I would have preferred to sit at a desk, but the large intricately carved wood desk only sported a master's chair with no guest seating. The small area before the desk offered two love seats richly upholstered and quite inviting. The better to eat you with, my dear. Again, I was making fairy tale references, ugh. Lola quickly took the spot next to me.

  The vampire looked disappointed. He considered us, no doubt thinking about trying to squeeze between us. He decided against it and sat directly across from us, leaning back and crossing his legs.

  "Mr. Dimir, I am here in official capacity investigating a death in the witch community."

  "Another one? Such a waste. Please, call me Fane."

  I’d rather have not but didn't want to spend the next five minutes arguing. "Okay, Fane, were you acquainted with Violet Williams?"

  "Yes, we were acquainted."

  That was easy. "In what capacity?"

  "We enjoyed a business arrangement. She provided witch blood, and I provided money and, on occasion, security."

  "Great job, on that last one."

  He frowned. "I said on occasion. It wasn’t necessary in recent years."

  "You've had this arrangement for years?" My eyebrows rose.

  "Not this arrangement, but we ran in the same circle for years." The look on his face told me that was all I’d get on that subject.

  I wanted to push, but he was under no obligation to speak with me, and I didn’t know when he was going to stop humoring me. So, I asked what I needed to know. "I’ve read that vampires have the capability of going invisible, at least the older ones. Have you heard of a vampire being able to hide their aura as well?"

  He arched an eyebrow and pursed his lips. Leaning forward, he grabbed a crystal decanter and unstopped it. He raised his gaze trying to meet mine. "Unless of course you'd care to donate?"

  "No," Lola and I said in unison.

  "A pity." He filled the rocks glass accompanying the decanter with a dark-red liquid. It was too thin to be just blood. It was probably cut with something else. "You ask a lot of questions, but you don't offer anything in return. That's not how to play the game, Peg."

  "It's Ms. Darrow."

  His chilling laugh sounded again. "You're going to be such fun."

  The conversation was going exactly where I didn't want it to. I tried to rein it back in. "You don't know of any vampires who can hide their aura, effectively scrubbing it from an item?"

  "Did you think you would come in here and I would tell you the secrets of my kind? We value witches, but only as a delicacy."

  Well, shit.

  "I didn't want to start issues with Pammy, but you smell so damn inviting."

  "Huh?"

  "It's not that you smell better than other witches, your blood just has an extra zing of copper, an extra boost of power. Not everyone would recognize the unique vintage you've brought before me. I'm afraid I can't resist." He struck faster than a cobra. One minute he was sitting at the sofa across from me, the next he had picked me up and was cradling me to him. "I like your accessories, Peg. They're very striking, but they are not a deterrent, simply a nuisance."

  Lola jumped up. "I wouldn't do that, asshole."

  Fane spared her a glance. "Don't worry, my sweet, I'm sure you'll make a lovely dessert."

  "Touch her or me and you jerks won't live out the week. The goblins will kill you and every vampire in the state."

  I struggled in his vice-like grip. "Seriously, dude, I'd listen to her."

  He smiled down at me. "Ah, my dear, I know your family is not connected with the goblins."

  "Well, I am, and she's my best friend. Plus, she's recently become cozy with Deval."

  Fane tried to maintain a passive expression, but the name drop worked. His grip on me loosened. "But if she has piqued his interest, it was surely a fling. Deval is not one to commit."

  "Even if it’s just a fling, he's hired her to look into this murder. Back up before I call him." Lola reached into the tiny clutch and drew out her phone.

  Fane released me completely and stood. "What exactly is your connection to the goblins, Miss…?"

  "Fahl. I was adopted by them. I’m their ward. Go ahead and harm us, see if I'm lying."

  Okay, Lo, let's not bait the hungry vampire. "How about you answer my questions? I eat a very unhealthy diet. I'm sure my blood wouldn't be worth it."

  Fane gave me a disbelieving look, maybe I shouldn't have brought up my blood.

  "Yeah, you should see how many burritos she can put away in a week."

  "Thanks, Lo, it's a skill."

  The vampire moved to the space between his desk and the sofas and began pacing, obviously torn. If he let us go, he was acknowledging the goblins were stronger than the vampires. Which they were, but ego was something everyone wrestled with. I leaned back into the sofa, finding it comfortable again now that I was no longer being restrained by my worst nightmare.

  Lola remained standing with the phone in her hand, daring Fane to call her bluff. If I became successful at this Fortune thing, I might need to hire her as muscle or the pimp of impending muscle, so to speak.

  The vampire quit pacing and turned sharply on the ball of his foot, returning to his previous seat on the second sofa. "At this time, I will refrain from feeding. Why have you brought these questions before me?"

  "I found a black-market blood bank in her house."

  "I would hesitate to use the words ‘black market.’ Everyone who donated was aware of what it was for and was compensated appropriately."

  "Witches hurt for cash every now and then, but I don't think it's actually legal," I said.

  "And fae and shifters, even goblins, still it's a gray area at best," Fane argued.

  Lola sat back down quickly, her mouth open in surprise.

  My jaw ached to drop as well. "Really, you get fae and goblins too?"

  "Of course, every race no matter how affluent, wealthy, and insular will always have its poor drudges, the ostracized. Violet was good at finding them, and I paid her, and them, very well for it."

  "Why bother to pay? Those poor drudges would likely show up on your door looking for a little danger." There would never be a shortage of stupid, regardless of species.

  "There will always be those, but they often require a courtship process and even the most loyal servants sometimes get away. How is Belinda?"

  The back of my jaw tensed and ached at the mention of my aunt. "That is none of your concern."

  "She is missed, so willing with just a hint of defiance. Well, at least initially." His eyes glittered, drawing my gaze before I pointedly focused on his nose.

  He was trying to goad me, but I didn’t fall for it.

  Lola was a bit more susceptible apparently. "Shut it, or I'll tell Deval you attempted to attack us." She was shaking.

  I placed my hand on hers to calm her and wordlessly ask for her silence. Her stiff muscles relaxed slightly as she tried to do my bidding.

  Fane nodded once, clearly not worried. He knew we wouldn't say anything as long as he cooperated. If anyone got to kill him, I hoped it would be me one day. I wouldn't want Deval to beat me to it, unless absolutely necessary.

  "What happens now that your source is gone?"

  "Another one will pop up. They always do."

  "You didn't have any arguments with Violet?" I prodded.

  "No, ours was a strong working relationship. We had a history. I was fond of her."

  "You're incapable of that kind of emotion." My nose wrinkled.

  His flat grin reinforced my statement. "Even the worst monster can feel affection for a pet."

  That was exactly what Violet had been, a pet. "Okay, even if you didn't personally have any problems with her, what about the other vampires in your territory?"

  "None would dare."

  "The poppy she was clutching would say otherwise."

  His eyebrows raised. "What do you mean, a poppy was found?"

  "Exactly what I said, a poppy flower was found in her cold dead fingers. Are you saying the poppy flower is no longer your calling card?"

  I looked to the painting displayed behind the desk depicting a field of poppies for emphasis.

  His mouth thinned before answering, "Yes, it's our calling card, but none would dare, and if they have, they’d have me to answer to. I will need to know about the results of your investigation. It is a great offense to harm one in our possession, let alone to have gone against the sect or to impersonate us."

  The most telling word of that statement was “possession.” Vampires did not care for anyone. Even their loyalty for one another was only a means to an end. Lola was a member of the goblins, and they referred to her as daughter or ward. Vampires only wanted to own people, and break and discard them at will, just as they had my aunt.

  "I would need to clear that with Pammy and Deval. Frankly, why would I give you any information when you're not being forthright with me?"

  "Please, child, I have been answering your questions," his tone was snide.

  "The bare minimum. Can any vampires scrub their aura as well as their physical form?” Fane inclined his head slightly. It gave him a strange otherworld appearance, like a reptile impersonating a human. He closed his eyes for a moment in thought.

  He didn't see me shiver at his strange movements.

  Eyes still closed, he answered, "I am the oldest in this territory, and I cannot hide my aura without the assistance of witch magic. We, like every supernatural, evolve, but I have not heard of this talent. I would not say definitively that the talent doesn't exist, because we are secretive, but again I haven't heard of it."

  “Do you believe any of your people may have ‘evolved’ to possess that talent?”

  His expression turned thoughtful. “I do not, no. I keep those in the state well in hand. They would not be able to hide this talent long.”

  “Can you think of anyone else who might want to harm Violet? You mentioned Violet needed security in the past.”

  He waved his arm, dismissive of the question. “That was child’s play a few years ago. An old tryst. I can’t even remember his name.”

  “Are you sure he didn’t hold a grudge?”

  “No, I am not sure he didn’t hold a grudge. I am not all knowing.”

  “Okay, but do you remember anything about him, if not his name?”

  “I remember arrogance. I enjoyed bringing him down a notch. But age doesn’t always lead to clear memories. You would need to confer with her friends.”

  “Is there anything else you can think of that might be helpful?”

  He tapped his finger on his jaw for a moment. “No, that is all I know. Will you share your findings with me?”

  Damn everyone wants a piece of the action.

  “I’ll tell Pammy you want information, and she can decide.”

  “Do tell her that I’d be most interested. Now, ladies, as pleasant as this has been, I grow bored. You may leave.”

  He didn’t bother getting up, but Lola and I did quickly, wanting to leave before he returned to his previous game. He remained on the couch as we hustled out the door. My eyes darted around the labyrinth of hallways and spotted an escort. The human lackey stood slightly away from the door we exited waiting to escort us out the door. His glazed eyes and smile reminded me of my aunt.

  9

  We made it to Lola’s car without further incident. She was frazzled and gripped the steering wheel with an intensity you would expect from a kid in driver’s ed. She didn't want to talk about the night, which was fine by me. I had enough to think about without delving into a “we came this close to death” conversation. She pulled up in front of my house.

  “Did you want to come in for a drink?” I asked.

  She shook her head “no.”

  I closed my eyes for a moment. “Thanks for being the Hooch to my Turner.”

  That elicited a small smile.

  “I’m going to Violet’s in the morning. I’ll call you after.” I told her.

  “Sounds good, I’m exhausted. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  I got out of the car, hyper aware of every shadow. It wasn't until I was in my home with the wards set that I breathed a sigh of relief. At least until my subconscious gave a little wobble of doubt. Deval managed to get in despite the wards. Ugh, there went any chances of a decent night's sleep.

  Sleep didn’t elude me, but I woke to an aching jaw and slight headache. Even in sleep I couldn’t hide from stress. Nothing some coffee and ibuprofen couldn't fix. It was early, before nine. If I listened to Pammy, my next step would be to take a trip down the rabbit hole. First, I needed to check out Fane’s story.

  He was adamant that he had nothing to do with Violet's death because she was an asset to him, but vampires couldn’t be taken at their word. It was evolution’s greatest shocker that they’d organized a government at all. Their natures leaned toward ripping one another apart.

  I needed to make sure Violet hadn't backed out of their deal. Just because he considered her an asset, didn’t mean she felt the same way about him. If it were a mutually beneficial arrangement, financials would provide a clear view.

  In the kitchen, I measured out the grounds and turned on the coffee maker, looking at financials would require an extra cup. Math wasn’t a foreign language, but it wasn’t my best class. Hearing the flop of the cat door, I glanced over my shoulder to see Cheddar trot forward, his hanging belly jiggling adorably as he moved to weave between my legs. He meowed pitifully that I was starving him. We both knew it wasn't true.

  Fifteen minutes later, Cheddar was reclined on my bed licking his chops in gluttonous glee while I got dressed, my second cup of coffee on the dresser. Still waiting for the caffeine to kick in, I made the executive decision to take another cup to-go. It was good being the boss. Lord help me if I said that in front of Pammy.

  Dressed in my uniform of a cotton t-shirt, jeans, and a tattered pair of burgundy Doc Martens, I looked out my bedroom window and saw that it was overcast. Arizona winters were tough. Grabbing a cardigan, I left the house five minutes later, travel mug in tow.

  By the time I was at Violet's house, I was fairly awake, thanks to loud classic rock and caffeine. The approach to the house was a lot less ominous in the daylight. The front door was shut and locked like I’d left it. I hoped that meant there wouldn’t be any surprise visitors. That was probably wishful thinking The vampires would want their property. I assumed the medical equipment was theirs. I couldn’t picture Violet shelling out for the expense.

  Reaching in my purse, also known as the black pit from hell, I searched for the spare set I grabbed on Friday. Five minutes of digging produced nothing. It was only after searching my Jeep that I remembered taking them into my house for safekeeping. What an idiot.

  The lock could be broken, but I didn't want looters to take any of Violet's valuables. Going back for the keys would be a pain in the ass, especially if there was an alternative. I walked around the side yard to the block fence. Despite being five seven, I stretched up on my tippy toes to reach the latch on the other side of the gate.

  The backyard was overgrown to degree that suggested Violet hadn't enjoyed yard work and only kept the front yard groomed to keep her neighbors off her back. Chaotic, where the house had been sterile, it was a stark contrast to the impression her home gave. It was attractive with its many citrus trees, if a bit gnarly and wild. The porch had the prerequisite dusty lawn furniture that looked to be rarely used. Its lack of coordination again at war with the uniformity of the home.

  I reached for the knob and found it locked as well. Damn it. There was no deadbolt in the fifties-styled door. It had a window for the top half, the blinds tightly closed. I considered what would be easier to replace, a door lock or a window. Now I was being silly. I needed to go home and retrieve the keys. Then I noticed the dog door. Childhood shenanigans came to mind, like being dared at a young age to squeeze through a cat door.

  Violet didn't have any pets; it was likely a relic from a previous owner. I could no longer fit through a cat door, but this one had been meant for a larger dog breed. I’d only need to get my torso into the door and reach up to undo the lock. This was why I didn't dress up for work.

  Down on all fours, I angled my shoulders through the door. I managed to get my torso in easily enough, but trying to push my hips through was futile. Plan B it was, I twisted in the space, my ribs digging uncomfortably into the sharp plastic of the pet door and extended my arm as far as it would go, undoing the door lock.

  The soft click barely sounded when I heard a deep voice from the outside. "While I appreciate the view, this seems beneath you."

  Fear had me banging my spine against the top portion of the pet door. I scraped my back as I scrambled out as quickly as possible. The sun chose that moment to peek out of the clouds. Blinded by the glare, I threw a jolt of power at the direction of a male figure. A grunt sounded. Just as I readied another jolt a cloud passed overhead, and I could see again. I doused my power. "Deval, what the fuck are you doing here?"

  He looked a little pale, which for a goblin meant practically corpse-like. They evolved in the earth after all. "Good god, woman, I knew you were strong, but you have exceeded my expectations.” He placed a hand against the brick wall, taking a deep breath. Goblin magic was slow to work. Their natural immunity allowed them to be impervious to a single jolt of magic.

  "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people? I could have killed you!"

  His color was quickly returning. "Witch, you would need to do a lot worse to kill me."

  Throwing up my hands, I said, "Don't test me," through gritted teeth

  He clenched and unclenched his jaw before spitting out, "You are powerful, but do you think I would be the reigning prince if some witch woman, not even a century old, could take me down?"

  "I likely won't see a century, jackass." It was bad taste to bring up the consequences of our curse. Just because I grew up knowing I wouldn't live a thousand years, didn't mean that there wasn't a longing encoded in my DNA saying I should be able to.

 

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