting with the vampire? I had just changed the bulb not that long ago. Did it burn out from being left on all night?
I moved to the door. As my hand rested on the knob, about to turn and open it, a very large, very male hand clamped over my mouth as another snaked around my waist and yanked me back, pinning my arms in the process. I didn’t have time even to gasp in shock, my eyes widening as I was pressed back against the guy’s chest. His sour breath slid over my cheek as he whispered in my ear, “Don’t move, or we’ll gut you like a fish. Are you one of his whores?”
Another man became visible, stepping around the guy who’d grabbed me so I could see the hunting knife glittering in his gloved hand. It was too dark for me to see his face. “She’s not. Not yet. Look what she’s wearing.”
My eyes were open so wide they stung. I didn’t want to hyperventilate and pass out, but I was scared shitless and couldn’t move. The guy’s gloved hand stayed clamped over my mouth while his other hand slid between my breasts and fingered the cross at my neck. He gave a little dissatisfied grunt. “Doesn’t mean anything.”
“Sure it does. It means she saw him, but she didn’t let him touch her. Isn’t that right, princess?”
I made an incoherent sound of confusion against the glove held to my mouth, rolling my eyes to the side to try to make out the features of the other man. What the hell was going on?
“If we let you go, do you promise not to scream or run? My companion wasn’t joking. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to. Blink once if you agree.”
I did. He nodded, and his beefy companion reluctantly let up his grip on me. The second the man let go, I rounded and slapped him. “Don’t ever touch me!”
The big guy staggered back, a hand lifting to his cheek in shock. Seemed like that was the last thing he was expecting. Turning back to the smooth talker, who appeared to be the leader, I balled my fists at my sides and seethed, “What the fuck are you doing in my apartment, threatening me? Get the hell out!”
“That’s quite a mouth you’ve got on you. Don’t worry, we’ll be gone soon enough. We just want to know if you’re one of us or one of them.”
That gave me pause. Us or them? “What are you talking about?”
He laughed softly, the sound for some reason making me shiver. This guy was nuts, completely unhinged. It was his companion who answered me, his low voice rumbling in a growl deep enough to do any Were proud. “Are you a donor? Do you work for or with the corpses?”
Oh no. White Hats. Not like the uptight Mr. and Mrs. Borowsky. These were the right-wing, guntoting, business-torching kind. The ones who made vamps and their people disappear.
“God, no. Of course n
ot, I’m not psychotic.” Not like you, buddy.
He nodded, gesturing with the knife for me to back up and sit down on the bed. I did, yanking the sheets over my bare legs and wondering what was coming next.
“You saw him tonight. The leech. What was your purpose?”
Well, this was just a peachy keen development. Was I being followed, or did they just happen to be scoping the place out when I got there?
“I was there on business. I’m a PI, and I’m trying to track a missing person for a client.” I took a breath, noting the unspoken condemnation in their postures, and plunged ahead, hoping I wasn’t digging myself a deeper grave. “He was last seen with a vamp. The leech’s contacts may be the only way for me to find the kid in time.”
Maybe using the offensive slang for vampires would help my cause. Maybe making him think the kid was in danger would make him back off. Yeah, and maybe they’d put on top hats and coattails and start singing showtunes for me while they’re at it.
The bigger guy glanced to his partner, who didn’t relax. “That’s only a half-truth, Ms. Waynest. We’ve been watching you. I know you have some ties to The Circle.”
Shit.
“That’s true,” I muttered warily, trying to swallow back the sudden surge of fear those words caused in me. Some White Hats were more liberal when it came to magi than they were with Weres and vamps. What type were these two? “We want you to join us.”
More than a little nonplussed, I stared in the general direction of his shadowed face. Would he take a stab at me if I let out the hysterical laughter that threatened at his words? It took more than a little effort to swallow my first reaction back.
He slid the knife into a sheath at his belt before spreading his hands and taking on an apologetic tone.
“I can only imagine what you must think of us, but we had to make sure you had not gone over to the vampire. As I said, we’ve been watching you. You are capable of dealing with and against the Others, and you have an excellent front of a legitimate business to carry out our line of work. You simply forced our hand by going to the leech so soon.”
Good God. This was getting more and more like a bad gangster movie by the minute.
“Look, no offense or anything, but no thanks. I’m just trying to do my job.” Man, I could be remarkably polite when under threat of having my throat slit. “I didn’t ask to get involved with these things, and I have no plans on ever working for either leech or mage ever again once I finish out my contract.”
Since my eyes were adjusting to the dark, I was finally able to make out the small white cowboy hat pins at their collars, and some of the smooth talker’s features. Tall and skinny White Hat was about as white bread as they come, probably blond and blue-eyed though it was still too dark to be sure. Mr. Deep Voice had mahogany skin, blending well with the shadows. They were both wearing dark clothing, leaving most of their bodies indistinct, though I could now see well enough to note that Mr. Smooth Talker was frowning.
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like they were going to press the issue. After the two shared a look I couldn’t read, Mr. Deep Voice spoke up.
“We’ll give you some time to think about it. Remember what you’re dealing with, little girl. Leeches and sparks are dangerous. They both play for keeps. Be a real pity to stumble over your body in an alley somewhere.”
“Thanks for the advice. Get out.”
Under the circumstances, that was about as polite as I could be. I wanted to add a few colorful expletives, threats, and suggestions of my own to the mix, but I figured I could do without the gaping stab wounds I’d likely get for my efforts.
The two of them quickly exited the bedroom, fading into the deeper shadows of my living room. I got up and rushed over in time to watch them slip out a window and onto the fire escape. Damn, they’d cut a neat little hole in the glass and simply flipped the lock over to let themselves in. I considered calling the cops, but chances were I could call in an order for pizza, too, and the food would get here first. The trail would be stone cold by the time they arrived.
Just great. Slamming the window shut and locking it behind them, not that it would do much good with the four-inch hole in it, I thought about what the two men had said and how exactly I would explain the damage to the window to my landlord.
No matter what I did, who I chose to work for, or what choices I made, I’d be pissing somebody off. I had my pick between The Circle, Royce, or the White Hats. The White Hats were obviously an unstable element, considering they thought I’d be more amenable to joining their fun and games at knifepoint. The Circle had me in a contractual pinch I wouldn’t be able to break out of with any ease. Royce would probably hit the roof as soon as he figured out what I was really after. Each and every one of them had the resources and clout to make my life miserable or even make me disappear. One, or more, of them would have a reason to want me to, once I made a move.
I wandered back to my bed and sat down on the edge, staring blankly at the wall. My hands had started shaking again. Right now, Royce seemed like my safest bet, seeing as he was the only one of the three who hadn’t threatened me. Yet.
I was so dead.
Chapter 8
After a very long, very sleepless night, I finally broke down and called Sara around 7:30. That was pushing it on a Saturday morning, but I desperately needed some reassurances. She picked up on the fifth ring.
“Ugh. Yeah, what?” Her grouchy, morning-gravelly voice was comforting in its familiarity.
“Sara, someone broke in during the night. I’m in deep. I met with Royce last night, and now I’ve got White Hats on my tail.”
Yeesh, and I’d thought the White Hats were being melodramatic last night. Must be rubbing off.
“What?!”
The edge to her voice made me cringe. I hadn’t quite meant to get it all out in a rush like that, but there was no help for it now.
“Shia, what the hell? I mean, great, you got ahold of Royce, but what’s with the White Hats? Are you okay? Anything stolen?”
Sighing, I rubbed a hand over my face. “No, nothing stolen. I’m okay. These two guys broke in through the fire escape and politely asked me at knifepoint to join their cause.”
Her silence was making me nervous.
Then she said quietly, “And what did you tell them?”
“I invited them for tea and crumpets. Give me a break, Sara, I told them to get the hell out and leave me alone.”
She sounded more relieved than anything. “I was just checking, chill out. So what’re you going to do?”
“I don’t know. Probably go down to see Veronica today and take her up on that offer for equipment. Might as well take advantage of it. Maybe they have something useful against vamps and rogue zealots.”
After a short bark of laughter, she asked, a little more normally, “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, I’m okay. I just needed to tell someone.”
My turn to hesitate. I didn’t like having to say the next part, but the White Hats didn’t leave me a lot of choice after last night. Not that I’d had a choice since agreeing to work for The Circle.
“Listen, watch your back. I know this is my run, but I’ve got a bad feeling this one’s going to go wonky and I don’t want you getting hurt because of me.”
“Hey, what are partners for? If you need a place to crash until this blows over, just bring some clothes and come by. Oh, and check in with me before sunset or I’ll come looking.”
“Thanks, I may just take you up on that. I’ll call you after I see what The Circle’s got to offer.”
“Be careful, Shia.”
“I will. Thanks, Sara.”
Only after I hung up did I remember that I was supposed to chew her out for not telling me about the financial straits our business was in. Oh well. I’d bug her about it when I had a few less important things on my mind. Things like my impending demise and need to decide what side of the supernatural fence I was on.
I still had
the jitters and didn’t feel like lying around, so I got up to shower and get dressed. After pulling on a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, I made myself a bagel with lox and cream cheese, a cup of coffee, and headed over to my computer. A few clicks and passwords later, I was staring at my e-mail.
Two were from Mom, one a joke and the other a reminder for Sara and me that my brother Damien’s birthday barbecue was on Sunday. Spam. Spam. More spam. A note from my brother Mikey asking if I knew what Damien wanted and if I wanted in on a joint gift. A few offers to enlarge my PEN15 and get a better mortgage rate. Lo and behold, my in-box also had an e-mail from Veronica Wright sent early last night, and another from Alec Royce from less than two hours ago.
The sun had risen about three hours ago. Did that mean vamps could move about in daylight? Great, that was more than I needed to know.
I clicked open Veronica’s e-mail first.
TO: S. Waynest
FROM: Veronica Wright
SUBJECT: Update
I haven’t heard since you signed the contract Thursday. I am concerned. Update?
Irritated at her impatience, I clattered out a quick response.
Met with our subject last night. Progress being made. I would like to get together with you this afternoon RE: equipment. Are you available?
Next came Royce’s message. I remembered belatedly that he’d written something on the back of his business card before he gave it to me, and wondered if that had anything to do with it.
TO: S. Waynest
FROM: Alec D. Royce
SUBJECT: Security
I have received word that our friends the W.H.s have paid you a visit.
That was scary. How the heck did he know about that already? Chilled, I pressed on, scanning the rest of the note.