He shook his head. “Never mind, it’s not important.”
My jaw dropped. “What do you mean, ‘It’s not important’? I have a right to know what she said about me.”
His jaw clenched. “She didn’t say anything about you, Karli.”
Erica looked as confused as I felt. “Huh? Well, then what did she say?”
Vance cleared his throat and walked down the hall. He opened the coat closet door and began searching for something towards the back. He pulled out a foot long suede necklace with an arrowhead-shaped charm attached to it. He put it over his neck and tucked it under his shirt.
“What’s that for?” I asked. “Vance, what did she say to you?”
He frowned. “It will repel any spells that someone would try to subject me to. She said she left an anniversary present for me at our favorite place. Today is…well, would have been, our wedding anniversary. I didn’t even think of it until she said something.” He looked at Erica. “She told me to bring you there too.”
I felt like throwing up. After counting to ten I asked, “And where exactly is your little special spot with her? And why would she want you to bring Eri?”
He gulped. “Red Rock Canyon. We used to go there to look at the stars. It’s where I proposed to her. I have no idea why she’d want Erica there. I don’t trust it though. You two are staying here.”
“What?” Erica shrieked. “No way! Jake could be there. I need to talk to him. I need to...tell him about the baby. I think he should at least know.”
Vance and I both gave her a look of pity. Damn, this sucked. “Erica, no,” Vance insisted. “This could be a trap.”
She put her hand on her hip and jutted her chin. “I don’t care. If you don’t take me with you, I’ll just follow you. I need to do this, Vance.”
He sighed. “Is there anything that I could say to change your mind?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Nothing.”
He opened the front door and gestured for us to pass. “C’mon, let’s get this over with.”
Twenty-five
I called Leo on the way to the canyon and asked him to meet us there. Vance was pissed, as predicted, but he did grudgingly admit that Leo’s vampire senses might come in handy. We pulled into the park to find him standing next to a white Audi R8. Geez, how many cars did this guy own? Next to Leo was a dark Suburban, which Tara exited as we parked.
Vance nodded to Tara. “Did you bring Kane?”
She walked towards the back of her SUV. “Of course.”
I gave them a confused look. “Who’s Kane?”
She opened the back door and out came a giant beast barreling towards me. “Holy shit!” I shouted.
“Kane, down. Return!” Tara commanded. He heeded to her command and stood in attention next to her side. “Good boy.”
After my momentary panic subsided, I could see that Kane was a giant dog—a mastiff of some kind if I wasn’t mistaken. “Why’d you bring a giant dog?” I asked.
Tara patted said dog’s massive head. “Kane isn’t just any dog. He’s an officer. He specializes in search and rescue. He’s never missed his mark.” She gave Vance a dirty look. “Besides, you ladies should be thankful for the extra protection since you have no idea what you’re getting yourself into. The vampire I get, but this is not a place for civilians. My partner here clearly had a lapse in judgment.”
“Oh. Well, um…” I stammered, knowing damn well she was right.
Leo walked up to us and grabbed my hand. “My love, I’d have to agree with Detective Macku. You and Erica should not be here. Maria is dangerous.”
I jerked my head towards Erica. “Yeah, well, I’m not leaving her alone and she insisted on coming.”
Erica huffed. “Ugh! I get it, we’re not welcome, but we’re here, so can we get this over with?”
Vance put his arm around her shoulders. “Let’s make the best of this, okay?” He looked at Tara. “Where should we start?”
“Kane, go!” She patted his back and he took off with his nose to the ground. We watched as he sniffed the dirt in circular patterns until he seemed to pick up on something and started barking. “It seems like we’re starting over there.”